Anyone hoping to import a 2016 GT350 to the UK?

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Hello all,

Notwithstanding how very difficult it is going to be actually get hold of one, I am seriously tempted to try and get one of the new Shelbys back to the UK, once they come out of course! Anyone else got a similar plan? Anyone see any reason why this car couldn't be used in the UK?

Thanks.

KH.

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Car ordered and deposit paid - now the lengthy wait begins!

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Yes, car is ordered in the States. I am out here with work for a few years. Hope to bring it back with me in 2017. No worries with being a negative Nancy! I have hardly told anyone here yet until and won't count my chickens until I drive the car off the lot. I have paid a deposit and have a receipt and an order receipt from the dealer. However, I don't have a formal DORA yet and no further details have emerged in a good three weeks. It's a small dealership so will be a fairly late made car, I imagine. I am keeping my fingers crossed though. Haven't had a decent car since I sold my TVR ten years ago!

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Thanks Roo. I have heard of guys having 'their' cars sold out from underneath them and it is certainly a concern. I must say that my dealer seems legit and so I remain hopeful. If the worst comes to the worst and they sell the car to someone else for more money I will be forced to buy a second hand GT500 instead. It wouldn't be the end of the world!

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I had indeed seen that the R had been at Goodwood. Who knows - maybe they will bring out a UK 350 in RHD. If they do then I may have to think twice about bringing a LHD one over with me. I imagine it would be pretty costly for a RHD 350 though.

I am sure you are all aware of the ongoing clamour to get hold of one over here. I have been pretty lucky so far. I 'only' had to contact about 20 dealers to find one at MSRP and the place in question is just 100 miles away, albeit in another state. I have heard of people contacting 70+ Ford dealers and finding nothing better than $7k over sticker price. Someone said a garage in California wanted $100k over! My local dealer wants $20k over.

Like I said, I know there's a chance I could get gazumped but the dealer seems like a nice, small-town business that is very friendly and approachable. Fingers crossed!

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mylesmcd said:

I moved out of NI a few years back - i sell US cars and bikes to the US military in Italy - so we got ( iirc) 20 of them, which were lottery-ed out. I wasnt lucky enough!

we were told the R wasnt even being released, they were gone instantly.

Do you work for MAS? I was desperately trying to get involved with the lottery but left theatre before it was up and running. At that point I was considering paying an ADM for the car but after a fair bit of research found one at MSRP. My order was placed quite some time ago but it has a very low priority level and is still listed as being on 'material hold'. My fingers remain firmly crossed...

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If there's a secondary MAS release I might have to consider selling the house and buying another one.

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sumpoil said:

Knickers! .... for a moment I thought I'd discovered a magical way to get a GT350 into the UK!

Thanks for the info Myles, much appreciated. Back to the drawing board for my GT350 plans then ..... looks like in all probability I'll have to import one myself (unless by some miracle Ford decide to do the decent thing!). I've heard that if you own a vehicle State-side for 12 months you don't have to pay import duty in the UK, do you happen to know if this is true?

I believe that if you own a car for six months in the USA you won't need to pay import duties as long as you don't sell the car within twelve months of arriving home. That's what I am pegging my hopes on.

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sonicbloo said:

Sadly, that is only partly correct, the DVLA have closed that particular loophole if it ever existed

From the DVLA website, https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...

"If you’re moving to the UK

You don’t pay VAT or duty on a vehicle imported from outside the EU if you qualify for transfer of residence relief. To qualify you must meet all of these conditions:

you’re moving your normal home to the UK
your normal home was outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months
you’ve owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months outside the EU
you didn’t get the vehicle under a duty-free or tax-free scheme
you’re going to keep the vehicle for your personal use for at least 12 months
To get the tax relief, fill in form form C104A and give it to customs when you enter the country".

Yes, all true. As returning UK military I will be ble to benefit from this despite the Government making it harder.

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Bill Shepherd say they are getting one in January. They don't know what the price will be yet...

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Anyone know if Bill Shepherd have received the GT350 that they were meant to be getting yet?

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Bill Shepherd came back to me today. Their GT350 is arriving end of the month and they will be charging approx £80k. Any takers?

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I have heard quite a bit of feedback about dodgy finishing. Plenty have had issues with the paint job (often dried drips of paint that haven't been tidied up), ill-fitting panels and 'bent' stripes. I believe that the QC has now improved. I hope so, anyway - mine has just been released for shipment! Despite these issues, I haven't yet heard of a single person that isn't chuffed to bits with their GT350.

Regarding the Bill Shepherd machine: they didn't state what model/ spec. Actually, I am a little surprised they are getting one as I keep reading that the car is Usa (yeah ok plus Canada and Mexico) only. Further, some buyers here are saying that Ford made them sign an agreement not to export the vehicle after purchase.

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Well, she arrived yesterday. The GT350 is an absolute beast! Sounds even better than my old TVR, although I must say the acceleration doesn't feel as brutal (even though I am pretty sure the 350 accelerates quicker). Weather has been terrible so haven't really been able to drive her beyond bringing her home from the dealer.

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Thanks! I will post some photos when the weather improves! There was torrential rain when I brought her home which wasn't a great environment for my first drive, especially since I've never driven LHD manual before. The car sounds amazing especially when sport mode is selected.

Hopefully the Florida summer will arrive early so I can get out and about.

The dealer was superb - they kept in touch with me throughout a 'difficult' delivery period (sat for 11 days in a train car in Birmingham Al) and chatting to them upon collection I quickly realised there was never any question of them screwing me like some other dealers have done to others. So if any of you buy a car in Alabama I can highly recommend Johnson Ford in Atmore.

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12 December and not yet in Texas? Blimey that's a long time. Sorry to hear that. My dealer were very proactive - calling the haulage and rail companies several times a day for updates and getting them to promise to prioritise the 350. Apparently there were 20 railcards all full of Ford vehicles stuck there, awaiting release from the rail company. I.e. not actually Ford's fault but reflecting badly on them nonetheless

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Not the best photos... I think she Still looks great though!

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Yes you are quite right - the car is rather dirty. Typically, a day after collecting her I had to put her outside because my garage has been closed for maintenance. She has just gone back inside so I will bet her cleaned up. I don't really have much intention of driving in the rain again, either.

Incidentally, while putting her back into the garage I accidentally went out onto the freeway and I take back my previous comments about the acceleration being less brutal than my TVR...