TVR holiday in the USA

[bubblehead]

I'm due to "retire" from my current employment late next year and am thinking about taking a 3 month break and doing my ultimate American road trip before returning to the working population. I've looked into hiring a modern mustang or similar(too new for me)or hiring a classic corvette but the t&c's are way too restrictive for my plans. Thought about buying something interesting at the start of the trip and selling at the end but the legislation makes it impossible to do legally.........so has anyone knowledge or experience of shipping a car over and bringing it back for a tour?
Thanks in advance Bubbles

[so called]

There are one or two threads on the North America forum about shipping a car over.
There is a rental company in LA who have a Tuscan at only USD2000 /day or USD9000/week

http://car.techwelfare.com/details-17-TVR-Tuscan.h...

[julianc]

Petrol in the US has a significantly lower RON value that in Europe, so without specific additives I assume the (European) car would not run properly.

I understand what you mean about cars that are too 'new', but 4 years ago we hired from Hertz a Shelby Mustang for 3 weeks. Only 350bhp, but it was good!

[anonymous-user]

julianc said:

Petrol in the US has a significantly lower RON value that in Europe, so without specific additives I assume the (European) car would not run properly.

Careful with this as while there are some differences, it actually more an issue of terminology. The US normally uses AKI, to which you add about 5 to get the RON. So a US 91-93 labelled fuel actually is about EU 95-98. You should be fine with any of the US premium fuels so long as you avoid the ones with a high ethanol content, or those below 91.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 12th November 15:12

[K4TRV]

Search Pistonheads, then there's http://www.autoshippers.co.uk/GetRate.htm

Fill in the form and see how much??

Could be cheaper renting as mentioned above ??

HTHs?

[bubblehead]

Cheers people,

After some searching i found a few great threads including one from some Caterham owners who have actually done it so i now know it's possible. Looking at costs it's actually much cheaper than i thought it would be for the shipping etc, still significant but less than some people pay for a holiday, so not just a pipe dream and a definite goer. Will let you know how it goes.

[bad company]

This has been debated before. Insurance was the killer.

If you work it out please let me know as Mrs BC & I are doing Route 66 next year and the Chim would be a great way to do it.

[nawarne]

Recently read in the motoring press that using one of the specialist car shippers where they handle all the importation paperwork etc charged about £3000 for the round trip.

This was for a car going to Pebble Beach, and was to be driven on US roads, so I assume emission requirements were temporarily waived.

I guess your existing insurance cover could be extended for the US, but isuppose the premium hike would have to reflect relative claims in the litigious American market?
Nick

[Barry Ashcroft]

bubblehead said:

Cheers people,

After some searching i found a few great threads including one from some Caterham owners who have actually done it so i now know it's possible. Looking at costs it's actually much cheaper than i thought it would be for the shipping etc, still significant but less than some people pay for a holiday, so not just a pipe dream and a definite goer. Will let you know how it goes.

I was one of those said people it was called USA 2005 if you want to search for details, we did Houston to San Fran in 3 weeks best trip of my life.

[bubblehead]

Hi Barry,

I've got a handle on most of the requirements now but as mentioned above insurance is proving to be the challenge at the moment. I have found a couple of American companies who will provide cover but it's not particularly cheap and was wondering what you guys did regards this (you can email or pm me if you prefer).

Cheers.

[Loach1]

Insurance over here is not cheap, mainly because of the cost of liability insurance to cover huge medical costs etc. You shouldn't cut corners on that, or you might be bankrupt after a collision. To insure your car against damage will be tricky too, unless you are willing to accept a very low value for the car. The specialist companies only cover cars that are hardly driven and kept in a locked garage. If the big companies will accept your driving history, they are probably your best bet. Try Progressive, Allstate or GEICO for size. There could be a problem with their system not accepting your VIN. That happened when I insured my TVR before I had registered it. In your case, if your TVR is less than 25 years old, you will not be able to register it.

For shipping, expect to pay about 1000 pounds each way including brokerage fees on this side, if you use Ro-Ro ships. I just did this and it was a good experience with no damage to the car (except a dead battery and no petrol). I was given recommendations by another PHer for the shipping, and would be glad to pass on their info if you like.

David

[Longers]

Hi Kev

Need a navigator?!

[bubblehead]

Thanks David any info you can pass on will be most welcome and i fully take onboard what you say regards not cutting corners on the insurance.

Ian swmbo might have something to say about you taking over as navigator Looking forward to meeting up at Spa mate and the plans are well advanced for the trip to Mugello.

[bad company]

Loach1 said:

Insurance over here is not cheap, mainly because of the cost of liability insurance to cover huge medical costs etc. You shouldn't cut corners on that, or you might be bankrupt after a collision. To insure your car against damage will be tricky too, unless you are willing to accept a very low value for the car. The specialist companies only cover cars that are hardly driven and kept in a locked garage. If the big companies will accept your driving history, they are probably your best bet. Try Progressive, Allstate or GEICO for size. There could be a problem with their system not accepting your VIN. That happened when I insured my TVR before I had registered it. In your case, if your TVR is less than 25 years old, you will not be able to register it.
David

I just tried the Progressive site. Managed to get some personal details in by using a hotel address but oddly enough TVR did not appear in the drop down list of manufacturers.

[Barry Ashcroft]

Hi Kev sorry for the delay we used this company for our insurance

http://www.sunriseworldwide.com/

The guy was called Don Keller but no idea if he still works there.

Barry

[so called]

Just a thought but it may be worth contacting the TVR Car Club North America for advise on Insurance.

The trip is very much what I've been thinking about for many years now.
Would love to drive down from SF to LA on Highway 1 in my Tuscan.

good luck.

[bubblehead]

Thanks Barry will give them a call. So Called that's a good idea , never even occurred to me, will give them a shout also.