Towing a 911 on a trailer to the South of France
Discussion
Can't add too much to the discussion that hasn't already been said but towing it there and back a few times a year does seem like a lot of hassle for relatively little gain.
Towing itself is fine, you get used to it quickly, used to tow 3.5t trailers for work. If you're reversing just remember to steer into the mirror that is showing more of the trailer and you'll go straight(ish)
I like the idea of leaving a tax and MOT exempt car there, that would cut down the hassle significantly and any classic car should enjoy the climate down there more than in the UK.
Not sure what you could get that's a sports car, pre 73 (or whenever the cut-off date is) and preferably LHD, back to a 911, no doubt.
Towing itself is fine, you get used to it quickly, used to tow 3.5t trailers for work. If you're reversing just remember to steer into the mirror that is showing more of the trailer and you'll go straight(ish)
I like the idea of leaving a tax and MOT exempt car there, that would cut down the hassle significantly and any classic car should enjoy the climate down there more than in the UK.
Not sure what you could get that's a sports car, pre 73 (or whenever the cut-off date is) and preferably LHD, back to a 911, no doubt.
ChocolateFrog said:
Can't add too much to the discussion that hasn't already been said but towing it there and back a few times a year does seem like a lot of hassle for relatively little gain.
Towing itself is fine, you get used to it quickly, used to tow 3.5t trailers for work. If you're reversing just remember to steer into the mirror that is showing more of the trailer and you'll go straight(ish)
I like the idea of leaving a tax and MOT exempt car there, that would cut down the hassle significantly and any classic car should enjoy the climate down there more than in the UK.
Not sure what you could get that's a sports car, pre 73 (or whenever the cut-off date is) and preferably LHD, back to a 911, no doubt.
That’s exactly why I have the Landy out here. Perfect for this which is my view now:Towing itself is fine, you get used to it quickly, used to tow 3.5t trailers for work. If you're reversing just remember to steer into the mirror that is showing more of the trailer and you'll go straight(ish)
I like the idea of leaving a tax and MOT exempt car there, that would cut down the hassle significantly and any classic car should enjoy the climate down there more than in the UK.
Not sure what you could get that's a sports car, pre 73 (or whenever the cut-off date is) and preferably LHD, back to a 911, no doubt.
But as it is a bit slow I’m also bringing this tax exempt old bus out. Still slow, but moderately quicker than the Landy. But neither previous or valuable.
braddo said:
How did the Landy get there and how will the B get there? 
My classic Landy specialist’s son spent a couple of months preparing it and drove it 1800 mims out without missing a beat. The B had 6 months of fettling and mods last year and has had a shakedown this spring so will be driven out same way. Billy_Whizzzz said:
My classic Landy specialist’s son spent a couple of months preparing it and drove it 1800 mims out without missing a beat. The B had 6 months of fettling and mods last year and has had a shakedown this spring so will be driven out same way.
Amazing! Did he use autoroutes or a leisurely A/N road route?politeperson said:
I have a house in the South of France and a 911. I just drive there! 800 miles in a day no problems.
You will be fine as long as you haven't got a silly version with zero suspension.
Sometimes I go a bit further where we have a flat in Barcelona. It is easy too at 1,250 miles on the excellent roads. Avoid red and black days though.
I love the drive. The 911 goes 400 miles on a tank, I have a Sanif Tag for the tolls, it is great. Eat off the motorway at an excellent Les Routiers, pull off at mid day.
First time Mr Macron got elected, I got 5 speeding tickets in one day. I was really impressed with myself as they turned up at my UK home address over the next 6 weeks. Bet we dont issue them in return!. He turned the timer down on the average speed cameras and it cost me 45 euros a go. Wasn't going that quick either. They are REALLY on it. So watch that one.
I also have tried every option of leaving a car at the house and flying. Forget it.
Flat batteries, mice, servicing, insurance, MOTs all the rest. Try registering a car in France with their bureaucracy! It is not like lovely old England where you fill out a form and send it off. You need a Gateway number, proof of residence, 3 copies on the sales receipt etc, etc, etc.
I have left the simplest and the Frenchest cars I could think of over the last 30 years in the garage over there, a 59 2CV, a Renault 4 TL, an Citroen LNA, Citroen DS, Citroen Ami. All a disaster. Battery tenders the whole lot. Cars hate being left unattended even in a dry garage. I swear they sulk. They just will give you stress when you wake them up.
By the time I have parked the car at the airport, waited, flown, disembarked, got a hire car etc, I wish I had just driven anyway.
Driving in France is lovely, the Autoroutes are superb, the N roads are great too.
Here speaks the voice of experience - fully agree!You will be fine as long as you haven't got a silly version with zero suspension.
Sometimes I go a bit further where we have a flat in Barcelona. It is easy too at 1,250 miles on the excellent roads. Avoid red and black days though.
I love the drive. The 911 goes 400 miles on a tank, I have a Sanif Tag for the tolls, it is great. Eat off the motorway at an excellent Les Routiers, pull off at mid day.
First time Mr Macron got elected, I got 5 speeding tickets in one day. I was really impressed with myself as they turned up at my UK home address over the next 6 weeks. Bet we dont issue them in return!. He turned the timer down on the average speed cameras and it cost me 45 euros a go. Wasn't going that quick either. They are REALLY on it. So watch that one.
I also have tried every option of leaving a car at the house and flying. Forget it.
Flat batteries, mice, servicing, insurance, MOTs all the rest. Try registering a car in France with their bureaucracy! It is not like lovely old England where you fill out a form and send it off. You need a Gateway number, proof of residence, 3 copies on the sales receipt etc, etc, etc.
I have left the simplest and the Frenchest cars I could think of over the last 30 years in the garage over there, a 59 2CV, a Renault 4 TL, an Citroen LNA, Citroen DS, Citroen Ami. All a disaster. Battery tenders the whole lot. Cars hate being left unattended even in a dry garage. I swear they sulk. They just will give you stress when you wake them up.
By the time I have parked the car at the airport, waited, flown, disembarked, got a hire car etc, I wish I had just driven anyway.
Driving in France is lovely, the Autoroutes are superb, the N roads are great too.
braddo said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
My classic Landy specialist’s son spent a couple of months preparing it and drove it 1800 mims out without missing a beat. The B had 6 months of fettling and mods last year and has had a shakedown this spring so will be driven out same way.
Amazing! Did he use autoroutes or a leisurely A/N road route?
pete.g said:
That gives you quite a lot of scope - anything from a resto-mod MG, a Citroen DS Decapotable, a Mercedes SL (R109), Jaguar E Type, XK to a simple MX5.
LHD Boxster would be the default, but I’d love to see two PMD’s on the back seat of the Citroen as you wafted along, preferably wearing a Panama hat. Le Francais adorent la DS.
Pete, the dogs would love an open top car, as it is they love been on the move with their heads out the window - Would certainly look the part in a Citroen DS LHD Boxster would be the default, but I’d love to see two PMD’s on the back seat of the Citroen as you wafted along, preferably wearing a Panama hat. Le Francais adorent la DS.
I have thought about something older - The Citroen DS Decapatable is a stunning car and I'm sure it would make me popular with the locals. I've also love the 80's SL500, or perhaps a 964 Cab, but I worry about reliability issues with something old. I suppose such a car would be less of a concern in terms of theft, but then what do I do with the 911 Cab I've ordered, we all know the sun never shines in the UK! (although apparently there's going to be a heatwave tomorrow...... For one day!!).
Thank you also to Lemon Tart for the offer of driving the car down. It's very kind, but I don't even let the garage collect my cars for servicing, I'm just a bit funny like that.
Finally, thank you to all for your comments, they've been a big help, I love the Landy on the beach photo Billy_whizzzz. I've spent over a year of my life in Corfu and do love it. I miss the boat to Agni Bay on an evening and all the other beautiful coves with Tavernas along the coast, but I was quite ill a few years ago and there health care system is not the best...... Have they finished building that hospital yet between Gouvia and Corfu Town?
I think I'm actually going to do as Politeperson suggests and drive the 911 down on my own, probably in 2 x 90 day stints, between April and October, retuning halfway in order to remain insurance compliant.
Although I've decided against towing, hopefully this thread will be of some interest to others considering similar in the future.
Contradicting everything I have said about not leaving a car over there, if I was going to do it, it would have to be an English registered LHD Renault 4 GTL with low miles, a mint body and a galvanised chassis. A full length folding sunroof would be a must too.
One of the few cars modern enough to do 70 all day but still old enough to contain zero micro-chips and an engine that can run on stale fuel.
Of course I am completely biased, as I have one in the shed! I took a picture of her this morning covered in dust.
Leave it or take it? I should have learnt me lessons by now. I already have a dead 1971 Citroen Ami over there.
One of the few cars modern enough to do 70 all day but still old enough to contain zero micro-chips and an engine that can run on stale fuel.
Of course I am completely biased, as I have one in the shed! I took a picture of her this morning covered in dust.
Leave it or take it? I should have learnt me lessons by now. I already have a dead 1971 Citroen Ami over there.
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