Import Ultima to USA

[shoopdehoop]

I've search the forum, haven't found much pertaining the process of importing a kit into the U.S.

Anyone have experience with this? I'm close to purchasing a kit, but this last piece of the puzzle is a complete mystery.

Specifically, did you pick up the kit yourself at the "nearest port?" Or did you have a shipping company deliver from the port to your residence?

Either way, what was involved? How much did shipping cost in total? Has anyone here done this post 9/11?

Thanks in advance!

[gyroplane]

If you are purchasing from the factory, they can help you a great deal with this. I recently (18 months ago) brought in a kit on my own to Seattle. The brokers I hired were useless, so I essentially did all the paperwork myself. I learned a lot, but would have to blow the dust off my notes to refresh. If you are doing a non-factory import, let me know and we can chat.
-Sky

[shoopdehoop]

Yes, I'm planning a new kit purchase from the factory; they put me in touch with a UK company who will quote shipping from the port to my residence.

In the meantime, I'd like to research the option of picking up the kit at the port myself.

If anyone has done this, and can recall the steps and costs involved, that would be very helpful.

[Steve_D]

shoopdehoop said:

.....In the meantime, I'd like to research the option of picking up the kit at the port myself......

Have you seen the size of the packing case? Quite simply it goes without saying it is bigger than a completed car.
If you were to collect it yourself you would need a truck or trailer with a flat bed so the case could be loaded from the side using a fork lift. You will also need to consider how you will unload it at home.

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/Content.aspx?f=usain...

Steve

[UltimaCH]

I would suggest you browse around the US Ultima "fans site" http://www.markkoch.net/ultima/home.asp and ask around there. Probably some people who will inform you correctly.

[shoopdehoop]

Steve_D said:

Have you seen the size of the packing case? Quite simply it goes without saying it is bigger than a completed car.
If you were to collect it yourself you would need a truck or trailer with a flat bed so the case could be loaded from the side using a fork lift. You will also need to consider how you will unload it at home.

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/Content.aspx?f=usain...

Steve

Yes, that's exactly what I had in mind. I have a pickup, can rent or borrow a flatbed, and can unload the crates once home. If unpacking/unloading the crates requires a forklift, that can be arranged. I just want to know all my options.

If others used a shipping company to transport from the port to their residence, I'd love to know about that experience too: Which shipper they used, ballpark total cost, anything unexpected to keep in mind upfront, etc.

[shoopdehoop]

UltimaCH said:

I would suggest you browse around the US Ultima "fans site" http://www.markkoch.net/ultima/home.asp and ask around there. Probably some people who will inform you correctly.

Thanks, I'll check into that. If anyone here has any experience or knowledge in how the kits go from US port to residence, I'd love to hear it.

[shoopdehoop]

Steve_D said:

Have you seen the size of the packing case? Quite simply it goes without saying it is bigger than a completed car.
If you were to collect it yourself you would need a truck or trailer with a flat bed so the case could be loaded from the side using a fork lift. You will also need to consider how you will unload it at home.

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/Content.aspx?f=usain...

Steve

And regarding that link, Steve...

The customer will then be responsible for collection from the nearest port...

That's the part I'm wondering about!

[V8Dom]

hi

have you seen this car in the US already

ebay 220770797567

Dom

[shoopdehoop]

V8Dom said:

hi

have you seen this car in the US already

ebay 220770797567

Dom

Yes, that car looks spectacular, but I don't think I could offer anything close to what it's worth.

I'd love to buy a completed car, but they don't seem to come up for sale often.

I've read so many good things about the kit, I think I could tackle it.

[shoopdehoop]

UltimaCH said:

I would suggest you browse around the US Ultima "fans site" http://www.markkoch.net/ultima/home.asp and ask around there. Probably some people who will inform you correctly.

Good resource, thanks again; looks like I'll be able to get some good info thru that site.

[Storer]

Building one will probably cost you north of $100,000 by the time you have added all the essential "options".

Paul

[shoopdehoop]

Storer said:

Building one will probably cost you north of $100,000 by the time you have added all the essential "options".

Paul

That's interesting; I ballparked somewhere around $85K USD for the kit, G50, and AS engine, which is technically under the threshold at which my wife kills me, but not by much.

I'm now trying to pin down what the port-to-residence shipping, duties, fees, etc, will add to the total. I'm thinking a few grand, but would like to avoid unpleasant surprises.

[Storer]

You may be able to source some of the "options" in the US at better prices but items not on the list (braided hoses etc.) will add a fair amount to the final bill.

You will find that a ready built car will be cheaper than building one (or rebuilding one in my case). I suspect most builders that sell straight away loose between $7K to $10K of the build cost. This is the cost of the hobby.

The build is very enjoyable but if money is tight then a ready built car will be cheaper spec. for spec.

Paul

[shoopdehoop]

Storer said:

You may be able to source some of the "options" in the US at better prices but items not on the list (braided hoses etc.) will add a fair amount to the final bill.

You will find that a ready built car will be cheaper than building one (or rebuilding one in my case). I suspect most builders that sell straight away loose between $7K to $10K of the build cost. This is the cost of the hobby.

The build is very enjoyable but if money is tight then a ready built car will be cheaper spec. for spec.

Paul

My wife braids my hair; hoses shouldn't be too different.

You're probaby right about going with a ready-built, though. Might be best to wait 6-18 months for a nice one to surface.

[V8Dom]

shoopdehoop said:

Yes, that car looks spectacular, but I don't think I could offer anything close to what it's worth.

I'd love to buy a completed car, but they don't seem to come up for sale often.

I've read so many good things about the kit, I think I could tackle it.

i recon you could get a deal if interested... its been on twice so far and only got to 60k...
IMO there is no harm in asking..

Dom

[shoopdehoop]

V8Dom said:

i recon you could get a deal if interested... its been on twice so far and only got to 60k...
IMO there is no harm in asking..

Dom

I'm sure you're right about that, but considering its specs, and its stated $500K build cost, how low do you think it would go?

I'd bet no less than $125K.

A 450-550hp Ultima built for $80K would be plenty for me, making the extra 50% tough to justify for a car with those specs.

[V8Dom]

you will spend $100 k to build a nice car at least..

Id see if he is interested in your $80k... never know... it might be the price he has in mind!!

Its only one email and at worst he can say no..

Dom

[shoopdehoop]

V8Dom said:

you will spend $100 k to build a nice car at least..

Id see if he is interested in your $80k... never know... it might be the price he has in mind!!

Its only one email and at worst he can say no..

Dom

Worth a shot, but it's already north of 80.

Really does appear to be quite a build.

[JoulesCanAm]

Where in the US are you?

Do you want a GTR or CanAm? If the latter I have one I am contemplating selling, it's a red 2004 with 2000 miles. Has a plaque from the factory as the first CanAm into the US. It was profesionally built by Brammo Motorsports in OR, with an American Speed 427CI small block dry sump Dart aluminum SBC, AFR heads with Kinsler EFI producing ~600HP and a Powerhaus G50/52 with billet side plates/oil spray bar etc. There really was no expense spared on the build at a cost of ~130K. I'd let it go for $85K firm.

Only reason I'm selling is I have too many street cars to drive them all at present and I'd like to get a vinatge racecar.

Julian
Reno, NV