New member on board from Bures UK

[paulnb]

Just imported a parts only 1984 Pininfarina Azzurra from the fair state of Connecticut. Everyone says always look at the car in the flesh before buying.. a quite costly exercise in itself. I had a gut feeling about this lonely car with a parts only title sitting in a breakers yard and saving her from a parts bin was in my hands. Over here in the UK she can once again grace the road which she was born to do.
I waited 5 weeks for her arrival, anxious to know why the parts only title.. well I am pleased to say she needs some rust cutting out at the bottom or the doors and lower rear wing (fender). The underside, including the suspension turrets are mint! Solid as if its just off the production line.. I can't believe it!!
The engine had not been started for over 10 years, so the documentation suggests. A new battery, a couple of turns and broooommmm tat tat tat. All good but a possible big end knock. Engine out, repair, replace after paint job.. oh and I need a decent replacement dash or have it covered in leather??
Thanks to this site as there is a whole wealth of great info and members alike!

[124JOE]

cheers

[SergeantSavage]

Sounds great! Just curious about the logistics.. How do you ship a car from CT to the UK? Did it go via container and standard shipping practices, or??

P.S. I'm not questioning your finances...Just genuinely curious about how a guy gets a car shipped like that.

[paulnb]

I contacted a specialist shipping company here in the UK that did everything including transportation to the docks from CT, shared container to the UK, unloading and they also dealt with the import tax. As the car is of historic interest, original and rare they got me a big reduction on said taxes. I would recommend them to anyone. I had the car collected from the port here and rolled it off straight into my garage. There it sat until I sold my 81 spider.
What really puzzles me is why Fiat never marketed the Spider here in the UK.. Such a drop dead gorgeous convertible! And the trip to work on our twisty country roads is pure driving joy.

[paulnb]

Oh yeah, dropped the pan and found a thrust washer had dropped out! Haven't checked the damage yet.. watch this space

[SergeantSavage]

I think the best part is that they handled the taxes and paperwork and such.

[paulnb]

I think the best part is that they handled the taxes and paperwork and such.

Oh yes! I was expecting a 5% import tax plus 20% VAT.. They know the rules and got it down to just 5%!!

[baltobernie]

Hello and Welcome! Will you be converting to RHD?

[paulnb]

Hello and Welcome! Will you be converting to RHD?

No, I want to keep her as she is. It's not really a big deal driving on the 'wrong' side of the car. I hope to get to know her well enough (just in case she gets tempremental) to take her to over to France/Spain/Italy in the future. They all drive on the wrong side too
I must thank you all for the welcome and as I am by no means a mechanic (at best I have changed leads and plugs) I have a mammoth task of an engine re-build. I think it should be a breeze with everyone's knowledgable input!

[124JOE]

look for rust at the ft shock towers
behind the seats and the floorboards up ft
as well as brake hoses for cracks and bad grounds

[paulnb]

look for rust at the ft shock towers
behind the seats and the floorboards up ft
as well as brake hoses for cracks and bad grounds

The towers have no rust at all. The floor pan is solid. Underside is near perfect with no rust what so ever. The front wing (fender) has been replaced which needs protecting underneath as surface rust is forming. The original wing has a good bit of underseal protection. I reckon this car has sat in a shed or garage with a big window. The sun has got to the dash and some of the plastic has started to grey up. Not sure if to have the dash re-covered in vinyl by a top notch trimming company.. lots to contemplate at the moment. Engine to be prepared for removal tomorrow! Yikes!