Shipping my RS America To Europe, Going to Le Mans and a 4 month drive around Europe Options

[DonTraver]

About 6 years ago, went on a trip to Germany, even drove the Ring in a new 997S. Great trip.
While there, I got this weird idea. How great it would be to drive my RSA in Europe and the autobahn.

Well, it’s taken about a year of research and work, but it’s going to happen this year,

I started receiving all the import/export licenses a couple of weeks ago for the RSA. I got all the forms in this week. Shipping has been arranged to ship my RSA in her own private container to the UK with approximate arrival on May 19th.

Found an insurance company that will insure me in 29 countries for about $165 a month.

Joined the Porsche Club Great Britain, got my membership card on 3/31/10. I’m going to Le Mans with them.
They put together a 5 star camping trip to Le Mans every year, they camp in the Porsche Curves at Le Mans, they even put up your tent for you, It runs about $800 for 5 days at Le Mans, Euro Tunnel Pass, tickets, fully catered camp site, private restrooms and showers. How cool is that. I’ll be traveling with the PCGB from the UK to Le Mans, should help me not get lost. I’ll get to watch testing, practice, qualifying, and the race, wow.

I’ve been a member of a 964 Porsche series group for about 7 years. Since I told the group about my plans, I’ve received invitations to all over Europe, Luxemburg, France, Germany, UK, Portugal, Spain, and the Ring. Planning at least a week at the Ring.

After Le Mans heading south, Normandy, Madrid, Lisbon, Valencia, and maybe Monaco. After that head north to Germany, Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, the Ring. Etc. Want to catch a couple of Formula 1 races, Spa, Ring, etc. At least that’s the tentative schedule so far.

Found this website that lists a lot of the tracks in Europe and if they have open track days, they do. So I might get to drive Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Spa, and a bunch of others. http://www.trackdays.co.uk/tracks/

Just finished a 60k service on the RSA, new rotors, pads, brake fluid, set valves, new tires, new O2 sensor, had a ipod cable put in for tunes, and waxed and detailed her, dyno tested 250hp at rear wheels.

Had a set of PSS10 Coilovers installed, with new alignment and corner balancing last week, sweet.

Oh yeah, since I won’t be in any one country more than 4 months, I get to keep the California plates on her, cool. I wrote a lot of emails to a lot of countries to confirm that, all said fine by email, printed out all those emails, just in case.

The RSA ships in 2 weeks, when I get a confirmed delivery date, I’ll book my plane tickets.

So long story short. I’m going to Le Mans and will be spending over 4 months driving around Europe in my RSA with California plates, a dream is coming true.

Here's a picture of my RS America at the Lake Arrowhead Porsche Timeline last year.

Don

[DonTraver]

I'm keeping notes, records, web addresses, and emails about the complete trip.
Research, prep, names, etc. I haven't decided yet on what to write, article or blog, still putting out some last minute brush fires.

Dave Wilkinson of the PCGB 964 Registry and 964 UK Group let me know this morning about a emission sticker I need to get from Germany to drive into the cities. Don't need the sticker to drive the autobahn. It's called a Umweltplakette, don't ask me to pronouce that, but costs about $54.

I finally figured out how to fill out the form, took a few tries and sent it off. Recieved a comfirmation email for reciept, not approval. Sent them a email about what I was trying to do, even volunteered to get a new smog check if needed to get the Umweltplakette approved. Talked with the smog check station around the corner from me, $50 for a new test, oh well, it's worth it too me.

http://www.umwelt- plakette. de/int_england. php?SID=6n2phd9s 9ndivhe6kq0l198n v0

So now wait and see.

Thanks for the offer to take care of my 914-6, pic attached. But it's been taken care of.

Shipping in its own private container with $50k insurance is about $3500 each way.
But with the RSA in a container, I can pack most of my stuff including my fold up bicycle instead of trying to carry it all on the plane. Years ago while in the Navy shipped a car, its called open shipping or something like that, where they drive the car on and off the ship. The car got vandlized, paint stained by something that leaked on it, personal stuff ripped off. Never ship that way if you value your car. Insurance said tough about claim so did the Navy. Never again.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Later, Don

[rebelmdot]

Don, make sure to have a very detailed list of exactly what you are taking in the container for Customs purposes of where the container will unlade. Are you putting the car and goods on a Carnet so that you can move freely in between the countries without having to "import" it into each place that you visit? Do not put any food or consumables in the container, as it could hold up your entire shipment. If you enjoy the adult beverage or two and find a beer or wine that you enjoy, please check with your local ABC about the individual limits in your State if you want to bring any back home. If you have any questions, PM me, I want you to have the greatest time with the least amount of headache.

I'm keeping notes, records, web addresses, and emails about the complete trip.
Research, prep, names, etc. I haven't decided yet on what to write, article or blog, still putting out some last minute brush fires.

Dave Wilkinson of the PCGB 964 Registry and 964 UK Group let me know this morning about a emission sticker I need to get from Germany to drive into the cities. Don't need the sticker to drive the autobahn. It's called a Umweltplakette, don't ask me to pronouce that, but costs about $54.

I finally figured out how to fill out the form, took a few tries and sent it off. Recieved a comfirmation email for reciept, not approval. Sent them a email about what I was trying to do, even volunteered to get a new smog check if needed to get the Umweltplakette approved. Talked with the smog check station around the corner from me, $50 for a new test, oh well, it's worth it too me.

http://www.umwelt- plakette. de/int_england. php?SID=6n2phd9s 9ndivhe6kq0l198n v0

So now wait and see.

Thanks for the offer to take care of my 914-6, pic attached. But it's been taken care of.

Shipping in its own private container with $50k insurance is about $3500 each way.
But with the RSA in a container, I can pack most of my stuff including my fold up bicycle instead of trying to carry it all on the plane. Years ago while in the Navy shipped a car, its called open shipping or something like that, where they drive the car on and off the ship. The car got vandlized, paint stained by something that leaked on it, personal stuff ripped off. Never ship that way if you value your car. Insurance said tough about claim so did the Navy. Never again.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Later, Don