1980 - 1982 Corvette ' Shark '

[Quinda1]

Has anyone ever tried to import one of these into Ireland. I would be grateful if anyone could reply with info on Left hand drive conversions, duties and costs for import as I have a number of good contacts and cars ?

[Phil]

I don't know if this is any help!!

Information
All new cars and cars brought into Ireland are subject to Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners. You cannot get road tax unless you produce a Vehicle Registration Certificate for your car.

Every new car is liable for V RT, which is payable when the car is first registered. All cars, except those brought in temporarily by visitors, must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners. This is a legal requirement and any delay in registering your car or paying the tax may lead to substantial penalties.

You can register the car and pay the VRT at your local Vehicle Registration Office (VRO). The Vehicle Registration Office will calculate the VRT for you. In the case of small cars and vans, the amount of VRT payable is based on a percentage of the recommended retail price, which includes all taxes.

This price is known as the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). If you feel you are being over-charged, you can point this out to the official at the VRO. There is a formal appeal procedure you can use if you continue to be dissatisfied and details of how to use this are available on an information leaflet, which is available from any VRO.

There are different reliefs and exemptions from VRT and further information is available from your local VRO. Relief is also available for certain disabled drivers.

If you buy your new car from a dealer (car showrooms, etc.), then it is the dealer's responsibility to register the vehicle and pay the tax before giving it to you. The price of the vehicle should include the cost of the VRT.

Once the vehicle has been registered by the Revenue Commissioners and the VRT paid, you (or your motor dealer) will receive:

A receipt for the VRT paid showing the registration number assigned to your car.
A Form RF 100 for use when you are applying for road tax.
A Vehicle Registration Certificate in the post within 2-3 days.
Registration plates showing the assigned registration number must be displayed on your car within 3 days of the date of registration (a leaflet showing the correct legal format of the registration plates to be used is available at any VRO).
If you buy your car from a dealer, it will have its registration plates fitted by the time you take possession of it. If you buy the car privately, you will need to get registration plates - most motor dealers make these to order.

If you bring a vehicle into Ireland from abroad, you must have a Certificate of Permanent Export or a vehicle registration document. It is important to check that the document or certificate is the correct one for your car before bringing it to Ireland.

You must register it and pay VRT by the end of the next working day following its arrival into Ireland. Bring it to a Revenue Vehicle Registration Office not later than the next working day following your arrival in Ireland. Complete a Declaration for Registration (Form VRT 4) and present it with the vehicle registration document or Certificate of Permanent Export.

Pay the VRT charged after your car has been inspected at the VRO.
Rules
Rates
A VRO official calculates the rate after he/she inspects the vehicle. You can pay by bankdraft, money order, Laser or cash.

How to apply
A completed declaration form together with the vehicle should be presented at a VRO (there are 32 of these around the country). Declaration forms are available from any VRO. If the car is new, VAT is payable in addition to VRT. You can also get details of the VRT payable on a vehicle on the Revenue Commissioners Web site http://www.revenue.ie by using an online quotation form.

Where to apply
You may register the car and pay the VRT at any VRO. Further information about VRT, VAT and acquiring a vehicle abroad is available from:

St John's House,

Tallaght,

Dublin 24.

Tel: (01) 414 9700

(01) 414 9777

(01) 414 9720

(01) 414 9720

(01) 878 0100 (This is a 24 hour service to request forms and information leaflets)

E-mail: vrotallaght@revenue.ie

[Quinda1]

Thanks for th ereply Phil. Do you have any info on conversions to right hand drive, and on differences in emission regulations between cars built in the states 20 yrs ago and Irish regulations for the NCT. Is there anything else I need to worry about. The VRT concerns are last on the list.

Thanks in advance for you help

[Junior]

I'd have to ask why you are going converting her over from LHD to RHD ?

Is there a real need, I know most people that import Left Hookers leave them like that ...

I don't know of any place in Ireland that does these conversions, but I know there are a few specialists around London, one who's name escapes me. The place I am thinking of did all the LHD to RHD Conversions on that small Fiat ..erm um the Barrachetta I think.

[PaulKanters]

Phil's info on importing and VRT duties is correct, except that it refers to importing from another EU country, which obviously the States is not! You are looking at an additional 10% Import Duties imposed by Customs and Exise, based on the purchase price and transport costs!! More detailed info is available from the Customs and Exise department.

Personally I would advise you to source your Vette in Europe, as there is a good selection of cars available on the Contintent, and the way the Dollar converts at the moment, prices are such, that the Americans are actually buying back the cars over here to bring them back to the States, because for them they are cheaper over here.

Regarding LHD to RHD conversion, it will be an almost impossible task. To my knowledge they were never done originally, so it would be an almost impossible task to find RHD dashboards and other parts, making the whole thing financially not worthwhile, let alone find somebody with the knowledge to do it.

[Quinda1]

Thanks again. Do you know any good sources / European websites ?

Great site by the way.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

[PaulKanters]

Allow me to make a suggestion, that could save you a lot of money:
Go for a pre-71 Corvette: the sharknose Vette's came out in late '68, until the mid eighties. By going for a pre-71 car, you will avoid paying any VRT duties, and you can drive your Big Block around town, without paying your yearly 900 pounds of road tax, with just 27 pounds a year to pay for regardless what engine size!!! Which will only leave the fuel consumption for you to worry about.

I can get you this 1969 Corvette Convertible, Completely restored on chrome alloys for 15,500 ALL INCLUSIVE, which includes purchase, VRT registration, commission, transport, etc etc.
http://homepage.eircom.net/~pkanters/temp/69corvetteconv.jpg

[Junior]

My god thats Gorgeous !!!

Any chance you could find me a 76 Golf GTi ??? :D

[WhipLash]

My God, what a beautiful looking motor! :)

So does the 'Shark' boast the performance figures to meet the looks? What size engine does is have? How fast? How thirsty?

[PaulKanters]

This corvette has the standard 5,3 litre block with 300bph (or 350 Cubic inches as the Yanks say. It would be good for only about 120 miles an hour (in a straight line!!), but the cars have quite a strong accelleration. Torque is enormous
There is also the "Sting Ray" version which has the 7,3 litre Big Block with 465bph, which is quite sought after but much more expensive.
Fuel consumption is not really an issue with these cars, because if you have to ask how much it does to the gallon, you bet you won't be able to afford the fuel bills...
How does between 10-15 miles to the gallon sound?