A westerly wind blowing from Persia …

[BigFoot]

Looking at a Shamal, looks mint, but import job so not sure what to look out for. Would greatly appreciate any tips or suggestions.

http://photobucket.com/blueshamal
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Car has 60k km, it's actually a 1991 (though first registered in 1994) and therefore should be able to claim historic car status in Italy (meaning no car tax and low insurance). Seller (Maserati Club Sweden member) says it's in great shape, turnkey car, and has the original steering wheel. Even the A/C works apparently and just passed the local MOT.
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A car that I particularly like for the rare colour and interesting price. Not a fan of the speakers but that's nothing. All paperwork is apparently in order.
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Let's see if I can bring this baby back to the homeland..
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Cheers,
Maurizio

 

[Maser Sod]

Nice machine. I'm continually tempted by Shamals and Ghiblis. Aren't the Shamals the models they used to super-tune in Japan for racing?

 

[Easyplan66]

not my style but they will be a very rare car in a few years if looked after, a good investment for the future.....

 

[BigFoot]

Nice machine. I'm continually tempted by Shamals and Ghiblis. Aren't the Shamals the models they used to super-tune in Japan for racing?

That's right!

 

[lozcb]

Looks a pretty well sorted everyday car , which is extremely good news Maurizio, just a few cosmetic bits to sort out and tittyvate around the engine bay , but all that is to be expected with its age , let us know how you progress, quite a few mods for these cars aswell


regards loz

 

[Andyk]

BF...I LOOOVVVEE the shamal..Loved them when I first saw one at the UK motorshow....Martin Brundle was sitting in it at the time......and love them now..Do it.....

 

[BennyD]

Looks nice. However, in pic 7 there seems to be oil staining on the left rear tailpipe and valance surrounding it. Might be a problem. Best of luck if you go for it.

 

[BigFoot]

Thanks guys!

@Benny: what's valance? Even tried googling it but couldn't figure it out.

I reckon it may need a couple thousand euros to bring it in tip top shape but would like to avoid a major issue. More news will follow!
Cheers!

 

[BennyD]

I'm talking about the bumper/ underwing arrangement around the tail pipes. There is, what appears to be, some oil staining on it and the tail pipe itself

 

[BigFoot]

Understood, thanks. I was told the exhaust was changed, I need to figure out why.

 

[BigFoot]

After several phonecalls in the last few days, the import costs and procedures are just a mess and would make the whole thing a mess.

Real shame as I was quite keen on it.

 

[Parisien]

Maurizio, is there a specialist import agent you can use?

Is it just paperwork or endless costly fees?


p

 

[BigFoot]

Got quotes from two agents specialising in this sort of work. Paperwork is a mess but the real problem is that import taxes are high and the time needed to do all the procedures is way too long.

Exporting is no problem but importing is a nightmare.

 

[Parisien]

Why doesn't that surpise me......Italy is terrible for that sort of stuff.....pity

Can't get someone in the trade to help out, take it in under a consignment?

P

 

[BigFoot]

The biggest problem is that most of the "experts" I've spoken to seem more confused than I am! Either I am stupid or these people just can't be bothered because they prefer dealing with importing between dealers rather than private clients.

In fairness, the rules are many and the documents turnaround painfully slow, so on a single car import earning them a few hundred euros, most agencies are probably not that keen.

Rant over

 

[lozcb]

Is it not worth registering the car in UK where everything is relatively simple and efficient , and driving it in Italy , that would cover you for atleast a year untill you could get things sorted out the Italian end , quite happy for you to register it my address if you wanted Maurizio , if it made life easier


regards loz

 

[Parisien]

Good suggestion......am sure as ever there are back doors to doing some of these things.........and legally at that


P

 

[Parisien]

Loz, did you say they were bringing in some types of cars via Ireland into UK because easier paperwork, once in EU....do as you please.......is Sweden in the EU...forgot....lol


P

 

[lozcb]

Loz, did you say they were bringing in some types of cars via Ireland into UK because easier paperwork, once in EU....do as you please.......is Sweden in the EU...forgot....lol


P

Yeah ,but that was to do with losing the Insurance Cat once repaired


regards loz

 

[BigFoot]

Thanks Loz appreciate the offer.

To be honest, I am ready to pay an agency to take care of the hassle but don't want to pay over the odds or be treated like a dummy.

Got one more agency to call this afternoon, if that doesn't work, I'll let it go.