Question about Italian trucks

[bearskinrug]

Probably be spending some time in Italy this time next year. I know people travel to Europe to pick up new cars, has anyone picked up and driven a 25yo truck around before shipping it home? A wedding and tourist type stuff will be the focus, hoping to avoid most of the Griswold family vacation scenarios.

 

[Napalm00]

I know others have done it on this forum. I'd have to say that you're going to have to rely on your own expertise to make sure that the driveline and frame is original. If it's anything other than what came from the factory you're going to get fucked on import.

If you find a truck maybe put a deposit on it and then hire a professional.

/Opinion

 

[bearskinrug]

Damn Italian RRC prices are strong. Maybe I’ll focus on cured meats

 

[mitherial]

Napalm’s advice on making sure about import details is well-said. Search this forum and the other one, there’s a lot of information out there.

My father-in-law picked up a BMW 5-Series from the factory in Munich in 1992, and took it on a six week European family vacation before importing it back to the US, and still drives it to this day.

If you haven’t done so before, driving and also parking in European cities is not for the faint-hearted, including Italy (I really don’t recommend driving in Rome). Driving in the countryside is lovely of course, and probably more comfortable with a RRC than Defender.

Other than import issues, I’d be worried about mechanical issues on a car that may have been sitting for a long while; but that somewhat depends on your mechanical ability and whether you speak Italian / have local family or friends that could help you out.

 

[rocky]

If you can figure out the insurance scenario, then I'd be tempted to say buy something from Johan, even if it's not quite 25 years old, take the vacation, then give it back to Johan to tweak to your liking before he ships it to you.

 

[jymmiejamz]

How do you handle registration in this scenario?

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Look kids, Big Ben !

sorry, my sense of humor has overwhelmed me again

 

[bearskinrug]

If you can figure out the insurance scenario, then I'd be tempted to say buy something from Johan, even if it's not quite 25 years old, take the vacation, then give it back to Johan to tweak to your liking before he ships it to you.

I was envisioning something like this, but the registrations and licensing etc seem like big question marks.

 

[blueboy]

Damn Italian RRC prices are strong. Maybe I’ll focus on cured meats

All Euro RRC prices are strong. Especially in the drier climate areas. It is becoming the Defender in the US.
Insurance in Europe is a royal pita especially if you will not have a residence. I used Zurich Connect while there. Could be a good starting place. Still have their contact info if you want it.
Also my US GEICO policy covered the vehicles for a few months. You might want to check with your current company.

 

[emj]

I bought my Defender while living in and working Germany. Even with the help of German colleagues, the process of registering it and getting insurance was a headache. There are many procedures and nuances and government bureaucracy to navigate in Germany. I imagine it would be equally challenging if not worse in Italy. When I wanted to send it home, the importation process wasn't bad but I used Doug Crowther who handled everything. I had a friend who was living in Europe at the same time and he traveled down to Italy and bought Defender and it worked out well for him but he didn't register and had a transport company pick it up. I can't imagine trying to navigate all of this on a brief vacation timeline, it will consume a lot of your time. If you decide to go for it, do all the research in advance.