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Hiya,
Long time without a post, so let me keep you guys updated on life, the universe and everything, presently 34 degrees south where I'm living while on sabbatical in South Africa...
Good things: the roads here are fantastic! Believe me, we are talking well surfaced, open and empty - think Scottish highlands without speed cameras and with good weather.
Not so good news: the 912 is 6000 miles away in London. Tempting as it was to bring it we've plumbed for a '64 Beetle instead (0-60 in, erm, never) - but at least it has a flat four and I can understand the oily bits. Gavin's kindly keeping my orange car fired up.
I caught up with some of the Porsche Club South Africa members a while back at the race circuit at Killarney (a view to Table Mountain - nice) and they're a good bunch. Not so many classic Porsches mind. My sole sighting of a '12 was a red '69 car with a very hybrid looking history. For those who may have ever thought of buying and importing from SA, words of caution:
1. The cars are no cheaper than in the UK. Yes, chances are that they may well be RHD and (if you get a J'burg car) may not be riddled with rust, but... I cannot vouch for parts availabilty over the years (particularly in the 80s) so it's 'possible' that the VW bits found there way onto the cheaper cars.
2. There are few about - and my impression was that the Porsche Club SA is SICK of Europeans exporting SA cars (particularly in the past whent he exchange rate was more favourable).
3. Import costs are prohibitive. Shipping is 1K and then Inland Revenue rules now stipulate that you'll have to add 17.5% to the 'combined' purchase and inport costs.
In short - unless the car is 'special' (possibly a '65 car in good nick for racing or a car in pristine original condition) it's not presently cost-effective.
We leave SA in a month - heading for sunny summer California where I hope to get to go to the big 912 registry meet over the first weekend in August. This should be something! Quite possibly the biggest collection of '12s in the world... I discover too that those friendly chaps at Pelican Parts are just south of LA airport, so, a strong GBP to $ exchange rate will doubtless mean that my credit card takes a bashing.
All being well we're back in Blighty for September and will catch you at Shuttleworth... watch this space for details from Evil JG in due course...
Happy summer motoring.
Stuart
Long time without a post, so let me keep you guys updated on life, the universe and everything, presently 34 degrees south where I'm living while on sabbatical in South Africa...
Good things: the roads here are fantastic! Believe me, we are talking well surfaced, open and empty - think Scottish highlands without speed cameras and with good weather.
Not so good news: the 912 is 6000 miles away in London. Tempting as it was to bring it we've plumbed for a '64 Beetle instead (0-60 in, erm, never) - but at least it has a flat four and I can understand the oily bits. Gavin's kindly keeping my orange car fired up.
I caught up with some of the Porsche Club South Africa members a while back at the race circuit at Killarney (a view to Table Mountain - nice) and they're a good bunch. Not so many classic Porsches mind. My sole sighting of a '12 was a red '69 car with a very hybrid looking history. For those who may have ever thought of buying and importing from SA, words of caution:
1. The cars are no cheaper than in the UK. Yes, chances are that they may well be RHD and (if you get a J'burg car) may not be riddled with rust, but... I cannot vouch for parts availabilty over the years (particularly in the 80s) so it's 'possible' that the VW bits found there way onto the cheaper cars.
2. There are few about - and my impression was that the Porsche Club SA is SICK of Europeans exporting SA cars (particularly in the past whent he exchange rate was more favourable).
3. Import costs are prohibitive. Shipping is 1K and then Inland Revenue rules now stipulate that you'll have to add 17.5% to the 'combined' purchase and inport costs.
In short - unless the car is 'special' (possibly a '65 car in good nick for racing or a car in pristine original condition) it's not presently cost-effective.
We leave SA in a month - heading for sunny summer California where I hope to get to go to the big 912 registry meet over the first weekend in August. This should be something! Quite possibly the biggest collection of '12s in the world... I discover too that those friendly chaps at Pelican Parts are just south of LA airport, so, a strong GBP to $ exchange rate will doubtless mean that my credit card takes a bashing.
All being well we're back in Blighty for September and will catch you at Shuttleworth... watch this space for details from Evil JG in due course...
Happy summer motoring.
Stuart
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