My barber thinks I am nuts ..

[Watchcame430]

I am taking voluntary redundancy soon and looking for something to earn a living on.
Not keen on rejoining the rat race and was considering importing American cars (probably classics and Modern - mustangs, camaros, challengers etc)

Is Giovanni my barber right to think me nuts?

 

[Chalpkin]

I love old yank muscle cars, mostly mopar's, but is there a big enough market for them over here to make a living from?

 

[AMGeed]

Read up carefully on government legislation for making those cars road legal in the UK. Also research shipping, customs costs, and possible shipping agent fees.
Good luck!

 

[jamesfuller]

Its not a very big market, and there are already companies doing it! Maybe simmilar sort of thing from other countries.
Holdens, Fords and proper Toyota Landcruisers from Down under?
Maybe look towards South Africa. Apparently Mk2 Escort shells can be found rust free!
If you can find a source of classic cars and modern Mercs without rust you are onto a winner!
Would also be rhd, and more choice on engine size so wider market!

 

[Watchcame430]

Some great thoughts already, thanks!

I will add South Africa to the list of countries to explore.

Started looking into Dubai as they don't like the US imports so much as they are not 'Gulf spec)

Will be all over the regs ... Agree it is a bit of a minefield from what I have seen so far.

With regard to is there a market? Its a good question ... What do we think?
I see a lot of American car shows and quite a few car shows, so guessing it must be a reasonable size?

 

[LTD]

Old school Beetles and VW Campers - Brazil ?

 

[jamesfuller]

Sneaky advert, drop me a pm if you need someone to work for you in your new venture! I would like a new job.

 

[Watchcame430]

Old school Beetles and VW Campers - Brazil ?

Like the idea ... Will look into this too, cheers

 

[Watchcame430]

Sneaky advert, drop me a pm if you need someone to work for you in your new venture! I would like a new job.

Would love to consider it but will need to fly solo for a while until I know I can support myself first.
Nice thought though!

 

[Chalpkin]

Some great thoughts already, thanks!

I will add South Africa to the list of countries to explore.

Started looking into Dubai as they don't like the US imports so much as they are not 'Gulf spec)

Will be all over the regs ... Agree it is a bit of a minefield from what I have seen so far.

With regard to is there a market? Its a good question ... What do we think?
I see a lot of American car shows and quite a few car shows, so guessing it must be a reasonable size?

If you decide to go ahead with the American route, Put me down for a
70 Challenger R/T Hemi in plum crazy purple!
Regards,
Chalpkin.

 

[flango]

I'd be amazed if you can make any money on yank stuff or other from outside the UK. I looked at importing a muscle car from USA and even limiting the cost by doing all the conversion work myself it really wasn't economically viable.

Buying in the US and shipping is the easy part but the import tax, conversion, check and registration kill it stone dead. I know people that have tried to do it from South Africa and particularly MK2 Escorts from Australia where they are a plenty and rust free but again the economics don't stack up.

Whatever you do I wish you well in your endeavors

 

[AMGeed]

Started looking into Dubai as they don't like the US imports so much as they are not 'Gulf spec)

I did that in '98. Lexus, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Toyota were incredibly cheap to buy. Huge market there for used Landcruisers if you are thinking of 4x4s.
Sharjah (20min drive from Dubai at the time) is the holding area for thousands of cars. Be very wary of RHD cars as many have been stolen in Japan and shipped into Dubai for selling on.
Don't trust the guys selling those cars to arrange shipping. (Long story)

 

[Dieselman]

Think of a business to business venture, not a business to general public one, unless it's stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap, or a large profit margin.

 

[Watchcame430]

If you decide to go ahead with the American route, Put me down for a
70 Challenger R/T Hemi in plum crazy purple!
Regards,
Chalpkin.

Yum! I might struggle to part with one of those

 

[Watchcame430]

I'd be amazed if you can make any money on yank stuff or other from outside the UK. I looked at importing a muscle car from USA and even limiting the cost by doing all the conversion work myself it really wasn't economically viable.

Buying in the US and shipping is the easy part but the import tax, conversion, check and registration kill it stone dead. I know people that have tried to do it from South Africa and particularly MK2 Escorts from Australia where they are a plenty and rust free but again the economics don't stack up.

Whatever you do I wish you well in your endeavors

You could well be right. I think over 30 years old is 0.5% duty which helps?

I am still capturing data so not worked out all the costs yet. I am going to be very realistic though

 

[Satch]

I am taking voluntary redundancy soon and looking for something to earn a living on.
Not keen on rejoining the rat race and was considering importing American cars (probably classics and Modern - mustangs, camaros, challengers etc)

Is Giovanni my barber right to think me nuts?

In terms of starting such a business from scratch for the express purpose of earning a living from in the near term, yes.

You need to think in of the start up costs, capital employed, man hours expended, business development costs and your likely P&L.

It has to be for the long haul

 

[Watchcame430]

Think of a business to business venture, not a business to general public one, unless it's stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap, or a large profit margin.

Keeping all options open at the moment and know where you are coming from.

 

[Watchcame430]

In terms of starting such a business from scratch for the express purpose of earning a living from in the near term, yes.

You need to think in of the start up costs, capital employed, man hours expended, business development costs and your likely P&L.

It has to be for the long haul

I will be all over the business plan so will have my eyes open.

Also I will probably be doing some part time consultancy which will keep me ticking over.

 

[W4E300]

I will be all over the business plan so will have my eyes open. Also I will probably be doing some part time consultancy which will keep me ticking over.

Become a full-time consultant in whatever you currently do...?

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

 

[Watchcame430]

Become a full-time consultant in whatever you currently do...?

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

I enjoy what I do at the moment to a point but 10 years full time is long enough. I want to do something I am really passionate about if that makes sense.