She's coming home!

[HBG]

At least I hope so!

A week ago we had a very short notice trip to Italy to view a Fulvia. Needless to say, a deposit was placed and the few items that needed to be attended to listed.

I really wanted to be able to drive it home but was impossible to get insurance organised. Friends with a trailer and tow car offered to help but with the cost of fuel, Channel crossings and time off work for a 5 day trip min I've decided to get it shipped home.

So I'm in limbo having paid for the car and shipping, yet have nothing to show for it. Hopefully it will be here in a couple of weeks then another couple to get it registered potentially.

I've been reading about classic cars for decades, Fulvias being of special interest because my Uncle had one in the late 70's, when I was a boy. Still a boy!

Though the car seems to be in fantastic condition, there are many jobs/ upgrades I'd like to do so I apologise in advance if I drive you all nuts with constant questions.

Any other Fulvias in North London?

[Wangler]

Well done you!

Tony Rosewell (Fulvia Classics) has imported quite a lot of these from Italy, so if you get stuck or have problems trying to understand the paperwork he's a good guy to contact.

[HBG]

I met Tony Rosewell but didn't buy a car from him. Very nice chap, inspired me to get my arse in gear and get a Fulvia. He offered me an amazing Zagato......pockets not deep enough. I can imagine having one in the Future though!

[JollyClubUK]

Well done you!

Tony Rosewell (Fulvia Classics) has imported quite a lot of these from Italy, so if you get stuck or have problems trying to understand the paperwork he's a good guy to contact.

Totally agree Tony is a top guy, purchased my Fulvia through him and he handled all the paperwork getting the UK registration in a very timely manner.
Enjoy your Fulvia.

[HBG]

So this car, which is still in Italy is a 1976 car 1.3s Series 2......the paperwork and the data badge under the bonnet agree with each other, its just I thought at this age it would be a series 3.

Does series 3 exist?

Thanks.

[JollyClubUK]

So this car, which is still in Italy is a 1976 car 1.3s Series 2......the paperwork and the data badge under the bonnet agree with each other, its just I thought at this age it would be a series 3.

Does series 3 exist?

Thanks.

1976 will be a S3 car.

[HBG]

And yet the docs call it a 1.3s serie 2....

[Neil]

Fulvia 3 are S2 cars, later slightly facelifted, no such thing as Series 3 car.

[HBG]

That explains it. Thank you.

[HBG]

With a bit of luck, the car will begin it's journey to the UK tomorrow.

The shipping company are taking care of the Nova/HMRC/VAT business as part of their work.

Having spoken to DVLA this afternoon they have clarified that despite it being MOT exempt it needs an MOT for the registration process. It's a LHD car so has the headlights dipping the wrong way.

Does anyone have recent experience of this process that can share their experience with me, specifically any extra items for the MOT, where to get parts, or paperwork oddities.

Thanks, Howard

[lancialulu]

You will probably find it has different headlights to UK spec if series 2. UK has H4 bulb (main and dip) outer and pilot (side light). Your car will have H1 (single filament) and pilot outer I believe. As rhd H1 with pilot  do not exist afaik, you will need to use a H4 with pilot just driving the dipped element or doing a bit of wiring adaption. When buying (the limited choice) 5 3/4" headlight make sure it is rhd with a lttle arrow cast into the glass pointing right.

Maybe other folk importing these cars know another way (lenient Mot station??).

[JollyClubUK]

With a bit of luck, the car will begin it's journey to the UK tomorrow.

The shipping company are taking care of the Nova/HMRC/VAT business as part of their work.

Having spoken to DVLA this afternoon they have clarified that despite it being MOT exempt it needs an MOT for the registration process. It's a LHD car so has the headlights dipping the wrong way.

Does anyone have recent experience of this process that can share their experience with me, specifically any extra items for the MOT, where to get parts, or paperwork oddities.

Thanks, Howard
When my car came back into the UK in September last year did not have to get an MOT. My car a 71 S2 has never had a UK MOT. They issued the V5 very quickly no issues. I have to say Tony Rosewell took care of all the paperwork. I still have the LHD spec headlights just put some black tape to adjust the beam for UK roads.

[HBG]

That's my kind of answer! It's what I'm hoping for but isn't what dvla said. Their online info is ambiguous.

[Wangler]

Yep - mine never had an MOT as a LHD import from Italy. Registered no problem.

I’ve since added Hella RHD headlights with sidelights.

[jimbo64]

Mine didn’t need an mot for registration either only thing that was a problem my original documents (Dutch) didn’t specify date of manufacture it only had date of registration that happened to be the same as registration so the club had to verify the car before dvla would issue the v5