France: Cobra/Kit Car registration

ToyCollector · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-2012, 12:41 PM

I did a search here and need some help. I have a friend who owns a U.S. titled and registered Shell Valley ('67 Ford Cobra on registration) and has an interested buyer in France who says it is near impossible to get this car transferred and registered over there. I have to think someone has done this before in France or sold to a party over there.

Does anyone have any pointers, websites, or advice on if this is true, or any regional contacts who could offer help for a fee?

elmariachi · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2012, 12:51 PM

I have brokered a couple of Ferraris into France. You aren't going to "push" anything from this end. They take homologation seriously and it is not a trivial process and involves a thorough homologation inspection and mounds of paperwork. And if they fail the car, it doesn't stay in France. Not good once you have bought it and shipped it over.

Embassy info on this here.

Alan Weaver · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2012, 06:28 AM

Toy Collector, I sent you a PM.

Alan

ToyCollector · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2012, 11:51 AM

Thank you to those that have messaged me and replied here. As this process moves forward, if it does, I will post here so others can learn from it. I give it slim odds based on what we are learning so far. I will obviously hold any confidential or off the record stuff private.

marco454v8 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2012, 02:13 PM

Hi toycollector,
It is almost impossible, as previously mentioned. I know of a guy in Toulouse who imported a unique, and because unique were founded over 30 years ago he was able to apply for a classic car registration 'carte Grise de collection'. To do this you apply for an attstation from a body called 'the federation Francaise de vehicule de l'epoque ' or FFVE, as long as your car was built over 30 years ago (officially

)they'll give the paperwork allowing you to register the car. Of course, most kit cobra builders haven't been going long enough for this to work, and the FFVE know this, and will simply refuse to issue the attestation.
On their 2012 agenda is ammending this (crazy) situation by having 'r' noted on the registration documents denoting replica, fingers crossed, as I'm running UK plates ( mind you, I am English!)