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New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:36 am
by GregSCF
Hello, thank you for welcoming me.
I just had a little madness on Bringatrailer.com : I am almost owner of an old yellow lady waiting for me in Alberta, Canada.:D
I am interested in your comments of specialists on this 1970 Lotus Elan Plus 2S .
and your advice to succeed its importation in the USA, transport to the DC area and its registration in Maryland.
Greg

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 1:22 pm
by jcocking
Congrats and welcome. I was tempted to jump in.......

Jeff

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:57 pm
by Ross Robbins
Welcome Greg!

You have bought what appears to be a lovely car at a very good price so my first comment is: Well Done! Stu Gilmour on this forum is in Calgary which is near to Edmonton and can advise on customs and other "Canuck" issues. Then get to know Ray Psulkowski at RD Enterprises who is pretty close to Maryland and can get you what you will need to get her roadworthy to meet your comfort zone. Then, finally, drive it as soon as the weather permits wherever you can as often as you can and as long as you can. Have fun!! Email me at lotusross at comcast dot net and I will send you something to get your adventure started :D :D

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:56 pm
by pharriso
Welcome Greg, nice car!

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 2:44 am
by stugilmour
Greg, welcome aboard. Looks like an excellent example of a really fun classic. As Ross mentioned I am located in Calgary Alberta about three hours south of your new car. As I noted on BaT I have never seen the car or met the seller; it looks like a great find. I think you benefited a bit by the auction being over the Thanksgiving period. :D

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970- ... -plus-2-3/

I have never shipped a car south, but several of our local club members have. My understanding is the process is pretty straight forward.

Because the car is over twenty five years old you should have no issues with various US safety and emissions standards. Although there are some features of your car that are different from the Federal models sold into the US market (Weber head, knock ons, replacement brake boosters, etc.) this should not be an issue. I believe you will be charged a 2.5% duty by the US as the Lotus was manufactured outside North America.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail ... rsonal-use

I am assuming at this point you are considering a full service hauler to take care of loading, shipping, border brokerage, and eventual delivery. The broker should take care of the details for you if you go full service.

As you are presumably new to the Plus 2, a word of caution selecting a cartage company. The front of the car is very low, so the approach angle to get the car on a standard flat deck recovery vehicle or auto hauler needs attention. All doable, but really helps if you have the seller on board to assist with loading.

One option is to drive the car to a broker in Sweet Grass MT (about six hours from Edmonton), get the US importation processed, and store the car in the broker?s secure yard. This opens up more transport companies for you as it provides a US business address for pickup. I see the current Alberta plates are good until May 2019. Same as down south, the seller will retain the plates though.

I found this thread on BaT that looks like a pretty good resource on the details. Although I have not been through the process, a few things you may want to get from the seller. We usually sell vintage cars here by getting the seller to sign a very simple Bill of Sale with the vehicle described and identified. Might also get a copy of the Provincial Registration. A few photos of the Vehicle ID Plate under the hood and the VIN tag on the lower driver?s side of the windshield would be good.

https://bringatrailer.com/2011/02/13/ba ... xperience/

If you do decide to come to Alberta to pick the car up feel free to get in touch by PM

Congratulations and welcome to Lotus!

Stu

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 8:35 am
by Elanintheforest
The car looks stunning and that colour really suits the Elan. The black interior looks superb, and the weber head just completes the perfect package. A great buy.
Mark

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 3:51 pm
by collins_dan
Welcome, Greg. I am in Annapolis. Once you get it here, I hope to see it around Annapolis Cars and Coffee or Hunt Valley Cars and Coffee. We need more yellow Elans around here! I can my experience with local shops if you need it. All the best, Dan

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 5:09 pm
by The Veg
Welcome Greg, and wow, that IS a real beauty! I may have to consider the pearlescent route if I ever paint my poor old cracked Lotus Yellow paint.

Re: New yellow Plus2

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 5:35 pm
by pharriso
Greg, I bought a 1972 Elan Sprint in Vancouver & drove it over the border myself & dealt with all the paperwork personally.

Ask away...