Importing a 780 to UK from US

[NewVolvo]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Love the 780 proportions, familiar and yet different. A surprising ability to survive given that they were built by Bertone too...

Well, the 262C built by Bertone is a nightmare due to the unreliable engines and the rust under the vinyl roof. By the time they built the 780 at least the engines had been sorted.

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Any suggestions as to who I should use for insurance? How much should I anticipate paying compared to something more "normal"?

Mine was insured with Adrian Flux. You will need a classic car insurance. Agreed value and limited mileage. They will undervalue it.....In the UK I paid £220 and had a value of £10k with max 3k a year. Since taking it to Germany I pay €450 a year, mileage at 5k a year and have a considerable higher value agreed....

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Servicing looks straightforward. I'd probably add some rustproofing early on too

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Service items look to be in line with other 7 series models - nothing I should worry about there?

Servicing is the same as on the 740/760. Very straight forward. Only the usual stuff like filters, oil, gearbox oil if not the right colour etc etc.

[NewVolvo]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Body and lights, trim is unique to the 780 too?

Yes, all exterior is unique to the 780. Not a single thing that it shares except sunroof and doorhandles!

Well, the wheels of the 740/760 will also fit the 780.

[MiniNinjaRob]

Lowered with new wheels they look amaaaaazing...

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by 726PAV

Just realised I can't DM until I have 30 posts...

There is an easier way to increase your post count, '726PAV'. A request via the link at the bottom of the first page will normally achieve the result that you desire much more quickly.

Regards, John.

[726PAV]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

There is an easier way to increase your post count, '726PAV'. A request via the link at the bottom of the first page will normally achieve the result that you desire much more quickly.

Regards, John.

Thank you - A bit naive on this...

[julek780]

Hi, i imported a 780 into the UK in 2003 and it was a fairly simple process.
The vehicle was purchased via Ebay and was paid for using Paypal.
The car was at a dealer in central USA , and he arranged transport of the car to the East coast via rail, the distance was over 1000 miles and cost £300 .
The dealer also put me in contact with a shipping agent who arranged the car to be shipped from Brownville USA to Liverpool, at a cost of £500 including insurance..
All of the above was arranged via email with payments via Paypal.
On collection of the car at Liverpool i had to pay £1100 to Uk shipping/ customs office before i could collect the vehicle.
On collection the car was as described on Ebay , the only damage was a bent exhaust tailpipe and a flat battery.
The major problem with the American 780 is that the interiors do suffer from heat damage, the dash boards crack, especially on the passenger side near the AC sensor, the door card leather/vinyl shrinks and the headlining material comes away , especially at the rear due to the sunroof when it is open.
The 780 i purchased was one of the last chassis number 11600 and so came with the matt wood interior, coupe badge at the rear as well as a single unit radio.
The car was in metallic red with the beige leather and was the turbo 2.3 model.
I had the mirrors painted as well as fitting a rear undertray and wheelarch inner linners as the 760 model .
Unfortunately after a year i sold it due to its very poor performance, it was the slowest 700 turbo i have had considering it was supposed to have over 188 bhp as standard.
Anyway wish you luck with your 780.
Regards Julian

[MiniNinjaRob]

Unfortunately after a year i sold it due to its very poor performance, it was the slowest 700 turbo i have had considering it was supposed to have over 188 bhp as standard.

Surely must have been something wrong in the engine department then? Would be easy to sort out.

I wouldn't care how slow it was anyway - just LOOK at them. Best looking Volvo ever in my opinion.

[Prufrock]

Having driven a 780 (V6, friend in Groningen had one) and assume this would be the preferred engine, although I don't especially rate the V6 - the car is a cruiser - best looking Volvo, mmm that's an opinion.

I think the OP says he has a Mercedes CE, well I have one of those too and I wouldn't change it for a 780.

Or have a 780 as well as the CE, we've gone a little off topic here though so I'll get my coat.

Jon

[726PAV]

I plan to keep the CE