Body repair garage

[jackie]

I have a 1986 Mary Quant Mini which I have had from new. About 6 years ago I had a lot of work done on it which cost me a fortune, but it was worth it. The bodywork needs to be done again (due to rust) and also the interior needs to be re-upholstered. I was told that I could ship my car over and get it done HH and leave it at my house. Does anyone know roughly much this would cost and of any body repair garage who could carry out the work.

[Rob W]

My mate looked at bringing his BMW over from the Uk and I understand they wanted 100% import duty on the new price at the time of import not price when he bought it. Hence its still in the UK.
I would have thought just the price of the container would be much more than the value of the car.
I brought my truck from Canada to the UK and the container shipping was about 1200 quid to the cheapest port and i drove it home from there.
Im looking for a mini to do up for my youngest son, want to sell it
dont know if it helps.

[JimboPSM]

I was thinking about bringing an old car to Thailand when I move here full time, but friends warned me off it because of the very high levels of duty even on old cars.

Here is some information that may help you from the Thai Customs site:

For permamemt importation:
http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Pe ... ersonalPer

For temporary importation:
http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Pe ... ersonalTem

[Wanderlust]

I was once told that, if you are prepared to do it, the best way to bring a vehicle into Thailand is to have it disassembled, transported as parts, and then reassembled here, which apparently avoids the duty. Obviously that does requite a skilled enough mechanic at both ends (if not yourself).

[Guess]

I was once told that, if you are prepared to do it, the best way to bring a vehicle into Thailand is to have it disassembled, transported as parts, and then reassembled here, which apparently avoids the duty. Obviously that does requite a skilled enough mechanic at both ends (if not yourself).

I have heard the same story. I have also heard many stories of people trying to import cars to Thailand. Many gave up and had the cars returned.

Also, by breaking the car up first (that will have to be done at some point anyway) the shipping costs will be reduced. If it is just sub frame repair work to be done the the weight would be very low.

You need to consult a specialist on mini restoration to get an estimate of what exact work has to be done and then you can get someone to strip the car down and send out the necessary parts. If they are only for repair and then to be shipped back there would be no problem with customs and could probably be shipped on a carnet. If they stay here I don't think anybody would check that the components delivered were in fact returned.

[off-the-wall]

That breaking up thing...

how small do the parts have to be ?

for example do you have to take apart the entire engine ?

[Winkie]

Even if oyu break the card own you will still have to pay duty. You will be charged CKD rate (Complete Knock Down) instread of CBU Rate (Complete Built Up Unit). CKD is considerably cheaper. I think maybe as low as 30%. but it will be 30% of the Customs Dept assessed value, plus you will hve to pay VAT, plus you will have to pay on the shipping cost and the estimated insurance cost (even if oyu shipped it uninsured).

I ent my MG from Japan to UK about 8 years ago. It cost me UKP4000 for a dedicated container (not roll on, roll off), this also included good Marine Insure with additional clasues (read standard condiditions and you'll see you are covered for none of the likely events). Needed the insurance and made a sucessful claim for over 6 grnad on arrival.

Forget it, it will cost you a fortune if you need Mini parts in the future as they are not so poular here.

[STEVE G]

I’ve seen a few mini’s around Thailand, I think if you really wanted one, it would be much cheaper to find one locally. Even if it was fully restored and sold as a collectable, I think it would still cost less than shipping one over and going through all the hassle of importing it.
It always amazes me some of the old cars you do see on the roads in Thailand; Morris Minors, Austin 1100’s, Mk. III Cortina’s and all sorts of other stuff that you rarely see in Europe anymore.

[PeteC]

From time to time Steve you'll even see the small Toyota Corollas and Crowns that were used as taxis and limos when I was here at age 20.....LOL. No idea what engine they may have in them now but for sure, not original.

All the original engines are powering longtail boats throughout the country! Pete

[STEVE G]

Pete, some of those old Toyota's will go on for ever, the same as those old 190D mercedes you see about, a couple of which have managed over a million kilometers on the original engine.

[Nereus]

I have a 1986 Mary Quant Mini which I have had from new. About 6 years ago I had a lot of work done on it which cost me a fortune, but it was worth it. The bodywork needs to be done again (due to rust) and also the interior needs to be re-upholstered. I was told that I could ship my car over and get it done HH and leave it at my house. Does anyone know roughly much this would cost and of any body repair garage who could carry out the work.

Jackie,
I have been down this road a couple of times. The first time 15 /16 years ago when I bought in my Range Rover. All has changed since then, so no longer relevant.

The most recent was last year. I had a 1955 Mk1 Zephyr Convertible in restored condition. I had both my lawyer and the head of one of the car clubs in Bangkok look into bringing it with me on a retirement visa. The club said that they could "arrange" things to help, as they really wanted to have the car here. The lawyer found that because of its age I could declare it as "scrap" and get around most of the import charges. It was inferred that some "oil" would be required, if you know what I mean!
What finally decided me against it; appears that there has never been a model of this car in Thailand, and because of that it could not be
registered for road use.

There is a big following of Mini owners in Bangkok, they have some really impressive cars. Actually, there is a big following of all makes of old cars in Bangkok, and a couple of different clubs. If I was you I would hang on to it for a bit, and then find out some more once you are here. The restoration work that I have seen done here is world class, just a matter of tracking down the right people, and I am sure there is a way to bring it in with the "right" people on side.

Pm me if you want.

Nereus

[lomuamart]

Viz:
http://www.tourismhuahin.com/vintage-cars-huahin.php