I have been looking at buying an old american car for a while now. I have to admit that my first choice would have been a corvette but this will be the first car I will be maintaining myself so I decided to look at a third gen camaro or transam as the entry cost is lower.

I was wondering if you had any tips when looking at cars in the UK. I have read a bit about the fact that the lights have to be modified to get an MOT. Are there any other gotchas involved?

It also looks like when I am looking I should go for bodywork over mechanicals as replacement bodywork costs a fortune to ship from the US.

Cheers,

HEB

 

I suppose it really is like looking at any car. If time is on your side then look at loads. Theres a lot of rubbish about but also some very good stuff. Theres really no reason you shouldnt get a very straight clean standard car for a good deal. I still watch ebay a lot and some real good stuff comes up. You are dead right with the bodywork, I actually got a wing from ebay for $25 but the shipping was, i forget now, but maybe 10 times that?! Mechanical parts on the other hand are so easy to get from the US, a few clicks of a mouse and your sorted, can often get stuf fwithin a week. Im sure if you live near any other 3rd gen owners they might look at some cars with you, I go along with other people now and again for a 2nd opinion. Im certainly no expert, but having had one for a long time, you get to appreciate all the tricks.Oh and by the way, welcome, hope you get a car and see you on the boards.

PS mmm maybe this could spawn a thread concerning common faults to look out for on these cars, like all the usual ones we all know such as : use of broom handles, certain rust prone areas, CRAP brakes etc etc.?