New Member From Usa

PJ GRABOWSKI · #1 27th January 2014, 09:43

Hey , I have been looking at your forum for a few weeks now and think its great , these little cars and you guys attitude towards them and the build ups etc.
I really think I need to get going on something here!

I live in Bethlehem , PA. East coast U.S.A. and British cars aren't exactly plentiful over here but there is a guy in the neighborhood who has a few old Triumphs , TR stuff mainly . I am going to go see him later this week and see what's about.
I am thinking Ribble but not sure which one yet , depending on what I can find.
Sorry guys but the Miglia proportions look wrong to me , the Ribble is my thing.
I have no idea about costs of shipping a shell over but that's something I can look at.
You guys at Ribble ever thought about a U.S. Distributor for your cars?
They would be more popular than twinkies here !

oxford1360 · #2 27th January 2014, 10:38

Hi PJ,

Welcome to the forum. I believe that Spitfires were shipped to the US in reasonable numbers. A west coast example might even be rust-free (us Brits aren't sure what that means). So, if Spits are more plentiful, a Navigator might be the one for you.

Good luck. Building these little gems is a rewarding way to skin your knuckles.

AndyP57 · #3 27th January 2014, 11:53

Hi PJ,
We've had a couple of quotes for shipping the kits to USA (and Canada). as an indicator, a previous customer was quoted £680 including palletisation and delivery to Chicago Terminal last October.

Mister Towed · #4 27th January 2014, 11:56

Welcome aboard PJ, I'm sure you'll find an old Spitfire in a yard somewhere near your neck of the woods. You guys lapped them up until the Federal killjoys stepped in and said open top cars might dangerous so I guess everyone junked them and bought handguns with the cash...

PJ GRABOWSKI · #5 27th January 2014, 14:20

Thanks for responses guys.
I think you are right Mr. Towed and Oxford , I do recollect seeing Spitfires around now you mention it.
I reckon that's the way to go. I do however think the longer car is better proportionally , your Silver Bullet is great.
can you guys tell me other than the chassis differences are the Herald and Spitfire basically the same , track width etc?
I'm asking because I reckon that we could stretch a Spitfire Chassis pretty easy here. I wouldn't have the registration issues you guys have with a modified car. The Pilot would be my preference. If we stretched it just in front of the engine block mounts we could end up with a car with the engine set back a little which would be kind of neat.
Andy , thank you for the price. Chicago is quite a bit further North West than I am and I am pretty close to Norfolk , VA a shipping port of some magnitude , so maybe a little cheaper ?
Either way , about a thousand bucks to get the kit here is pretty darn good.

Viatron · #6 27th January 2014, 15:07

Hi and welcome PJ. Just a thought but how would it be worth considering getting Ribble to put together a rolling chassis complete with donor for you to finish? Or would importing a car and registering it be a hassle?
Mac

PJ GRABOWSKI · #7 27th January 2014, 17:49

That's an idea ron.
what would a long wheel base chassis with kit fitted cost me? I would need the steering and pedals and gas tank etc all fitted. i need correct papers for the car too.it possibly isn't any more expensive to ship a whole car back here , you can get a roll-roll service into Norfolk which means they don't crate the vehicle just drag it on !

AndyP57 · #8 27th January 2014, 19:34

I'll put the 'numbers' together tomorrow for you. Could you PM me your ema address so we can get the details on the business network. Whatever I come up with would, of course, be free from any commitment and subject to detail negotiation.
Cheers.
Andy

dougie.doo2 · #9 28th January 2014, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ GRABOWSKI

Hey , I have been looking at your forum for a few weeks now and think its great , these little cars and you guys attitude towards them and the build ups etc.
I really think I need to get going on something here!

I live in Bethlehem , PA. East coast U.S.A. and British cars aren't exactly plentiful over here but there is a guy in the neighborhood who has a few old Triumphs , TR stuff mainly . I am going to go see him later this week and see what's about.
I am thinking Ribble but not sure which one yet , depending on what I can find.
Sorry guys but the Miglia proportions look wrong to me , the Ribble is my thing.
I have no idea about costs of shipping a shell over but that's something I can look at.
You guys at Ribble ever thought about a U.S. Distributor for your cars?
They would be more popular than twinkies here !

Hi PJ

I am in Canada and go "across the border" to the east coast on a regular basis, eh. So, maybe we could share the shipping costs? Been on pogey a way back, so loonies are tight. I know some truckers too for transport.

How's the weather there, eh?

All the best
Douglas Doolittle

Mister Towed · #10 28th January 2014, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougie.doo2

Been on pogey a way back, so loonies are tight.

Erm, in English please...

dougie.doo2 · #11 28th January 2014, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed

Erm, in English please...

Sorry Mister Towed. State benefit payments, so money/dollars are tight.

Mister Towed · #12 29th January 2014, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougie.doo2

Sorry Mister Towed. State benefit payments, so money/dollars are tight.

Ooh, bad luck. Hope the quest for gainful employment brings you a satisfying, well paid job before too long.

If it's any consolation, our current Government's 'austerity' measures mean I work full time as Bobby (Police Constable) and have a significant income from my military pension plus my wife works in a psychiatric unit and the pay freezes we've had mean money's always tight for us too.

Building one of these cars provides a welcome distraction away from all that though.