Is the Corvette International?
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From: Ontario
Is the Corvette International?
I was struck earlier today by the thread re the fellow who needed some info re a "gray card" for a 1978 Corvette in France. The Forum seems to be of interest overseas. That posed some questions in my mind as to how, and why, C3s ever found their way outside of North America. For example, why would someone in Europe want a Corvette in a market where Ferraris and other exotic cars are readily available at local prices. Why buy a Corvette? And our friends in Australia and New Zealand. How did the C3s get there? I do not believe that GM offered them for sale in those countries. May be wrong on this. Special delivery? Must have been costly. Where do you international folks get your spare parts? Does GM international provide that service. Just curious. I have seen C3s in London, Malaga, Brussels and Paris. And believe it or not, Gibraltar. Where can you go fast there? How did they get there and how are they maintained? Many thanks for your input.
[Modified by paul79, 5:02 PM 3/20/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 5:15 PM 3/20/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 5:02 PM 3/20/2002]
[Modified by paul79, 5:15 PM 3/20/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rotterdam
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
I can only speak for myself,but I'm in love with the Vette (and specially the C3) since I was 6.(I'm 36 now).
Last week I bought my First Vette,a 1982.
I think the fact they are very different from other cars here made me fall in love with them in the 1st place,Porsche's are plenty here,and Ferrari's are just to expensive to own,even on "local" prices.......wich aren't really low!
Spare parts are plenty here,there are about 5 or 6 places specialized in Corvette's only here in Holland.Of course parts are a bit more expensive here.....:(
Our national speedlimit is 75 MPH,but if I drive 2 hours,I'm on the German Autobahn,so if I want to go fast one time,it's not that hard to go there.....I actually did that a few times with previous cars.
I do most of the maintainance myself,and like I siad,there are shops here that do nothing but Vettes,one of them only 15 minutes from my home.:)
I owned a lot American cars,Camaro,Firebird,some Nova,s and Caprices.I think the reason to buy a Vette is the same as in the US,we love them!
(and of course they are very outstanding cars here,weeks can pass without seeing one for me) :cool:
Last week I bought my First Vette,a 1982.
I think the fact they are very different from other cars here made me fall in love with them in the 1st place,Porsche's are plenty here,and Ferrari's are just to expensive to own,even on "local" prices.......wich aren't really low!
Spare parts are plenty here,there are about 5 or 6 places specialized in Corvette's only here in Holland.Of course parts are a bit more expensive here.....:(
Our national speedlimit is 75 MPH,but if I drive 2 hours,I'm on the German Autobahn,so if I want to go fast one time,it's not that hard to go there.....I actually did that a few times with previous cars.
I do most of the maintainance myself,and like I siad,there are shops here that do nothing but Vettes,one of them only 15 minutes from my home.:)
I owned a lot American cars,Camaro,Firebird,some Nova,s and Caprices.I think the reason to buy a Vette is the same as in the US,we love them!
(and of course they are very outstanding cars here,weeks can pass without seeing one for me) :cool:
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Re: Is the Corvette International? (Pete Z)
Thanks Pete. I was in Holland in the late 1980s and recall Porsche police cars with blue lights on the targa tops. I was stopped doing 140kph (87mph) in a rental VW by one and given a warning. I was just keeping up with traffic!! Perhaps things have slowed down now. And most taxis were Mercedes diesels. Very different world.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Timmins ON
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
My personal belief and observation, is yes it is... The'Vette seems to be as coveted and elusive as Porsche ,et al... is here in N-A... But I'm sure our European members are gonna tell me that I'm ful of poop! :D
The 'Vette (regardless of generation) is a world class sports car! Fit to run with the Italian, English, German....
The 'Vette (regardless of generation) is a world class sports car! Fit to run with the Italian, English, German....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Is the Corvette International? (Pete Z)
Hey Pete!
I toured through Holland when I was 16. I thought the Porshe cop cars were cool too. But what struck me the most about the country was the sheer number of bicycles. I think I saw more bikes there in one day than I've seen total in my entire life! I really would have thought a Vette would be VERY rare just because it seemed there were very few cars. Guess I have warped tourist insight!
I toured through Holland when I was 16. I thought the Porshe cop cars were cool too. But what struck me the most about the country was the sheer number of bicycles. I think I saw more bikes there in one day than I've seen total in my entire life! I really would have thought a Vette would be VERY rare just because it seemed there were very few cars. Guess I have warped tourist insight!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: melbourne,Australia
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
There are a surprising number of Vettes here.....they were never sold here by GM.....always direct imports and they used to have to be converted to RHD in mosts states if you wanted to get full registration for them.....I guess there is an element of wanting to be different......the C3 certainly looks like nothing else.......goes pretty good as well.. john in sunny melbourne :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
Hey!!! down here (South America) there are many corvettes also.
We even have 1 (one) '53 which was owned by J. D. Peron.
Parts ARE expensive, gas is TOOOOO expensive but when I drive my '76 well ....... you all know is like to be in :blueangel: .
Take care
Pacha
We even have 1 (one) '53 which was owned by J. D. Peron.
Parts ARE expensive, gas is TOOOOO expensive but when I drive my '76 well ....... you all know is like to be in :blueangel: .
Take care
Pacha
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From: No longer a member
Re: Is the Corvette International? (lbell101)
I think some of the overseas Corvettes were purchased by people who wanted one, some may have been taken over by military guys and sold also. I've been to 18 different countries and no matter where you go you will find gearheads. When I had a web site the counter used to log the country of origin from visitors, I was kind of surprised at some of the places that were listed. I think it's great that everyone can enjoy a Corvette. Anyone living in Stockholm, I envy you, that place is major babe central! :D
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Re: Is the Corvette International? (C3 Shark Tank)
I think you are close on the military angle. I had one of the first Honda motorcycles imported to Canada: a 1959 "Dream" 305cc. It came back from Japan via a Canadian Airman. Loved it but as to spare parts....well not available. At that time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
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From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
Don't think that Ferraris or any of the other exotics are at "local prices" there like a C5 is here. A Ferrari 360 Modena costs $180,000 here, and the equivalent to $180,000 there.
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From: Ontario
Re: Is the Corvette International? (Jarmo)
Jarmo,
Have done. But what is the attraction of Corvettes in countries where Porsche is more common? Oops there is that P word. But they are nice cars.
Have done. But what is the attraction of Corvettes in countries where Porsche is more common? Oops there is that P word. But they are nice cars.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Terra Australis
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
Lot more Porsches here than vettes , they are sold new , vettes are not & never have been.
Pity but that's GM 's call , we have local grown "performance " cars but no real sports cars as such.
Chrysler is in the throes of starting to import Vipers to Aus so that may well change GM's mind.
Cost is always a consideration too , import , convert to RH drive , carry unique spares etc.
Private imports are just as expensive although there is a thriving aftermarket industry here for vettes , mostly older models C3's & C4's.
Performance cars of each brand ( Ford GM Chrysler & even Jappers ) are sought after
There is a Corvette club in all states so popularity is there.
:cheers:
Pity but that's GM 's call , we have local grown "performance " cars but no real sports cars as such.
Chrysler is in the throes of starting to import Vipers to Aus so that may well change GM's mind.
Cost is always a consideration too , import , convert to RH drive , carry unique spares etc.
Private imports are just as expensive although there is a thriving aftermarket industry here for vettes , mostly older models C3's & C4's.
Performance cars of each brand ( Ford GM Chrysler & even Jappers ) are sought after
There is a Corvette club in all states so popularity is there.
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: Is the Corvette International? (78Vette-SA)
Last year at Carlisle we had an Australian customer who has a C5. Those cars are incrediably expensive there. First the price of the car, then about 1/2 that in the tax, and then you have to pay to have it turned into a RHD which s about 3/4 the cost of a new C5. If you add it up a new C5 would cost over a 100K. I would say pretty exotic in those countries.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
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From: melbourne,Australia
Re: Is the Corvette International? (paul79)
Paul,anyone here can buy a Meno Porsche,all you need is money....lots of it....the Vette,especially the older ones let you have style and muscle at not vast expense(at least not till you start restoring or improving them)...it really is a hobby like Street Rods....john :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: melbourne,Australia
Re: Is the Corvette International? (snaketr)
snaketr....in our club in melbourne we have vitually all models from 54 onwards including lots ZR 1,and one original Calloway twin turbo......a new model(but used) c5 can be had for about A$120,000....cars range from show cars to racers with daily drivers in between.....just not as many of them as in USA......john :chevy
