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Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion?

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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 09:37 AM
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Default Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion?

Looking at accepting a position in Germany or Spain. The company will ship the car, but I’ve been told that it might need a conversion. Anyone know what will need to be changed?
(Besides taking out the N2O system and putting it in a different box?)
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 09:54 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

Each european country has there own regulations so its difficult to say anything in general. Try to find out which authority in each country is responsible for car regulations and visit their website and/or email them with your questions.


This is the most common things to fix(from a Swedish point of view):
Front daylights is orange: Need to be changed to white.
Red side markers: Disconnect or change to orange color connected to turn signal.
Turn signal lights: Must be orange front and rear. Rear easily solved with a European light kit. Front already orange. Some countries requires a orange sidemarker connected to the turn signal placed about two a'clock at the front wheel.
Towing: Some countries requires you to have a towing 'point' both in front and rear.
Catalytic converters: Must be installed.
Other mods: You could have problems if you have a supercharger or turbo.

You need to put your speedo in Km/h so your car can't go faster than 200Km/h ;) :lol:

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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 10:47 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

I can only answer for Germany:

If you are for example in military business and drive the car with US plate, nothing is to do.
If you want to drive it with german plate, it depends on the TÜV (technical observation team) what will to be done. A must will be the Euro headlights, but you can keep the US rear ones. There is no need to change the rear facia. But you will also need a rear fog light, that can be mounted somewhere down on the rear facia. Jochen has it looking through the slots on one side. I think that´s all. Oh I forgot, if the exhaust is not OEM and too loud they may get angry :D
I know a guy who imported a Z06 and found a TÜV in one of the small towns in the black forest. They gave permission at once. So you have to know where to go to.
Hope I could help, Frederik
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 11:12 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (C5 Frederik)

Hmm doesn't sound like much.. I had heard horror stories about windows needing changing...... etc..
One thing, what are the Euro headlights? How are they different than ours?
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 11:16 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

hey Frederik what happens if the car gets there and doesn't meet requirements? Do they impound it, or do they just deny registration? I assume C5s are pretty rare in Germany as I have never seen a single one during visits. Are they respected or thought of as American Junk?
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 12:09 PM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

No Corvettes are Verry respected and not as rare as you think. The head lights are made of glass and use H-4 higher wattage bulbs. I know many who have converted the C-5 in Germany.
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Old Apr 22, 2002 | 12:24 PM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (360Lemans)

So the conversion isn't all that big of a deal then? How hard is it to find N2O over there? I'm thinking I may do a head/cam job before shipping it as well, and install the exhaust once in Germany.
Nice to hear that there is a C5 croud over there!


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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 04:59 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

Nice to hear that there is a C5 croud over there!

In my little town near Stuttgart there are 6 C5´s that I have seen personally. Another one in Stuttgart is converted to a diving school car with additional pedals on the right side.
In Mai there will be the 20th Corvette Meeting in Idstein, Frankfurt area. Last year there were more than 300 vettes from all over Europe. As it is the 20th they expect even more to come this year.

The C5 is respected by technicans and car magazine writes very well. The best ever compared to the former Vettes. It is always compared to cars like BMW Z8 or Porsche: lot of power for half the price. Although there are some "old minded guys" that still think that a Vette takes awfull lot of gas and cannot be driven fast.

Frederik
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 09:57 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (JMon)

If you come to the Heidelberg/Mannheim area come over and join the German American Corvette Club.

If you come to the Kaiserslautern area, try the West Phalz Corvette Club.

If you come to the Frankfurt area, try the Hessen Corvette Club.......

:cheers:
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 10:11 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. Conversion? (Chuck Broten)

Chuck, that pic is awesome!
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 10:18 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany.

I'd probably be in the Mannheim area..

Anyway tell me about the head lights. You said glass, well mine appear to already be glass? Are you talking about non-pop up headlights????
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 11:07 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. (JMon)

go to the right on this page and visit LAPD at CF mall. There you will find under "Electrical--Lighting" the GM C5 Euro Headlamps.
Code: GM 16524063-4
Price: $299.95
If I remember right it´s made by BOSCH or HELLA
Frederik
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 11:31 AM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. (C5 Frederik)

Hi Frederik,

do you participate in Idstein?

BTW, why a car of a "diving school" needs additional pedals on the right side? :confused:
Wouldn´t it be better to make the car completely waterproof? :)

JR
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Old Apr 23, 2002 | 05:29 PM
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Default Re: Exporting a C5 to Spain / Germany. (JR Germany)

Yes, I will participate in Idstein, will you? Would like to meet you there!

With the pedals on the right side the teacher can help in dangerous situations.

Frederik
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