Hola from the Dominican Republic
08-28-2017, 07:10 PM
#1
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Hola from the Dominican Republic
I'm an American from Tampa living the dream in the tropical mountain paradise of the Dominican Republic. I opened a motorcycle tour company here in '08 (MotoCaribe Motorcycle Adventure Tours) with a fleet of nine V-Strom DL650's here and haven't looked back since.
I've been a gearhead my entire life. I've owned more motorcycles, cars and trucks than I can remember and no doubt will own some more.
I was lucky to grow up in a family of car dealers. My dad had a Ford, Chevy and American Motors shops in GA, from '56 to '72. You can imagine the impression a '63 split-window coupe or '65 Shelby Cobra 427 s/c made on a young boy.
I've never owned a Corvette, but not because I didn't like them. I always have, but just never owned one. I have owned a couple of XKE's and Cobra's repros, one a 351W kit and the other a really nice Superformance with a 427 side-oiler.
I've thought about another Cobra, but honestly, the roads down here are just too brutal for a cramped, over-powered, short wheelbase, stiff-springed ride. Besides, I think I want better comfort. I'm getting old.
Ever since seeing the Mako Shark II concept that toured the country in the early 60's, I have always loved C3's. I love C2's, too, but they are really spendy.
So that's why I'm here: to learn so I can become a better consumer. I know the Corvette history. I need to know where the rubber hits the road from folks who own, maintain, modify and drive them.
And one other practical consideration. If I import a Cobra, it's taxed 20% duty, 17% sales tax and 18% first registration. But if I import a "classic" as designated by a vintage car association---cars have to be at least 30 years old and approved by the association---the tax is a flat US$3000 + discounted first registration. We're talking over a $20,000 savings of bringing in a Vette vs. Cobra.
I'm thinking about a super nice '73-82 for a drive train swap. IMO, 350-400rwhp in one would be about perfect for the soul...and budget. And *should* be doable. I won't at all rule out a '68-72 however. Not at all.
So there it is. Who I am, and why I'm here.
Please be kind to noobs...
And thanks for letting me in the front door. I promise to bring more beer than I drink, and to put the toilet lid down after use.
I've been a gearhead my entire life. I've owned more motorcycles, cars and trucks than I can remember and no doubt will own some more.
I was lucky to grow up in a family of car dealers. My dad had a Ford, Chevy and American Motors shops in GA, from '56 to '72. You can imagine the impression a '63 split-window coupe or '65 Shelby Cobra 427 s/c made on a young boy.
I've never owned a Corvette, but not because I didn't like them. I always have, but just never owned one. I have owned a couple of XKE's and Cobra's repros, one a 351W kit and the other a really nice Superformance with a 427 side-oiler.
I've thought about another Cobra, but honestly, the roads down here are just too brutal for a cramped, over-powered, short wheelbase, stiff-springed ride. Besides, I think I want better comfort. I'm getting old.
Ever since seeing the Mako Shark II concept that toured the country in the early 60's, I have always loved C3's. I love C2's, too, but they are really spendy.
So that's why I'm here: to learn so I can become a better consumer. I know the Corvette history. I need to know where the rubber hits the road from folks who own, maintain, modify and drive them.
And one other practical consideration. If I import a Cobra, it's taxed 20% duty, 17% sales tax and 18% first registration. But if I import a "classic" as designated by a vintage car association---cars have to be at least 30 years old and approved by the association---the tax is a flat US$3000 + discounted first registration. We're talking over a $20,000 savings of bringing in a Vette vs. Cobra.
I'm thinking about a super nice '73-82 for a drive train swap. IMO, 350-400rwhp in one would be about perfect for the soul...and budget. And *should* be doable. I won't at all rule out a '68-72 however. Not at all.
So there it is. Who I am, and why I'm here.
Please be kind to noobs...
And thanks for letting me in the front door. I promise to bring more beer than I drink, and to put the toilet lid down after use.
Last edited by DRRob; 08-31-2017 at 04:04 PM.
08-28-2017, 10:59 PM
#2
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Welcome to the Forum!
Sounds like you have an organized plan which helps.
Check out the C3 sections of the Forum. Lots of very capable, helpful enthusiasts and experts there. Also, there is an "Other Country Events" section under "Upcoming Events and Regional Discussion". You might run into other Forum members there from Dominican Republic that could also provide useful insight.
Sounds like you have an organized plan which helps.
Check out the C3 sections of the Forum. Lots of very capable, helpful enthusiasts and experts there. Also, there is an "Other Country Events" section under "Upcoming Events and Regional Discussion". You might run into other Forum members there from Dominican Republic that could also provide useful insight.
08-28-2017, 11:15 PM
#3
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Welcome to the CF! 
08-29-2017, 11:30 AM
#7
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Welcome and good luck in finding a nice Vette.
08-30-2017, 11:41 PM
#9
have a condo in Santiago, Welcome!
Been there since 1996.
I'm an American from Tampa living the dream in the tropical mountain paradise of the Dominican Republic. I opened a motorcycle tour company here in '08 (MotoCaribe Motorcycle Adventure Tours) with a fleet of none V-Strom DL650's here and haven't looked back since.
I've been a gearhead my entire life. I've owned more motorcycles, cars and trucks than I can remember and no doubt will own some more.
I was lucky to grow up in a family of car dealers. My dad had a Ford, Chevy and American Motors shops in GA, from '56 to '72. You can imagine the impression a '63 split-window coupe or '65 Shelby Cobra 427 s/c made on a young boy.
I've never owned a Corvette, but not because I didn't like them. I always have, but just never owned one. I have owned a couple of XKE's and Cobra's repros, one a 351W kit and the other a really nice Superformance with a 427 side-oiler.
I've thought about another Cobra, but honestly, the roads down here are just too brutal for a cramped, over-powered, short wheelbase, stiff-springed ride. Besides, I think I want better comfort. I'm getting old.
Ever since seeing the Mako Shark II concept that toured the country in the early 60's, I have always loved C3's. I love C2's, too, but they are really spendy.
So that's why I'm here: to learn so I can become a better consumer. I know the Corvette history. I need to know where the rubber hits the road from folks who own, maintain, modify and drive them.
And one other practical consideration. If I import a Cobra, it's taxed 20% duty, 17% sales tax and 18% first registration. But if I import a "classic" as designated by a vintage car association---cars have to be at least 30 years old and approved by the association---the tax is a flat US$3000 + discounted first registration. We're talking over a $20,000 savings of bringing in a Vette vs. Cobra.
I'm thinking about a super nice '73-82 for a drive train swap. IMO, 350-400rwhp in one would be about perfect for the soul...and budget. And *should* be doable. I won't at all rule out a '68-72 however. Not at all.
So there it is. Who I am, and why I'm here.
Please be kind to noobs...
And thanks for letting me in the front door. I promise to bring more beer than I drink, and to put the toilet lid down after use.
I've been a gearhead my entire life. I've owned more motorcycles, cars and trucks than I can remember and no doubt will own some more.
I was lucky to grow up in a family of car dealers. My dad had a Ford, Chevy and American Motors shops in GA, from '56 to '72. You can imagine the impression a '63 split-window coupe or '65 Shelby Cobra 427 s/c made on a young boy.
I've never owned a Corvette, but not because I didn't like them. I always have, but just never owned one. I have owned a couple of XKE's and Cobra's repros, one a 351W kit and the other a really nice Superformance with a 427 side-oiler.
I've thought about another Cobra, but honestly, the roads down here are just too brutal for a cramped, over-powered, short wheelbase, stiff-springed ride. Besides, I think I want better comfort. I'm getting old.
Ever since seeing the Mako Shark II concept that toured the country in the early 60's, I have always loved C3's. I love C2's, too, but they are really spendy.
So that's why I'm here: to learn so I can become a better consumer. I know the Corvette history. I need to know where the rubber hits the road from folks who own, maintain, modify and drive them.
And one other practical consideration. If I import a Cobra, it's taxed 20% duty, 17% sales tax and 18% first registration. But if I import a "classic" as designated by a vintage car association---cars have to be at least 30 years old and approved by the association---the tax is a flat US$3000 + discounted first registration. We're talking over a $20,000 savings of bringing in a Vette vs. Cobra.
I'm thinking about a super nice '73-82 for a drive train swap. IMO, 350-400rwhp in one would be about perfect for the soul...and budget. And *should* be doable. I won't at all rule out a '68-72 however. Not at all.
So there it is. Who I am, and why I'm here.
Please be kind to noobs...
And thanks for letting me in the front door. I promise to bring more beer than I drink, and to put the toilet lid down after use.
09-03-2017, 07:25 AM
#10
Race Director
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Member Since: Apr 2014
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Welcome to the forum!
Great plan and good luck in your search!
Great plan and good luck in your search!
09-03-2017, 06:25 PM
#12
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
