[KeithO]

I am 95% sure I will be taking a temporary transfer to Germany in 2008 for my job. I don't know how long I will be there or when I will be leaving but I am pretty sure this is going to happen. I've done a few Google searches on transporting US street-driven cars to Germany but haven't gotten a whole lot of concrete information, just broadbrush stuff.

Based on what I saw, it appears that this will cost around $3,000 minimum roundtrip but I am also very interested in any safety/emissions/etc. modifications that might be required. While it is unlikely that I will get to take the car, I'd like to be armed with enough information to make a quick, informed decision before ruling it out.

In case you are interested, I am looking at taking my 1997 WS6 that has been modified for track use (purchased from fellow frraxer "BobbyLee" earlier this year). It would be fun to try some lapping days over there with some "American Iron" in addition to just getting to and from work.

Any information would be interesting at this point. Thanks.

[KeithO]

Hmmmm, so you are saying that I could have it there for up to 3 months as a "guest car"? That's interesting - I hadn't even thought of something like that. Are you aware of any written resources that describe the procedure for this? In my google searches, I saw one recommendation where a guy took the QE2 across the Atlantic Ocean and brought his car as "luggage" and it transport was included in the price of the ticket. He had a steerage-class cabin that was less than $3k.

3 months would be better than nothing and sounds like I could avoid the whole car registration thing. Even so, 30% book value for a 1997 f-body wouldn't be that much anyway.

I used to religously carry an International Driver's license and never once needed it so I stopped keeping it up to date. I DO have a valid UK driver's license, however. Either way, I have to believe that my company will ask me to do this again (though I didn't have one on my last two trips to Germany - and I had rental cars both times).

When you say rigid inspection, is there anything specific that makes it rigid? Are there obvious things that the German authorities would be sticklers on that might go unchecked in the US?