European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 2, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday july 2, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13 Rar Corner an update and some advice along the Way car conversion is still going Strong the subject of car conversion has been a popular one among americans in Europe since Carlo 1981 when the environmental Protection Agency Epa waiver arrived on the automotive scene. This waiver made it possible for private individuals to import a european vehicle five years old or older without engine modifications. Department of transport thigion Dot regulations for the car s body headlights Glass Etc still had to be met however cars less than five years old also were allowed in Bill these cars were required to meet not Only the Dot safety require ments but the Epa engine emission Stan Dards As wed. Many stories on the subject have appeared in car Corner Over the years and for an update we discussed conver Sions recently with Gene Bond who is vice president of autos european inc. Which has Headquarters in Heidelberg. Germany and in Fay Coleville. . President of the company is Michael Kara Man of Fayelta Villa. The autos european firm is also a member of the automobile importers c Impi acc association Micah v. Ashing on.  organization with 600 members. Alca s primary purpose. Bond says is to represent member firms engaged in the importation of vehicles and to keep them in formed of the latest rules and details governing All aspects of car conversion and importation. Bond whose autos european firm has converted some 450 cars in the past two years says that any car you re thinking of taking Back should have a fuel in acc de engine and that the Besl cars for converting include the Mer cedes 2roe and any of the a series Mercedes cars the Bow 3, 5, 6 and 7 series cars and the porsche 911. 944 and 928s cars. The resale value on these cars is High Bonci says and you can t go wrong on such automobiles if they Are in Good condition. Maintenance in the so alas is no problem because the . Market is familiar with these  regarding conversion in general. Bont says tha costs should govern the decision. If inc cos of your car. Plus tie con version and attendant costs ship Ping bonding customs clearance and the rest Are a lot higher than you would pay for a similar car in the states then forget Ujj even if it s your Pride and Joy. But if the Cost of your car. Plus con version comes in under the Cost of a similar car in the slates and it usually docs then conversion is not Only recommended. It s logical. You can save Money by locating a car yourself and purchasing it directly from the owner or dealer drive inc car Over Here ring Jour Lour. Ihnn take it with it ii when you return to the conf Ruslon candidate the Ponce 911 so. Another candidate the Bow 635 Cal a conversion prize 1975 Mercedes 450 Sel.  Bond says that Many prospective buyers still think thai conversion work has to be performed in Germany but he stresses that it is a Case of just the opposite that it should be done inthe Stales. All of our conversion work is per formed at our  facility in North Carolina he says. Our euro Pean office simply arranges All of the paper work required and coordinates the shipment of the vehicle. Regardless of what firm a car owner plans 10 Deal with he should make cer Tain Hal inc conversion work is per formed in the slates. That Way. The firm s there your car s there and if there arc any problems you re there if you be derided to convert your car what should you look for when deciding on a company first of All shop around and ask guest  Bont says. Two to three months before leaving is the time to act. Ask questions of a firm and get an Swers. Any reputable firm will be will ing to give you full information and the More information inc Bill or. And look for Quality. This reflects on the vehicle retaining its value. Re Sale could be a problem if inc work is not done property and to Gaud invest ment could turn out m to a poor one also avoid any firm that features unrealistic or Cut rate  Bond mrs. As ,1 guideline Here lit average Cost for pot conversion shipping and bonding of a car five e irs old or older is about s3.00u. And cur cars less that five years old the total Cost will be about s6.000 writ 1.1,000 for Dot work and j3.000 for Epa engine con version  discussing his firm s procedure Bone says that a contract should be finalised no Lair iban three weeks prior to the desired shipment Date of the owner s vehicle from Europe. This is particularly important he says if the owner is leaving Europe at the same Lime. Following this schedule assures the owner that his vehicle will be picked up on time for shipping and also for . Pickup and conversion scheduling purposes Lionet says that 30 to 45 Days should be allowed for shipping Lime and Dot conversion work. On vehicles that also require Epa engine conversion an additional 15 Days should be allowed he says. Despite the current Low value of the Dollar Bonel says the conversion Busi Ness remains extremely Good because most of the cars arriving for conversion were purchased two or three years ago when the Dollar was Strong. The car conversion business Outlook continues optimistic at least through the autumn of 1989, he says. Bond also says that because of the Sharp drop in the Dollar Many German car dealers have lowered their used car prices by an average of i5 percent to meet current american demands. So the Market remains healthy for car Pur chases with conversion in mind he says. The primary concern among car con version firms at the moment Bont Points out is the Epa s discussion of guidelines thai would eliminate the five year waiver As Well As allowing Only certified Epa agencies to import cars. Target Date for possible enactment is Jan. I 19s8. He says. The Epa waiver was Sci up originally to allow a Serviceman to bring Back a car Bont says and we want to keep it that Way. We feel that the current regulations arc fair for inc customer with big business kept out. We would like to see ii stay that Way and we urge everyone opposed to any change in the current setup to write  the autos european firm also con ducts seminars on the subject of car conversion with its last series of sem Inars attracting More than 400 persons. The firm is currently setting up mini be Miniers for groups of 10 per sons or More and Hose interested May Call Honet at oa221-781304 or write autos european inc., he Auer Weg 2. 6900 i Irod Borg. West Germany. Randy Barnett Wimbledon Montero is game for anything1 the official Wimbledon Mejjon. Game fur an in no is the a Hal Austin hover is describing us Montryn sullion wagons and the game Mone applies because the Moi go wagons estate tars in ing land arc once again pros iding the Oft Ual transportation Ai inc Wim Lejon Ennis championships. Austin Rover says inc cars Are being driven by a team composed of 96 Tiung women and 2u Bunp men. All Uluhani Wear special med Wimble in in uniforms. Inc m wagons an til ing used by Pla ers and lop offi. Cats during in Cocol this is the Kish car  a Sunn Roger has supplied cars liar the iwo Wei i of Lenners at to Irneli Don the 54 while 1 Miter automatic Mun Iago wagons ail carry the game Lor any tiling slogan on me f oni doors i h a Tennis net decal running Down the sides. The official j9b7 Wimbledon championships Vigo appears tin the front Hood and rear Dovir. The Monic Nti Siaion wagons arc on the Road trom 7 30 a m. V nearly red might each Day. And an average Tif 3,000 Miles per car will be clocked up during the two we is Ufela.