Registering a modified car

[Marv]

Hi,

I've gather that it's quite hard to register a modified car in France, I'm just wondering how strict they are?

I've got a 1993 Porsche 968 Club Sport, which I've made a number of modifications to - 90% of the modifications have been fitting uprated Porsche items, such as bigger brakes, thicker anti roll bars, Koni sports suspension (which were originally sold by Porsche as a sports pack option when new, but were not specified on my car) I've made some interior changes (my CS had rear seats when I bought it, but I replaced it with the shelf, which is standard fit to Club Sports) All have Porsche part numbers stamped into them too.

I've also had the wheels powdercoated black and have had a sports exhaust fitted.

I accept that I'll have to take the exhaust off, but as the other things that I've fitted can be found on other 968's which were sold in France, I presume they'll be okay?

The car is already LHD (I imported it from Germany 4 years ago) and I've kept the LH headlanps and the speedo is still in KPH.

I really don't want to sell the car, as I've invested alot of time, effort and money to get it to how it is today!

[AnOther]

If you can get a C of C then I can't see you'll have too much of a problem, at least not at the Prefecture. As it was originally a German car then obtaining this may not present too much of a problem.

Where you might get caught out though is at the CT station and that is likely to be as much down to luck as anything. If you ask around your area somebody might be able to point you to a station where they are bit more liberal [;-)]

[dave21478]

I wouldnt be worried about those modifications regarding registering the car. As above, if you can get a certificate of conformity, then thats it as good as done.

Regarding the CT, I wouldnt be worried about that either. How many CT testers are likely to know the standard brake size or ARB diameter and spot that these are different? The exhaust...well, I would be tempted to just leave it on and see what they say about it, only changing it if required.

However, insuring it might be a different story altogether. I would be very interested to hear how you get on declaring the modifications to the insurer and how it will affect your cover.

[just john]

My experience with classic cars has been, that by approaching the club and a Specialist in the marque, combined letters can produce an official confirmation that the modifications have been done professionally and safely with marque approved parts, this has eased the dealings with the Insurance Co. in the UK; the Porsche club may have links with the French club for any translations required.[8-|]

[AnOther]

[quote user="dave21478"]However, insuring it might be a different story altogether. I would be very interested to hear how you get on declaring the modifications to the insurer and how it will affect your cover.[/quote]I'd deliberately skipped that aspect based on the assumption that if you're spending megga moolah on OEM tuning and modding parts then the cost of insurance shouldn't be too much of a worry [Www]

[Marv]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone - looks as though it's worth taking it over as it is and seeing what happens then. Insurance over here with mods declared is only £245/year, as it's on a classic policy - I presume there's classic insurance companies in France too?

Is it actually illegal to modify cars in France then? Or is it boy racers with dodgy body kits on Opel Corsa's that they don't allow, but the odd say, suspension enhancement is okay?

Finally, what is the deal with paying for a Carte Gris these days? Do you have to pay a certain amount of Euro's per Brake horse power to get a Carte Gris?

[Sunday Driver]

Marv

In order to register the car here, you will need an attestation de conformité from Porsche France confirming that your car meets French type approval.  If the 968 was commercially sold by Porsche in France, then there will be no problem.  The attestation covers the car as it left the factory, so any 'notable modifications' made since then have to be approved by the DRIRE through a single vehicle approval inspection (réception de titre isolé).

'Notable modifications' covers fundamental changes to things like the braking system (eg, from drums to discs), suspension (struts to wishbones), additional seating, etc.  The items you mention clearly don't fall within this definition and provided your 'sports' exhaust doesn't increase the power output massively and is within the decibel range shown on the attestation de conformité, then you should have no problems with the CT.

A friend of mine registered his 911 here without any problems and Porsche France supplied him with an attestation within a week.

As always, sort out the conformity issue before you bring the car over.

The address is:

Porsche France S.A.  Service homologation, 122, avenue du General Leclerc,  92100 BOULOGNE BILLANCOURT   Tel: 01.55.19.91.10

Finally, you pay a registration fee based on the fiscal rating (CV) of the vehicle as shown on the Porsche attestation.  The fees vary by a few euros depending upon which department you live in, but for a car that's over ten years old, budget on around 15-20€ per CV.

 

 

[Marv]

Thanks for the reply Sunday Driver - very helpful indeed! [:D]