by "ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
Published 06/09/2017 at 17:35
by "ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
Published 06/09/2017 at 17:35
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STARS: 1
Saw this parked in SE Portland near a friend’s apt complex the other day.
This is a LHD (presumably US market) pre-bulge out WRX. With UK license plates both front and back (note temporary window tag indicating they’re waiting for Oregon plates). So as far as I can tell this actually is a car that was registered and used in the UK (doesn’t appear to be a case of “yo bro, look at my euro plates I got on Ebay”).
My main question is…why? Why would someone go through the expense of shipping their US spec WRX to the UK (assuming they moved there for work for a period or something), and then shipped it back to the US when they were done? Sounds like an awful lot of work when you could’ve sold it and enjoyed something far more interesting while in the UK that was also RHD (so much forbidden fruit!). Or if this was some other euro-spec WRX from the continent (being LHD) that someone bought and used in the UK…wouldn’t that mean they’d have to go through the trouble of federalizing it to bring to the US?
All I can say is this person is truly keeping up with the slogan of Keep Portland Weird with this level of subtle WTFness.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/09/2017 at 17:44, STARS: 2
hmmm
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
06/09/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 1
Could be like my buddy a few years ago. He worked on a federal contract in England. Part of his benefits was a $350/mo car allowance. He was married, so his wife got the same. He bought a US spec Jeep there, and had it shipped back when his job there ended because his company paid for it.
"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
06/09/2017 at 17:54, STARS: 0
Meaning diplomats get foreign registrations on their cars here in the US? Not sure I’ve seen that before – maybe Mexican or Canadian ones (which I always assumed were cars that were driven here across the border), but never from another country.
Or…a consulate employee who bought a car here, took the car to the UK for a posting, and brought it back to the US with them? Again…weird to hold on to this car through all that I’d think?
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
06/09/2017 at 17:59, STARS: 0
I think the consulate being closed means this car isn’t driven by a diplomat.
"Svend" (svend)
06/09/2017 at 18:04, STARS: 1
Almost certainly imported to the U.K. for a period before leaving again.
"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
06/09/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 2
Here we go:
Q plates are used when there’s doubt about the age or identity of the vehicle.
"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
06/09/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 0
ha whoops, missed that part.
"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
06/09/2017 at 18:46, STARS: 1
Good job, Oppo!
Sounds like an awful lot of trouble to go through for not the most sought-after iteration of a WRX.
"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k)
06/09/2017 at 18:49, STARS: 0
If I’m not mistaken US spec Jeeps, Chryslers etc. are pretty easy to come by out there - as they all come pre-converted and aftermarket companies do RHD conversions? And if you don’t want the conversion I guess you can buy it as is, with the intention of bringing it back to the US after a period I guess
Based on some of the fine Oppo sleuthing of some responses below seems like it most likely was brought in to the UK and then taken back out by the owner. Someone loves their WRX!
"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
06/09/2017 at 19:11, STARS: 1
Could be armed forces. I know some of those guys bring their cars over.
"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
06/09/2017 at 20:30, STARS: 1
Military? If you’re stationed overseas they’ll ship a car for you.
"Svend" (svend)
06/09/2017 at 21:10, STARS: 0
As someone below has mentioned. It could of been armed forces, bring car over with deployment.
May of been living off base where they may of had to register there vehicle with a U.K. licence plate (which you have to after six months if you wish to live here long term) and pay U.K. road tax and car insurance.