I'm in the process of permanently exporting a UK registered Townace (2.2TD / CR22/ 1996) to France. To achieve this there is an unbelievable mass of paperwork to produce for the French authorities. Unsurprisingly grey import RHD Japanese cars are not quite as popular in France as say Renault Clios!
The local authority requires me to complete a comprehensive questionnaire covering all the tech spec of the car. This is the info that normally appears in an EEC Certificate of Conformity (everything from engine spec, bore, stroke - through to max permitted weights, noise levels etc)- Being an import, Toyota UK & FR can't supply any of this because they have never distributed this vehicle. I've found plenty of info on a Russian site(http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/) but am still missing crucial information( I'll draw up a list if anyone thinks they can help). I'd normally head into a Haynes or Bentley workshop manual but obviously there's nothing like that availaible.
I wondered if anyone has any tech specifications for this model, paperwork that came with their own vehicle, or any ideas where I might look next. I've heard about Japanese de-registration papers sometimes including this type of information but the DVLC have nothing on record for my particular import....
Any ideas, help or just sympathy much appreciated!
Nick
- (#170) Nick, 14 Mar 05 14:51
You'll have fun...
list what you need and see what the collective can come up with.
- (#170) david miller, 14 Mar 05 15:35
nick, one of the bok members lives in france and has his townace there, im sure if you trawl the archives youl find his postings, might be a good start to contact him. i think that the headlamps will give you problems due to the beam pattern throwing left instead of right, if im any judge of horseflesh they will not accept beam benders as a permenent fixture. interesting project as dave says - where theres a will theres a way .. jim
- (#170) j adgo, 15 Mar 05 03:48
I know I'm heading out on some kind of crusade on this one. I've been in touch with a couple of Townace owners over here but they are still on UK plates - guess I'm after the smug satisfaction of having the only French plated Townace in France! Its actually a case of keeping the insurance company happy and being able to come back to the UK ocassionally without having to worry about expired tax, mot, SORN etc.
The car has just passed the contrôle technique (MOT) with full marks so this has inspired me to go further. The licensing authority generally insist on individually imported cars being fault free... As far as headlights go I'm aware of the problem. The beam benders passed the contrôle but are not good enough for the 'service des mines' (SVA equivalent). However, if there is no LHD alternative produced, the originals can be modified to suit. There's a Russian link on an AAnwsers thread ref modifying the bulb mounting plate to get the correct beam angle - next weekends project. Next on the list is stuff like seatbelts not carrying the 'E' conformity sticker - not really an issue as I can probably find a donor set of an FR Hiace. Strange thing is all the glass (windscreen/side windows) are fine because they have an E6 stamp (Belgium conformity) - I guess the glass supplier for Toyota in Japan produced for European market as well.
The vehicle inspector sounded reasonably optimistic on the chances of getting the vehicle passed. The key is to provide a thick file of techinical info and any paperwork I can lay my hands on and to bring the car as close to Euro standards as possible. He assures me that his job is to help on importing cars and not to prevent imports (we'll see about this in a few weeks!). After that the final stamp of approval is down to this individuals discretion.
The required technical info makes for particularly dry reading!
For the tech spec itself here is the info I'm still missing:
(Any info for late model Townaces I would be useful - I doubt the inspector will be able to contradict any of these anyway.)
Maximum gross vehicle weight: ? kg
Tecnically permissible maximum laden weight: ? kg
Maximum mass of trailer : ? kg
Maximum mass of trailer +vehicle: ? kg
Front overhang: ? mm
Rear overhang: ? mm
Average voltage of electronic circuits: ? volts
static eliminator: (?type)
Sound level (stationary): ? db(a) at engine speed: ? rpm
Sound level (drive by): ? db(a)
position of symbol of corrected absorption coefficient: (??)
Fuel consumption ( ? litres/100km)
Stable 90km/h :
Stable 120 km/h :
Urban cycle:
Gear ratios:
Final drive ratios:
- (#170) Nick, 15 Mar 05 05:05