The sad old story regarding buildsheets ..

[Bernd Wurth]

I know that the "buildsheet-topic" was discussed back and forth over years, but may be somebody has an idea that works.

In summer I have to move to Germany, but not without my 66 Conv. Precondition to get my car registered is a test-certificate of the German technical inspection "Technical Inspection Association, TUEV". Unfortunately the "TUEV" requires a "Datasheet" with all the little details of the engine, the body, the suspension, ... - officially stamped and signed by GM. To get at least all the info is not a big deal, but to get the verification, because GM refused already !

Is there somebody with a good advice ?

[John H.]

Re: The sad old story regarding buildsheets ..

Bernd -

If you call (800) 222-1020 (or 248-475-7352 if that doesn't answer), you'll get MSX, the contractor who handles the "Chevrolet Restoration Package" for Chevrolet. They'll ask you for your year/model and VIN number, and will send you (free) a package that includes the original ordering information and specifications for your model car, including a copy of the AMA (Automobile Manufacturer's Association) specifications for your year Corvette, which describes the car in almost part-by-part gory technical detail over about 35 pages. You might also discuss the issue with the T.U.V., as there were no U.S. Federal Standards to comply with during that era, and Federal Standards Compliance labeling didn't start until late 1969 - they should know that, but they are a typical European bureacracy that says "no" to everything until they feel like listening. You might e-mail Bill Braun (check his profile for his e-mail) - Bill lives in Switzerland and has several mid-years, and may have some tips on how to placate the bureaucrats over there.

[Mark P.]

Re: The sad old story regarding buildsheets ..

Bernd,
you definitely do not need the build sheet to register a corvette in Germany. I do not know how my car was registered here because I am the second owner in Germany, but I do not have a build sheet. From the german Corvetteforum http://corvetteforum.de I know of a guy near munich who just bought a '69 from switzerland. He should know all problems in registering a foreign car in Germany. I will post in the german forum what documents are needed for registering a car from the US the first time in Germany.

Your main advantage is: Most german TUV inspectors do know nothing about corvettes. Getting a german registration is much easier than NCRS flight judging where the judges know the numbers on all parts in your car.....

BTW: Where in Germany are you going to?

[Mark P.]

Re: The sad old story regarding buildsheets ..

What I forgot to mention: There are two possible types of registration for your '66 Corvette.
1. A registration for cars older than 30 years. The car needs to be original for this registration.
2. A registration for cars older than 20 years. With this type of registration you can drive more than one car with the same license plates. But is limited for driving on test drives and driving to car shows and similar events.

[Mark P.]

Re: The sad old story regarding buildsheets ..

I have found out some more information on datasheets required for german registration.
Depending on the TUV inspector a german title of a car with same build year and same engine can be accepted as datasheet.
When I was thinking about buying first vette I bought a book 'Guide to car import from the US'. I bought my '69 in Germany so I did not need the book....
But I found in it that at the TUV in Mannheim there is a guy that collects datasheets of all types of foreign cars. The datasheet from Mannheim costs about $130-$240 according to that book. (The book was printed in '97, so I do not know if that is still correct.)
According to the book you can obtain the neccessary datasheet for a few dollars at the EPA (environmental protection agency) in Washington D.C. Don't ask me what they have to do with datasheets for cars. In Germany you need a legally attested translation of this document for the registration.

Another nice document you might for a german title for a foreign car is the "Zollunbedenklichkeitserklaerung". Don't ask me how this translates into english. This document says that you have paid all custom fees when importing the car to Germany. Normally you will get that paper at the customs office, but you better know that you need it for the registration.

Hope this helps....