'82 343 DLS: beyond the arctic circle

[trabitom99]

Cheers guys

The garage is not that small, it's just jammed full with parts. Getting the car in was, erm difficult, and involved gentle pushing with the engine off. I need to get rid of some stuff.

Haven't got around to the H-plate yet, but it'll have to be done before the "seasonal plate" (Feb to April) runs out.

Cheers

Tom

[MCHUDD]

Hi Tom.
When you say your going to get rid of some stuff, do you realize you've put
half the 300 world on Red alert
Cheers Mark.

[trabitom99]

The bulky stuff has to go first Doors, bumpers and things ...

Tom

[trabitom99]

Historic plate time! The German "Umweltzones" have one more V300 in their midst



A pic of the necessary paperwork:


The "historic test" checks for good condition, originality (although tuning which was usual back in then is allowed, as well as engine swaps using engines which were available for the car at the time), also the car needs a full TÜV and an emissions check.

Passed first time, no advisories Am very pleased. Treated the car to oil / brake fluid / coolant change and it's running really well.

Cheers

Tom

[Speedy88]

Nice! Out of interest, what are the restrictions given on classics when given historic plates?

[trabitom99]

The main restrictions are:

the car needs to be in good condition (patina is OK, but no total wreck just able to scrape through an MOT)
original paintwork
original condition (or tuning commonplace (and legal) around the time the car was registered)

The gains are:
191€ per year tax instead of 507€
entrance to city centres even without a catalytic converter
prestige win

There are certain restrictions on car insurers' classic car policies, as there are in the UK, but these aren't linked to the historic plate.

Cheers

Tom

[volvosneverdie]

Nice work Tom. Are you pressing into dailly service?

[macplaxton]

€191?

You may have smokes for a €5.00 a pack 19 (instead of €9.20 /20 here), but I only get skinned €52 a year motor tax without restriction.

What's the deal with Umweltzones for visitors (in particular visiting "historics").

Like can I just roam around freely in the Black Beauty, or do to get an exemption in advance? (Not that I'll be going on holiday for ages). Would I be barred in the dizzler?

[trabitom99]

Nice work Tom. Are you pressing into dailly service?

No, not daily service. I wouldn't want to see it go downhill too quickly ...

€191?
You may have smokes for a €5.00 a pack 19 (instead of €9.20 /20 here), but I only get skinned €52 a year motor tax without restriction.
What's the deal with Umweltzones for visitors (in particular visiting "historics").
Like can I just roam around freely in the Black Beauty, or do to get an exemption in advance? (Not that I'll be going on holiday for ages). Would I be barred in the dizzler?

In theory, yes. In practice - it's the traffic wardens doing the enforcing, so as long as you don't park in an "Umweltzone" you'll be OK. Even then, I doubt they'd chase it up, all the way to the UK.

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

What's the deal with Umweltzones for visitors (in particular visiting "historics").
Like can I just roam around freely in the Black Beauty, or do to get an exemption in advance? (Not that I'll be going on holiday for ages). Would I be barred in the dizzler?

In theory, yes. In practice - it's the traffic wardens doing the enforcing, so as long as you don't park in an "Umweltzone" you'll be OK. Even then, I doubt they'd chase it up, all the way to the UK.

I've confused myself with the double question, so I best re-phrase it for clarity.

From a legal beagle perspective what are the rules the Umweltzone for:

1) Visiting historic (one that broadly meets the requirements of historic concession locally, but doesn't have H plates as it's registered in another member state). e.g. 1978 Volvo 343DL.
2) Visiting non-historic (one that is an older vehicle) e.g 1988 Volvo 340DL diesel.

I get the jist of the practical viewpoint of swanning around with a complete disregard for it (much like being on diplomat plates in London ) as they'd have to chase it up the details through the CVO at Shannon.

[trabitom99]

I am the wrong person to ask for "legal beagle perspectives"

There's some info in English here:
http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/int_engla ... 12c9854062

but they say nothing about foreign "classics" ...

But again, I wouldn't let this stop you visiting Germany with an older car, as long as you don't intend parking within an Umweltzone over a long period.

Cheers

Tom

[MCHUDD]

Hi Tom.
Well done mate. You will turn a few heads running around in that thing
Cheers Mark.

[Speedy88]

Think of it this way mac - if I french car came to london, would they have to pay congestion charge? Perhaps legally but who's going to chase them about it? Even if you did get a ticket in the german cities then who's going to make you pay it?

Thanks Tom for the info - I only ask as it's likely to be the future restrictions put in place in years to come on classics in this country. They already tried it once which means someone wants it. This is one of the most free countries for doing what you want with old motors and I for one am going to miss that fact once it's gone... But I'll just be like the french and do what I want with modified cars anyway

[trabitom99]

Hi Tom.
Well done mate. You will turn a few heads running around in that thing
Cheers Mark.

Thanks Mark It's not as "spectacular" as the vario, but much more daily-friendly.

Think of it this way mac - if I french car came to london, would they have to pay congestion charge? Perhaps legally but who's going to chase them about it? Even if you did get a ticket in the german cities then who's going to make you pay it?

The congestion charge in London is scary - all those cameras everywhere and the "you have until this evening to pay, or else" nonsense. An "Umweltzone" is nothing compared to that. As I said, if anyone is checking "the green stickers" it's the traffic wardens doing their rounds. There's aren't police stopping sticker-less cars or anything like that.

It could be a different story if you happen to get caught by a speed camera. Traffic penalties are being enforced across european borders much more than they used to be. But even so ... the 40 Euro fine won't kill you.

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

I'm just interested in the formalities of the system.

Like Tom says there isn't a practical problem swanning around the zone, but there may be if you're parked up.

The problems arise when either a on-the-spot fine (say in France) means you're going nowhere until they have some dosh off you or a clamp/towaway situation means it disappears to the pound.

I take it then there is no need for a sticker if you have and "H" or "07" plate?