Projects 2 years in Russia - reasonable budget - What would you do?

So, I don't want to abandon the hobby just because I'm going to Russia for another two years, what would you do if you had: Car shipment agreement there and back, nice heated garage, tools to work with. My thoughts: Buy a Brookville Roadster 31 hiboy kit. No engine Trans. Will I have problems bringing it back? Should I even consider such a thing?

I hope this posting brings some comments.

 

I think I'd learn about the local cars, see what's interesting, and see what I could build with what's available. Gotta be some neat stuff over there!

 

Very hard to find old stuff, most gave been recycled, this is my second trip and last time I really searched.

 

Dude I build a bad *** Lada altered roadster with giant radial engine from one of those old funky wacked out early ww2 aircraft engines...

 

If there is no good buildable tin over there I would take some with me to build. But might also look at what they have to offer for running gear or take some with you.

 

Roger,FWIW,I would save my money and buy something cool when you get back home.

You might be able to find something in Russia to play around with. HRP

 

I think these were east German, but maybe available in Russia? Small v-8 or v-6 would be fun.

 

That would make a bad *** g***er! with a straight axle............

 

GAZ AA anyone?

 

I wouldn't take anything decent over there after all the driving videos I have seen from Russia. Most people have dash cameras in case of a he said, she said case of who is liable.

 

If I had a reasonable budget I would rent a shipping container over there and bring me a mess of women back. Then I would retire there is a lot of money in human trafficking.

I doubt that there is much Russian made that I would want to work with, but I'll bet that you could find a French flathead and a '59 Volvo around someplace that would be a hoot to build a baby Ford out of.

 

If you brought it back and used a new body and frame I bet the feds would want it to meet current safety and emissions **** laws. Check into that before spending the $$$
And vodka is cheap and flows like water over there.

 

Finding a Volvo N***au would be great....great idea...

 

I'd get a real warm coat and learn to like vodka.

 

Good to see that good ol' traditional can-do American entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well...

 

If you build a car and want to ship it back to the US expect to get hit with significant unofficial "fees" or worse (in Russia). If things heat up any worse you might find yourself in the midst of some **** that prevents it being shipped at all. I am speaking from personal experience here.

I would bring it across to maybe Kiev and arrange for something to the US from there. Added cost but less chance of something bad happening thanks to corruption in RU.

I think the suggestions about getting something Eastern European are solid. I wouldn't consider bringing a high dollar rod to Russia.

 

You might be able to find a Volga or something quirky in Germany, Hungary etc and ship it to Russia, work on it and then ship it to US

 

Your Brookville plan sounds good or there seem to plenty of half finished cars in this country you might take over and finish. To bring back or not.
On a smaller scale take a HD chopper parts and pieces and give them something to talk about.

 

My wife is from st Petersburg all I can say is she had a bmw stolen as soon as it touched soil.

 

What is you job, and why do you "have" to go to Russia? Personally, there is no way I would set foot over there, or even most of Europe now. Too much instability, and too much corruption. JMPO. I am Butch/56sedandelivery. by the way, I was a military brat, and I've been everywhere.

 

I've never been there and know nothing about importing/exporting cars/parts so I offer no advice on that aspect. But if I was relocated to Russia for 2 years, there's no way I would take anything of value with me. With the political nature right now, you might need to get out of there in a hurry and leave everything but the shirt on your back.

 

Are you married?

 

I'd take something over there to sell and bring back a couple of their Ural motorcycles with side cars and 2 wheel drive.

 

You guys are great.....first, his is my second expat to Russia, last time from 2011 to mid 2014, great experience, wonderful people and contrary to what you may think, the average joe (Igor) is no different than us. Take this from a Cold War submariner that found himself standing in the middle of red square thinking..what the he....How the hell did I get here....so,mother area is known to me, there just isn't old stuff n Russia Scot of a lot of military stuff. The idea to find a car outside of Russia and drive in is in fact practical, my colleague did this, although getting it back to the us ,may be a problem as earlier suggested. I really like the idea of a bike as well....I had two other choices, Iran or Algeria, which to me was no choice....so, back to a build....also, you guys remember the custom from Moscow?? That is also something I'd like to try.....chop one...

 

Are you referring to that black Volga they rebodied around a BMW? That was a beautiful car! I think it was done by a place called A1 Top Drawer or something like that.

 

That one is a 36 x 24 on my shop wall, going away present, the one I'm talking about is a custom more akin to a 50's fastback...I found the thread...GAZ 12... But don't know how to reverence in this post

 

How about older truck? Was in Finland & saw old guy with Model A - weekend trip for you. With old registration may be easier to bring back.

 

This one

 

I've done similar while in military and getting something back can be difficult. If considered a "cl***ic: (I think only 20 years old) it can be easier, there is a lot of info on a government website someplace.

considering import/do***ents/fees etc..... I'd take something (drivable project) with me to "rebuild/restore" while there and just buy daily driver to use and sell before leaving.

 

Yes, a project like this GAZ 12