26.05.2009
Customs Office / party
I was knocked off by a message that in order to finish procedure in Customs Office i have to bring them the car. I quickly managed to borrow another car trailer - i had it at 22.00 the day before my appointment with Customs. I loaded the car in the dark and gone to sleep. In the morning i woke up and what do i saw? Buick BARELY fit the trailer... Front bumper bulges touched trailers front wall, rear wheels were on the trailer, but left about 3 inches of space behind them. All of the car's rear were behind the trailer. Not speaking of the trailer being overloaded slightly :) I hook up reflective triangle on the back and called it done. I regret not having pictures of it...
I drove it to the Customs Office - my worst 22km ever. What a load...
In the beginning they even refused any talking - car must go to the customs parking. Period. I requested talking to their principal, especially that i had some issues with paperwork. I talked to him for a while - that the trailer is heavy and i want to drive it not more than necessary, that i don't want to waste his or mine time, or that nevertheless i've paid them provision, so they can be sure thay can let me take the car with me... At last he told me:
- OK, let's see that car, we'll see...
Then he walked into his ofice, and got back with many papers, dressed fully in uniform and a hat. I said
- Uhhh, that's going to be hell of a inspection.
- Why? - he asked glaring at me. - I assume that if You wear your official hat - it must be serious matter. - I said
From then on we checked my car on a loose, 10 minutes after i could drive home with my Buick :) I drove fast in order to return the trailer to my friend. Then quick drive to Antique Keeper's Office for a document stating that mine 1955 Buick Special is a historical vehicle, and back to Customs. An hour later i had a document in my hands stating that i'm clear with them. What a relief!

And a little anegdote :) In Customs Office there was a guy speaking with a clerk about his just bought used car:
- You know, it is old car, it's from '98...
LOL!

Anyway - let me give you an idea how much it cost me. Prices are in $, although most of them were paid in PLN, so i roughly rounded it.

- Buick	2550$
- shipping	2000$
- moto expert's primary opinion	70$
- Antique Keeper's Office fee	6$
- unloading the container	534$
- Customs Agency - filling the paperwork	85$
- Customs fee	377$
- trailing the car from Gdynia to Warsaw	250$
- moto expert technical opinion	40$
- trailing the car to the Customs Office and back	95$
- Customs Agency - filling the paperwork again	35$
- T O T A L	6042$

And... I held a grill party two days ago. It's purpose was to eat, drink and get the Buick started. I invited some of my friends...
In the party also participated: garden hose (cooling system - radiator was empty), one additional battery, post-soviet starting/charging device, three sets of starter cables, gas can, old condensers from Polish Fiat 126 and a grill. I consider party as a success, Buick has started. After 5 hours of wrenching and cursing, but nonetheless.
There were problems with lost spark searching. It wasn't under the car, but we finally found it. First starting try we encountered large cloud of rust being sprayed from inside of the exhaust pipe. That was fun! Unfortunately we could't run the engine for a longer time because needle valve was stuck and the carb spilled gas generously all around the engine. The brakes and trans were howewer ok, so the next day i took a short ride around the block :)
The rest will be said by a photos and a short movie.

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