If the car you want isn’t in our inventory, we’ll source it. Our team searches the European market for you: dealers, auctions, clubs and private sellers in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and beyond. You get inspected candidates with landed prices. A research deposit from $500 starts the search and is credited to your purchase.
How a custom order works
1. Tell us what you want. Make, model, year range, body, engine, transmission, color preferences, condition (driver, excellent, concours), mileage ceiling, and your landed budget. The more precise, the faster. “Defender 110 Td5 station wagon, 1999–2001, manual, any color but white, under 150,000 km, landed under $55,000” is a brief we can act on.
2. Pay the research deposit. $500 for cars under $60,000 landed, $1,000 above. It covers our time and the inspections, and it’s credited in full against the car you buy. If we find nothing that meets your brief within 90 days, we refund it. If we find a car that meets the brief and you decline it, the deposit is retained.
3. We search. Autozilla’s buyers work the European market daily. We check eligibility (build month), history, and whether the asking price is sane. Within 2–4 weeks, usually faster, you get candidates: photos, seller description, our first-pass assessment, and a landed price to your port.
4. You pick one; we inspect it. We go see the car. Full pre-shipment inspection: 60+ photos, video, paint depth, underbody on a lift, written faults. If it fails, we move to the next candidate. No charge.
5. Purchase. You place the standard purchase deposit ($2,000–$5,000, less the research deposit already paid), sign and wire the balance. From here it’s the standard 7-step process: export, shipping, customs, title.
What we’re good at finding
- Land Rover Defender 90/110/130, Td5 and 300Tdi, including ex-utility and ex-military
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class W460/W461/W463, especially 250GD and 300GD ex-military and 300GE/G 320 civilian
- BMW M cars in European spec: E30 M3, E36 M3 3.0 and 3.2, E34 M5, E39 M5, Z3 M, 850CSi
- Porsche 964, 993, 996 in European spec, including Carrera RS and GT3
- Mercedes W124 (500E, E 60 AMG, coupés and cabriolets), 190E 2.5-16 and Evolution, R129 SL
- Lancia Delta Integrale 8V, 16V, Evo I and Evo II
- Audi RS2, Ur-Quattro, S2
- Peugeot 205 GTI, 205 Rallye, 306 GTI-6; Renault Clio Williams, 5 GT Turbo, 5 Turbo 2
- Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Sierra RS Cosworth
- Alfa Romeo GTV6, 75 Turbo, 155 Q4, SZ
- VW Golf GTI Mk1/Mk2, Corrado VR6, T3/T4 Syncro
- Fiat Panda 4×4, Autobianchi A112 Abarth, Citroën 2CV and Méhari, Rover Mini
- Lotus Elise S1, Esprit; TVR; Saab 900 Turbo; Volvo 850 R
What we won’t source
- Anything under 25 years old on the planned entry date
- Engine-swapped cars (EPA exemption requires original configuration)
- Cars with a disputed or missing title
- Cars already common in the US (Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes 300SL, Porsche 356): you’ll find those cheaper domestically with a US title already in hand
FAQ
How long does a search take?
Common models (Defender, G, E36 M3): 1–3 weeks to first candidates. Rare models (Integrale Evo II, RS2, Escort Cosworth): 4–12 weeks. We’ll tell you up front.
Can I set a maximum price?
Yes, and we’ll respect it. We’ll also tell you if it’s unrealistic before taking your deposit.
Can you bid at auction for me?
Yes, at European auctions (Bonhams, RM, Artcurial, Aguttes, Catawiki and dealer auctions). We agree a maximum bid with you in writing. Buyer’s premium is passed through at cost.
Is the research deposit refundable?
Refunded if we find nothing that meets your written brief within 90 days. Retained if we find a matching car and you decline. Credited in full when you buy.
Start a custom order Call (754) 303-1194