Hi Gordon
The Australian guidlines require any vehicle that is driven on the road be in the right hand drive situ.
If a car is over 30 years of age it can be kept left hand drive.
This does not include replica vehicles such as a Thunderbird replica. THis would be seen as plated the year of the donour vehicle. 1995 Pontiac etc.
This is the reason that the early Chev's, Mustangs etc. are popular here.
You can get a 30 day permit to drive a left hand drive vehicle under 30 years of age, but that is clear in its requirements to use the vehicle only when moving it from say a workshop to another.
Diplomats in the Australian Capital Territory did have the ability to bring their cars from say the USA and keep them left hand drive, but even that has stopped with insurance etc. making it cheaper and easier to use the Diplomatic/Consul vehicles.
Additionally, there is a SR registration (Special Registration) that allows certain vehicles to be used on club events etc. I have not seen any late model left hand drive cars on this registration. Its more the '32 Ford Street Rods, "T" bucket etc. on this.
- comparisons
We can have the early Mustangs converted for around $3,500 Aust and the later cars such as a 1998 vette for $18,000 or so. Obviously, once you get into the more complicated conversion the price goes up.
Another popular import is the Chev utilities and the Ford utility. Nearby they have a HD Ford ute for sale at $85,000 Aust.
Whilst I don't make every swap meet and car show I am certain that there only a very few late model imports here in left hand drive. Generally they are on 30 day permits and owners would have them at events to sell them.
Someone else from downunder may come on here and correct me.
If this changes I will be on the telephone to you guys there to send me a late model pick up. And to hell with the Customs/Tax.
I believe its harder here than California.
Cheers
Bernie