Another new Arntz owner
 

I'm really pleased to say that I now have an Arntz of my own in the garage. After helping my Dad (Donunder) to find an Arntz that met the incredibly stringent requirements to allow the vehicle to be imported to Australia, I realized how good the body/chassis was.

I kept an eye out for each subsequent Arntz or Butler that came onto the market. The really difficult part is finding a car with full original documentation, to be able to prove when the car was first registered.

A while back, Dennis from CT posted his Arntz for sale here on CC. He lives about 3 blocks away from ERA as a coincidence. Things came together and now after a long and convoluted journey from CT to NJ to the NY port, through the Panama Canal, on to Hong Kong, then finally to Brisbane Australia, the Arntz is now safely in my garage!

It's far from perfect, but the Arntz is such a solid base to start from. I had plans to remove the SBC straight away, but it's a great little engine with a solid roller cam and a host of other quality parts that I wasn't aware if when I bought it. I'll leave it in place for now, but I have a healthy BBF available for when the time comes.

I went for a fabulous drive this morning. Dad came in his Arntz and another friend had his RMC Cobra. Open highway and perfect weather!

I'm really happy right at the moment **)
http://s868.photobucket.com/albums/a...f/f60d367c.jpg

http://s868.photobucket.com/albums/a...f/90065d1d.jpg

Good deal!! Looks awesome!

Congratulations. Looks like you are going to be the next Australian Cobra importer. You know all the pitfalls.

Are you going to order another FastCars IFS?

Enjoy your twins.

Arthur

I have had so much practice at jumping over importing/registration hurdles that I should have been in the Olympics!

I don't think I will need a Fast Cars IFS just yet. This one has an interesting front end with a Pinto rack, Camaro hubs/spindles and custom A-Arms. I still have the rock hard tires (perhaps as old as the car!), so I haven't pushed it really hard. Initial thoughts are that the weighting and feel are very good. New tires and a rebuilt rack are first on the hitlist, then I'll see how it all feels.

Dad's Arntz is in EXCEPTIONAL condition, so I'm a long way from saying mine is a twin of his. Mine might be the ugly duckling in comparison, but it will be lighter and faster :)

We'll see about that fella! :cool:

That little Chevy will use a lot less gas than the BBF.....

What were the hassles in getting this Arntz into Australia?
Any problems in getting a Import Approval?
Did you have to satisfy our fathers in Canberra that the Arntz was a Pre- 89 build and came under the rule 17?

It's nearly impossible to bring in a Cobra if it doesn't come with significant documentation. With all of the paperwork available, it becomes less of a challenge.

My Arntz came with a massive folder full of receipts and extra information. This allowed me to prove it's pre-89 age quite easily. I don't know specifically what Rule 17 relates to, but I assume you're talking about leaving the car left hand drive as a 30+ year old car.

The whole process isn't impossible, but it's not much fun...

Always loved the Arntz/Butler cars they have the best shape and the frame is the best out there. Maybe a little front end change and you have one of the best replica's ever made

Thanks Craig for replying.

You have established a precedence in importing these type of Cars into Australia.

Sure the 30year rule and keeping your car in LHD format does apply for the enthusiast and special interest type vehicles.

I had sent a email to Imports.Vehicle@infrastrusture.gov.au and they stated amongst other things that granting a Import Approval is based on the relevant information available and on its own merits.

The Pre 89 Scheme is covered by Regulation 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards.

The Vehicle is designed or caters as a special interest/for the enthusiat and hobby/restoration use.

The Vehicle Imports Team considers each application as it is received in date order and assesses whether it qualified of the import options http.//www.infrastruscture.gov.au/vehicle/Imports_options/index.aspx

If the the vehicle you wish to apply for it is a kit car was completed to 1989 and documentary evidence can be proved eg a notarised statement from the seller then the vehicle may quality under the Pre 89 scheme.

Registration documentation is VITAL!

There is currently a Ac cobra listed on Ebay and I was told erroneously by my shipper based in CA USA that a Import Approval would be denied .

I decided to pull the pin and I conveyed my decision to the ebay merchant that no further bids will be made on that AC Cobra.

That AC Cobra is a non runner without a engine and gearbox and was previously registered and I think in hindsight it would had a good chance of gaining access to Australia just like your ARNTZ

The bidding is heading towards the $10k (as I write this reply )and for that money you can buy a Pristine 1989 Corvette C4 Ragtop.

You would be mad to pay $10k for that Cobra and at the end of the day that cost would magnified by two and half times when the project is finally
completed.

I think that the ebay merchant would have paid only $1500 and would got it from a Auction House or a Council Sale as a Abandoned /Junk Vehicle.

There are plenty opportunities to import this type of AC Replicas into Australia.

With a 1957 title, the car on EBay has no chance of being legitimately imported. The title MUST accurately reflect reality.
Is that car a genuine 1957 AC? No...

For arguments sake, even if it was a genuine 1957 AC and had been rebodied with a Cobra replica body, then you would have to prove when the mods were done, otherwise it would need to satisfy current ICV requirements. That being the case, you might as well just buy a chassis from RMC and continue with your current car.

Thanks Craig for responding.

I know that all Ac cobras in the States are titled in the mid sixties and do not reflect the actual manufacturing dates.

I do not know the actual circumstances of your registration and title dates on your registration documents but I will guess it would be in the sixties,seventies or early
eighties.

You say that the 1957 Ac Cobra that is advertised on ebay( ebay merchant says amongst other things it was probably made in the seventies or early eighties) would have no hope of getting a Import Approval into Australia but I amazed how inconsistent our fathers were in your case.

At least we got a precedence based on your experiences provided you can submit a bucket full of information to satisfy the Import Approval formalities.

Refer Ebay item 130815349929 ending date 17th December 2012 14.00 AEDST