Newbie - Importing from DAX in UK

[Brendan@Aus]

Hi there,

Sorry for the Newbie Question.

I have read a fair amount of material in the last few weeks regarding Cobra Kit cars and spoken to some people about Chassis engine and suspension etc.

What I cant figure out is why the bare bones DAX 427 chassis and body kit is around 3500 Pounds (6k Aus) and you have to pay 16K here in Aus for the same thing from our local manufacturers.

Am I missing something here?

The more I look at these cars the more I want one!

Brendan

[T.L.]

You would probably have to have that chassis torsion tested, the aussie ones are already complied in that test.
There may also be some other tests that need to be done.

[strida]

Hi Brendan,

I agree with T.Ls comment re chassis torsion testing.(costly and time consuming)
Before I started I felt the same, spoke to my brother in law in the UK who tells me there are so many kit car manufacturers (cobra, clubmans etc) over there the competition keeps the prices down. Freight added about another A$2700.00 so I finally went for a local supplier.

If you want one just do it

[BMK]

Freight plus duty, plus GST, plus, plus....

[Rog246]

Brendon look at it this way, each phone call you make = $'s.
You can't just duck down the road and have a face to face with the builder either, and you sure as hell won't have a bunch of owners who you can easily call on with any issues that WILL arise..........and they will.
That aside, buying one locally with keep most of your $'s here too, and seriously THAT is a consideration or at least IMHO should be.
Besides we got enough Pommy bastards here now anyway !!
Rog246

[*Cobber*]

Looks a great kit and DAX have been around forever.

I say go for it if it's what you want and it's cheaper. Torsion twist test is not that hard to set up and get done.

Don't forget Australia is full of sheep, it would be good to get a new alternative to keep people honest.

Check out Factory Five racing they have a fantastic 15 yr anniversary deal on at the moment.

[WKB]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Don't forget Australia is full of sheep, it would be good to get a new alternative to keep people honest.

Sheep might be a bit harsh, but I do agree with Cobber that getting a kit from the US or UK at the current exchange rate would be a good alternative.
People might surprised how helpful some of the kit suppliers in the US can be.
Most kits supply all new parts and every thing down to the last nut and bolt(except motor and gearbox). Some parts are not ADR compliant, but can be overcome with locally supplied compliant parts. Even with the cost of freight these kits are currently good value for money.
It costs nothing to ask questions.

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

DRB have agents in the UK, US and NZ. Harrision has a agent in NZ.

Warren

[KevinW]

Just a suggestion, but plenty of help/info available here

http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/dax-technical-questions/

If not, email or call Dave Brookes, who is a Dax build agent.
http://www.v8cobra.com/

If you get the new Dax De Dion chassis rather than the old ladder frame, Id be very surprised it didnt pass any torsion test.

Let me just say I have never owned a Dax and have no connection with any of the above.

HTH, Kevin

[sambo]

Cobber, that's great encouragement, but considering Baz's nightmare trying to register a local kit in NSW... a very different story to the FFR cars getting through engineering in WA.

Brendan, what state are you in?

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by sambo

Brendan, what state are you in?

A very important part of any build.

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by sambo

Brendan, what state are you in?

Hey Brendan jump in any time.

[400TT]

We don't manufacture Cobra replicas, but I have personally built/owned quite a few local/imported Cobra kits.

As mentioned previously, it is really important which state you are going to register the Cobra in. Requirements can vary greatly from state to state, overall the eastern states are the most thorough and restrictive in requirements.

So even if your Cobra kit is Australian made, it still might not have the basic certification paperwork required for registration in your state.

And if you make significant changes, these may require additional certification.

Remember it is all about safety, I believe we have the safest kit cars in the world due to our regulations.

If you look at the basic chassis/body/suspension package you could be required to provide the following certification documentation(just expanded Merv's list):

* Torsion and Beaming Certification for Chassis. Needs to be performed to state guidelines. We seem unique in our requirements here, overseas tests will not be performed to the same requirements.

* Fibreglass Body Tests - Flexure, Hardness, Tensile.

* Certification for anti-intrusion bars

* Lane Change Test - required for each unique suspension configuration/construction.

* Fabricated Suspension Components Certification, this should also include suspension mount points in chassis. If there is any welded steel components, also certification for any welds or by examination.

* Seat Belt Mount Certification.

* Seat Mount Certification.

* Suspension Bump Steer Certification.

* Internal Bumper Bars.

* Door Hinge & Mount Certification.

* Door Striker Mount Certification.

* Etc.

And then you move onto the smaller stuff like can the doors/chassis be easily fitted with compliant door latches, are steering components unmodified, if not will require certification etc.

Also with a Cobra kit make sure you can fit an underbody exhaust, you can only crank the suspension height so much. And there will be a sweet spot where the suspension works as required, the manufacture will be able to advise this height. Or you can run the exhaust out where the side pipes normally go and then back underneath and out the rear. Just use suitable heatshields and it should be compliant.

As hinted at previously, most owners of Aussie kits don't even realise all the registration requirements as their engineer has already familiar with their kit brand.

The kits we sell are based off a USA kit, but each of our supplied kits has 100's of changes/additonal parts compared to the USA parent kits. Plus we have a folder of certification documents for each kit.

Buying overseas has it's rewards at current exchange rates, but just do it with your eyes open. Do your research thoroughly. Good luck with it.

[*Cobber*]

Baaahhhh
If an Australian kit won't go through in NSW there is either something wrong with the kit, the way it was built or the ICV process.

The only difference between a DAX and an Aussie kit is probably just the torsional test and it may have already have been done. The Westfield is a very common UK kit built in every state in Australia.

And no we don't just bolt together any old car here in the West we comply with strict engineering requirements. We just have a process that is usable, common sense, safe and works.

Just making a point.

If you can't get ANY ICV's registered in your state there is something wrong with the system not necessarily the kits or suppliers wherever they may be from.

[Beejay]

There are many good kits in oz that meet our requirements and use local components.

Why not support local products if you can?

Ben

[Merv and Sharon]

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

Apart from being designed to ensure they pass the torsion testing, I cant imagine there would be too many design attributes in Australian kits that are specific to Australian rules? Maybe side intrusion bars or seat belt anchorage - but I cant believe that wouldnt be a requirment in the UK.

It it is more up to the builder to ensure it meets the appropriate standards, eg correct engine for emissions, correct lights, seats etc etc. ie. building the car right.

Cheers

[*Cobber*]

Why buy tyres from the US....? they are half price and do the same job.

[sambo]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Why buy tyres from the US....? they are half price and do the same job.

You're drawing a long bow here Cobber! My engineer had passed dozens of Harrison kits and that was a major factor in my decision. Give him a foreign kit and it's like the first Harrison all over again. Extra time, money and headaches I simply don't want.

[Beejay]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Why buy tyres from the US....? they are half price and do the same job.

I am not sure what point you are trying to get across Cobber.

Almost all tyres are not made in the US or Oz, and are identical wherever you buy them.

I am happy to be proved wrong on the kits, I just think that the savings to be had from importing a kit are not justified when you look at the extra costs and time to make everything comply.

Ben

[Tenrocca]

Scenario 1: Go to your engineer with your Classic Revival or Harrison and Manufacturer torsion test.

Scenario 2: Go to your engineer with your Dax or Factory Five, which was built using pretty much all the same parts except maybe suspension and brakes as your Australian kit. Hand it over less the torsion test.

Apart from the torsion test ($2k??) - whats the difference? What other benefit is there if every other part bolted on is essentially the same? If the engineer is doing his job he should still be checking the harrison and CR just as thoroughly as the Dax.

Cheers

The oversized scoop is more of an issue for me then where its from