Sidepipe ban?

[purge98]

Hi Mike,

Are you THE Mike Read, as in comedian?

Anyway check out this thread:

Import UK cobra into Australia any info?

I built a Dax Tojeiro (so it was called a few years ago) and imported it to WA in 2009 as a Personal Import. Once here I had it checked out at the local Vehicle testing centre and they failed it. Ride height too low (although it complied with Dax design ride height), Front and rear tyres different aspect ratios (I know I know wtf?), Side pipes not protected from burning skin, Front mouth needed mesh cover and it didn't have a reversing light. No requirement for a fog light though. They did mention the noise but I couldn't hear what the man said.

I got all these fixed and had it retested and it passed.

Check out the pictures with the WA plate on it:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...r/39263/sort/1

I know you want to import it to SA so the rules may be different but what if you imported it to WA and then drove it to SA and registered it? What happens then? Will they refuse to register it even though it has been approved in WA?

From what I understand it is law that Cobras registered in WA have head rests. Mine doesn't but it still passed. What I am trying to say is that certain rules are overlooked for personal imports.

As an aside.....I never thought I'd say this but it is sometimes too hot to drive it in summer. In Scotland (where I built it) it was too cold to drive it! You can't win.

[Mike Read]

Hi Jason,

Think the comedian you refer to is Mike Reid ... he died on 29 July 2007, so it is just as well I'm not him!

Thanks for the info on your import ... I'd read your thread on your import already but assumed that WA and SA would have different regulations ... I think that was where I picked up on some States having banned sidepipes. The States and Territories all seem to work separately to each other for non-federal stuff!

I've got headrests fitted on my 427 ... to pass IVA in the UK now, you have to have headrests fitted that also comply with seat belt height rules. DJS has designed them so that they can be removed leaving the lower part of the seat for a more authentic look, but I prefer to drive with them in place and not run the risk of cracking my skull open on the roll hoop if someone hits me in the back! You can see them in my photo's if you click on the camera.

Regards, Mike

[purge98]

Oh yeah wrong spelling. He was good in Snatch.

Nice looking Cobra example you have there and that engine ...well it rocks. "Heidelberg" on here also has one in his Superformance. Beautiful.

Quite a neat idea by DJ to only modify the seats so the head rests can be removed if required. I have exactly the same Willens race harnesses as you but as Cobber says the regs don't allow them unless you have an exemption. Another one that the Personal Import allowed thank goodness.

I had read about the SVA being replaced with IVA but lost interest once I was over here. They really seem to be trying to get rid of kit cars in the uk by making it harder and harder to pass the inspection. I failed the SVA as he said the side pipes were illegal. I pointed out that they had been inspected AND approved by Mr. Inspectorate but he didn't listen (civil servant, white lab coat etc..) One call to Peter Walker and the sh1t hit the fan and he apologised the next time around.

One thing I will say about driving it over here is that it seems to arouse some sort of hormone in UTE drivers who leave huge black no. 11s on the road whenever I am within about 20 metres of them. Bizarre.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hoon

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.