Anybody shipped a car from USA to Australia?

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon;112****

The catch? It must be at least 22 years old - made before January 1, 1989.

The Catch is that there are at least 3 more Catches even under this provision even then it is not A GUARANTEED entry... as said earlier do your due diligence and then some. because someone else's easy entry isn't always the the blanket policy...
We run 2 large bonded warehouses and the variance of the AQIS inspections, application and INTERPRETATION by those running the SHOW VARY ON A DAILY basis.

[Merv and Sharon]

It is interesting that the Ariel Atom seems exempt, yet Caterhams aren't?

[400TT]

Merv, I'm not quite following you.

Caterhams are available here and can be road registered.

Ariel Atoms can be imported but not road registered as far as I know.

[BMK]

Hi not wanting to buy into an area I know little about - Craig and John at JT imports are the experts here. I have used John to bring in a number of items and they are very good and understand the process extremely well. In better words don't buy and try to do it yourself.

The other important thing you are on a web site that has thousands of members. I am sure - even with the size of the USA - that someone will chime in and offer a comment about a car or even look at it for you. The majority of sellers are somehow linked to clubs or known
to individuals. If buying a car in say Tulsa OK. Post a Thread and ask about the car etc. On the relevant club site. You may even find the owner on the site.

Mention was made of this site and Cobra country, personally I would buy off either site and stay away from eBay unless the owner is linked to a club etc. - known.

The point about removing running gear and the suspension is relevant also. Ship separately?

Due diligence is mentioned and I think that is very relevant. At $2300 I would make a trip and
check out both the car and the owner out. A handshake and personal contact means a lot if you want to import other bits.

I have done it this end with cars and property for our US mates.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by BMK

Hi not wanting to buy into an area I know little about - Craig and John at JT imports are the experts here. I have used John to bring in a number of items and they are very good and understand the process extremely well. In better words don't buy and try to do it yourself.

The other important thing you are on a web site that has thousands of members. I am sure - even with the size of the USA - that someone will chime in and offer a comment about a car or even look at it for you. The majority of sellers are somehow linked to clubs or known
to individuals. If buying a car in say Tulsa OK. Post a Thread and ask about the car etc. On the relevant club site. You may even find the owner on the site.

Mention was made of this site and Cobra country, personally I would buy off either site and stay away from eBay unless the owner is linked to a club etc. - known.

The point about removing running gear and the suspension is relevant also. Ship separately?

Due diligence is mentioned and I think that is very relevant. At $2300 I would make a trip and
check out both the car and the owner out. A handshake and personal contact means a lot if you want to import other bits.

I have done it this end with cars and property for our US mates.

All very good points Bernie. Can't remember if I said it or not, but I have two options....a pre-Jan 1989 car, or a new one. The new one would have to come into the country in two shipments - body/chassis in one and all the other bits in another. It is then 'not a car', so no import license/permit required, and no import duty to pay. There are definitely pros and cons for both options. Due diligence, including a quick trip, is a no-brainer, and leaning on resources available on this forum is another. Thanks Bernie, and thanks all others for advice and comment. Keep it coming.
Cheers,
Glen

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by xb-60

All very good points Bernie. Can't remember if I said it or not, but I have two options....a pre-Jan 1989 car, or a new one. The new one would have to come into the country in two shipments - body/chassis in one and all the other bits in another. It is then 'not a car', so no import license/permit required, and no import duty to pay. There are definitely pros and cons for both options. Due diligence, including a quick trip, is a no-brainer, and leaning on resources available on this forum is another. Thanks Bernie, and thanks all others for advice and comment. Keep it coming.
Cheers,
Glen

So when your saying a "new car" is that a complete car all assembled and titled, then pulled apart for shipping?
Or is it a new "kit" with all parts required?

As I am not sure you will be able to register either version without going through full compliance.
Obviously not an issue if your going to put on club rego only.

Where as the 89 or older car will get rego with a few mods.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by boxhead

So when your saying a "new car" is that a complete car all assembled and titled, then pulled apart for shipping?
Or is it a new "kit" with all parts required?

As I am not sure you will be able to register either version without going through full compliance.
Obviously not an issue if your going to put on club rego only.

Where as the 89 or older car will get rego with a few mods.

Hi boxhead. New car means a kit. It would be an ERA 289FIA. Chassis and body in one shipment, then suspension, brakes, wheels, tyres, seats, dash, instruments, wiring loom....everything else - in another shipment. Different ship even. And then full engineering compliance procedure.
Cheers,
Glen

[Merv and Sharon]

I was only wondering Craig. The 'Age' article seemed to suggest that the Ariel was exempt from the 33% tax, but the Caterham was not (I note their prices). I knew the Caterham was road registerable, but was not sure about the Atom. I see that it may not be, from what you say. Just the different treatment of the two under the luxury goods tax seemed interesting.

[Merv and Sharon]

Great looking car Paul! Jealous.

[Merv and Sharon]

I'd be going for the older car. The ones that I have seen are just great and well built. With a freshen up as Craig suggested, they would be terrific. Even the local ones are worth a close look such as Robnell and Anaconda.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

I'd be going for the older car. The ones that I have seen are just great and well built. With a freshen up as Craig suggested, they would be terrific. Even the local ones are worth a close look such as Robnell and Anaconda.

Torn between the two, Merv. Both have good points; both have less than good points (I'm a glass-half-full person. Take that however you like). Hence my original post. Information is power! I haven't got a lot of power at this stage, but once again, the immense resources on this forum are there to be drawn on.
Cheers!
Glen

[400TT]

For your older option, the fact that Cobra kits in the USA are not production quality vehicles is where it becomes a bit more complicated.

Normally you would just need to address the following items on imported production vehicles: Headlights to RHD, Seatbelts to compliant lap/sash retractable, Amber Indicators etc.

But essentially you should consider your import to be an ICV that needs to comply with old ADR's. If you are importing a 1988 Cobra, it will need to comply with the relevant 1988 ADR's.

This is what you could be made to do:

* Test/Certification of all the fabricated components: Chassis, Side Intrusion, Seats etc.

* Test/Certification for emisisons: you will need an engine that complies with relevant ADR emissions, it must have all of it's emissions systems installed and operating correctly.

* Fit all the ADR compliance required parts usually missing on USA Cobra Kits: Headrests, Steering Lock, Demister, Windscreen Squirters, Reverse Light, suitable door locks, instrument dimmer etc.

* Meet noise requirements.

* If less than 30 years obviously a LHD -> RHD conversion. But just check whether the tunnel is offset, quite a few USA Cobra's have less footroom in the passenger side.

* Other problem areas: Seat mounts will not comply and you may need to fabricate an entire sub-assembly welded to chassis to support seats. Same goes for seatbelt mounts.

In SA you will also need to get the car inspected by Regency Park.

I've been through this before for an old imported Cobra kit in a different state.

Both of your options are not for the faint hearted. Good luck with it.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 400TT

For your older option, the fact that Cobra kits in the USA are not production quality vehicles is where it becomes a bit more complicated.

Normally you would just need to address the following items on imported production vehicles: Headlights to RHD, Seatbelts to compliant lap/sash retractable, Amber Indicators etc.

But essentially you should consider your import to be an ICV that needs to comply with old ADR's. If you are importing a 1988 Cobra, it will need to comply with the relevant 1988 ADR's.

This is what you could be made to do:

* Test/Certification of all the fabricated components: Chassis, Side Intrusion, Seats etc.

* Test/Certification for emisisons: you will need an engine that complies with relevant ADR emissions, it must have all of it's emissions systems installed and operating correctly.

* Fit all the ADR compliance required parts usually missing on USA Cobra Kits: Headrests, Steering Lock, Demister, Windscreen Squirters, Reverse Light, suitable door locks, instrument dimmer etc.

* Meet noise requirements.

* Other problem areas: Seat mounts will not comply and you may need to fabricate an entire sub-assembly welded to chassis to support seats. Same goes for seatbelt mounts.

In SA you will also need to get the car inspected by Regency Park.

I've been through this before for an old imported Cobra kit in a different state.

Both of your options are not for the faint hearted. Good luck with it.

Thanks for all of that Craig. The importing of a pre-Jan 89 car would be the (relatively) easy part. If I go this way, I need to have eyes wide open, as the registration requirements need to be fully appreciated, otherwise.... big and expensive disappointment.
Cheers,
Glen

[400TT]

Glen, some good opportunities, but also some traps for uninformed players.

Also added in the LHD -> RHD info above.

[boxhead]

$10k seems pretty cheap to me for the work involved, but you will still have a whole heap of other ADR's to meet (least of which is non compliant engine)
But if your looking at an older car to get through on the 30 year thgingy, then I dont think it will need to be converted to R/H drive.

[Donunder]

Hey Glen, not to be pedantic or anything you understand, but when replying to a previous post, you don't have to hit the "Quote" key all the time. Usually the "Post Reply" key does the trick. Doesn't use up as much space and makes for easier reading for those following the thread.

I'm on a couple of other forums and the over-use of the "Quote" function is frowned upon by the Moderators. The Mods here must be more laid back.

Just a thought ....

[Dimis]

Glen, I see the glass half full in this case.

Ernie's car at $35k, plus $15k to land, plus $15 to bring up to spec equals about $65k. (Rough numbers of course!)

For mine that's reasonable for a cobra, & cheap for a registered big block 427 sideoiler in Aus.

...Or am I missing something?

Cheers,

[400TT]

You will need to convert it to RHD and because of the tunnel & engine offset this is a bit more involved.

Then you will need to update it to meet the 1986-1987 ADR's and prove compliance for all fabricated parts. No chance of running a side oiler without emissions testing and it would be a big ask for a 427 to meet ADR 37/00, cats are also mandatory for those years.

Just think of it as an ICV that needs to meet 1986-1987 ADR's.

You will also need to take the risk of buying it and then seeing if it will be allowed to be imported.

[xb-60]

Hi Don,
Understood
Cheers,
Glen