Anybody shipped a car from USA to Australia?

[macloft]

Interesting how on another thread a big block Robnell seems to be a Cobra that holds it value in Australia and a car of choice (maybe)
If you had the opportunity what do you Australians think would be a good car to bring into Aussie from the US (no Kirkham and no CSX $$$$). Would it be A big block or Coyote motor or strocked 351 or 302. ERA, Superformance, BDR, Shell Valley, Contempory, etc (probably not a FFR because similar to what we got maybe). Slab side or 427.
Forget the LHD or side impact bar issues.

What would be your choice of cobra import?

Cheers
Bruce

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by macloft

Interesting how on another thread a big block Robnell seems to be a Cobra that holds it value in Australia and a car of choice (maybe)
If you had the opportunity what do you Australians think would be a good car to bring into Aussie from the US (no Kirkham and no CSX $$$$). Would it be A big block or Coyote motor or strocked 351 or 302. ERA, Superformance, BDR, Shell Valley, Contempory, etc (probably not a FFR because similar to what we got maybe). Slab side or 427.
Forget the LHD or side impact bar issues.

What would be your choice of cobra import?

Cheers
Bruce

A pre-Jan 1989 ERA 427
Cheers,
Glen

[spookypt]

Originally Posted by xb-60

A pre-Jan 1989 ERA 427
Cheers,
Glen

Seems everyone now is exploring this option especially with the high AUD. Having seen 2 of the cars brought in under this rule I can't blame people for considering it. That said, there is an opportunity for a well known and savvy USA based car salesman (no names mentioned) to seek and source the right year cars with the right credentials for AUD buyers and then market the balance of cars found to potential AUS buyers.

Being a skeptic, I'd suggest it would be a limited period as no doubt the Import Approval rules would change if a surge in cars being shipped and meeting the criteria occured. Could be wrong often am!

My other point is, without offending our USA friends......sometimes the overseas sellers approach to a sale and subsequent handover (N.B Generalisation) can lead to a different resulting expectation than what we'd thought! Can be the same in Oz too but timezones and distance can play a huge part in the smooth and smiley faced transaction.

Spookypt

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by spookypt

Seems everyone now is exploring this option especially with the high AUD. Having seen 2 of the cars brought in under this rule I can't blame people for considering it. That said, there is an opportunity for a well known and savvy USA based car salesman (no names mentioned) to seek and source the right year cars with the right credentials for AUD buyers and then market the balance of cars found to potential AUS buyers.

Being a skeptic, I'd suggest it would be a limited period as no doubt the Import Approval rules would change if a surge in cars being shipped and meeting the criteria occured. Could be wrong often am!

Shhhh! Don't tell everybody!

And yes, definitely due diligence required.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by spookypt

Seems everyone now is exploring this option especially with the high AUD. Having seen 2 of the cars brought in under this rule I can't blame people for considering it. That said, there is an opportunity for a well known and savvy USA based car salesman (no names mentioned) to seek and source the right year cars with the right credentials for AUD buyers and then market the balance of cars found to potential AUS buyers.
Spookypt

I have an update...
I very well priced ERA 427 came up recently. I checked with ERA about the amount of work required for a RHD conversion, and here is the response :
"New footboxes and tunnel.
Shift the pedal assembly to the right frame rail. Includes drilling and
welding on the frame rail, new pedals and throttle linkage.
Shift the engine 1" to the left with new engine and transmission mounts.
New dashboard.
New steering gear and mounts (welding required).
Probably more stuff that I haven't remembered.

If we were to do it here, the process might cost $10K+.

IMHO, not practical."

So....not pursuing that angle any further.
If anybody else wants to though, Ernie (Excaliber) has a nice and very well priced ERA 427, built in 1986-87

Cheers,
Glen