Newby needs info on importing

Gerhard · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 11:03 PM

Hi Everybody,
I am in South Africa and new to this forum. I am building a cobra and am in the very early stages of the process. After reading some posts, I feel the urge to get building again (project has been on ice for a couple of years:

).

I am on the verge of migrating to Qeensland AU and my question is.
1.) Can I import this project and complete it there?
2.) If yes what procedure do I follow or do I just get it into my container with our other furniture and goods.

So If anybody has info to this regard, please help. (Being new to this forum, I am also still figuring how this site works and still a bit slow ).

Thanks
Gerhard

Dimis · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 03:06 AM

Welcome Gerhard,

Congrats on the move to Queensland, almost anywhere in that state is a wonderful part of the planet.

Answers:
1) yes you can, BUT....
2) I'll pm you tomorrow with the how to... (& provide the necessary government links)
It can get complicated depending on how far along you are & and what exactly you are bringing in.

With regard to point 1) "importing"
Sorry, to say but the expense may not justify the means.
To register the car here you'll need to comply with AUSTRALIAN DESIGN RULES (ADRs) there not my rules, but government compliance regulations that will cause you issues

They are not insurmountable, but they are a pain in the a$$! And I mean a"$$$$$"
For instance: part of the ADR engineering report requires torsional beam testing. If your chassis fails to meet the requirement. You're up for big bucks to test engineer and retest till the standard is met. (For the record - most OS kits don't meet ADR requirements.

Knowling the little you've told us, if I were in you, I'd most likely sell the kit to someone in South Africa, recoup the funds and start over with an Aussie ADR approved kit. It will save you much beauracratic grief, and allow you better resale in Aus and be the most cost effective way forward.

Alas that's just one man's opinion.

Good luck

Merv and Sharon · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 03:22 AM

Also welcome Gerhard. I am in QLD, at the Sunshine Coast. Lots of guys from SA around the place here as well. No lions or giraffe locally, but the snakes, crocks and sharks bite the same.

Dimis's advice is pretty good, depending on the kit that you have in SA. I would check with a Queensland Transport approved engineer in QLD and you can check with him and see what your situation is. PM for details.

Rob. Smith · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 03:54 AM

I'm guessing it could be a superformance ???

Gerhard · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 02:00 PM

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info thus far.

As far as snakes go, I run away except if it's one that can be built.

It is a "Kit Car Centre" kit built here in SA. The chassis and fibre boddy was manufactured by Rudie Malan, who has passed away some time ago. The cassis is build to accept the jaguar suspension.
They call it a "ladder" type chassis if I am not mistaken.
Does this help at all?

Donunder · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 03:35 PM

Gerhard, you say you're in the "very early stages of the process" of building your car, which indicates that you probably haven't had to spend too much money yet and you're also probably not overly emotionally involved in the build, which I note has been languishing for some time too.

Why would you suddenly decide to resume building this car when you're about to migrate to Australia, with all the other upheavals in your life that that involves?

My 2 cents? Sell your project now, before you leave.

Bringing a car into Australia is a restrictive and complicated process, even for Australian residents, and has the potential to end messily and expensively if you're not able to meet the strict import and engineering requirements imposed by our government.

You say you're coming to Queensland. If you're going to be in the market for a new or used Cobra replica you couldn't have chosen a better place! You'll have a choice of buying from three local companies here; DRB, Harrison and Absolute Pace, all of which are headed up by people with years of experience and who are held in the highest esteem by satisfied customers and other industry representatives alike.

All that, and we have Australia's best Cobra club too!

So do yourself a favour. Jettison whatever is in your garage now, and start afresh when you get here.

boxhead · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2013, 02:01 AM

Exactly s Don has said.

Sell what you have, it will save you the cost of shipping it here, also a local kit will have much beter assistance and backing when it comes time to meet engineering requirements.

Unless there is some sentimental attachment to the kit you have, it will be a far beter option to start fresh in your new home.

puttputt · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2013, 07:10 AM

Kit kar centre was located in Boksburg, on the East Rand, they made a good kit years ago, I had a friend who imported on in the 1980's. I am wondering what the difference is to bringing this kit in, versus importing one from the USA ? which a lot of people are doing, at least this is RHD.
Although my points against it is

most of which has already being said by others)
1) Less value as it is an unknown kit in Australia.
2)Extra engineering to comply
3)A new body and chassis costs approx $16000 here, what is cost difference in brining it here versus selling and buying in Brisbane.
4)Your kit is older technology.