Kirkhams in Australia

[damage]

Lex, obviously different engineers have different opinions about what ADRs are still in operation because my engineer said that ADR about side pipes doesn't exist anymore, he did however say that QLD transport may have state specific vehicle safety standards that they may call up.

I asked the question how they could do that when there are certain production vehicles that are imported into Australia that have side exhausts and gave him the model numbers so that he could take it up if he needed.

[Lexluther]

Hi Damage
It wasn't my engineers opinion it is part of the statement of requirements that came from dep. of transport. I guess anything can be challenged if there is precedence but I am not sure I want to stir the pot, the side pipes would still have to comply with noise and emission tests, you also will have to shield from where the pipes exit the body to the exhaust tip, to "reduce risk of injury" anyhow I have an appointment next week with engineer so I will see how we go ......I really do want side pipes

[damage]

It's not stirring the pot if the adr doesn't exist. Pretty harmless to ask why manufacturers can have exhausts exit left side but you can't.

[damage]

BTW how about some build pics while your laying around

[750hp]

All this Kirkham talk has me thinking how much I'd love a brushed 289 FIA Kirkham with a healthy high revving, high compression small block and a straight cut, dog geared trans....

[soulman]

Guys,

So a new Kirkham registered in Australia has to be titled as an "ICV "or can it

be titled as a " Kirkham" ? built to current ICV ?


Soul.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by soulman

Guys,

So a new Kirkham registered in Australia has to be titled as an "ICV "or can it

be titled as a " Kirkham" ? built to current ICV ?


Soul.

I have a stupid question if I may... What's the difference?

[soulman]

Originally Posted by Dimis

I have a stupid question if I may... What's the difference?

Perhaps my ignorance but...

when you import a partially built Kirkham from the States to Australia is it not described as a Kirkham ? or is it described as something else ?

or does it just come in as "parts" and you start from zero ?

Personally i would not want to lose that Kirkham identity in Australia , especially when it came to registration and Insurance , being a recognized manufacturer as opposed to being an ICV build and given that SAAC recognize them [ not that it matters to me ] with Insurance companies at least you could then justify the exact cost of replacement value and justify your cover.


Just wondering !

Soul.

[Towmaster]

Originally Posted by soulman

Perhaps my ignorance but...

when you import a partially built Kirkham from the States to Australia is it not described as a Kirkham ? or is it described as something else ?

or does it just come in as "parts" and you start from zero ?

Personally i would not want to lose that Kirkham identity in Australia , especially when it came to registration and Insurance , being a recognized manufacturer as opposed to being an ICV build and given that SAAC recognize them [ not that it matters to me ] with Insurance companies at least you could then justify the exact cost of replacement value and justify your cover.


Just wondering !

Soul.

I think the issue is you can't import a whole car unless you have owned and registered / driven / used it overseas for 3 consecutive months....... but you can import car parts. I think that is the way they have to be bought in, as parts and then assembled here. Which costs more because it has to be manufactured in Poland / America then pulled apart and then put back together again in Australia. It can only be registered as an Individually Constructed Vehicle, because that's what they all are, regardless of the make of the kit. What you put on your registration label is up to you. Coupe, Roadster, Convertible, Cobra, Shelby, all depends on what you tell the admin at the Transport Department.

[leroy17]

OK... i know that the polished Kirkams look awesome... no question.

However..... the brushed finish (as above) with some blackout 'bits' is just so badass!

289 or SC..... just B A D A S S !

[spookypt]

While not a Kirkham specific, I do know back in 2008/2009 cars were coming in under the "built before Jan 1989 rule". That RCR GT40- Blue Orange did and is registered as a 66 or whatever.

For example for those of you who know my car....my import approval certifies that it came in under this same rule - Pre Jan 89. So my left hooker, providing I changed to compliant lights, noise, belts (and a few other "small" items) could also be street registered. Yep, 351 dry sumped carbd smokey Windsor with some effort could technically now be street registered. That said the bar work could be hard to comply.

My import papers show that its a "1965 Cobra" with vin attached built before Jan 1989.

Yeow....Ash maybe race cars just got more valuable?????? ha!

[Towmaster]

I thought that loop hole had been closed?

[spookypt]

You certainly can't do that now. But for cars that have come in with the appropriate compliant documentation it can be done. In fact, I went to QLD transport to confirm my Vin as per my import certification and it was already in their system....so all I'd need to do the necessary changes to meet engineering for a pre 89 vehicle and I'm done.

Its all in the import approval compliance documents. And now, the only way you can do it is you must prove your car is actually older than 30 years like Craig's or Don's. Mine is of course a 65 in case that's your next question!!!

[Dimis]

Or SEVS

Specialist and enthusiast vehicle scheme.

BDR is already on the list.
Kirkhams should still qualify... they did when I inquired a few years back.

Just remember - Importing is has NOTHING to do with registering.
They are 2 separate processes.

Enjoy...

[750hp]

I only know about the pre-89 requirements (which I have used on a handful of occasions to bring in a few Cobras and old Chevs and even a b@stard-child V8 Austin Healey) so I can't pretend to know anything about the process to import a new (or post-89) car.

damage, wouldn't Kirkham have to be identified as a production vehicle manufacturer to allow them to be imported new as complete cars? I thought that was the whole sticking point with US Cobra manufacturers - that they can only ever sell a car with an MSO; never a VIN/title because they are not production vehicle manufacturers. I thought that's why the concept of a "turn-key minus" was born.

[sambo]

Sounds a bit like the JDM scheme where Aussie workshops import Skylines and Silvias from Japan, minimal work for compliance (being RHD) and sell them onto the domestic market - usually with higher spec than the locally released model. Would a company like Kirkham ever be able to sell cars here like Nissan? Dream on!

[damage]

I stopped short on my import adventure but from all the literature I read the Feds just wanted brochures etc to show it was a production vehicle. To be honest I actually forget a lot of the requirements because I started all of that over 2 years ago now. All I do know is that I was told if the manufacturer wasn't on the list that approval process could take up to 12 weeks and no guarantee of approval.

Kirkham are capable of vin/titling but don't normally do it.

They sell the car as a completed vehicle the only option or custom component is the engine and how you finish the exterior.

It's actually custom to get the car dismantled to send it here and Kirkham don't provide a discount to send it as a kit which is what I originally enquired as my first list of questions.

[Dimis]

I'll try again to help...

SEVS - specialist vehicle entry scheme.
Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS)

Any car can be imported into the country as long as you have government approval.


FWIW:
The pre/post 89 rule exists to protect the industry... so as not to "compete" with current car manufacturers, models, and sales undercutting the industry and costing the country jobs.
IE. Bringing in skylines, Silvia, WRXes etc...

[Gav]

Why would a Kirkham be considered anything other than an ICV?
They are a high end cobra kit but they are built in relatively small numbers.
Since near on everyone that is built utilizes a different power train how could they ever be organised or treated as a low volume production car?

[damage]

So I'm guessing with no car manufacturers in Australia that all of this will change maybe make it easier or is that wishful thinking.