Looking to buy my first Cobra 427 S/C in Oz

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by CobraAddict

Has anyone ever tried to simply import a US Cobra into Australia?.....

Yes, I started to go down that path back in 2011 before I decided it was too hard, and went local (PACE).

What I found was, as has been stated previously, that the car had to be '89 build or older. As I looked into it further, I found that it would also need to be converted to RHD, which was going to cause me way too many problems. The car was an ERA 427 with a 427SO, but being an ERA, it was built so that the left side of the interior was wider than the right side, and from memory, the engine was slightly offset to the right as well. I spoke at length to Peter Portante about the mods needed, and it was just way too expensive to contemplate.

Bear in mind though ....I'm in Adelaide, and the requirements are different State to State, and as you're also finding out, they can change periodically as well.

We will all stay tuned!

Cheers,
Glen

[CobraAddict]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Yes, I started to go down that path back in 2011 before I decided it was too hard, and went local (PACE).

What I found was, as has been stated previously, that the car had to be '89 build or older. As I looked into it further, I found that it would also need to be converted to RHD, which was going to cause me way too many problems. The car was an ERA 427 with a 427SO, but being an ERA, it was built so that the left side of the interior was wider than the right side, and from memory, the engine was slightly offset to the right as well. I spoke at length to Peter Portante about the mods needed, and it was just way too expensive to contemplate.

Bear in mind though ....I'm in Adelaide, and the requirements are different State to State, and as you're also finding out, they can change periodically as well.

We will all stay tuned!

Cheers,
Glen

OOOhhh yeah. I've recently downloaded my quick start guide of 99 pages called 'Interim arrangements - Guidance relating to specialist and enthusiast vehicles' produced by 'Road Vehicle Standards' under the Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications of the Australian Government.

It replaced the old 'Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989' What a headf.,k

Bottom line it is very doubtful that the car will be classed as pre-89 unless it is actually a pre 89 build. Also the fact that I am not importing a car that I actually owned for 12 months while OS makes it much harder again.

Realistically I doubt very much I will be importing a car from the USA.