Importing Kits

[400TT]

I think our tests here in QLD are one of the strictest as far as beaming and torsional. They measure the deflection of the chassis with engine block attached. We also have fibreglass impact test as well, which sounds relatively easy. Our tests are good enough here, that the results are more than enough to register the vehicle in all states I believe.

I've seen a couple of torsional result sheets, all were very similiar and all looked like they just met the minimum requirements. Rumour is that neither of the chassis units passed first go.

When it comes to importing, building and registering a US Cobra, it's not just the one thing, it's the whole process that is required. I've heard just getting a chassis into the country that will be registered is also a drama. Much easier to bring in a chassis for race use only. A club member up here has just brought in a Lolo chassis for race use.

Anyway, I really have no idea, I can just see some of the pitfalls. Would be really interesting to hear from someone that has done it.

I would also be interested to see how many kits offset the drivetrain and tunnel to US passenger side. Maybe some of the US guys would know which kits do that and if it's really a problem.

Another factor to keep in mind is resale. I wouldn't pay as much 2nd hand for a completed & registered Factory Five here, as I would for most other Oz Cobras. But there are some US kits/relicas that I would pay much more for if they were registered and approved here.

[Rebel1]

Many years ago I had an in-depth discussion with a Jaime Garde who was the chassis tester for RMC, when Mike Moyland owned the Company.

It seems in those days not only did RMC build cobra kits but were also the state approved chassis test facility. Their job included testing stretched limo and all manner of chassis that were modified/built to go on WA roads.

A beaming test went like this:

A rolling chassis/car was built complete with motor, transmission and all suspension adjusted to ride hight. Door intrusion beams, hinges and latches were also to be fitted

All wheels were then removed.

The coil over/shock/spring components were removed and solid struts installed reflecting the correct ride height.

Hub plates were then bolted to the wheel hubs and fixed to the test platform.

To test each corner, the hub plate was detached from the platform and a measurable hydraulic force applied perpendicular to the hub flange. A dial indicator measured the deflection.

He claimed the MK1 RMC chassis failed miserably and hence the redesign to the Mk2 double rail.

That redesign was at the request of a Rick Percival and Connor Craig who were then attempting to market the RMC in Queensland. The Qld Dept. of Transport wanted proof of beam testing.

That's the way I remember it but it was a longgggg time ago.