| Author | Topic |
|---|
Registered:
September 2002
|
|
Imports and conversions...
|
Thu, 05 September 2002 02:06
|
 |
This is probably a strange question, but here it goes...
I can get a whole Japanese spec GT4 celica (st185) delivered to my front door for race/rally/parts use for like $6 grand with only 40,000 km's on it (entire car running just not registerable under aussie import laws). there is no comparison to the quality with what i can get here in australia. (still 17g's for a burnt out piece of crap with 160 odd k's on it).
I have a standard sx of the same year (1992) and wondered to what extent i can modify (or basically dump all of the gt4 running gear into it rebuilding the entire car) to comply with australian standards...
Can i strip it to the frame for example and build my way back?
I know the work involved, and am prepared to put in the hard yards with my mechanic mates, and i understand there is more to it than bolting stuff back on... and know that i will still be looking at mega bucks... probably more than that of what a decent one here costs...
Would it be more prudent for me to buy a gt4 from a wrecker in australia and fix it using what i would get from japan? and if it was a wrecked car with frame damage, could i use the frame from the one i get from japan?
To what extent would i need to have parts from original (wrecked gt4) car in this instance?
I want to avoid the comment of rebirthing, as i am not going to just switch compliance plates... however, i want a quality vehicle that is no longer available here and uphold the law.
Thanks for reading my annoyoying question, i hope you can provide me with some input on both instances.
Regards,
Tim.
|
|
|
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Thu, 05 September 2002 03:07
|
|
Well - I think you could approach it as a highly modified Australian delivered car. It would need to be engineered and registered accordingly but I don't think that would be a problem. However - I'm not sure you can buy a race/rally use car without a CAMS license so that may make finding a donor car a little more difficult.
|
|
|
Location:
Sydney, OZ
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Thu, 05 September 2002 09:36
|
|
| Quote: |
I'm not sure you can buy a race/rally use car without a CAMS license so that may make finding a donor car a little more difficult.
|
True you can't import a car for Race/Rally use useless you produce a lic. and then if they want to, they will check if it's been log booked through CAMS or under construction.
|
|
|
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Fri, 06 September 2002 06:09
|
|
You might be able to build it into a road car if you use an australian GT4 shell. Its a silly regulation.
I recall a story in Australian Rallysport News about a guy who inported a Subaru Legacy RS, but had to strip all the parts out, and rebuild the car using an Australian Liberty RS shell so it would comply.
So, if you get one in from Japan in good condition, and get an Aussie one, you could swap all the Jap gear into the Australian shell, and all you yould need to do is change the engine number on the rego forms (as far as i know...)
If you are thinking about building it up under Cams Dedicated Rally Car rules, you cant just drive it on the road like a normal road car. You need a reason, like too, during or from an event, going to see a sponsor, getting mechanical work done, etc. Just driving it to work could see you getting fined, more so in NSW.
Craig.
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Fri, 06 September 2002 06:15
|
|
Reshelling is a legal way to "rebirth" a car into australia, only in some states though, vIC i think does it.
You need a jap import and an australian car with rego history, the final result gets completely new vin numbers with the australian cars history and the jap cars shell. The aussie car is destroyed though.
Matt
|
|
|
Location:
Sydney, OZ
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Fri, 06 September 2002 09:48
|
|
|
One prob, the Import Authorities won't allow you to bring in a whole car unless it's a wreck.. ie Could have some minor damage to a complete ride off... That what's great, you can aurgue the Term 'wreck'... but don't expect to get that shell registered here with out compliance which cost most of the $$$.
|
|
|
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
August 2003
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Tue, 14 October 2003 02:18
|
|
|
I just bought a Grp A st185 and it is in really good condition with only 80000k's. Been sitting under a car cover in a garage for a couple of years. Only came out on special occasions. Buy of the decade without a doubt. Maybe there is another one out there waiting.... Or you could just wait for the 15 year rule to expire in 2006 and import legally. Waiting for a GT4, is there a harder thing to do?
|
|
|
Toymods Club Treasurer
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Tue, 14 October 2003 02:25
|
|
AFAIK, You can no longer bring in a whole car for parts, even if it is a wreck.
This rule was brought in to stop the rebirthing.
Also, I believe Vic has closed that loophole.
My last car was brought in through Vic like that.
|
|
|
Location:
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Tue, 14 October 2003 02:49
|
|
|
And, what's more the DOT now require you to prove the month of the car for eligibility for 15 years old. I know a few guys who recently bought 89 cars thinking they could import them January 2004. Looks like the DOT is trying to make things harder and harder for anyone not wanting to buy a Commodore or Falcon.
|
|
|
Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
June 2003
|
|
Re: Imports and conversions...
|
Tue, 14 October 2003 03:06
|
|
Just swap the compliance plates over............It would work here is tassie not sure bout any where else 
|
|
|
