Newbie - Importing from DAX in UK

[Brendan@Aus]

Hi there,

Sorry for the Newbie Question.

I have read a fair amount of material in the last few weeks regarding Cobra Kit cars and spoken to some people about Chassis engine and suspension etc.

What I cant figure out is why the bare bones DAX 427 chassis and body kit is around 3500 Pounds (6k Aus) and you have to pay 16K here in Aus for the same thing from our local manufacturers.

Am I missing something here?

The more I look at these cars the more I want one!

Brendan

[T.L.]

You would probably have to have that chassis torsion tested, the aussie ones are already complied in that test.
There may also be some other tests that need to be done.

[strida]

Hi Brendan,

I agree with T.Ls comment re chassis torsion testing.(costly and time consuming)
Before I started I felt the same, spoke to my brother in law in the UK who tells me there are so many kit car manufacturers (cobra, clubmans etc) over there the competition keeps the prices down. Freight added about another A$2700.00 so I finally went for a local supplier.

If you want one just do it

[BMK]

Freight plus duty, plus GST, plus, plus....

[Rog246]

Brendon look at it this way, each phone call you make = $'s.
You can't just duck down the road and have a face to face with the builder either, and you sure as hell won't have a bunch of owners who you can easily call on with any issues that WILL arise..........and they will.
That aside, buying one locally with keep most of your $'s here too, and seriously THAT is a consideration or at least IMHO should be.
Besides we got enough Pommy bastards here now anyway !!
Rog246

[*Cobber*]

Looks a great kit and DAX have been around forever.

I say go for it if it's what you want and it's cheaper. Torsion twist test is not that hard to set up and get done.

Don't forget Australia is full of sheep, it would be good to get a new alternative to keep people honest.

Check out Factory Five racing they have a fantastic 15 yr anniversary deal on at the moment.

[sambo]

Cobber, that's great encouragement, but considering Baz's nightmare trying to register a local kit in NSW... a very different story to the FFR cars getting through engineering in WA.

Brendan, what state are you in?

[boxhead]

Originally Posted by sambo

Brendan, what state are you in?

A very important part of any build.

[*Cobber*]

Baaahhhh
If an Australian kit won't go through in NSW there is either something wrong with the kit, the way it was built or the ICV process.

The only difference between a DAX and an Aussie kit is probably just the torsional test and it may have already have been done. The Westfield is a very common UK kit built in every state in Australia.

And no we don't just bolt together any old car here in the West we comply with strict engineering requirements. We just have a process that is usable, common sense, safe and works.

Just making a point.

If you can't get ANY ICV's registered in your state there is something wrong with the system not necessarily the kits or suppliers wherever they may be from.

[Beejay]

There are many good kits in oz that meet our requirements and use local components.

Why not support local products if you can?

Ben

[Merv and Sharon]

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

[Tenrocca]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

Apart from being designed to ensure they pass the torsion testing, I cant imagine there would be too many design attributes in Australian kits that are specific to Australian rules? Maybe side intrusion bars or seat belt anchorage - but I cant believe that wouldnt be a requirment in the UK.

It it is more up to the builder to ensure it meets the appropriate standards, eg correct engine for emissions, correct lights, seats etc etc. ie. building the car right.

Cheers

[WKB]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Don't forget Australia is full of sheep, it would be good to get a new alternative to keep people honest.

Sheep might be a bit harsh, but I do agree with Cobber that getting a kit from the US or UK at the current exchange rate would be a good alternative.
People might surprised how helpful some of the kit suppliers in the US can be.
Most kits supply all new parts and every thing down to the last nut and bolt(except motor and gearbox). Some parts are not ADR compliant, but can be overcome with locally supplied compliant parts. Even with the cost of freight these kits are currently good value for money.
It costs nothing to ask questions.

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

I wonder how we would go registering a Harrison or a DRB in the UK? I suspect that these cars are designed for the particular features of the respective approval regimes (ICV/SVA).

DRB have agents in the UK, US and NZ. Harrision has a agent in NZ.

Warren

[*Cobber*]

Why buy tyres from the US....? they are half price and do the same job.

[KevinW]

Just a suggestion, but plenty of help/info available here

http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/dax-technical-questions/

If not, email or call Dave Brookes, who is a Dax build agent.
http://www.v8cobra.com/

If you get the new Dax De Dion chassis rather than the old ladder frame, Id be very surprised it didnt pass any torsion test.

Let me just say I have never owned a Dax and have no connection with any of the above.

HTH, Kevin

[sambo]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Why buy tyres from the US....? they are half price and do the same job.

You're drawing a long bow here Cobber! My engineer had passed dozens of Harrison kits and that was a major factor in my decision. Give him a foreign kit and it's like the first Harrison all over again. Extra time, money and headaches I simply don't want.

[Tenrocca]

Scenario 1: Go to your engineer with your Classic Revival or Harrison and Manufacturer torsion test.

Scenario 2: Go to your engineer with your Dax or Factory Five, which was built using pretty much all the same parts except maybe suspension and brakes as your Australian kit. Hand it over less the torsion test.

Apart from the torsion test ($2k??) - whats the difference? What other benefit is there if every other part bolted on is essentially the same? If the engineer is doing his job he should still be checking the harrison and CR just as thoroughly as the Dax.

Cheers

The oversized scoop is more of an issue for me then where its from

[sambo]

Andrew, because with the local kit I met the manufacturer, toured the facilities, and got a good sense of what I was in for. Back in Melbourne I have several owners and builders of the same kit that I can lean on. Probably less of a concern for veteran car builders though. Given the current FX rate I would still take the same path. All I'm saying is compliance is not the only factor.

[Merv and Sharon]

I think you are right Kevin. As these cars progress and become more sophisticated - less use of donor parts - in each country they become more alike in many ways, especially in suspension design, the ladder chassis of the old Dax for example, may be less likely to meet SVA requirements in the UK in the future.

Tenrocca, that is too simple. What differs is that the Australian made/supplied products often have not only torsion/stiffness testing but also approved seat belt anchorages, swerve testing, seat mountings and so on. At least mine came with a whole set of copies of official documents that made my job and that of the engineer easier and a great deal cheaper for me.

[Tenrocca]

Sambo - knowing a lot of CR owners was a reason I bought one as a first car - If I was going a second time round, I might be a bit more adventurous and explore an overseas kit.

Merv - Just look at the list from the RTA Baz got when trying to get his Australian RMC through ( including testing on seat belt anchorages and beefing up seat mountings )- Look at the clubman guys who build their own chassis. I would be no more scared trying to get an imported kit through then I would a local one (in NSW anyway) at the moment.