Daytona Coupe - Importing

[PCC]

As someone may have done some work on this I'll ask a question regards importing a Coupe from the States:

On top of the purchase price of a Coupe what would be the approximate import / delivery cost for bringing such a beast across to Oz?

I understand that if the car was secondhand then I wouldn't be tied down with registration / emission issues etc. Is this correct?

Finally, what would be likely cost of converting the steering etc across to the "right" side?

Many thanks.

I must admit that I am swayed by Warrick's Coupe, but timing would be my main stumbling block.

[Cobra.au]

Also Peter
I have seen new cobra replicas in the US registered as the year the genuine Cobra / Daytona was made I wonder if this would help the import process because on paper the car is over 30 years old.

just a thought

[Aussie Mike]

If it's been registered in the US as a 1960's car just watch out they don't charg you import duty based on the value of a 1960's car. Last I heard an oroginal daytona was 3 or 4 Million. Even the GST on that would buy a very nice house.

Cheers

[PCC]

Ha Ha Mike

In the States the cars seem to be advertised as from the 60's, but the build is registered as in the 2000's.

The reason for searching in the States is that there seems to be some choice and waiting for a Daytona in Aus may take some time

The Superformance is simply out priced for what I could afford and it seems that for $60k US a Coupe is within reach.

Saying that I see some are going for $120k+ US and if that was the norm then I would be back to the drawing board

There was a very nice one advertised on this Site in California I think (Dark blue with silver stripes) and 500 hp to boot! Probably gone by now.

[400TT]

You can't have it both ways with age. If you bring it in as a 60's Coupe, you will pay duty for real 60's Coupe.

PCC are you actually going to register the Daytona, if so , you will be in for a whole new level of pain. Give Superformance dealer here a call, last I heard they haven't even got there Coupe registered here yet...and how many years has it been here.

It's a good idea, but a lot of time, effort & money to actually pull it off I expect.It's a good idea, but a lot of time, effort & money to actually pull it off I expect.

First thing I would do is call the engineer that does most Cobra's etc in our region and ask him what will be required to get it approved. You should know who this is.

For someone that is experience in doing just this with exotic vehicles, you could contact www.oldtimeraustralia.com They have already brought in a Kirkham Cobra, so can't be too bad. And have just imported & sold an AC 428, interesting alternative to Daytona.

[PCC]

Craig

It would be a secondhand vehicle and as I understood it could be brought in and registered as a personal import.

[400TT]

Yes, but it still has to comply with our ADR's.

e.g. Jap imports, they have to do all the silly minor mods to them to get them compliant.

Mind you I'm no expert on this, get some professional advice.

[Plums]

This is true, I'm a RAWS signatory and as such have to sign off Jap imports.

Gathering the evidence to form the evidence pack is not cheap (around 5 - 10K), and this is a very involved process.

There are heaps of requirements but here are a few of the ones that can cause you grief (and dollars):

Windscreen must have certain markings,
Seat belts,
All lights must comply,
Brake lines and system,
Fuel system,
Layout of internal gauges,
etc. etc.

One thing that might make the wheels fall off your wagon is emission testing. Firstly the cats will have to meet certain standards, then there is the actual testing itself.
Passing an emission is not too easy, in fact some new cars only a few weeks old may not pass. If the engine is modified you won't have a hope (generally).

As an example, I have been assisting an exhaust manufacturer who is trying to get an LS2 Malloo through emissions - to be able to market the system as ADR compliant . The only mod to the car is extractors and a cat-back system. The thing failed miserably due to poor cat light-up times.

Do your homework before you do anything, and don't even consider importing under the racecar rule (unless that's ALL you want it for)...

[Cameron Parsons]

OK, I'll weigh in here with what I once knew (things could have changed).

- You can't just bring one in and say "it's second hand", it makes no difference. You may as well be bringing in the parts to build one new as you will be held to the same standards for rego. Unless you personal Import.

- To personal Import, you must have owned and regularly used the vehicle in it's native country for "at least" one year, and have the paperwork (original invoice, registration in your name, insurance in your name, proof of residency, service bills...etc) to support it

- You will need to have put over 7500 k's on the car since you purchased it, before you apply to import

- You must have been a legal resident of the host country you are importing from

- You will still pay duties and taxes depending on the age of the car.

- You will still need to change a number of items to comply (lights, belts etc..)

- You will not be able to sell the car for at least a year after you register in Australia

I am sure some of this has changed, I last personal Imported 14 years ago. But it isn't simple. If it was we would all be doing it!!

Good Luck

Cameron

[BMK]

Mmm perhaps as a race car and then register it on limited plates - similiar to the Kirkham.