lhd performance cars

[jmack]

has anybody seen the new standards for exotic lhd cars.this might make things interesting .might be importing my next set of wheels


Vehicles built before 1992 are eligible under the older vehicles pathway. Performance cars constructed after then must meet a power to weight ratio requirement of at least 110kW per tonne for cars made in 1992, with 1kW/tonne added to the requirement for each year after that. Therefore, a performance car made in 2007 must offer performance of at least 125kW/tonne and cars built last year must meet a 135kW/tonne threshold. Under those rules, a newer car with performance equal to a VW Golf GTI would not qualify, whereas cars in line with the more powerful Golf R meet the requirements.
Rare models built in limited numbers each year defined by make (3000 vehicles per year), model (1000 vehicles) and variant (100 vehicles) are accepted, as are vehicles exclusively built in left-hand drive.

[bangm001]

There have been some really strict and stupid new regulations placed on people importing cars at the moment. Asbestos has become the new flavour. I have heard of people having to rip off heads (at the docks) off of imported cars because of the gaskets. I also heard of a cars having to take apart brake components and bits and pieces under the dash that may contain asbestos. I heard this has costed some of the guys in the tens of thousands to do to his GT mustang.

[jmack]

going to look into it off to europe next year and might do a stop over in america and bring home a supersnake,make the trip worth while

[au350hp]

Originally Posted by bangm001

There have been some really strict and stupid new regulations placed on people importing cars at the moment. Asbestos has become the new flavour. I have heard of people having to rip off heads (at the docks) off of imported cars because of the gaskets. I also heard of a cars having to take apart brake components and bits and pieces under the dash that may contain asbestos. I heard this has costed some of the guys in the tens of thousands to do to his GT mustang.

Reputable company called DAZMAC who specialise in cars & boat importation. Check out their website, it explains everything. I know a fella who used them to bring a 68 Mustang here & he can't say enough good things about them. Just under $4000 from L.A to his driveway in Sydney.

[solarite_guy]

Originally Posted by bangm001

There have been some really strict and stupid new regulations placed on people importing cars at the moment. Asbestos has become the new flavour. I have heard of people having to rip off heads (at the docks) off of imported cars because of the gaskets. I also heard of a cars having to take apart brake components and bits and pieces under the dash that may contain asbestos. I heard this has costed some of the guys in the tens of thousands to do to his GT mustang.

What year Mustang was this?

[commodorenutt]

Asbestos is blown out of proportion at the moment. Family members have brought in 2 cars this year, and with the right people (importer) it wasn't a problem. Most recent one rolled in last week.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

Asbestos is blown out of proportion at the moment. Family members have brought in 2 cars this year, and with the right people (importer) it wasn't a problem. Most recent one rolled in last week.

From what I've heard from the local hotrodders, going with an established importer is a start .. but also seems to depend on the port it's being shipped into.
O/T .. I've had two sets of new motorbike exhaust gaskets (bought on Ebay from USA) intercepted by biosecurity for screening in the past couple of months .. luckily they were metal not composite(?). I think they are on a witchunt. Shame they can't spot all that asbestos and inflammable Chinese building material coming in ..

[commodorenutt]

Also having them properly assessed in the country of origin (NZ & USA in our case), and getting a suitable signed declaration goes a long way towards a smooth entry into AU.

[Fed]

I didn't know there was a rule against importing LHD cars, how long has this been going on?

[jmack]

there isnt, this is a new ruling for allowing new cars that are lhd only and in limited numbers to be driven lhd on the streets that are not now

[Fed]

I once drove a LHD car about 30 Klms and I found it far too unnerving to get any pleasure out of it at all. No way in the world would I have one as a daily driver.

[jmack]

i drove a silverado around for a while before the conversion and after about half an hour driving was no problem.thing is you have to be alert and thinking while driving which is something alot of people arent

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by Fed

I once drove a LHD car about 30 Klms and I found it far too unnerving to get any pleasure out of it at all. No way in the world would I have one as a daily driver.

Got two (AMC Javelin and a Chev Corvair). It's fine and you get used to it, especially if its just a drive around cruiser. I drive mine to work often, but if a LHD was your only car it could be a pain, especially for normal driving conditions where you need to pass on two-lane highways, etc.

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by Fed

I once drove a LHD car about 30 Klms and I found it far too unnerving to get any pleasure out of it at all. No way in the world would I have one as a daily driver.

Try doing it in a 1920s Chev.... they wander like nothing else, and there's only 1 spot worse than the LH driver - that's being the passenger seat on the RH side.

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Got two (AMC Javelin and a Chev Corvair). It's fine and you get used to it, especially if its just a drive around cruiser. I drive mine to work often, but if a LHD was your only car it could be a pain, especially for normal driving conditions where you need to pass on two-lane highways, etc.

Later Chevs (50s & 60s) are much nicer on the road, and as OJ mentioned, you get used to it pretty quick.

Mind you it is good for putting idiot cab drivers back in their place with a "look ma, no hands" gesture from the passenger...

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Fed

I once drove a LHD car about 30 Klms and I found it far too unnerving to get any pleasure out of it at all. No way in the world would I have one as a daily driver.

Had a LHD 68 Mustang GT that I drove around for years, including as a daily driver in peak traffic. No problem except drive-thrus and gated car parks which I rarely used. Came in handy once when my mate in the passenger seat got a telling off by a cop for speeding...

[commodorenutt]

I've been RBT'd in the passenger seat, and got a warning for being a smart *** when I asked if he wanted to test the real driver....

Cars with consoles are a pain in drive thru. Bench seats are fine

[au350hp]

I find it more challenging to be a passenger in a Commodore than to drive a LHD car.

[MITCHAY]

Does this mean the states will allow them to be registered? I thought that was the big issue.

You can import what you want but it means nothing if it can't be registered

[jmack]

by the article you will be able to drive