Importing A Car

[Fitty]

A couple of questions, because me and a mate are thinking of importing a 1968 Camaro (turning into Camaro forums fairly quickly). Seeing as there are three '67-'69 Camaros on this forum, someone has probably been through all this before.

1. What are the associated costs with importing this car?
2. Is it necessary to register the car as soon as it's imported (at the moment it's a non-roadworthy project)?
3. Can this car be left as LHD?
4. Can the '68 be registered with a 454 from a '90s truck?

Thanks in advance fellas.

[SirGeo]

By no means am i an expert.. but here's what i can tell you...


1. Most places charge just shipping about $3000-$5000, but there are allot of other costs, such as getting it to the docks in US etc... A few places can organise all that here...

2. Um, you don't have to "register" it.. mine isn't yet.. i have all the import approval papers, transfer receipts etc.. That’s fine as far as i know

3. Yes because it's over 25/30 years old you can leave it LHD. But there are some dumb rules in VIC for that, such as a large sticker on your back window :p There is a thread about is somewhere else on here.

4. If you mean a tall deck, then yeah i don't see why not.. but this one i'm unsure off.. in the end you are registering a 68 with a 454, no need to be specific ;)


I'm sure the others would be able to further explain or debunk some of my answers...

[rodent]

A couple of questions, because me and a mate are thinking of importing a 1968 Camaro (turning into Camaro forums fairly quickly). Seeing as there are three '67-'69 Camaros on this forum, someone has probably been through all this before.

1. What are the associated costs with importing this car?
2. Is it necessary to register the car as soon as it's imported (at the moment it's a non-roadworthy project)?
3. Can this car be left as LHD?
4. Can the '68 be registered with a 454 from a '90s truck?

Thanks in advance fellas.

1. That's a question you should ask a Broker/forwarder.
My guy charges <$3k+gst+incidentals(wharf,war and fumos if needed)

2.no

3.In Vic yes if it's 30 years or older.

4.Yes but it will be have to be engineered(unless your in the know)

[rodent]

3. Yes because it's over 25/30 years old you can leave it LHD. But there are some dumb rules in VIC for that, such as a large sticker on your back window :p There is a thread about is somewhere else on here.


Steve, the "left hand drive " bs is only for cars on a permit and the writing must be 75mm high. For fully rego'd you need nothing

cheers
Jim

[cluxford]

I recently did and went thru most of this....my car landed in Feb 07.

1. What are the associated costs with importing this car?

I use Auto Ezy Search in Bayswater. They charge $3000 + GST ...... that's it and that includes everything, all paperwork, titles, import stuff etc.....

2. Is it necessary to register the car as soon as it's imported (at the moment it's a non-roadworthy project)?

nope, mine probably won't be registered till early 2009

3. Can this car be left as LHD?

Sure can. Some of us are converting to RHD but you can fully register on LHD without any issues, you do need to add some things like retractable seats belts and stuff but nothing major

4. Can the '68 be registered with a 454 from a '90s truck?

Yes, they came standard with a big block and as such can legally be registered with a big block. I'm gunna run a 632 tall deck, and have been told will have no issues being registered by an engineer

Good luck.

[69coupe]

Do you have to run a LEFT HAND DRIVE sign in Vic :confused:

[EAT-30T]

Do you have to run a LEFT HAND DRIVE sign in Vic :confused:

I don't think so.... only on a newer vehicle with a special HD permit I'd say as you don't have to in NSW... I could be wrong though :confused:

[rodent]

Do you have to run a LEFT HAND DRIVE sign in Vic :confused:

On full reg..no....only on a permit.

[69coupe]

On full reg..no....only on a permit.

What about CH plates ? Seen several driving around without a sign

[rodent]

No idea about club reg :(

[RSZ28]

Hi Guys, I am new here but not new to great cars with the right number of cylinders. Wanted to let you know I have used a service in the US out of Los Angeles very successfully. Thought this might be of value for people looking for US cars etc...

LA Car Locators. Call Norm on 0011-1-310-7225530.

Norm is an Australian, also a car nut, restorer etc., so he understands what to look for in cars to get through the "mutton dressed up as lamb" look. This guy must be on the go 24 hours a day checking out cars etc. He does assessments, take pix, helps negotiate. To quote "Men At Work" .... He "speaks our language".

He works with Montana Exports who run a full service packing, loading and shipping company (again an ex Aussie), who have been doing this for 20 years or so and ship hundreds and hundreds of containers a year and run a fully audited loading process taking pix the whole way, understand cars and how to load them not to get damaged or crushed. They also go that extra mile when things get complicated. As well as US Muscle they do motorhomes, bikes, drag cars, boats, the works. Cant beat that.

Also very important to have someone locally in Australia that can handle the importation end for Australia, to get your eagerly awaited car off the docks, through Oz customs, the quarantine guys, to you...otherwise you might get into a lot more $$$ than you expected.

i.e. people like Graham Shiell in SA (American Muscle Cars), Mick Donaher (US Musclecars) in NSW, Auto Ezy in Melbourne, Roly Leahy in QLD. These guys know their stuff and are worth the money.

There are lots of traps for young players in this business, so an extra $500 or $1000 may save thousands later. These guys can consolidate which could save $2000+ in clearance fees.

Trust this helps.

Z

[EAT-30T]

Thanks for posting that.... I have also heard Montana exports are good... may have to contact these guys when my Pro Touring is ready to come down!


kurt

[SirGeo]

Thanks for that info, im sure it will be of use to us all :D

And welcome ;)

Steve.

[skywalker]

can anyone list any other agents in melb to help me out, luke