Cheaper to restore in NZ or UK?
Discussion
I'm potentially moving from the UK to Nelson in the next 4-5 months and would like to bring my classics with me (VW beetle, MG Midget and Lambretta scooter). However whilst the Lambretta is in very good condition and the MG midget is running, the Beetle is in pieces and in need of bodywork (life took over). Are rates for mechanics/ costs of restoration significantly cheaper in NZ? Would there be issues importing a rusty restoration project into NZ (i.e. unlikely to pass a WOF straight away?
My other thought is to restore the beetle to the point it can be rolled again (bodywork fixed and painted, glass in and wheels back on as a minimum) in the UK then ship it.
I know none of the vehicles, apart from the Lambretta is financially worth it, but I'm too attached to them to consider getting rid!
My other thought is to restore the beetle to the point it can be rolled again (bodywork fixed and painted, glass in and wheels back on as a minimum) in the UK then ship it.
I know none of the vehicles, apart from the Lambretta is financially worth it, but I'm too attached to them to consider getting rid!
Rust will be an issue and then the cars will need certification and bringing up to current spec, ie high level brake lights etc.
I’m sure someone knowing more will be along soon but the gist of it can be found here
https://easyfreight.co.nz/blog/car-import-and-cost...
I’m sure someone knowing more will be along soon but the gist of it can be found here
https://easyfreight.co.nz/blog/car-import-and-cost...
Heres a 67 MG midget for $15-17k, in nelson.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mg/auct...
is it worth bring over a 'runner' ?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mg/auct...
is it worth bring over a 'runner' ?
Thanks - from the sounds of things its probably worth getting the restoration done to a degree in the UK and then bringing them over. I may enquire as to the cost of getting the Beetle to a standard where it has been repainted but not completed and can be rolled into a container. Neither are worth bringing in financial terms. Indeed neither are strictly worth restoring. Now to find somewhere to keep them until I can bring them over.
It would likely be cheaper in NZ, especially outside the main centres. There a quite a few business scattered around the country that do a fair bit of work with vehicles being shipped from the US, Japan and Europe for restoration, then shipped back.
BTW, if it's rusty, don't bother.
Plus it will be much easier with the repair inspections, getting it certified and eventually registered here. They are much stricter with regards to rust, body/chassis repairs. Plus, from what little I have seen (and I accept this may be a bit contentious!) the quality of the work is generally better. Unless the Midget is something really special, it's probably not worth the cost or hassle. Ones here will likely be in much better condition body-wise.
Rust will cause you problems.
The smallest things can cause quite a degree of aggravation, as I found with my A310. The container was dropped which damaged the front and rear of the car. When the inspector examined the car, they found some surface rust on the backbone chassis, which required a more detailed look, which eventually led to a body-off restoration.... Then the fun of registering the first one of its kind in the country from a small volume French manufacturer that at the time didn't exist (and the fun of trying to find someone in France at the start of August!).
On the plus side, they missed requiring it to have a high level centre brake light when it was certified, so now I'll never have to work out where to fit one :-)
Some fabulous driving roads down there, and up in the NW corner, the roads are not over run with tourist vehicles.
BTW, if it's rusty, don't bother.
Plus it will be much easier with the repair inspections, getting it certified and eventually registered here. They are much stricter with regards to rust, body/chassis repairs. Plus, from what little I have seen (and I accept this may be a bit contentious!) the quality of the work is generally better. Unless the Midget is something really special, it's probably not worth the cost or hassle. Ones here will likely be in much better condition body-wise.
Rust will cause you problems.
The smallest things can cause quite a degree of aggravation, as I found with my A310. The container was dropped which damaged the front and rear of the car. When the inspector examined the car, they found some surface rust on the backbone chassis, which required a more detailed look, which eventually led to a body-off restoration.... Then the fun of registering the first one of its kind in the country from a small volume French manufacturer that at the time didn't exist (and the fun of trying to find someone in France at the start of August!).
On the plus side, they missed requiring it to have a high level centre brake light when it was certified, so now I'll never have to work out where to fit one :-)
Some fabulous driving roads down there, and up in the NW corner, the roads are not over run with tourist vehicles.
Looking at the rules, the vehicle has to be almost perfect to come in - even a little surface rust appears to be an issue. The Lambretta only needs a tiny bit of fixing (surface rust on the exhaust and slightly surface marked crome on the kick start and rear brake pedal), both of these I'll get fixed and crate the Lambretta up to bring with me. The other cars will have their bodywork restored in a couple of years time and then be shipped - assuming I can rent my house out without renting my garage so that I can keep the midget and beetle there.
I realise none of this makes financial sense, but I cant imagine selling any of them!
I realise none of this makes financial sense, but I cant imagine selling any of them!
The things we love rarely make financial sense ;-)
If you do eventually go ahead with restoring the cars with the intention of bringing them to NZ, make sure you comprehensively document and photograph the restoration from start to finish. Talk to some restorers here in NZ, understand what areas need careful attention, and note anything that may not be acceptable to the certifiers here.
Good luck with the move.
If you do eventually go ahead with restoring the cars with the intention of bringing them to NZ, make sure you comprehensively document and photograph the restoration from start to finish. Talk to some restorers here in NZ, understand what areas need careful attention, and note anything that may not be acceptable to the certifiers here.
Good luck with the move.
I made the sad decision to sell the cars - the Midget is now gone and I need to list the VW. I'll bring the Lambretta as its in great condition (though from the sound of things it may still cost money to certify). I'll put money aside and buy a VW Type 2 - that'll tick the boxes of a classic and a campervan with which to explore in.
TV200 said:
I made the sad decision to sell the cars - the Midget is now gone and I need to list the VW. I'll bring the Lambretta as its in great condition (though from the sound of things it may still cost money to certify). I'll put money aside and buy a VW Type 2 - that'll tick the boxes of a classic and a campervan with which to explore in.
Probably sensible in reality. Here’s what you need and already in Nelson. https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/volkswa...
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