Info on importing cars under pre-1989 rules.

[ariddell]

It has been asked a couple of times recently what level of modification would stop a car being imported under the pre-1989 import category.

Found this powerpoint presentation that might be of use to anyone looking at going down that path.

http://www.aomc.asn.au/customs10.ppt

Cheers,

Al

[Google [bot]]

It's sad that this got a giggle out of me. It seems so ridiculous that they would allow that here that it is comical. I never used to think like that...
Funnier still that it is under the title 'How can we tell if a vehicle has been modified':

[Google [bot]]

Also, thanks for the info. Will be invaluable for when I look to bring an 80s 911 over (my long term hope and something I've scratched the surface of looking into).

[ariddell]

Yeah, came across to me as if the modification rules are pretty much soley designed to stop people bringing in hot rods, potentially to protect the not insubstancial number of businesses around that make a living from doing hot rod conversions over here.....

Nice to see a proper bit of info put out by customs clarifying what they mean though, and yeah there should be no issue bringing in any nice pre-1989 metal with the usual performance and handling mods so long as it has not had its entire body and driveline swapped out in hot rod style or had an LS1 conversion etc.

[deviant]

I think the real problem would have been people bringing cars in that were not what they said they are. That hot rod up there is probably still considered a 1931 Model A in some parts of the world so that is what people would have been writing on their import application and sneaking them past the system.

[MudGuts]

Your right Deviant, I think a lot to do with this is to clarify the age of a vehicle, The Theseus Paradox. Boyd Coddington got in trouble with this. Its having a 32 Ford built a month ago using all reproduction parts a big V8 and expecting it to be treated as a 32, no ADRs and less import charges for a new car. Its a bit like the Q Plate system in the UK, different parts of a vehicle are awarded points and a total must be achieved to get age related plates otherwise is a Q plate. I intend importing a car soon, a 1972 but Im safe its stock.