import question

[cupraglasgow]

Been looking into importing a car to Perth, but customs info states that you must own the car for a at least 12 months are there any exceptions to this like older cars/classics or a way round that. Ment to be moving in 6 months and currently have a subaru so no point taking that to OZ but was thinking a mk II golf or Carrado

[Todzilla]

If it's Pre-1989 it's an easy thing to do. So an early Corrado is a possibility and so is the Golf.

Don't know if it's worthwhile taking the golf though, there's probably plenty of them around out there already...

Another thing to consider is the cost - i'm taking my Lincoln out in a few months and it's gonna coast about £3k all up (in a container admittedly, Ro-Ro would be a bit cheaper), which after a quick search, is roughly three times the value of an '88 Corrado.

[cupraglasgow]

So i can buy a Corrado which is pre 89 and dont need to own it for any length of time, was thinking cheapest shipping option, which is around a 1k not in a container plus import taxes and the like. there is only a few Corrados in OZ and the golf option is due to the demand for 3 dr mk II as there is even less of them in OZ. Seen one Corrado on ebay.au for $14k and previous ones on aussie vw forums for silly money ($22k) so the idea was to get a good one for £2-3k plus import costs use for a bit then make a few dollars on the sale.

[Todzilla]

Yeah, as long as it's built before october 1989 (I think it's October...) it's a simple import. There's loads of other posts on here that'll point you to the correct place on the Australian Govt website for the correct documentation, it'll take a couple of months and cost you $50.

I didn't realise the values in Oz for the cars - sounds a lot more do-able.

[vetrof]

Todzilla said:

Yeah, as long as it's built before october 1989 (I think it's October...)

Not true, manufactured before 1st Jan 1989. But I think it needs to have been driven from the manufacturing pland before 1/1/89.

You don't need to have owned or driven it for any qualifying period. And you can import any number of cars under the pre 89 scheme.

Useful document http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_reg...

[Google [bot]]

Imports under the pre-89 rule require pre-approval - that is you have to send all details of the car, invoice etc to the pen-pushers and await their nod. There is currently I believe a 3-4 month backlog.

Happy to be corrected.

[Google [bot]]

cupraglasgow said:

Seen one Corrado on ebay.au for $14k and previous ones on aussie vw forums for silly money ($22k) so the idea was to get a good one for £2-3k plus import costs use for a bit then make a few dollars on the sale.

Nice idea but bear in mind cars are only worth what someone is willing to pay. You have a very small market to target, and combined with no real price guide to go on vendors tend to price their cars speculatively. There are TVRs around for sale at silly prices that have been for sale for a year or more.

The Corrado is a little easier, parts readily available etc, but you're pretty much restricted to the VW forum types.

[Google [bot]]

cupraglasgow said:

cheapest shipping option

I don't know what the cheapest shipping option is, but some years back someone I know shipped a car over on the exposed deck of a ship.

A few months of sea air/water can do wonders.

[Pommygranite]

Make sure it has aircon or it might be hard to shift!

If you want to make it more worthwhile would something like an E30 M3 be viable?

[vetrof]

Google [bot] said:

Imports under the pre-89 rule require pre-approval - that is you have to send all details of the car, invoice etc to the pen-pushers and await their nod. There is currently I believe a 3-4 month backlog.

Happy to be corrected.

Can't comment on the backlog.

But good point to stress that you MUST get import approval before you ship it.


http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_reg...

[cupraglasgow]

thanks for the advice info just need to find a pre 89 Corrado now

[MudGuts]

I lodged application early November and got it late Feb, after a phone call. Also make sure the car is not all Chaved up, they are tough on modifications

[cupraglasgow]

MudGuts said:

I lodged application early November and got it late Feb, after a phone call. Also make sure the car is not all Chaved up, they are tough on modifications

Thanks i always avoid modded cars not my thing, what have you or going to import

[MudGuts]

Mine is a 1972 Lancia Fulvia Sport, hopefully sailing next weekend. If you need your car when you get there send it around 6 weeks before you arrive, mine will be siting around for 10 by the time it sails. Quoted 35 days on the water and 5 to 14 days Customs clearance. Mines a keeper, not a use and sell situation, but good luck with yours.

[julian67]

Hi

Curious to import my UK '66 Fulvia coupe (rhd).

Any idea of a good UK shipper + UK port + cost + Australian import process (Sydney / Melbourne) + cost?

Plan to explore East Australia and then hopefully sell it to a fellow Lancia enthusiast. I've already got 2 here ('68 rhd and '71 lhd)

I live in Gloucestershire.

Many thanks

Edited by julian67 on Saturday 25th November 12:59