Importing a Cosworth to Perth

skinkis · 14-05-2009, 09:06 PM

Hi!
I recently moved to Perth from Sweden.
Back home, I´ve got a -86 RS Cosworth. I was planning to bring it over in a couple of months, but before I do that I figured I might as well ask you guys for tips etc.

I´ve seen left hand drive cars here before, so I´m guessing that it shouldn´t be a problem, but the car is "lightly" modified... Will this cause any problems when I take it to the pits for a registration?

Has anyone here imported a car and knows what type of documents I might need?

I´m posting some photos of the mods as well...

Thanks!
/Hampus

TITO · 14-05-2009, 09:22 PM

You need ... chalker.com.au

skinkis · 14-05-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TITO

You need ... chalker.com.au

I actually emailed them in December just before I moved and got the reply: "hi mate no lhd cosworth allowed
in sorry"

I replyed again, but didn´t get an answer so I left the car behind, but I still want it over here...

I´ve seen other lhd cars here, so why wouldn´t a lhd cossie be ok?!

bodes-sh · 14-05-2009, 09:56 PM

from what i have been told, lhd cars can be registered in wa without having to convert to rhd any more. i don't see any reason why you couldn't bring it here. give dpi a call, have a look at www.dpi.wa.gov.au for info and numbers and tell them the mods of it and what the deal is. you may have to fill out some paperwork and get the car engineered before you put it over the pits. good luck and i hope it all goes well

skinkis · 15-05-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodes-sh

from what i have been told, lhd cars can be registered in wa without having to convert to rhd any more. i don't see any reason why you couldn't bring it here. give dpi a call, have a look at www.dpi.wa.gov.au for info and numbers and tell them the mods of it and what the deal is. you may have to fill out some paperwork and get the car engineered before you put it over the pits. good luck and i hope it all goes well

Now, that´s what I want to hear!! Thanks!!

RSgerry · 15-05-2009, 09:33 PM

speak to Rolly Waters at Racetune. Rolly has imported a ffew cars in his time and really knows his way around a cossie. Tell him Gerard recommended you. He is in Bayswater WA.

skinkis · 15-05-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSgerry

speak to Rolly Waters at Racetune. Rolly has imported a ffew cars in his time and really knows his way around a cossie. Tell him Gerard recommended you. He is in Bayswater WA.

I´ll do that. Thanks!
Is it legal to have a rollcage installed on a "streetcar" in WA, or would there be some kind of restrictions?

There´s alot of new rules and regulations that I´m not used to in this country!

EDIT>> They wouldn´t happen to have a webpage or anything like that? I´ve googled it, but didn´t find anything...

braddyxe51 · 15-05-2009, 11:16 PM

You can have a half cage with no rear seat. Looking at you picks I wouldsay no to your cage and ya will need a cover over timing belt on engine too. LHD should be ok.

skinkis · 16-05-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braddyxe51

You can have a half cage with no rear seat. Looking at you picks I wouldsay no to your cage and ya will need a cover over timing belt on engine too. LHD should be ok.

That could be a problem.. the cage is a 8-point welded cage... It´s not going to be easy to get that one out..
Cover over timing belt isnt a problem... Got it lying around somewhere...

cortina-mk1 · 16-05-2009, 06:28 PM

you wont be able to get compliance on it

thats why they said wont be let in

skinkis · 16-05-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cortina-mk1

you wont be able to get compliance on it

thats why they said wont be let in

Is that because of the cage, or something else?

bodes-sh · 16-05-2009, 09:09 PM

have a read through http://dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/yourvehicle/1417.asp
and http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...les/index.aspx
and http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...ion/index.aspx
those are what it has to comply to, to be let in i guess...

should keep you reading for a while, and good luck

ClevoCapri · 18-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Thats an awsome looking cossie mate! I had a saph cossie for a few years.
Looking at the pics I think your issues will be cage, seats, steering wheel and LHD.
The interior isnt a real isue cause its not hard to chop a cage out. We have a few good workshops in perth for cages and cosworths. If you find the LHD isnt a problem I can give the name of an engineer to get all the mods approved.

CheeRS

Brett

ClevoCapri · 18-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Or bring it over as a race only vehicle. Then buy another white 3 door and swap the good gear over!

skinkis · 19-05-2009, 10:10 PM

I took me 2 and a half years to build the car... I´m not really keen on chopping out the cage.. I´ve still got the original steeringwheel and seats, so they will be installed before I take it over the pits. LHD should, from what I´ve read, be ok in WA.

I´m guessing that a "race only vehicle" is not permitted on the road? Wouldn´t that make it worth less money compared if I could get it registered for the roads?

ClevoCapri · 22-05-2009, 12:05 PM

Yes. If you can get full rego do it. Even if its more hassle it will be well worth it. The cage will definately be an issue for rego. I have recently had a four point cage with a removeable side intrusion bar rego'd for the capri. Durring the process I was told by my engineer and the "technical section" of the transport department that any cage that comes forward of the B pillar will not be permitted. They suggested a bolt in front section. Even with my four point cage I had to remove the rear seats and seat belts.

I hope you get it over. I would love to check it out!

Brett

jon rothwell · 23-05-2009, 11:55 AM

Importing a car into Australia is quite complex, I went through this a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if the regs have changed since then.

Firstly check with Federal Customs. When I did it you had to get a Federal permit to import the vehicle into the country BEFORE putting it on a ship. Not doing so meant that the vehicle would be impounded and not allowed in. I had to supply the full details of the car to get the permit and then ship the vehicle to Fremantle. If you have purchased the vehicle to import various fees and taxes apply.

Having imported the vehicle you then need to get it registered in WA, vehicles under a certain age will need to be complianced and then inspected. I can't remember the age limit off hand, but if your car is a 1986 you may not need a full compliance. Check with the WA dept of Transport for details.

There was? is? a loophole though. I don't know if this still applies so you will need to check at both the state and federal level.
If you have owned and used the car for 12 months in your country of origin and are moving or returning to Australia you didn't need to compliance the car and I think the import taxes etc are lower as well. This would pretty much solve you problem if you are moving here and have proof of ownership and use.

As I said though you need to check all this out BEFORE making any move to ship the vehicle.

I have three imported cars and none are complianced. My most recent buy is a 92 Granada Scorpio Cosworth whic was bought in recenly by it's UK owner when he moved here, it didn't need compliance as it was his personal vehicle.

There is quite a lot to it but it's not impossible. And last time I checked it is no problem registering a LHD Vehicle (over a certain age or if a personal import) in WA and NT but not in some other states.

Hope this helps.

skinkis · 23-05-2009, 04:18 PM

That was some useful and happy news =)
I´ve read about the whole 12months owner thingy, and it shouldn´t be a problem. however, I also read somewhere that if I´m not an Australian citizen (which I´m not) I´ll have to convert it to RHD after 6 month´s?!?! My plan was basically to "sell" the car to my sister, the problem then being that she hasn´t owned it for a year...

Could someone please tell me that I´ve missinterpreted the text about non-australian citizens?? (fingers crossed)

jon rothwell · 23-05-2009, 07:52 PM

I've never heard of that rule. No-one becomes an Austrailan citizen at once so it seems odd to me.

It may only apply to a car that must be complied because it is not old enough to be exempt. It sounds like a state rather than a federal rule so if I was you I'd start by talking to the WA motor vehicle department.

Australia has lots of funny state and federal rules and it can be a real nightmare sorting out what you need to do. My advice is to speak to everyone you can and for anything you need to do get it in writing from the department concerned and keep a good paper trail.

Good luck, lots of people do import cars, and I have owned at least two dozen non complied imported vehicles so it is possible to do.

I can put you in touch with a guy who brings cars in every now and then if you like, just PM me and I'll give you his contact details.

Jon

irpacaus · 03-06-2009, 11:43 PM

I am looking into bringing a car (Aston martin db9) home with me when I move back form teh UK. but I was looking into the rules about it an I thought you could bring a car in as a personal import if you have owned it for more than 12 months before it leaves form teh original country. But I think the rules were that you had to be an Australian Citezen or that you were moving to Australia on some sort of Migration Visa not just a working holiday or visitor visa.

I do not know anything about eh LHD rules though.

David

Engine Guy · 04-06-2009, 07:57 PM

Importing any vehicle (to be used on public roads) into Australia will mean that DOTARS will impose import taxes, other Federal and State depts will also have fees, duties etc etc that will need to be paid...

In summary... there will be import tax based on it's retail value (In Australia) there will also be Luxury car taxes...then expect to pay Stamp Duty and vehicle inspection(s) when registering - even though you have already owned and driven the vehicle in another country for at least 12 months...

Factor in the cost of containerised shipping and insuring the vehicle too !

I say this from experience...I've personally imported a car (from the UK) and until the car actually gets to Australia - no one will tell you what fees will be payable!!

As a guide...lets say a similar car is $150,000 in Australia, your personal import will attract approx 40% in taxes, duties etc etc...(expectt $60K)

Good luck....
Engine Guy

ossie cossie · 04-06-2009, 09:59 PM

skinkis i have an escort rs cosworth and live in Perth, mine has been here from new here is a pic of it.

The wheels have been photoshopped on to it (getting them soon) at the moment it is still on the standard wheels.

BA SR FALCON · 28-01-2010, 08:03 AM

Is that licenced in WA ? how hard was it ? i have a 1959 escort van full custom and would love that moter and box in it ... do u know of any over hear.. Cheers... Great pic's too

skinkis · 28-01-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA SR FALCON

Is that licenced in WA ? how hard was it ? i have a 1959 escort van full custom and would love that moter and box in it ... do u know of any over hear.. Cheers... Great pic's too

If you´re talking about my bronze-coloured Cossie, then no, it isn´t licensed in WA yet, haven´t owned it for a year yet so haven´t tried to import it as a personal import, but I´ll look into it in June/July...

skinkis · 01-08-2009, 02:57 PM

I went home for a couple of weeks this winter.
Ended up selling the car and bought a new one.

It´s a 4x4 Sierra Cosworth.
It produces around 650Hp, runs on E85 and has done the 1/4-mile in 10,94 @ 218km/h. best topspeed, 221,95km/h

Awesome machine!

paul w · 17-01-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinkis

I went home for a couple of weeks this winter.
Ended up selling the car and bought a new one.

It´s a 4x4 Sierra Cosworth.
It produces around 650Hp, runs on E85 and has done the 1/4-mile in 10,94 @ 218km/h. best topspeed, 221,95km/h

Awesome machine!

Very nice & well worth bringing in, I have a slightly modified 2WD Cossie Sapphire & its a buzz to drive so this must be awsome a bit like Rod Tarry's

ClevoCapri · 02-08-2009, 12:44 PM

Very nice! Are you bringing it to Perth?
Love the saph's!

skinkis · 02-08-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevoCapri

Very nice! Are you bringing it to Perth?
Love the saph's!

Well, that´s the plan, but it´s too early to make any promises...
I´ll have to own it for at least a year before I can bring it in as a personal import... What was the year-limit again? It had to be 15 years or older wasn´t it? (it´s a 1992 model)

LINC · 13-01-2010, 11:44 AM

AWESOME.

Would love to see it!

capri280 · 16-01-2010, 09:22 PM

I've just finished with importing and registering my capri280 in queensland.
importing it was easier if it was before 1989, and that got me out of having to own it for 12 months.
also on that rule you must have owned it and registered it for at least the previous 12 months (not just owned it)
biggest nightmare i found was getting it compliant!

:
no-one from the transport place can tell you anything usefull,