| Author | Message | ||
     Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2008 |
After running the Spur for nearly 2 years now I can't help but desire to get my hands on another car. I noticed that is simple to import pre 1989 cars and I had my eye on a couple of Corniche's and Continentals as well as a particularly nice 1985 Camargue. Any known pitfalls in bringing in a 1985-88 era car from the UK? | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 960 Registered: 4-2003 |
One word especially if the car spent time in the North of England like DRH14434 - rust...... | ||
| Craig Knight Experienced User Username: grum_ck Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2007 |
In another word… Tax. Avoid the cheap ones (likely neglected), and as always, get an inspection. Then you face the Government tax scam/scheme. Add 10% import duty, then apply 10%GST to the total cost. Then add 33% to any amount over $57180 of that total. Then pay stamp duty on the total to get it on the road… With the current exchange rate, it might almost be worth it (financially). But you should get a greater selection of cars to choose from in the UK, which is probably the big advantage. Cheers, Craig. | ||
| Brian Crump Frequent User Username: brian_crump Post Number: 76 Registered: 2-2007 |
It would perhaps be a sound idea to check with Customs and DOTAR on the actual costs of importing, Paul. I am aware of people who have imported cars without having been levied all the charges that Craig lists - not all of these charges may be applicable. It may not be cheap but it may be a successful way of obtaining what you want. Regards, Brian Crump | ||
| Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2008 |
Yeah the other option I have to to find a Turbo R/RL/RT to buy here but there is very few 1996-98 cars here to choose from. I've got my eye on a 1989 Continental convertible from the UK with 42k miles that is in excellent condition with 2 owners and FSH that I believe I can have landed here for about $70k which is a significant discount. | ||
| Michel Malik Experienced User Username: michel Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2008 |
An 89 Continental convertible sounds nice. What colour combination would that be? | ||
| Mark Taxis Experienced User Username: mark_taxis Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2007 |
I strongly urge you to contact a customs agent that specialises in importing cars, they will be able to give you all the info | ||
| Paul Humpage Yet to post message Username: paul_humpage Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2010 |
You won't be able to import a 1989 Corniche i'm afraid as the cut off date for vehicle importation is the 1st of january 1989 which means a 1988 build. http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx | ||
| Craig Knight Experienced User Username: grum_ck Post Number: 27 Registered: 9-2007 |
The unrestricted age that people refer to as 1989, is actually: “You can import any vehicle manufactured before 1 January 1989 without restriction” So it needs to be an ’88 car or earlier. This is worth a read: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/index.aspx | ||
| Craig Knight Experienced User Username: grum_ck Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2007 |
… or what Paul just said :-) | ||
| Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2008 |
1989 model year cars are manufactured from August the previous year onwards. And I'm not worried about the importation process at all having imported quite a few cars over the years through a friend of mine who does it for a business. The Continental is Brewster Green with a green roof and magnolia leather. Looks stunning but I'll wait on the test results before going any further. It seems rust is a major issue with all these cars. The only reason I'm even thinking of importing a car is that #1 Its cheaper and #2 there just are not the cars here. I'd certainly prefer to buy one here but there is not much about. | ||
| Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2008 |
I'm becoming very partial to this car ....     | ||
| David Towers Yet to post message Username: xtriple Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2010 |
That is such a pretty car. I wish one would fit in my garage. | ||
| Brian Crump Frequent User Username: brian_crump Post Number: 77 Registered: 2-2007 |
One of my favourite colour combinations. If the passion is there, then it could well be the car for you!! Regards, Brian | ||
| Mark Taxis Experienced User Username: mark_taxis Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2007 |
It looks stunning! | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 961 Registered: 4-2003 |
If the mechanicals are half-way decent; go for it. Just make sure you have some spare funds to cover repairs which will arise in the first year of ownership. Just drive it regularly for long distances in the first month or two to reveal any problems. Certainly a magnificent looking example and one to be proud of. | ||
| Michel Malik Experienced User Username: michel Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2008 |
I am not a green colour person, but this Continental does look stunning! | ||
| James Feller Prolific User Username: james_feller Post Number: 149 Registered: 5-2008 |
I have one word... FABULOUS!!! The most appealing colour combo I reckon. One thing though, look at the rear wheel and it's relationship to the rear wheel arch?? does anyone else think its too far forward? also it looks a bit high in the arse??? maybe its the photo. Also note it has the Turbo R Alloys instead of the smaller Mulsanne ones it would have had originally. I am being picky I know.... I'm just jealous as I covet these models soooo badly it hurts. Also and I maybe wrong on this but no chrome finisher along the door line??? was this only on the Corniche? Good Luck and I hope it all works out and you get it!!!! J | ||
| Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2008 |
Original wheels James ...from 1984 the Conti had the alloys. Its the slope of the land where the picture was taken that makes it look high in the rear. The preliminary report is showing it to be excellent. | ||
| Kevin Lagden Experienced User Username: kevin Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2009 |
So did you buy it? | ||
| Peter Talbot New User Username: squerryes Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2010 |
I've been looking for a really good Camargue in the UK for the last couple of years but to no avail. Mechanics can be sorted, the problem is the body shell rust. In the UK, replacement wings (which tend to go first) are just not available so major 1 off custom fabricate cost. Looked at one last month - passenger door dented beyond repair, located a new unpainted replacement (wait for it !!) at supply only cost of £4K, fitting etc. extra. Great design, very desirable, but really expensive to restore to show condition. Peter | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 2173 Registered: 4-2003 |
Peter, I noted this a few years ago, but it is worth repeating. I purchased a set of eight repair sections, four wings and four sill sections, from a UK major for a friend’s rusty Turbo R wings in Switzerland. The repair shop had one look at them and scrapped them in favour of starting from scratch. The steel was thin and of poor quality. The shape was only fair, and was clearly made to patch over the rotten panel then to have the edges bogged smooth. He said that, to do a proper job, there would have been more work in making the sections fit than starting from scratch as he did. Instead, he made up new sections and MIG welded them flat to the cut out edges to provide a proper job without wholesale filling. The shop proved that the preformed sections are in most cases more expensive and inferior. In Canberra, there is a certain body restoration shop specialising in a German sports car brand, mainly doing ground-up body restorations. Contrary to common belief, those cars rust at a rate which would alarm any Crewe owner: not as fast as an Alfasud, but not too far behind until zinc coating was introduced to improve the matter a little in the 1980s. The shop has done some extensive work on a few Crewe cars also. At that shop, they remanufacture any body shell or panel section to pattern rather than buying preformed sections too. Door skins are not such a big deal either, especially when they are of aluminium. It seems that the best workmen do not rely on sections off-the-shelf. In that sense, a rescuable Camargue would present no greater problem to repair than a similarly neglected standard steel saloon. A regular panel shop cannot do this type of work of course. RT. | ||
| Paul Pope Experienced User Username: drpopper Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2008 |
Just a update I'm negotiating for the car and it does need some remedial work for fairly minor rust issues. In light of whats being discussed I'm going to have to take a very close look at my budget. |
