Importing Replicas into Australia

[Vinnie]

I was wondering whether anyone out there based in Australia has imported a Stratos Replica into Australia, i.e. one that is finished and registered OS?
Usually when a privately imported car comes to Australia there is all sorts of information on the suitability of the car for Australian Design Rules, but if it is basically a kit car does the Australian Government turn a blind eye?
Many thanks to anyone that can give some informed opinion.

[mogul_x]

Stephen,

A fellow named John Duffin is in the process of relocating from the UK to Oz, and is importing his Stratos replica and an X1/9 in the near future. Perhaps he could provide some information regarding the particulars of bringing in a competed kit car?

I don't have any contact information for John, but maybe you could contact him through the Stratos Supersite. Here's a link to the relevant thread:

http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7573

John's Member ID is "TheFlagBearer"

Best regards,

Scott

[ecohen2]

There was a beautiful Stratos kit car in Australia on ebay yesterday... Not sure if its still listed, but the bid was at 10k....


found it, but I was wrong, South Africa, not Australia...: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lancia-Stratos-replica-Stratos-Lancia-stratos-cae-replica-alitalia_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45ef0c3253QQit emZ300363297363QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#ht_500wt_95 2

[Vinnie]

Ed,
It was after spotting this eBay listing that I thought I would ask what was involved in getting one out to Australia.
It is such a drawn out process gaining approval from the Australian Government to bring anything in that it isn't worthwhile placing a bid, but it would be nice to know the answer for future reference.
The good thing about the South African car is they have the steering wheel on the right side of the car for Australia!

[Dave Simons]

Vinnie, the answer to the importation question isn't very straight forward. There are 2 stages; getting an import permit and getting it registered in your state. The import permit comes from the Federal Office of Road Safety (or did, I'm a bit out of touch these days) - check their website or call them in Can'tberra. For local rego, check with the state authority. In NSW, unless you've owned the car for some time overseas (in which case it is considered to be personal property), it will probably be classed as an Individually Constructed Vehicle - which for a Stratos means it won't comply, so no go.

There will be a Stratos replica for sale in NSW soon, owned by a mate. This isn't the average replica, as it uses a lot of Stratos parts and has a Dino 246 engine, maybe ex Stratos, maybe ex Ferrari. It won't be cheap!

One of those SA Alfa powered replicas would sure make a great trackday car though!

PM me for the contact, if interested.

[AlastairBrowne]

There is only one way around all the rules that I can find and that is to declare it as a Race Car. You will never be able to use it on the road after that until it is 30 years old and then on 'club' plates with all the rules that come with those.

There are still astronomical costs involved. I have just imported a Lancia and it cost over $3000 from the day it landed to get it to me in Sydney. These are all non recoverable and mostly government charges.

Putting the car straight on to club plates negates sales tax

Hope this helps

Alastair