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Question: Importing Lhd 30+ Year Old Car Ie: 240Z/260Z

Yo-Yo
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Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

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Hi guys I'm in the market for a 240/260z datto & none of the local options are grabbing me right now.

I've been reading up a little bit on the pre-89 option for importing a vehicle

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/import_options/pre1989scheme.aspx

but I still had a few questions if anyone can answer or at least point me in the right direction please :).

I assume there is no issue with importing a 30+ year old LHD car for regular NSW road use under the pre-89 option?

What if the vehicle has a different engine not factory standard ie; RB26 conversion etc.

Anything else I should keep my eye on in regards to modifications, suspension exhaust etc that would cause me issues at compliance?

I have linked an example of an LHD 240z I've seen on japan auctions, me personally I don't mind LHD or RHD I've had plenty of experience driving both. Cheers

http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g136808473

kakimoto33 Rising Star

kakimoto33

Posted
Posted

Pre-1989 import cars are supposed to be original or near original, certainly not modified with parts which are newer than 1988 model, so an RB26 engine would most likely cause an issue with the import approval application if it was spotted and could also be trouble for getting the car road registered also ... the good news is that the LHD part would be no trouble at all.

BigWillieStyles Enthusiast

BigWillieStyles

Posted
Posted

Remember you will want to register it in your state, and you want to make sure any mods arent going to cause issues with roadworthiness.

Personally, Im not a fan of the LHD. I also think it would sit as well as an investment which is part of the reason why the blue one you posted is so reasonably priced. Prices for these cars in Japan are crazy at the moment. Probably get better value for money in Aus.

Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

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Cheers for the input.

I know LHD won't be as desirable in Aus but I've always had my eye on 240/260z, my neighbour growing up used to own a green 240z & I've loved them ever since I was a little kid so the one I buy I'll pretty much keep for as long as possible.

I've had plenty of time driving LHD but I've never driven LHD in an RHD country, that would take a bit of getting used to I think.

The only 240z that seem to pop up are club or historic rego'd, very rare to see a clean road rego'd example & they are often snapped up straight away. All the 260z's on gumtree/ebay/carsales seem to be the 2+2 which I'm not a fan of.

  • 1 month later...
Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

Posted
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Posted

So I was successful in an auction for a japanese model with the help of kakimoto33 :). I'm currently waiting on import approval before the importer will ship to aus for me.

I have a question for anyone who has imported to NSW.

Would an Unregistered Vehicle Permit be the way to go once it's landed here? http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/unregisteredvehicles/uvp.html

apparently it covers usage on the road for up to 28 days which should give me plenty of time to get the car registered. $21 for the permit + whatever the CTP premium would amount to.

I was thinking this option would let me drive it home then to the workshop etc as I can really only get things done on the weekend

As the car is being imported via the pre-1989 option & it's a 1976 model I think I only need an engineer's report to say it meets the ADR rules of the period? Other than that a blue-slip & then I can rego right?

Thanks in advance

  • 2 weeks later...
Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

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omg! Perfect car & track

I had grand plans on dropping in an RB26/30 but I think I'll stick to an L-series motor like an L28 stroked to 3.1L etc.

Nothing beats that engine note!

I'm definitely getting fender mirrors :yes:

Pezhead Grand Master

Pezhead

Posted
Posted

Here's some more to get your heart going. I had done some research and this car is owned by the Greg Scott of Scott Performance, a California based shop specialising in Z cars. He had a "fancy" for the British racing green.

I believe that my car was originally built by him/that shop in the late 70's - an era before CNC machining and aircraft alum everything. Just pure old school goodness. Shame I don't have any sound of the original engine with lopy race camshaft, 8lb flywheel, extractors and straight zorst. You would have loved it!

Anyways, he's retired now but built himself a '70 240z to play at the track.

  • 4 weeks later...
Pezhead Grand Master

Pezhead

Posted
Posted

Phil, if you are going to keep the L24/26/28 this is the first vid I've seen with a nice after market fuel injection option. Back in the US I've driven 280zx FI and it had a 1/2 second throttle delay. Not sure why, prob just old first gen FI crap.

Nice throttle response on this one. Also, the old L motors love a light flywheel. Brother's car had an 8lb flywheel back in the day. Rev'd like a mofo!

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Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey Eric I've seen that vid & still gobsmacked at the condition of that beast, I might have to take out a 3rd mortgage to get mine up to that spec hahah!

My car is only an L20a but it's got factory efi running gear for emissions, would probably be one of the first efi setups they'd have implemented. Currently looking around for parts for an L28 build but I want to do all the supporting stuff first ie suspension, brakes & diff before contemplating an engine & tranny swap

here's a quick vid I posted up on youtube to show the z forum guys

It runs really smooth after I put fresh fuel, spark plugs and oil, I think I really lucked out on the condition it was in as it only has a tiny bit of surface rust & all the electrics work beside a dodgy indicator stalk but that's an easy fix, just some fresh solder on the joint will fix it up

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