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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Moving Down Under

Posted by: Natedog Jan 28 2005, 01:56 PM

G'day, as they say down under...

Well the wife got news this morning that she has a new job in Brisbane Australia. It's a great 3 year gig with a gov't environmental agency. Blah blah blah...

The dilema for me is whether or not to bring the 914 down?

The job will cover 5000 lbs of stuff for shipping. The 914 is about 2000 lbs (right?). One obvious challenge is that they drive on the other side of the road down there. Toilet bowls flush backwards too! There's also a pile of paperwork to go through.

I'm kinda bummed to leave the states because the 914 project has been a lot of fun lately. Plus I'll have to leave my VW Squareback too!! IPB Image

If I don't bring either car I want to figure out a way to store the cars until we come back stateside. Anyone out there have a cheap storage solution?

We're not leaving until August so I still have time to play with the 914 this summer.

Cheers,
Nate

Posted by: ! Jan 28 2005, 01:59 PM

You should be able to export/import to OZ....it's old enuff.

Posted by: bernbomb914 Jan 28 2005, 02:01 PM

You wil have a great time with the 914 down under. there are great roads and views. you should get used to the wrong side in a very short order even with a wrong side drivers position. If your car is reliable take it

Bernie

Posted by: Natedog Jan 28 2005, 02:06 PM

yeah i don't know how "reliable" it is at this point.....
still need to start it for the first time!!!

But it could be kinda fun to drive on the other side.

Cheers

Posted by: ArtechnikA Jan 28 2005, 02:13 PM

QUOTE (Natedog @ Jan 28 2005, 02:56 PM)
...One obvious challenge is that they drive on the other side of the road down there. Toilet bowls flush backwards too!...

i would ask Howard (our down under connection) for the straight scoop on both those issues...

Posted by: Natedog Jan 28 2005, 02:17 PM

Where do I find Howard?!

Cheers
Nate

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Jan 28 2005, 02:55 PM

I have 2 friends that took cars to Australia, one in the late 70s, one in the mid 80s. Both had to convert the cars to RHD, The 356 wasn't a real problem, because she found a donor car with the bits and pieces needed to do it. BTW, she moved back here a year ago and brought a different RHD 356 back with her. The second car was a BIG problem. 75 911 with an 84 engine and SC flares. He made it RHD with OE parts before he shipped it. They wouldn't let it in the country with the non stock fenders, and he had to return the body to stock configuration before they would release the car from quarantine. If they DO still insist on RHD only, the biggest problem for you is the absence of RHD parts. The factory never built any, so any parts you need will have to come from the few cars done in the UK by a conversion company. The Cap'n

Posted by: GWN7 Jan 28 2005, 03:03 PM

Buy a Moke when you get there.....almost as much fun as a 914 or get a Holden (that's what the new GTO is called there)

Posted by: ! Jan 28 2005, 03:08 PM

I helped send a 1970 914/6 down and it was exempt....still US driver config. Look into how old they can be....

Posted by: bernbomb914 Jan 28 2005, 03:14 PM

I thought the Utes were the coolest of all the cars there

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Jan 28 2005, 03:14 PM

QUOTE (GWN7 @ Jan 28 2005, 01:03 PM)
Buy a Moke when you get there.....almost as much fun as a 914 or get a Holden (that's what the new GTO is called there)

"Holden" is a brand, like "Chevy" or "Ford", not a model, like "GTO". Holden is GM's arm in OZ. The Cap'n

Posted by: ArtechnikA Jan 28 2005, 03:20 PM

QUOTE (Natedog @ Jan 28 2005, 03:17 PM)
Where do I find Howard?!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=24299&hl=

this guy ...

Posted by: lapuwali Jan 28 2005, 03:35 PM

Australian licensing rules are much more restrictive than they are in the US.

They vary a LOT depending on which "state" you're going to be in. As I recall, Brisbane is in Queensland, so you'd need to look up the rules for there. The RHD "requirement" mentioned above may be only for New South Wales or Queensland, not Western Australia.

They require an "engineer" to inspect and sign off on any modifications to the car. I presume such a person has to be licensed in some way. Doing an engine swap will REQUIRE you do do certain other things for safety reasons. Better brakes, for example, if you add a turbo or whatnot.

I'm pretty sure there's an annual inspection required, which includes a large number of safety related items, not just for smog and whatnot. Cars that have rust in structural areas, for example, won't pass.

In general, they seem to be a lot less lax about age than the US. Old cars need to meet safety standards, too. The two early Minis ('63 and '64) I imported from Oz both had three-point belts in them, even though cars in the US often didn't come with seat belts at all in 1963.

I'd find a way to store them here until you know the lay of the land down there. Shipping "RORO" (roll on, roll off) is about $1500 a car (weight's not much of an issue) from LA to the Oz East Coast. If you're sure you're only going to be down there for three years, I doubt it would be worth the effort. If you think you might stay longer, then just ship them down later.

Posted by: Howard R Jan 28 2005, 03:57 PM

I'm tied up at the mo, will get back to you later in the day,.

How

Posted by: Headrage Jan 28 2005, 04:43 PM

I used to live in England and had a U.S. spec MG midget. Learning to drive on the opposite side of the road wasn't really a problem but passing on 2 lane roads could be scarier than hell!!!!!

Posted by: Natedog Jan 28 2005, 05:46 PM

Thanks for all the input!!!!

Gotta go!

It's HAPPY HOUR!!!!
IPB Image

And we're celebrating tonight given our news of moving to Australia!!!

Cheers!

Posted by: Gint Jan 28 2005, 07:55 PM

I'd leave the 914 here and store it (assuming you'll be coming back). I'd want to experience some of the cars that just aren't available in this country.

I wish I could store it for you Nate, but I don't have the room.

It sounds like a blast!

Posted by: Howard R Jan 28 2005, 11:51 PM

Natedog, I think it will be ok if its 30 or more years old to register it without converting. Here's the link http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/licensingrego I would be inclined to store it. Brisbane is hot and steamy in summer and hot and less steamy in winter. Its too hot to drive with the roof off, but a lot of people do. As for driving on the other side, you will get used to it pretty quick. At least that's what I found when I got off the plane at 6.30 am in LAX on a Sunday morning and went straight to Hertz and sampled the LA freeways a few years ago.

Posted by: gaz914 Jan 29 2005, 04:40 AM

QUOTE (Natedog @ Jan 28 2005, 11:56 AM)
G'day, as they say down under...

Well the wife got news this morning that she has a new job in Brisbane Australia.

Great news Natedog
I'm sure you will enjoy your stay "downunder".

I'd probably agree with leaving the teener there for the short-ish time you are here.
Apart from anything 914s are far from common here and I coud imagine all sorts of potential hassles in keeping it running (unless you do it all yourself and bring parts).

Probably better to get a car locally and experience something that you may not get "over there".

cheers

GAZ

Posted by: DJsRepS Jan 29 2005, 05:33 AM

Ha Naetdog dont go there! A toilet that flushes backward sounds like somekinda stinking mess. Mine did that once here in America. PS take the car we will mail you parts.

Posted by: Natedog Jan 29 2005, 07:17 AM

After many celebratory beers last night.......... IPB Image

I think I'll leave the 914 and Squareback here in the states. Moving them down would be a hassle and I like the idea of discovering a new funky ride to play with. Plus I imagine an "inspection engineer" would have some issues with the 914.

It's still a bummer to leave them here after I've done so much work!!! I can't bear to sell them either! Time to start finding storage....

Cheers,
Nate