Hi and importing to Australia

[Fammo]

Hi all,

I'm living in Melbourne and have always been a bit of a car nut. Currently I have a mk1 Golf GTI but I'm looking to add a Lotus Turbo Esprit!

I'm looking to import one - biggest concern at the moment is side intrusion beams and potential difficulty and cost to fit. Anyone had any experience with fitting these to a G series? It's likely to be a UK import probably 1981.

TIA for any assistance!

Ben

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF Ben.

Hope you get yourself a good car. For some local info as well re the side intrusion bars, you could always try Steve Taylor at Lotus Marques. He's just east of Melbourne. Knows his stuff.

Any questions or issues with using the forums, feel free to ask one of us mods. We're here to help.  

[Fammo]

Thanks Michael!

I hope I get a good one too. There's one I'm looking at and have had an inspection done. Came through with a reasonably good bill of health considering it's more than 35 years old!

[DanR]

The Esprit already has side intrusion bars. They are hinged at one end and carry the locking mechanism at the other. The door skins and window are hung off it.

[Fammo]

Just a question on VASS certificates. I've used a guy that specialised in VWs previously, but is there an engineer in Vic that knows Lotus's?

[au-yt]

Hi If your still contemplating the idea, here are the key things to consider,

http://raws.infrastructure.gov.au/

The second is and the biggest at the moment, and will be for some time is asbestos

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/busi/cargo-support-trade-and-goods/importing-goods/prohibited-and-restricted/asbestos

http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/australian-border-force-detects-asbestos-in-classic-cars-owners-risk-thousands-of-dollars-in-fines/news-story/558ae57b52f7e995237f6e3193ea62b1

[PAR]

@Fammodid you end up bringing the car over? I would be quite interested to know how it went.

I am planning to retire in Australia and expect to bring a bunch of cars by then including 3-4 lotus so I wonder how difficult they have been.

Thanks

[ramjet]

On 12/06/2017 at 19:36, Fammo said:

Just a question on VASS certificates. I've used a guy that specialised in VWs previously, but is there an engineer in Vic that knows Lotus's?

Steve Taylor at Lotus Marques. If he can't do a VASS certificate, I suspect he would be able to point you in the right direction.