Hey Hambers This s a strange question to ask I guess, and rather specific. But its a thing that's been buzzing around my head for a few months so I figure I'd put it to the board and see what people think. Firstly, there's a chance I'll be moving to the States some time this year. Its still a while off but looking more and more likely. How long for is hard to say. 6 months, a year, forever?? Who knows? Despite being the proud owner/builder of a chopped 53 Chevy, I've been Model A obsessed for years and I would like to buy one if/when I get to the States. If, for whatever reason I can't stay in the States and need to move back to Australia I'd probably like to bring the car home with me. Seems fair enough, but stay with me, this is where it gets a little complex. Australia (NSW specifically) have a rule that if you are going to import a modified vehicle, those modifications need to have been made to a car (and registered for road use) at least 25 years ago to the month. Otherwise it can't be accepted into the country. Dumb rule, but I'm sure I'll be okay, provided I find an older build to cruise around in. This leaves me with one burning question. What are the chances of me picking up a 31/31 Model A Sedan with a 4 inch roof chop, SBC on Deuce Rails that has been built and registered for road use some time before 1993?? I don't care what condition its in, or even if its hot pink with pictures of Justin Beiber airbrushed onto the doors, so long as it ticks those boxes, it at least gives me the option to take my car with me if I have to leave the country. So, are there many/or any cars out there for sale that fit this description? (I stole a picture of oldskoolrodder's beautiful '30 sedan for inspiration) Cheers HAMBers!
I’d think fairly easy. A lot of streetrods were built during that time period. And their cost is depreciating. Your post is a good way to throw some examples your way. Good luck.
That's cool. I'm looking for something to really drive so a lot of street rods are alright for that. Hence the name. Fenderless is also a vibe I'm going for.
I think you need to get a little more clarification. Do all of the mods have to have been made 25 years ago or just the major ones? If just the major ones what are they? What if you had an otherwise stock Model A that was registered for road use and had Kelsey wheels added 25 years ago could you make the rest of the modifications and get it in? Does it have to have to have been continually registered or just initially and are they going to want proof? What kind of proof are they going to want for the mods having been made 25 years ago, magazine cover shot, dated pictures or maybe sworn statements? I am sure glad I don't live somewhere where the government is getting into people's lives (that is kind of a joke as I live in California). Best of luck, maybe you will just have to stay here. Where do you plan to settle when you arrive? Charlie Stephens
I would like to see one Hot Pink with Justin Beiber airbrushed on the doors, I'm sure you'd be able to get a sweet deal.
There's a lot of cars that fit your description. Even if you buy the car from someone that has owned it for decades, how do your AUS import inspectors determine if that Model A ch***is was built/welded 3 or 33 years ago? To Charlies points; Does AUS. require an affidavit or notarized statement? 25 year old pictures? We went through a similar situation with a Gent from UK. I suggested he play their game and just copy some appropriate ch***is photos and pay a welder/builder to draft a letter stating he did the ch***is mods 30 years ago... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...his-1929-model-a.1084990/page-2#post-12299706
How do you prove to the powers that be in Australia that a car was built 25 years ago? Will they take your word for it or do you have to show them some type of notarized affidavit from the previous owner? HRP
Make your life easier.....just move here, and stay here. You can buy a hot rod and a gun! Not real sure about the stupid laws in California and a few other F'ed up states though.
The 25 Years Rolling Rule is due for implementation in 2018. Currently we have whats called the Pre 1989 rule, which, as far as I can tell, will essentially the same thing, just starting from 1993 instead of 89. "The pre-1989 scheme allows the importation of vehicles into Australia that were manufactured before 1 January 1989. The scheme is outlined under regulation 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. However, if a vehicle has been modified or converted after original manufacture - so that the vehicle no longer meets original specifications - the date of manufacture is taken to be the later date of conversion. Vehicle conversions can take different forms. One popular type of conversion is the production of replica cars from components of different makes or models. An example is the conversion of a Volkswagen beetle into a replica Porsche. Another popular type of conversion is the ***embly of vehicles from different parts to create new types of vehicles. Typical examples include the conversion of a p***enger sedan into a drag racing car or a hot rod. Similarly, scooter frames are sometimes ***embled with different engines and electrics to produce new types of scooters. Vehicles can also be modified to change their carrying capacity. An example is the conversion of a Hummer into a stretch Hummer. The later date of conversion is taken to be the date of manufacture even where the parts used in the ***embly are old or used. Vehicle conversions before 1 January 1989. It is possible for a modified vehicle to qualify under the pre-1989 scheme if the conversion occurred before 1 January 1989. A variety of evidence can potentially be used to establish the date of conversion. This includes vehicle registration do***ents, a statement from the converter or evidence that the vehicle was exhibited in its converted form (e.g., exhibited as a hot rod) some time before 1989." Just like so many legal do***ents, they have managed to use a lot of words to say very little. I've read so much but specifics about various mods are still super vague. All I can gather is that it is largely open to interpenetration. The thing is, a paint job, or upholstery is not going to effect an import, neither is maintainence/replacement of worn components. The thing is, if the major mods like engine, chop, ch***is, front end, diff etc are all pre 89, I wouldn't mind just reversing any minor mods (eg wheels) to ensure its mechanically the same as it was pre 89. Just silly hoops to jump through. I just found this: This means that if the mods are pre 1989 thats fine, so long as they meet the ADR (Australian Design Rules) Standards of the year that the mods were carried out. My brain hurts!!
That will be an impossible goal, as we do not like Justin Beiber in this country and we even pe***ioned the government to throw him out. Denny
Doesn't sound like much fun! Makes me feel Thankful that I live in the US. Good Luck! Hope you find a way to make this happen.
as others have said , not sure how this 25 year rule can be do***ented . looking at the ***le for my `28 tudor sedan i see it was issued to me January 6th 1993 .... 25 years! but,the build was started in the mid 80's and completed in 1996. there have been some minor changes since then.....how would that work?
might be out of luck with the Justin Beiber thing, he was born in '94 i am guessing you would have better luck proving it's age if you could get a car with a photo of, Myrna Loy, Helen Hayse, Andr'e the Giant, Bill Bixby, Roy Campenella, River Pheonix or Audrie Hepburn with the car.
As the law here stands (until this 25 years rolling thing hopefully gets implemented) all the major mods like the engine, chop, ch***is mods and such needed to be done prior to 89. The next hurdle is the ADR regulations. So what ever year the mods were done, the car has to comply with what was acceptable in the ADR's of that time. Changing wheels, paint, upholstery and general maintenance after 1989 shouldn't effect the cars chances of getting past. Like, if it had a 327sbc and it blew up, you could put in a fresh 327 and it should be fine, as its the same thing. I believe... As for proof? Its all shades of grey but things like ***le papers, or registration indicating the size of the engine, photos, receipts, any do***ented proof of the vehicle as being largely unmodified since before 89 is what they like to see. Then its all up to some bureaucrat to decide if you get to keep your hot rod!
Sounds to me like you could get by with a car that's been continuously registered since '89 and a notorized affidavit from the previous owner. Bonus if you can find a car with some kind of published record. Doesn't have to be a flashy national magazine--a lot of guys saved clippings from their local newspaper, shots taken at local car shows. Basically, you're looking for an older seller, and there are a lot of them. Go through the Hamb cl***ifieds and start looking. You can point to this thread as an explanation for your weird historical quesitons. I'm not saying it'll be easy, but it's not hopeless by any means.
I've spoken to the powers that be in Australia about this. Basically it does seem that you're regular hot rod that's been modified pre 1989 is a candidate for road use in NSW. It just needs to be seen by an engineer to ensure that it's safe and meets the Australian Design Rules for the year that it was built. That's not too much of an issue. Reading through the pre 1989 ADR's it appears that all the regulations are fairly acceptable/attainable for your average hot rod. Now I just need to find some 4" chopped 50's - through 80's Street Rod 30/31 Sedans that are sitting on Deuce Rails!
If you've been over there for a year, had it registered in your name and driven it you can bring it in as a personal import and cir***vent all the red tape and the 25yr rule. You're allowed one import every 2yrs. You still need to get it through a safety inspection prior to registration and produce the import approval. You'll require a ***le or bill of sale in your name and DON'T even think of importing it prior to obtaining an import approval. Before this you'll need to change all the brakes to asbestos free and then think about the clutch and head gaskets as well as asbestos has been a prohibited import for many years now. Also Border Force are now getting tough on asbestos and not turning a blind eye as per previous years. Do you homework before your decide on any car!
Wow I didn't realize that owning the car for a year gets you around the 1989 rule. I figured that it cut away some red tape, but not that much. So I could even put together my own hot rod in the states. Then, provided its been driven around by yours truly (and is all engineering compliant) I could bring it to AU. Does it matter that it is LHD? Would I need to comply with current ADRs if the mods are recent? I'm worried they'd want roll cages, air bags and a bunch of other crazy things.
If over 30yrs, LHD is OK. Not sure about ADRs being applicable however engineer will advise what you need to do. Insofar as modifications are concerned I've seen some pretty agricultural engineering on some cars that required a lot of work to meet higher Ozzie standards; IFS suspensions may need welds x-rayed etc. I've seen welded universal joints in steering, dropped spindles and steering shafts to name a few that require significant rework or replacement altogether so you need to do your homework as it could end up being a financial nightmare Sent from my SM-T355Y using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I think my avatar would p*** as pre 89...though it was built in last 4 years, everything but the distributor is pre 1960 including the 1930 plates and registration. Sure would like to see pics of your choptop Ron
That’s really helpful Stumpy. As always your advice is A+. I’ve had a reasonable amount to do with engineers over the past decade so I’m getting a feel for what they like. Anything I can keep stock I will. I’d be staying away from anything IFS, coil overs, aftermarket 4 links etc. A stock(ish) lowered deuce ch***is with good not particularly memorable SBC would be ideal [emoji108] Hunting around though, there doesn’t seem to be almost any model A sedan bodies on 32 Ch***is’ that are older builds. It seems the street rodders of the 80’s and earlier preferred the full fendered look. Here’s my 53 that I chopped and two doored. RHD. Just rebuilt a 283 SBC and Camaro T5 for it [emoji108][emoji249] Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I'm hunting around on the cl***ifieds. All the 'older build' 30/31 sedans are typically full fendered and always seem to be on a Model A Ch***is. Was putting Sedans on 32 rails not really 'a thing' till relatively recently? Was it just the realm of coupes and roadsters?
The only Hot Rod that I would ever sell, is my 30 tudor. Only because I bought it already built. Sounds like what your looking for. Has a 6'' chop, a 354 Hemi on Deuce rails, dropped and drilled I beam etc. Ron...
That thing is totally bad ***. I love it! Too wild for my daily driver ambitions, but a really really nice car Ron. Was it just like that when you bought it? When was it built?
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