| Author |
Message |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 2069
Reg: 09-2005
|
Hey gang!
With all the cheap rich blighters around here who picked up a relatively cheap Soarer instead of an M5 (i kid, i kid! ;D ) im sure some people have some experience importing cars from Europe/UK and the USA, not just Japan!
I have a dream! And that dream is to own my very own completely rebuilt and restored DeLorean.. and supercharge it. Then install a 'Mr. Fusion' power generator, hook it up to a flux capacitor and travel back in time so that i can stop homer from sneezing on the dinosaurs.
Anyway.. recently, the company who took over control of the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) and all rights and assets (read; lots and lots of parts taken from the production warehouses) have created a sister partnnership with a DeLorean garage in Europe somewhere, i dont know where, who are also now pumping out these un-rustable lumps of steel using brand new, genuine parts!
That gives me two options to eventually source a 'brand new' DeLorean (as USA is home to the new owners of DMC).
So, which one does everyone think is easier/cheaper to import cars from, if compliance costs are not taken in to consideration? (Or mabe they should be? Is there a price difference to comply a car from Europe than USA?)
On a similarly related note; both companies churn out DeLoreans in the left hand drive fashion. Being the ignorant Aussie that i am, i will have to change that to be a right hand drive (which neither companies offer), which is possible and has been done before.
Are there any ball park figures people are aware of for this exercise? And is it the sort of thing that any generically good mechanic could attempt, or do specialised workshops need to be sourced?
*queue Back to the Future music*
...yes, my numberplates _WILL_ say either: U R FIARD
or
MC FRYYYY |
Rob Andreacchio
Moderator
Victoria
Supercharged VT Calais & 1991 JZZ30
Posts: 1939
Reg: 01-2005
|
I would contact our sponsor here in Melbourne, Sports & Luxury...
they do a lot of conversions and may be able to tell you a compliance cost as well as a conversion cost..  |
Simon Triantafillou
DieHard
NSW
Soarer Turbo
Posts: 912
Reg: 07-2005
|
1.21 gigawatts! |
Ryan Rankovic
DieHard
Victoria
Soarer TT GT-TL
Posts: 794
Reg: 07-2005
|
this thread...
good luck with whatever you do. id love to see one of those cars close up |
Tim Appleton
TryHard
QLD
UZZ31
Posts: 345
Reg: 07-2005
|
There's a DeLorean on the east side of Brisbane that I've seen cruising around a few times.
A swap from LHD to RHD can be done by anyone, provided you have the know-how, and the right bits. I know someone who has converted an M3 from Japan mainly by himself. The hardest bit is to get the dash swapped over and looking original if they were never manufactured in RHD. |
Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T
Posts: 1798
Reg: 07-2005
|
Instead of converting to right hand drive, how about doing it cheap and put a sticker on the back window CAUTION: LEFT HADN DRIVE VEHICLE. I always see left hand drive mustangs with those stickers on... |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 2074
Reg: 09-2005
|
Cheers for all the replies guys! ;D
Daniel, because im a complete f*cking r tard and cant drive for sh*t to start with ;D |
Peter Lang
Tinkerer
nsw
uzz31 soarer
Posts: 60
Reg: 07-2005
|
callum you might want to do some more research cause they are/were a pus bucket of a vehicle even at best. |
Ken Cornell
DieHard
Western Australia
4.0GT V8 Soarer
Posts: 670
Reg: 01-2006
|
I don't think that has any relevancy to Callum's fetish for one. I too would love to see one up close! |
Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T
Posts: 1804
Reg: 07-2005
|
See one up close and owning one is a differnt story, mainly for the $$$$$ involved  |
Miles Baker
TryHard
Vic
V8
Posts: 367
Reg: 08-2005
|
Forget it. SEVS has screwed you. An importer has to go through the whole certification process just to do your one car. I doubt that will happen. If you get someone overseas to buy it and own it for close to a year, they can bring it in as a personal import, which is easier.
You are free to import an old one, but as said, they were made like ••••• I saw one about 6 months ago, it did not run.
RHD conversion is not necessarily easy. You need to work very closely with a mechanical engineer to make sure it is done right and certifiably.
When the car hits 30yo, you don't have to convert the steering. |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 2077
Reg: 09-2005
|
Peter, im well aware of that. But it wouldnt be a daily driver anyway so its all good! Plus all brand new parts...
Hell, i have replaced more things on my Soarer over the last 12 months that have broken than i would ever expect to replace on ANY car in my life! =P
The cars were made in 1981... hmm.. yeah i should have enough money by 2011 >.>
Last guestimate i had the whole process pegged at roughly $80,000.
Miles, i thought that only applied to cars that are preowned? A refurbished DeLorean receives a new production date plate, so if it was bought dealer direct.. would that follow a different process? |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 4891
Reg: 05-2005
|
I have seen one of these Mutha's up close, and all I can say, is PUS!  .
They are a stupid little car, made by an egotistical man, who lowered himself from his FAR greater work with GM.
If ya wanna get one,.....Go for it, and I will assist you however I can, BUT be advised...........they are a heap of POOS!.
They are ONLY "Trendy" because of the movie(s).
Basicaly, they are BOLLOCKS!............but that is only MY opinion.
 |
Miles Baker
TryHard
Vic
V8
Posts: 369
Reg: 08-2005
|
No |
Leon Wright
TryHard
WA
V8 UZZ31
Posts: 182
Reg: 08-2006
|
Callum all I can say is dude! I actually researched this a few years ago, even to the point of chassis replacement (the factory ones had a habit of rusting out and a company produces full stainless replacements) but I never had the bank roll.
Back to the Future would have to be one of my favourite series of movie. The DeLorean is unique, hence why I love it. It's suits me, I'm a fairly unique bloke 
If you ever got one I'd love to take it for a spin!!!!! |
Jan Christiansson
TryHard
NSW
Soarer V8 SC Manual
Posts: 229
Reg: 07-2005
|
It's only a Volvo/Peugeot/Renault V6 engine in it. When it's raining and you open the door you and part of the interior get wet. |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 2082
Reg: 09-2005
|
I just love the gull wing doors =P |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 4906
Reg: 05-2005
|
Leon Wright wrote on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 10:55 pm:I'm a fairly unique bloke
Ain't dat de truth!  |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 4907
Reg: 05-2005
|
Callum Finch wrote on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 12:08 am:I just love the gull wing doors =P
The car that started it all, the Mercedes 300 SLR is STILL one of my favs...........but they cost WAY more than a DeLorean |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 2094
Reg: 09-2005
|
I wonder why companies havent gone with whackier door designs?
The craziest design you can get these days is either scissor doors (done to death) or suicide doors, which is going backwards =P
Edit: Was it Mitsubishi who did a concept "gamers" car? Doors come out as per usual, but can also scissor up? |
Leon Wright
TryHard
WA
V8 UZZ31
Posts: 187
Reg: 08-2006
|
I wouldn't mind going suicides on the soarer!
Don Bagnall wrote on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 12:04 pm:Ain't dat de truth!
Oi! |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo
Victoria
UZZ 32 V8 Soarer #138
Posts: 1424
Reg: 07-2005
|
I saw a 24 Karat gold plated one at a museum in San Francisco. I kinda like them cause they are different. Mainly the look of them.
Importing from the USA is pretty easy, I've got no experience with Europe.
As has been said, Raws and Conversion will screw you up.
www.dotars.gov.au is where all the info is regarding importing cars. |
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