21 replies to this topic

[markpeachey1]

Hi Everyone, I have recently discovered this amazing car and would dearly love to buy one. The problem is that I live on the other side of the planet :-(. I also won't be over in old blighty (my old home) until next June/July 2013. I am very keen to find out if anyone knows if there are any pitfalls in bringing a VX220 here? Does anyone know if anyone has exported one to Oz? Is anyone interested in selling me one?.....Well that's a funny question, isn't it? Ok a VXR220 would be nice and I would probably pay up to 15K for one that ticks all the right boxes. I am , however, open to allmost anything that is not Cat C or D, has resonably low mileage and ticks as many of the good boxes as possible. They frown on excessive mods here but hidden well I am sure a Stage 1 or 2 will be OK. I am researching that at the moment. I don't want to say that money is no object but I will part with the right amount of Pounds for the right car. Research has shown be what one might expect for my hard earned dollars so don't expect a patsy here. I am an expat if that means anything. :-) As you might expect these beautiful machines aren't available in this country (large sigh) as we are a nation full of V8 loving bogans (tasteless yobbos). As a result I will want my car in good condition before bringing it here and I will also be looking for a reliable supplier of any parts I may use in the future. Turbo is good but not essential. My final question is , can A/C be fitted after market easily? Certainly one with air conditioning will be considered seriously although the gas will have to be removed prior to export. Look forward to any replies. Mark

[markpeachey1]

Oops I meant to say buy not but.silly me!

[Mangham54]

A few people have asked these very questions before, so in summmary: · Air-con could be fitted, but would require a lot of work (there is a reported one in HongKong (i think it was) but I don't think anyone has had contact with that individual in years). · There are a couple in NZ, that didn't sound like it was too much bother to sort, but I seem to recall someone saying that OZ regs are tighter than NZ regs. · Parts suppliers will be few and far between out there, but for smaller parts you could easily use a UK parts supplier and just pay the extra postage (much like many of our Euro counterparts do).

[ben922]

There are a few topics on pistonheads about how people have imported cars to oz. From memory I think you need to own the car for at least a year before you can import it but I my have remembered that wrongly. I'll try and find the links to the topics

[Pazuzu]

A friend of mine had his Cossie bought by someone in Perth and they seemed to get it in alright. It's quite a bit of paperwork but I can't see any huge problem with a VX.

Pistonheads is a great resource for finding these cars and the VX220 section is here

http://www.pistonhea.../list.asp?s=222

There is quite a good article here and coincidentally enough it links to the advert for my car which is obviously one of the best available

http://www.pistonhea...sp?c=52&i=25902

My advert

http://www.pistonhea...les/3994090.htm

I agree you should look for a car known to the forum and if you narrow down what you're after - Budget, Colour choice etc. I'm sure we can find something that suits.

Good luck with the search!

Phil

[rob999]

Orggy is the NZ member with a VX. Maybe drop him a pm. Welcome btw.

[rallycross]

Good idea if you can get one imported ok, if you need aircon (I was in Perth in January so I can see why you might want this as it gets so hot!!) I think you'd be better going for a Lotus Europa as they had it factory fitted (if you can find one).

cost more to buy and has a fixed roof to keep the sun off your head (vx is more fun!)

http://www.pistonhea...les/3902354.htm

Edited by rallycross, 25 June 2012 - 09:07 AM.

[markpeachey1]

A friend of mine had his Cossie bought by someone in Perth and they seemed to get it in alright. It's quite a bit of paperwork but I can't see any huge problem with a VX.

Pistonheads is a great resource for finding these cars and the VX220 section is here

http://www.pistonhea.../list.asp?s=222

There is quite a good article here and coincidentally enough it links to the advert for my car which is obviously one of the best available

http://www.pistonhea...sp?c=52&i=25902

My advert

http://www.pistonhea...les/3994090.htm

I agree you should look for a car known to the forum and if you narrow down what you're after - Budget, Colour choice etc. I'm sure we can find something that suits.

Good luck with the search!

Phil

Thanks for you help Phil. Very intersting articles...now if only I can work out this damn paperwork....sigh!

[markpeachey1]

Orggy is the NZ member with a VX. Maybe drop him a pm. Welcome btw.

OK will try tks

[markpeachey1]

Good idea if you can get one imported ok, if you need aircon (I was in Perth in January so I can see why you might want this as it gets so hot!!) I think you'd be better going for a Lotus Europa as they had it factory fitted (if you can find one).

cost more to buy and has a fixed roof to keep the sun off your head (vx is more fun!)

http://www.pistonhea...les/3902354.htm

Ah yes the heat. Been here 42 years and still gets F%#@*n' HOT!!! Oh well If the car can have one fitted then at least it won't cost me to have it drained...bloody regulations.
Thanks
Mark

[markpeachey1]

I seem to learn something new everyday about this process. I need a car that can be inspected by someone over there (Vaxhall themselves seem a good candidate) and validate the authenticity of the originalness of the vehicle so it can be proved to meet Australian design Rules (ADR) as applies to Law bla bla bla. The point is that it can't be modified from oroginal (until I get it here and legal nudge, nudge wink wink). Thanks for all your replies. Mark

[hairy]

Have a read of:

http://www.vx220.org...z-or-australia/

[markpeachey1]

Have a read of:

http://www.vx220.org...z-or-australia/

Thanks Hairy

[markpeachey1]

I have had a fair bit of success with this importing idea. I have just got to jump through the right hoops. Is there any truth to the rumour that the Vx220 uses mostly if not many parts from the Astra

[vocky]

astra engine, gearbox, hubs, coolant tank, indicator stalk, wiper stalk vectra brake discs, number plate lights, light switches

[markpeachey1]

astra engine, gearbox, hubs, coolant tank, indicator stalk, wiper stalk

vectra brake discs, number plate lights, light switches

Thanks Voccy. What about the 2 litre turbo?

[vocky]

both the na and vxT use the above parts

[vocky]

window winders and door mirrors are mini metro

[Silent Steve]

window winders and door mirrors are mini metro

A Metro had those beautiful alloy winders, set adrift in a sea of chocolate brown BL nastiness? Wow.

[vocky]

I should have said window winder mechanisms - the bit inside the door