Stag finds a new home in Australia

[Stocky]

I have moved from Surrey to Perth, Australia. A few months ago I posted asking if anyone had imported a Stag and got a useful lead that I followed up.
Roll forward a few months and I thought it may be fun and perhaps instructive for someone else in the future to do an occasional update post about the progress of importing my Stag. I got the good news today that I can collect the car from the docks, but this is just the start of getting a "rego".
It appears to be fairly easy to import a pre-1989 car and the most important initial document is a Vehicle Import Approval which must be applied for and received before shipping the car. The car need to be clean (but I didn't bother with a steam clean as I was advised that Aussie Quarantine would insist on a local steam clean/fumigation anyway so no point paying twice), the boot empty and the fuel below 25%. I left it at the shipping company in July and it was put in a container with my furniture etc. It did feel odd entrusting it to the care of others.
A few weeks later and I was informed it had arrived. Customs insisted on a full quarantine clean, as expected (lots of $, of course) and did I know where the keys were? Unbelievably the shipping company had not put the keys in the car! As you may imagine, I was somewhere between shocked and furious, but a few frantic emails later the keys were located in the UK and couriered to Perth. Phew! I am not sure how they moved it from the container to the cleaning company...I can only hope they did not tow it by the bumper 😬
Today I got the call that the car has passed quarantine and is ready to collect.
The next hurdle is an inspection by the Government Vehicle agency (DVS in Western Australia) which is arranged for next week. I will then find out what modifications, if any, the inspector demands before I can apply for a licence/registration. I am allowed to drive the car from the docks to the inspection centre, so 3 months after last seeing the car I can finally drive her again...I am very excited.
More next week...

[Stagsongas]

Good luck with it Ross.

At least you have a head start with your steering wheel being on the right (correct) side!

Regards

Steve

[DJT]

Interesting stuff. Keep us updated, but don't go posting loads of pictures of Stag, sunshine, open roads, stunning views, etc. it'll only make us envious....

I was lucky enough to be in Perth waaaaay back in 1979, but only briefly I bet it's changed a bit. Also got family connections dating back almost 100 years, with distant cousins out there somewhere in the Perth area.

[pagan]

Ross
Welcome to the Australia
Sun Glasses needed out here, and don't forget the sun screen lotion either.

As for the registration(DVS)....
Being the Stag was sold in Australia and in 1977 too, I know I have one.
Most of the Australian Design Rules ( ADR's ) should be covered.
Just make sure your normal MOT things are working is light high/low, indicators, wipers etc and it's not dumping oil everywhere.
They'll need to check engine/chassis numbers.
If the car looks fairly standard ie not having a supercharger sitting through the bonnet, they should not look too far.

Good luck

Allan

[stag8manod]

Hi Stocky, Biggest advantage like NZ is NO SALT on the roads. Good luck with the Aussies, NZ is better.
Cheers, Ian A

[73stagman]

Hi Stocky, Biggest advantage like NZ is NO SALT on the roads. Good luck with the Aussies, NZ is better.
Cheers, Ian A

Controversy abounds!! Like it..
Wait for the comeback.. probably bowled under arm or something similar...

[Richard G]

What a lucky Stag to go and live in Perth!

I emigrated there in 1971 (Perth) (before my Stag was made) and stayed 2 yrs (worked up Northwest). Went back for a short stay a year ago and still found it to be a very nice place , hot and sunny too.

Hope Stag likes it

RG

[davidf]

So envious. My daughter lives in Perth - I was there for 2 weeks last month. Seems like a perfect home for a Stag.

[Marco Polo]

Hi Ross,
Welcome "Darn Unda",
Hope all does well with the inspection, as was said earlier, make sure the car is, or appears to be, leak free. They are particularly "anal" about that in Qld.

There are some differences between the 77 UK and Aussie spec cars, for example the Aussie cars had 3 point static rear seat belts as standard, SIPS bars in the doors and full emissions set up. I'm sure the examiner wont know that though! Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Raoul

[andy p]

how strange as I have a cousin called Ross who went to Perth from surrey some years ago, been for a visit awesome place, saw a couple of stags out there, let us know how it goes

[Westfaling]

I guess you'll be hunting for A/C parts soon!
Nick

[Hughesy]

Not required!

[new to this]

Hi Ross,
Welcome "Darn Unda",
Hope all does well with the inspection, as was said earlier, make sure the car is, or appears to be, leak free. They are particularly "anal" about that in Qld.

There are some differences between the 77 UK and Aussie spec cars, for example the Aussie cars had 3 point static rear seat belts as standard, SIPS bars in the doors and full emissions set up. I'm sure the examiner wont know that though! Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Raoul

Raoul

do you have any pictures of the SIPS bars fitted,reason im asking is im fitting SIPS bars to my door at the moment

thanks Dave

[velosolex50]

modifications needed

Enjoy your new life, it's a great place, and lots of nice cruisy quiet roads in the south west too.
I imported a BMW 525 to aus in 1989. At that time, they were keen on rust & oil leaks (not a problem with a 5 yr old BM), converting the speedo to Km/H, and fitting child restraint mountings in the back shelf. Strangely enough, they also checked that it had a heater, as apparently a lot of cars from south africa had them removed to improve airflow. Not sure I ever used the heater in WA! No other mods needed.
The downside came when I eventually sold the car, as without the magic "compliance plate" no dealers would take it as a px at anything like a normal price for a local car. Somebody got a bargain in the end!
I don't imagine that would be a problem now with the Stag being so old & rare, but however nice it is, it's probably got more rust than an australian delivered car, although the interior & paint will have lasted better.
Good luck with the test etc!

[malc4d]

Wow.. how are you doing that Dave ? One of mine is a Yank model and has these fitted as standard as l believe Raoul's does.