Thinking of importing my 77 280z

[gator3535]

Hi guys .. my wife and I are thinking of moving back to Oz and I am thinking of bringing my 90' Chev 3/4 ton truck and my 77 280z. I am intererested to hear from some "real people" about what interest there is in these two vehicles and what value they would have. I am asking about the 77 280 because I know they didnt sell them in Australia. If it was a 240 or 260 I could find the value pretty easy.

 

Any input at all to my question is much appreciated.

 

Cheers all ... Bruce-a-gator

[modular9]

I have been looking at the american market for an early porsche ( cheap as over there compared to here ) so from a logistics point of view you need to know that your zed doesnt need to be converted to right had drive in qld ( and maybe VIC ? ) as it is just over the 30 year cutoff ( do check this though as i based my needs on a 67 porsche ) but your truck will need a conversion or an engineers certificate to allow for LHD in QLD. Also there are a few hoops you need to go through in quarantine and cleaning and so forth.

 

AS for the car ... I have a 77 260z 2+2 which though it is a 2+2 looks rather similar. Some of the zedhedz here will know a lot more. But thought I would put my big foot in first. And yes there is an interest in older datsuns.

[mikedoeslife]

I didn't think the 280 was sold here at all? 

[zedrally]

The 280 wasn't sold here, however, to all intents and purposes, the last model 260's where identical to the 280 without the L28.

Needless to say they came with the flat tops carbs.

Australia was the dumping ground for the left over 260 parts that Nissan could no longer use in the US.

 

You would have no problem in importing the 280, although it might be cheaper to find a RHD 260 and drop a L28 into it! (or strip your 280 and send the bits over here!

 

 

Sorry to have to say this but you amy as well forget about the Chev, it would be to difficult to convert.

 

Cheers....

 

[mikedoeslife]

Wouldn't need to convert it surely, he can just get a permit to drive it LHD.  I've seen plenty of LHD American cars on Aussie roads!

[PZG302]

The Chevvy should be able to run in most states as a left hooker.

 

The 280Z may find some interest from people looking at historic racing where a genuine 280Z could run pretty well in Group Sc.

 

The value of a 280 would be about the same as a 260 I reckon, also depending on condition and what restrictions are made in terms of rego or conversion to RHD if needed, which could make it a not so desirable car.

 

What sort of time frame are you looking at in coming over, as if it works out and depending on what I can do with the US spec bumpers, ie get rid of them, I maybe interested in a 280 project for Group Sc?

[24OZ]

the 280zx coupe-2 seater- would be more unique,seen a few in WA including one licensed with a 400 chev,the body/chassis is far more rigid for big HP transplants,there was one on ebay recently that starred in the fat pizza tv series

[gator3535]

This 280 I have is in almost original condition. There is rust on the doglegs,rockers and I have replaced the front mudguards.. but the rails and floors are perfect and interior is nice. I am slowly cutting out the rust and welding in new.

 

Would this car be worth over $10k in Australia? I am assuming it would cost about $4k to transport down and run all the paperwork etc. If it wasnt worth at least that, it would not be worth it.

 

 

[Toecutter]

I have been looking at the american market for an early porsche ( cheap as over there compared to here ) so from a logistics point of view you need to know that your zed doesnt need to be converted to right had drive in qld ( and maybe VIC ? ) as it is just over the 30 year cutoff ( do check this though as i based my needs on a 67 porsche )

 

I like those early porsches with the steel bars. Jeez they've shot up in value over the last few years. Done up as 2.7L RS Carerra replicas they look awesome too. The late 70's early 80's 911's are also growing on me lately. Man I need to win lotto, love to own won certainly can't do it by keeping the Z nor would I have the room. Modular I'll send you a PM, keen to know what you have learnt re importing an older car from the uS etc

[modular9]

Wouldnt the rarity of the 280 in aus punch it's price up ? either way put in as many r200 rear end diffs as you can in the boot and you'll make your money back easy !! 

 

Sulio : i am a bit of a fiend for 1967 - 1969's porsches. better idea to get it from the US . The money exchange is pretty good and you can get a better porsche for your money that way.... BUT a rb26 in a 240z would wipe the floor with a porsche for the same money. You know it makes sense !

[gator3535]

That is what I am thinking .. that is should be worth more cause it is a 77 280. What year did the r200 rear end come out in Oz? What are they worth ?

[nat0_240_chevZ]

yea but its a 260z same as aus, but lhd with an l28.

 

we had the 260z same body etc here at the same time.

r200's were in most 260z from mid 75 onwards, just a guess dont flame, but u can see what i mean

 

nato

[gator3535]

bump

 

[JP]

I would never invest this much time and money into something on chance.

 

If your looking to make money from importing, then stick with things that have a known market.

 

If you have a sea freight container for your personal belongings, then I would be looking at L28ET motors and R200 LSD's if you want Z related stuff. The aftermarket suppliers there are better also, so you could look at things like CV conversion kits and weather seal kits, but you wouldnt expect to be making a huge profit on new items, more so common junk items in the US that are rare and desirable here.

 

I would have thought there would be more money in Mustang's etc

[Mr Camouflage]

There's already a 280z in Australia, ex US serviceman brought it over and left it here. Last time it was for sale he was asking $4500 for it.

 

280z aren't worth much however rare they are in Aus. I'd leave it in the states, unless you are really attached to it.

[gator3535]

it seems my '90 chev 3/4 ton longbox extra cab truck could be worth up to $25k fully converted to  RHD in Australia.  Anyone have any thoughts on this one? I am trying to decide between the z , the Chev or neither to bring over in April.

[aegean]

You would need to look carefully at the import duties and taxes, plus the cost of converting it and compliancing to see if it is worthwhile.

[sco_aus]

We have some pretty hefty taxes on import/exporting, might be cheaper to get one from Japan?

[gator3535]

thanks guys .. what I am wondering is what you .. or anyone .. would pay for a truck like this. I think the 77 280 will stay in Canada because I have the impression it would not be worth more than $10k. I am not necessarily going to sell these cars .. i just want to get an idea if they are worth bringing here.

 

I am looking into the costs and will decide if they are worth it .. it all comes down to their worth here.

[sco_aus]

Have you got any pictures of the truck?    I have no idea what it is.

[Toecutter]

This thread caught my eye because somebody recently told me tax's on imported cars that are over 30 years old can be avoided!

 

Does anybody know if this is true?

 

Sulio

[gator3535]

[gator3535]

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[gator3535]

hmmm  ok .. I give .. how do you post a picture here?

[Toecutter]

click on ADDITIONAL OPTIONS and it will give you the cahnce to browse and upload from your pc or if the image is from another page on the net click on the insert image button and use the link of the image from the properties url re image location.