I'm all worked up about this so if i start talking i'll just shoot off my mouth, so i'll paste below an e-mail i recieved tonight.

A Media Release today by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the HON. JIM LLOYD MP, spells the effective death of the 15 year rule as we know it. This is reproduced below for your information. In essence, from today 7th Feb 2005, only 1988 and older vehicles can be imported under the 15 year rule. This will be gradually increased to 30 years over time.

All other vehicles for road use must be imported under SEVS. Anyone who can prove a financial commitment to a 1989 or 1990 vehicle prior to today's announcement will be exempted from the changes and will still be entitled to an Import Approval once the vehicle is 15 years old.

The statement mentions "a level playing field", obviously to the Australian Govt. this involves sheltering our small and uneconomical local market from imports by grossly and unfairly restricting what is allowed in after conducting limited community / industry consultation. Not sure what happened to free trade or a fair go in this case. And this is after setting up SEVS as a means to control the import numbers of a restricted selection of vehicles, leading to less consumer choice and much higher prices.

If you have any comments about the changes please direct these to the contact points shown at the end of the statement.

---------------------------------

L11/05

Monday February 7 2005

MINISTER ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF CAR IMPORT LOOPHOLE

A plan to tighten Australia’s vehicle importation laws that will reinforce motor vehicle safety and emission standards was announced today by the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd.

“The Government is closing a loophole that has enabled mainstream cars over 15 years of age to be imported in commercial quantities, and not subjected to safety and emission certification,” Mr Lloyd said.

“Importers of these cars were using an exemption that allows hobbyists and enthusiasts to import classic and historic cars. This exemption exists as these vehicles generally perform low mileages and are limited in numbers, and therefore represent a minimal risk to overall Australian vehicle and safety goals.

“Without such an exemption, the private importation of these types of older, collectible cars would become uneconomic.

“The closure of this loophole will only apply to those vehicles which do not fit in the classic and historic category, thus preserving the ability of hobbyists and enthusiasts to obtain older classic cars and historic vehicles.”

Mr Lloyd said a transitional arrangement would be provided for other vehicle importers who had current commitments to bring in vehicles under the old rule.

“The changeover is being introduced gradually, to allow importers and consumers time to react to the revised focus of the exemption,” Mr Lloyd said.

Under the new rule:

Vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989 may be imported without restriction.

Vehicles built during 1989 (or later) will need to qualify under the Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) and will need to be certified as complying with Australian Design Rules (applicable at the date of manufacture). To qualify under RAWS, vehicle models must meet the specialist and enthusiast criteria.

The buffer period (between collectible vehicles and mainstream vehicles) will be gradually extended over time – up to a maximum of 30 years.

A transitional arrangement will also be established. Those importers who have already made a financial commitment before today on a vehicle manufactured in 1990 intended for future import, will be allowed to bring the vehicle into the country under the old rule up to the end of December 2005.

“This new rule will re‑instate a ‘level playing field’ within the industry. Vehicles supplied to the same market will be subject to the same regulatory environment, substantially reducing cost pressures on mainstream businesses,” Mr Lloyd said.

Media inquiries:

Mr Lloyd’s office: Fiona Telford 02 6277 7060

Technical inquiries:

Department of Transport and Regional Services: Justin Bryan 02 6274 7426

Yep, that's been on the cards for a while now, not that that makes it ok! R32 skylines were just about to become readily available too!

It's just frustrating isn't it...

30 years soon!

What a load of utter crap.

I just wanna import a 2 seater ZX turbo to rip it's motor from

It sounds like the change is meant to stop dealerships from importing scores of cars, not the enthusiast from bringing over a couple.

Hey Gavin, why not just imort the mechanicals you want instead of a whole car you don't.

Will

I find it very hard to find all the bits i need including loom, computer, distributor, intake manifold, exhaust manifold etc... often if i see this stuff on ebay it's seperate and each item goes for too much money once converted to AUD$. I thought about a half cut but under the 15 year law it prob works out cheaper to import the whole car.

Also buyign a whole car would probably be cheaper than the sum of it's parts.

The other good factor is that a 2 seater S130 was never released here and I figured I'd sell the shell once i've molested it for it's good bits to someone who wants to have a 2 seater ZX for something a bit different.

However as you can see it's not a simple process and hence the reason i've gone the stroker route.

It might be more economical and rewarding to go an RB motor later if i'm not happy with the power in my Z .

I'm real angry about this happening. I had an R32 GTR import on the cards for later this year. But now i can't get it at all Prob get a GTO or something now. So i can have fun while i restore the zed hehe.

Sorry to hear that.

I just wanna import a 2 seater ZX turbo to rip it's motor from

You Sir are a butcher Love the ZX real coupe, what a neglected and underestimated car

Hey Gav, that rule only affects cars that are to be registered. You can still bring over any car you want if it is only for parts or racing. There are a few imported series 6 RX7's going for around 12 grand because they can't be registered. Normal price is about 30 grand.

You Sir are a butcher Love the ZX real coupe, what a neglected and underestimated car

yeah i am a bit of a butcher but........

Have you seen this months car of the month at http://www.zcar.com/month/

Minimal mods and doing 13.72 down the 1/4mile imagine that in a lighter better 240z .

oh and Btw the ZX is an AUTO

Dump the boat anch...err L series donk, a Q45 would fit nicely into the 280ZX engine bay, a turbo or two if required, rip out the heavy interior options, add a set of wide dishies to fill the wheel wells........ :laugh: