156 Crosswagon - ever released in AU?

[kbro3]

Hi guys, just joined the forum!

I'm really interested in the 156-based crosswagon with awd. I've read lots of local media that seemed to point that there was an Australian release of this car, but I can't find any used examples anywhere.

Can someone please clarify whether this model came out here?

If it didn't, I guess my best option would be some kind of rhd UK import?

Cheers!

[Craig_m67]

No, nor was it ever made in RHD ... so you won't find any in the UK. There was both a crosswagon (lifted) and Q4 (Ti). 1.9JTD only.

I remember reading (somewhere) that the RHD issue is our steering rack getting in the way of the gearbox/driveshaft connection.  The gearbox and associated gubbins are the same as those used in the 159.

Apparently; Crosswagon front wings are similar (wide) to GTA wings... Allowing for a facelift update GTA if you can source some

[kbro3]

Damn, not what I was hoping to hear, but thanks for the quick reply. Wonder what kind of dedication would be required to retrofit the hardware into a base 156 sportwagon.
Really cool vehicle in my book.

[Craig_m67]

Damn, not what I was hoping to hear, but thanks for the quick reply. Wonder what kind of dedication would be required to retrofit the hardware into a base 156 sportwagon.
Really cool vehicle in my book.

You would have to make it LHD...
( I love my Sportwagon and its already a 1.9 JTD)

[poohbah]

Not sure how it works in the rest of Oz, but in WA, you can register LHD vehicles for normal road use IF they are over 15 years old and less than 30 years old (anything newer needs to be converted to RHD).

So I suppose you could wait til 2018 and then import a first series Crosswagon to Perth...!

[kbro3]

Not sure how it works in the rest of Oz, but in WA, you can register LHD vehicles for normal road use IF they are over 15 years old and less than 30 years old (anything newer needs to be converted to RHD).

So I suppose you could wait til 2018 and then import a first series Crosswagon to Perth...!

Haha, and then bring it back to Vic and drive it on WA plates. Nice and simple!

[poohbah]

I will admit to driving an FC Holden on WA plates in Vic for 2 years when I lived in Melbourne back in the early noughties ...

[Craig_m67]

Not sure how it works in the rest of Oz, but in WA, you can register LHD vehicles for normal road use IF they are over 15 years old and less than 30 years old (anything newer needs to be converted to RHD).

So I suppose you could wait til 2018 and then import a first series Crosswagon to Perth...!

What happens in 2018?
Unless it's a personal import or was built before 1989, it's exceptionally difficult to bring in.
Maybe that will change now we don't have an industry to protect.

[poohbah]

What happens in 2018?

Nothing - its just the year in which the very first Crosswagons built will turn 15, thereby becoming eligible for LHD registration in WA.

[Craig_m67]

Ah, of course. My bad

It would be handy if all the states standardised these rules....

I wonder if you can make a crosswagon or Q4 using a 159 steering rack, the g'box and transmission gubbins are the same so they must have changed something there in the 159 to make it all fit.

Busso Q4 anybody

[poohbah]

Busso Q4 anybody

Yes please. Still miss my Busso.