Importing a Spider

cranberry · February 27, 2019, 06:48:09 PM

Hi all,

Just looking for some feedback on a crazy idea I had. I've been noticing the price of series 3 and 4 Alfa Spiders is still crazy low in America. Prices are sub $10,000 whereas here they are verging on $30,000 for basically LHD cars that were converted. What are your thoughts on importing one from USA? I can get one imported for $5,500, all inclusive of all government costs and approvals. I've had a few quotes but the lowest cost ones do not include anything, just the shipping.

What are the pros and cons of owning a LHD Spider in Australia? Will it be viewed in a less favourable light than the converted RHD ones?

This is what I'm talking about: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-alfa-romeo-spider-4/

Thanks in advance.

Citroënbender · February 27, 2019, 08:05:09 PM

Go for it! Visibility is good in a DHC, so the side of driving doesn't matter so much. Enjoy the savings and enjoy the driving.

As to value, it's illogical to price converted examples above unconverted; these cars are now able to be fully registered without conversion - why should a butchered car be worth more than an all-original one?

p.s. "Graduate" model; now I've got this earworm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jGWfVXtwd4

poohbah · February 27, 2019, 08:34:25 PM

I was a teenage indie music fan in the mid '80s/early '90s so preferred this version:

But sorry to drag this further off topic Cranberry, $5500 import cost for an all original car sounds reasonable, if you can find a rust free US car at a reasonable price.

In WA there are no restrictions registering LHD cars that are more than 25 years old. Just need to display a sign on rear windscreen stating its LHD. Don't know what regs are in your location.

Citroënbender · February 27, 2019, 08:54:28 PM

One day, PB, it will all make beautiful sense.

At least he doesn't want to drive a GTO and wear a uniform.

Craig_m67 · February 27, 2019, 09:02:46 PM

There are restrictions in other states though...

Me, personally (my opinion) is that a LHD car will never be worth as much as a RHD regardless of condition. Only vehicles that were only ever available as LHD seem to retain their value (750/101 cars.. or specials like the SZ Zagato, etc.).

There is very likely a RHD Spider somewhere in Australia, in just as reasonable a condition as the US that you can buy and restore without the palava of importing and limited resale. I don't agree that cars are *that* much cheaper in the US. Decent cars (rot free) are expensive as BAT (Bring a trailer) data shows.

That said, don't forget the South American cars... they're already RHD. Quite a few in Aust. This guy (Instagram) restores in S.A., might be able to help... https://www.instagram.com/p/BqFPUTyF6Mf/

And the UK. I brought my 156 (JTD) home with me from the UK and the landed (import) cost was similar to what you're suggesting (i suspect it may be more once you research the asbestos issues suggested by others on this board) .

What's your actual budget, which model (series) do you prefer??
(Somebody probably has one in a shed....)

cranberry · February 27, 2019, 09:38:19 PM

Thanks Craig. Did you mean South Africa?

I haven't thought about my budget. I guess under $20K including registration in SA all up seems reasonable and worth it for me. I guess if I could find one locally I would be interested but I haven't seen one under $30K for ages.

Keep in mind Spiders were never brought into Australia by Alfa Romeo so most that are here have been converted and in my mind inferior to the original product.

GTV-074 · February 27, 2019, 10:48:09 PM

Are you talking about S3 and S4 spiders never having been imported to Australia?

Because duetto's, 1750 & 2000 spiders certainly were as RHD by Alfa Romeo.

Cheers,

Paul.

Craig_m67 · February 28, 2019, 01:19:42 AM

Hej,

Yes, I meant South Africa ... sitting here with a Brazilian, got confused (no it's not itchy

)

Paul is on the money, as I understand it the 105/115 Spiders were officially imported into Australia by Alfa with the exception of the last (series4). These weren't made in RHD at all as I understand it, although several were converted in the UK by an officially sanctioned distributor.

I own a RHD '66 1600 Giulia Spider (Duetto, series1).. Alfa confirmed its provenance (colour) and place of sale in Australia.

cranberry · February 28, 2019, 10:11:19 AM

My apologies. You are correct. I was thinking of the Fiat 124 Spider.

So it looks like it was only the Series 4 that was never made in RHD form so that's probably the one I will focus on.

Do you think there would be any interest for these in Australia?

Citroënbender · February 28, 2019, 10:31:12 AM

How's the market for Spitfire 1500s?

rowan_bris · February 28, 2019, 11:02:04 AM

I don't there will be much interest. When ever they have come up for sale here there has been little interest in them. They kind of lost too much of the appeal of the early cars really.

Quote from: cranberry on February 28, 2019, 10:11:19 AM
My apologies. You are correct. I was thinking of the Fiat 124 Spider.

So it looks like it was only the Series 4 that was never made in RHD form so that's probably the one I will focus on.

Do you think there would be any interest for these in Australia?

aggie57 · February 28, 2019, 12:18:02 PM

Quote from: rowan_bris on February 28, 2019, 11:02:04 AM
I don't there will be much interest. When ever they have come up for sale here there has been little interest in them. They kind of lost too much of the appeal of the early cars really.

Quote from: cranberry on February 28, 2019, 10:11:19 AM
My apologies. You are correct. I was thinking of the Fiat 124 Spider.

So it looks like it was only the Series 4 that was never made in RHD form so that's probably the one I will focus on.

Do you think there would be any interest for these in Australia?

which is kind of why they're cheaper in the US.....

sprint speciale · February 28, 2019, 02:41:54 PM

When it comes to 105/115 Spiders anything between 1977 and 1994 (inclusive) was not factory produced in RHD.

Only series 1 (osso di seppia) and series 2 (coda tronca) were produced in RHD by the factory .

Everything else was converted by someone else.

cranberry · February 28, 2019, 04:51:42 PM

Thanks. Good to know.

john m · March 02, 2019, 12:55:00 PM

Hi Cranberry
I agree that low US classic car prices are very tempting, but there are some pitfalls. Most notably Aust. Border Force which are applying zero tolerance to asbestos in older vehicles. I know of one private importer who has organised the removal of all brake linings, clutch and gaskets and pressure washing the underside of the car before leaving the US. The car had to be pushed or towed around the docks. You need to look into the issues before acting. Good luck. Some links below..
John
https://www.abf.gov.au/prohibited-goods-subsite/files/fs-asbestos-risk-importing-vehicle.pdf
https://www.dazmac.com.au/dazmac-develops-solution-to-asbestos-ban/