importing and registering my car

[jackbondo]

Hi, I am new on here and my car is currently being unpacked as we speak at the wharfs. I would like to know what has to be done to get it registered here in NSW. I know I need a blue slip, but what are the pitfalls if any? I have purchased a 1966 Mustang K Code Gt Fastback. Any help will be appreciated

Thanks in advance
Jack

[jusTANG]

Change the head lights to Aus spec

read this thread has up to date info

http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,25453.msg254115.html#msg254115

[StephenSLR]

You'll need a weighbridge ticket and Aus. headlights.

If you need a tow, the best price I got was Ed from H.Reid & Sons, he's an older guy, straight up and knew the guys on the docks on a first name basis call 0418 618 905 and ask him to tow it to SMS at Bankstown.  If your car's stock and roadworthy Chris (sms777 on this forum) will fix you up with headlights, ticket and blue slip.

http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,24359.msg243412.html#msg243412

s

[jackbondo]

I am confused!
All I would like to know is what is correct and what is the safest for my family. I know that I am buying an old car, and spending a little extra to "bring it up to spec" so to say doesn't worry me, but I would like the car to be safe as I will have my family in the car with me. This car has cost me a lot of money, and I just want it to completely legal and safe.

[67FBGT]

Well are you happy with LHD?
The obvious one is seatbelts.....inertia lap/sash vs fixed lap belts (if any) in front, lap/sash in back.
Mechanical condition, such as the power brakes, steering & wheel alignment in top condition, & high quality tyres.
Electrical, so it's as safe as possible, as in headlights, taillights, brake lights, indicators etc, many people are fitting LED lights these days as they're brighter than the old type bulbs.

[StephenSLR]

I just want it completely legal and safe.

You may as well buy a new car; these old US cars don't come anywhere close to modern cars with crumple zones, air bags, etc.

I would like to know what has to be done to get it registered here in NSW.

If the car is stock and roadworthy; you'll need a weighbridge ticket, Aus. headlights and a blue slip.

s

[mustang_talk]

Jack, sounds like you have picked up a nice car...at the club meets I go too there are a number of families. They all look as safe as they can be I.e seat belts, harnesses and maintained in good condition. I drive mine weekly as part of maintenance and attend the odd club run. What makes it safer for me is when I drive it I.e not in the rain and sticking to roads I know and during the day... A good mechanic will be able to get it to road worthy condition and ready to be registered... All the best... Hopefully you can post some picks of your car when ready...

[StephenSLR]

I think Jack is confused with all the talk of LHD, seat belts, etc.

Once registered then you can look into the little niceties to make it safer but if the car is stock and roadworthy you shouldn't have any problems getting it registered.  If the car is modified, then you may have to upgrade the seat belts, etc. It will depend on what your blue slip mechanic has to say.

s

[GLENN 70]

The things I would do to the car and I am not just talking for NSW rego  are fit new three point seat belts front and rear and have them certified . Then upgrade the headlights so they are bright not just fitted for RHD cars .  Make sure the brakes are up to scratch with good brake pads (most American pads are crap) and if needed a power brake booster .  Other wise just a safety check in general .

[65 GT HIPO]

Any pictures???    k codes are kool

[jackbondo]

I am confused aabout the rear indicators as it is being discussed in another link on this forum. I will call the rta on Monday to find out. Some say yes, and others say no. I am not keen on someone hitting me from behind and one of my kids or wife getting hurt and my car totalled, because the driver of the car behind me couldnt make out or distinguish what was going on and where i was going. Then the police come along and fine me. When I get a chance to get some pictures on here I will.
Thank you
Jack

[evan]

I am confused!
All I would like to know is what is correct and what is the safest for my family. I know that I am buying an old car, and spending a little extra to "bring it up to spec" so to say doesn't worry me, but I would like the car to be safe as I will have my family in the car with me. This car has cost me a lot of money, and I just want it to completely legal and safe.

Jack, 'correct' & 'safe' are two different things. Here in Victoria, seat belts, amber indicators, etc are not required for registration. The only requirement is a RWC & correct headlights. You may want to make a few safety upgrades for your own peace of mind. As already mentioned, avoid driving on wet roads. Regardless of how safe YOU are, the rest of the clowns on the road assume you have ABS! 

Evan.

[StephenSLR]

I am not keen on someone hitting me from behind ..... because the driver of the car behind me couldnt make out or distinguish what was going on and where i was going.

That's an urban myth. People have rear-enders with Aus. cars all the time, even when there's blinkers and brake lights flashing. Rear enders are due to negligence; in the eyes of the law, the person behind is almost always at fault in rear end collisions, they were either travelling too fast, didn't leave enough distance in front or took their eyes off the road.

By all means feel free to install amber blinkers if it makes you feel safer. If the brake lights aren't much brighter than the tail lights; that would be more of an issue at night, so you may want to upgrade to LED lamps.

If your car is stock you can get it registered with lap belts but lap-sash belts are safer.  Geoff at All Vehicle Restraints did mine.
Ph: 0417 473 492

http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,18004.msg182787.html#msg182787

s

[68Coupe]

If you're unsure of what's required, there are two Sydney based forum sponsors here that specialise in registering US imports. I'd give them a call.

Cheers, Andrew

[GLENN 70]

The best and safest way to do the blinkers on the rear is to cut and shut the rear tail lights .  Cut the right side of the lense out and fit an amber piece in and modify the housing and wiring . I have seen it and it works well .  When people just change the reverse lights to blinkers they are hard to see in daylight because they are under the bumperbar ,and should be above the bar .  The std American brake/blinker in one is ok but some Aussies  think you just have a brake light problem . I have been told a few times my brake lights on one side are flashing .  You can buy the smallest of led lights these days may be fit some extras somewhere  . I wonder if inside the corners of the rear window would be legal as well and the original blinkers .

[StephenSLR]

When people just change the reverse lights to blinkers they are hard to see in daylight because they are under the bumper bar

Yep and if you're at the lights up close behind one, the reverse lights are obscured by your bonnet line.

some Aussies think you just have a brake light problem . I have been told a few times my brake lights on one side are flashing

This is why I don't believe the rear-ender myth, when you see a brake light go on (even if only one) you apply the brakes; at worst those following would be braking when you indicate to turn not accelerating to crash into you.

s

[66 Stang]

I am confused aabout the rear indicators as it is being discussed in another link on this forum. I will call the rta on Monday to find out. Some say yes, and others say no. I am not keen on someone hitting me from behind and one of my kids or wife getting hurt and my car totalled, because the driver of the car behind me couldnt make out or distinguish what was going on and where i was going. Then the police come along and fine me. When I get a chance to get some pictures on here I will.
Thank you
Jack

Hi Jack,

Firstly, the rear indicators, regardless of the rules, my personal experience is Australian drivers don't really understand red flashing tail lights, I had a difficult drive home in the rain on a Sunday afternoon in traffic, I elected to swap the rear tail lights out for the LED yellow blinker tail light kit from custom mustangs a forum sponsor, it cost about $260 which is a good cheap upgrade for added safety.

As for safety, these cars are old cars and should be treated as such, make sure your car has disk brakes and power booster, and buy good quality tyres.

I drive mine as often as I can, with my 3yr old in it, drive the car with the respect it deserves, the best modification I did was upgrade my tail lights to yellow blinker which was a personal choice, and replace the brakes with all new parts, I also replaced my suspension and steering components, this was all done for safety reasons, and my personal choice.

Join the mustang club, you will get a lot of support and good advice from others who have been in your position. I see you live in Camden, if you get the chance come along to the next club meeting and say hello.

Cheers
Keith

[jackbondo]

Hi everyone, thank you for your help and guidance.  I have just returned from a short family  Xmas  break and now finally have the car in my garage, and looking forward to enjoying it with my family and friends. I’ll try and put up pictures of the car when I work out how to.  I am not a club guy, and also work shift work all over the place so may not join any club at this stage.  I have rung the RMS and they have advised me that all I need is a Left and Right external  Mirror, change the headlights to Australian headlights, Import Approval and a weighbridge ticket and a blue slip(as long as it passes the roadworthy  inspection that is).  The RMS Technical Department, also advised me that I need to change the rear indicators and that they need to work separate to the brake lights. He said that if the indicator makes the brake light flash whilst the brake light is on, then the brake light is deemed to be faulty.  I have the vehicle booked in with a blue slip mechanic next week and he is going to roadworthy the vehicle.
I will be doing some more safety upgrades as I get used to driving the vehicle if required, but will wait and see if I need to fit a power booster or not.
Shorn, in regards to coming to your place in Picton, I already have!  I tried to speak to you not long ago at one of your coffee mornings, and you wouldn’t even give me the time of day. You were extremely rude to me. Also, one of my work colleagues had some work performed by you and he was not at all happy, and you didn’t even seem to care. So why would I even consider you for performing repairs on my car.  I decided to join this forum for some friendship, comradary and help  from  like-minded  people, NOT  to have someone pushing some sort of legislation jargon that a lot of people on here may or may not understand.  Not to mention someone pushing their own barrow to discredit another.   I have read a lot of your other posts, and I was not born yesterday
 I thought this was supposed to be fun!
Now, I am off to admire my latest toy, and thank most of you again.
Jack

[littlejohn]

Good on you Jack, enjoy the car mate, I sit in my garage for hours and hours and do nothing but sit there !!

[peter9231]

Hi everyone, thank you for your help and guidance.  I have just returned from a short family  Xmas  break and now finally have the car in my garage, and looking forward to enjoying it with my family and friends. I’ll try and put up pictures of the car when I work out how to.  I am not a club guy, and also work shift work all over the place so may not join any club at this stage.  I have rung the RMS and they have advised me that all I need is a Left and Right external  Mirror, change the headlights to Australian headlights, Import Approval and a weighbridge ticket and a blue slip(as long as it passes the roadworthy  inspection that is).  The RMS Technical Department, also advised me that I need to change the rear indicators and that they need to work separate to the brake lights. He said that if the indicator makes the brake light flash whilst the brake light is on, then the brake light is deemed to be faulty.  I have the vehicle booked in with a blue slip mechanic next week and he is going to roadworthy the vehicle.
I will be doing some more safety upgrades as I get used to driving the vehicle if required, but will wait and see if I need to fit a power booster or not.
Shorn, in regards to coming to your place in Picton, I already have!  I tried to speak to you not long ago at one of your coffee mornings, and you wouldn’t even give me the time of day. You were extremely rude to me. Also, one of my work colleagues had some work performed by you and he was not at all happy, and you didn’t even seem to care. So why would I even consider you for performing repairs on my car.  I decided to join this forum for some friendship, comradary and help  from  like-minded  people, NOT  to have someone pushing some sort of legislation jargon that a lot of people on here may or may not understand.  Not to mention someone pushing their own barrow to discredit another.   I have read a lot of your other posts, and I was not born yesterday
 I thought this was supposed to be fun!
Now, I am off to admire my latest toy, and thank most of you again.
Jack

Jack,
Well said I thought the same.
Enjoy the car and remember it is yours and you can do what you want to it.
I put amber indicators in mine because of a couple of close calls.
And I can because it is mine.
Peter.

[mustang_talk]

Enjoy your car jack. Good to hear it is in your possession

Good on you Jack, enjoy the car mate, I sit in my garage for hours and hours and do nothing but sit there !!

Littlejohn, it must be great to be able to sit in your pride and joy like that. Mines covered and under a car port as I don't have a garage... Maybe one day 

[jackbondo]

 Well its done. Its registered. It passed the rego inspection with no problems yesterday. I have just come off night shift and will hit the sack in about 5 mins so I thought that I would share the news with you all
Thank you all for your help again. Next is to learn how to put some pictures on here so that I can share my new toy with you all.
Jack

[GLENN 70]

Jackbondo well we hope so .  Glad to hear its on the road  . Better than that orange with black stripes 1969 camaro running around Camden .    if you have seen it ? .