Author Topic: C6 convertible done and for sale (Read 16146 times)

TopDog · « **on:** August 25, 2005, 07:59:22 PM »

Here's the beginning of what promises to be an eventful few months.

The story so far.....

I decided on a new C6 convertible (Victory red natch) and talked to Corvette QLD (CQ) about how to do it - keep in mind I'm a Corvette and importing newbie.

(I was encouraged by a girl in a pub saying "it's the vette that makes them wet!)..Seemed like a nice young lady anyway...

CQ and I had a few chats and it seemed relativeley risky but (they not having done a C6 before) but - as my old mum used to say "wtf"...so I just did it.

Draft budget according to all concerned was about A$140-150K all up to get the finished car rego'd and in Sydney.
+/- a bit since CQ have yet to "do" one and have to get the gov't bits of paper and find out how hard they should bash it to make it RHD or whatever they do.

We're guessing on a December delivery date to Sydney...let's see!

CQ put me in touch with an LA based car buyer and eventually he got me the spec I wanted - or rather the spec he told me I could have easiest.....a C6 convertible with pretty much vanilla features.

Only spoke with him once - big trust, hold the breath and wire across around A$75k.

Amazing - he didn't dissapear! A receipt and VIN # later and the car got shipped a few weeks following with ETA QLD 18 Aug '05 (now 25th Aug).

1st "oopps" - a call from CQ telling me the car apparantly has been "trans-shipped". I think that's shipping speak for "it will be here in another 2 weeks because we decided it's cost us less if we offloaded it somewhere else and put it on a truck!" Or something - anyway it'll be 2 weeks late geting here.

So now we have delivery in QLD sometime early Sept and with a considerable scope of risk and damage cos it's been sent via christ knows where...

Stay tuned for what promises to be several exciting installments...

Next.....did it land? Will I see pics? Will I go to see it (yes)! Will it be broken (noooo!) When will they start converting it and will it be easy?

Hopefully I'll put up pics of the whole process - warts and accolades included.

Cheers for now

Dave AKA TopDog

Thunder Kiss · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2005, 08:20:44 PM »

Congratulations on the C6 Purchase.;)
Post plenty of pics.
I look forward to the next installment.

MJ427 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2005, 08:23:05 PM »

me too

69 DIRTY RAT · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2005, 10:04:22 PM »

Cant wait to see the finished vette!!!!

VET-005 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2005, 08:04:58 AM »

Congrats TopDog on your purchase, keep us posted as we are all keen to hear about any good or bad experiances you have during the whole process. Hope it all goes well and look forward to seeing the finished product.

TopDog · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2005, 09:10:34 PM »

My new C6 converty is bit closer.....

Got a call from the customs broker last week....it's here in Brisbane at last....before the customs folks part with it they need some dosh.

Just a small matter of coughing up A$31,500 for luxury car tax, gst, and duty. For the curious thats around $10K GST, $10K duty and $12k luxury car tax.

With any luck it'll be shipped to Corvette QLD this week - next update will be after I've gone up there to have a look at it and meet the people who'll be doing the surgery - expect pics. (hope I like the bloody thing!)

Cheers!

Dave

BrianVette · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2005, 10:34:00 PM »

Hi Dave keep us posted, is there still duty I thought stopped with Free Trade Agreement start this year ?

69 DIRTY RAT · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2005, 12:10:57 AM »

What is the bet....1 or 2 Componants of the car are made elsewhere thus negating the deal! I cant believe the Govt takes $31,500, at least that pays for a few dole bluggers!

Panther · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2005, 07:51:06 AM »

Yeah really keen to see finished conversion, that will be interesting big time

VET-005 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2005, 02:53:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by BrianVette
Hi Dave keep us posted, is there still duty I thought stopped with Free Trade Agreement start this year ?

Duty tax still exists unfortunatly. It has now been reduced to 10% and will continue coming down to 0% in 2010. ;30

TopDog · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2006, 09:29:45 PM »

;30;30;30

C6 Conversion check in...

Oh dear....had a call from Corvette QLD and though they *did* tell me this'd be the 1st C6 convertible conversion to RHD I didn't expect the drawn out process this is turning into.

The car was shipped to QLD from the US new on around mid 9/05 and I was given hints (optimistic as they turned out to be) that I might even get the car by Xmas - all being well.

Xmas came and went and now the advice is April '06. 7 months to complete??

It's hard not to feel let down - and of course I don't want to know all the details I just want it done somewhat faster.

Lesson for those planning similar things:

Get a project plan with milestones in writing before you sign off and get weekly progress reports. Everything has to be managed it seems. Especially client expectations.

But really - 7 months...

Dave aka SadDog

jolinari · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2006, 09:41:11 PM »

mmm well if they have never done 1 b4 i just can imagine the questions that would be emailed to the states asking them about wiring, electrical stuff....it is a long process
but definelty a contract is a way to go...at least if the car isnto finished on time u could always rgonatiate the price...
wish u all the best dude...and hope it will be out soon

MJ427 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:27:50 PM »

its cool to have the first but not always the best as they really have no idea what they are doing and its trial and erar

c5vette · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2006, 12:22:07 AM »

Make sure you check the dash before fitting mine was redone 4 times and still is not right.

you are welcome to come and inspect it if you like.

My C6 is still sitting until someone can convert it.

TopDog · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2006, 11:20:41 AM »

thanks C5vette - where are you? Like to see your C5 for tips. Dave 0438 054 054.

MR 502 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2006, 11:16:50 AM »

Hi Dave, is your conversion finished yet???:spook:spook:spook

Got rego???

if not how long now???:flower:flower:flower

MADLT1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2006, 06:17:40 PM »

i am told mr sutherland in hornsby nsw is doing the c6 as well:P

TopDog · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2006, 05:00:36 PM »

2005 C6 red convertible auto - for A$210K it can be yours tomorrow!

Selling through www.rickdamelian.com.au
Search the 'prestige' area under 'chevrolet'.

Anyone thinking of bringing in a C6 and having Corvette QLD do the work may like to U2U me for impartial advice.

Cheers!

DAve

Panther · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2006, 08:29:48 AM »

you can bring one in and have it done cheaper than that, coupe about $160K

daniel42au · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2006, 10:19:34 AM »

It is my understanding, that to get the initial RAWS approval to convert a particular model, a workshop has to firstly get hold of car to use as a sample case... this car is used to document completely the conversion process to meet RAWS approval requirements. Being the first, that may be the reason for the delay. After approval is granted, subsequent cars shouldnt take as long. Can anyone confirm that this is the case?