for less than $5000au (from the east coast USA) you can get it imported to your state. If he owns it for less than one year, then he will have to pay a whopping 25% (including the 10% gst I believe) duty unless he plans on taking it out of the country again (and can prove so). Check out our customs page at
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/index.cfm?nav_id=670&area_id=5 - click on import / export and then motor vehicle. If he has owned it for more than one year, these costs will generally be waivered - just make sure he didn't buy it for more than $53000au otherwise he will be hit with a whopper of a luxury car tax.
The conversion costs are approximately $11500au for a professional mirror (
www.corvettes.com.au). But this can be waivered due to the 30year rule.
There are also compliancing issues, but you should be able to do them yourself (headlights pointing slightly to the left for instance, and exhaust if its not original etc).
if you want conversion rates:
http://www.xe.com/ucc for the universal currency converter.
All in all, when I bring my vette back, I plan on spending about $4000USD on everything. Not including the RHD conversion.
This is a reply to an email I sent regarding the matter, but I believe I can get a better deal:
___________________________________
Dear Nik,
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding prices and information on importing a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. I am pleased to offer the following information for your perusal.
Corvette Queensland can have your vehicle shipped from L.A to Brisbane and transported to Gympie for a conversion. Although because the vehicle will be over 30 years of age a complete conversion is not needed. This ruling is for all states in Australian including N.S.W. Only the basic things for example the headlight (so the dip in the correct direction), seatbelts etc will have to be changed and also an inspection will have to be carried out on the vehicle.
Estimated costs involved:
SHIPPING L.A to Gympie $4,400.00 Inc GST
This price includes:
* Packing Us and unpacking in Australia
* Customs clearance US & Australia
* Shipping - Ocean freight
* Australian Port Charges
* Quarantine
(In short, everything from L.A to Brisbane)
DUTY & TAX
No duty on a thirty year old car but 10% GST will be charged on the Australian value of the vehicle.
CONVERSION
* N.S.W. Engineers Report ranging from $450 - $1,000.00 depending upon condition on vehicle.
* Estimation on parts, labour and inspection fee to make vehicle fit for Australian roads ranging from $1,250.00 to $2,000.00.
Thank you for your attention tot his matter. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Kylie Sprigg
ADMINISTRATION
Ph: 61 7 5482 7833
Fax: 61 7 5482 8562