A friend of mine once remarked about not buying an older Mercedes Benz because it was not an Australian Delivery. “Why?” I asked, “Is it that much of an issue?” It wasn’t left hand drive, but a British car that had spent very little time actually in Britain, but he decided against it because of that factor.
It made me think, my car is Australian complianced, but was a tourist delivery. So it has some of the corrosion that a European car will have. Why is it better than a European spec. car? Would I have purchased mine f it had not been Australian complianced?
Why are we so prejudiced against cars from other countries? I agree that a car that has spent a lot of time in a European climate will have considerably more corrosion and rust than an Australian car, but it’s all repairable. Cars from the US “dry” states are free from such corrosion. Hong Kong or Japanese spec. cars, all have very low km’s. Though they tend to have higher engine hours than most. I also consider the Australian market to have a rather boring array of interior options and colours, some of the British and Hong Kong cars in particular have a spectacular selection in their interior colours. Really it all boils down to the originality of the vehicle. If you’re looking at a 1970 911E Targa, that has been badly converted from left to right hand drive and had a 964 body kit and a cab roof fitted. Walk away, unless you are really keen to bring that targa back to life. On the other hand, what is so abominable about a good original lhd 1970 911E Targa? They’re a pretty rare car these days.
As I settle in at Hartech, I am seeing a much broader range of vehicle than in my dealership days. I used to frown upon cars that crossed my hoist that were “imports”, (Not Australian delivered, obviously every Porsche that crosses my hoist was imported at some point!) For whatever reason I saw them as second rate. Even if they were in as good a condition as a local car, now I am starting to see things differently. I am seeing the customers passion for their cars, some don’t seem to know or care where it came from prior to its last owner, but it’s their Porsche. Others are quite proud to tell their cars history through all of its owners and address’ over the years.
At the end of the day, if the car is sound, mechanically and cosmetically speaking, why does it tend to be worth less than an Australian spec. car? As the years go by there are less and less of these cars about and it’s getting harder to find a good one so why not look abroad?
Later cars do not lend themselves to right hand drive conversion, with control units and wiring looms specifically designed for left and right hand drive markets, so it becomes cost prohibitive to do properly. Also Vic Roads don’t want to register a left hand drive car unless its over twenty years old.
Now I’m not saying that a poorly converted left hand drive car is just as good an option as an original car. I have seen my fair share of poor and some even just plain ugly conversions, these obviously should be avoided. But really, unless you are looking to win concourse events, and are looking for impeccable vehicle history, what does it matter? If done well, and the car is none the worse for wear, is it that bad?
Though when shopping internationally, cost should also be taken into consideration. The car may be cheaper, but you have to look at several things. If you want to import the vehicle yourself, freight of the vehicle, import taxes and then repair of the vehicle if required all add up. If you are purchasing a vehicle already in the country you have to look at the possibility repairing a poor conversion or doing the conversion itself, if you want a right hand drive car. Obviously these decisions would be made easier with a pre purchase inspection from a mechanic with experience in the cars.
So at the end of the day, if you are looking for an older Porsche, don’t write off the international market. Porsche is a low volume manufacturer, but there are enough cars about that you don’t have to buy a bomb to get one. Remember to set out what you want, and what you want to pay before you go to look at your desired vehicle. Do your research before you look at any car. Don’t get carried away by the sound and its looks until you’ve had it checked out. Hopefully after all is said and done, you may have your life long dream sitting in your garage. Good Luck.
With my workshop well and truly established, and with two hoists now, I have a daily changing array of interesting Porsches. I’m only one door from aPorschaPart, and have an excellent panel shop just a few doors further on. Feel free to drop by and say hello.