Import MK1 GTI Compliance Advice

[Sharkie]

Does anybody know what would be involved in getting a MK1 GTI complianced in Australia.

My brother-in-law has found 2 mint (1983&1984) MK1 GTI's for me in South Africa. Before I go ahead and start the process of bringing them (both) to Oz, I need some advice please.

Good thing is the 1983/84 models had the big taillights and the 1800 8v (82kw injected) motors AND speedo's are in km/h ...

Bad thing is the MK1 GTI in South Africa where only 4 doors. Can get a unique to South Africa GT (2 door 1600 8v carb) with the same trim as a GTI as well. Condition is less than mint however.

[VR6 STORM]

Hi I imported my 1981 MK1 Golf GTI and my Corrado VR6 Storm from the UK when we emigrated at the end of 2007 so may be able to help?
First thing is they have to be pre 89 models to get around the 15 year rule. Otherwise you have to bring it in as a 'personal import' but to do this you have to have owned and used the vehicle abroad for a year before you can import it. They are very strict about this and require evidence of you being out of Oz for that year and proof of vehicle use abroad. You might be able to get an official grey importer to do if for you to get around this but I dont know about the rules on that.
My Golf is modified with a T3 turbo technics kit fitted, a BRM 2.0L engine and full aftermarket electronic injection and ignition with mapped boost. Believe me the DTEI were not having any of it when they saw it first time for its compliance testsing and wanted it all removed. Eventually I had a full engineers report done and got her through but was very very lucky and patient with the DTEI. The only mod I had to do to the motor was remove the atmospheric dump valve and fit a recirculating one instead.
Other than this, the mods I had to do that would apply to your cars were fabricating and fitting rear child seat restraint anchor points, fabricating and fitting side impact door bars as the Oz version at that time had them as standard and fitting of a high level brake light (no one was sure if it needed this so I did it anyway).
Hope this helps?

[Spec83]

....he mods I had to do that would apply to your cars were fabricating and fitting rear child seat restraint anchor points, fabricating and fitting side impact door bars as the Oz version at that time had them as standard and fitting of a high level brake light (no one was sure if it needed this so I did it anyway)

As above, this is all that is usually required for pre-'89 cars to be made compliant with ADR's and to hence pass registration. It normally helps if the cars are stock too, but this is not a must.

Actually, I think you also have to get the air conditioning system de-gassed before it lands in Aus to due to our tightening CFC emmission laws and the tyres must have a DOT stamp, else they will need to be changed

That is all

[Sharkie]

Thanks,

pretty sure they don't have aircon (it was considered a luxury at the time and many did not have). Will need to check up on the side-impact bars though. I don't know if that was standard at the time there.

Now all I have to do is consider if the cost of $8K landed (each) is too much. Funnily enough shipping is practically the same for 2 compared to only 1 ....

[Golf Loon]

You could fit aussie spec doors with intrusion bars to get around that if you needed too