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I'm coming to Oz (Brisbane) and bringing my 63 split - check out my ride.

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Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879379
Hi from the UK, hopefully i will be coming to Oz this year and want to bring my 63 Split with me.
If anyone has any experience of this I would be interested in your comments.

Also, where's the best place to live in Brisbane ?

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#879383
Where are you going to be working?
65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

LUFTMEISTER Veteran Volks Folk

2,041 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#879384
Northside - southside suxs 😂
Customer service is not dead in Australia.

Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879385
I am really not too sure at the moment, I will be working for Nova systems nr Ipswitch ? they have two offices though in Brisbane, one in Brisbane and the other in Ipswitch. We are still in negotiations.

I need good schools for the kids and most importantly a massive garage !

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#879396
Well western brisbane would be the best bet as peak hour traffic in brisbane is shit. There are some nice places around Ipswich, and also the western suburbs
65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879408
Thanks, is forest lakes , Springfield and Greenbanks any good ?

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#879412
erm.. depends on what you like in an area?
fractal geometry; the inner most limits of mind altering abuse

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allcooled.com.au

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 ·

#879423
Hey, cool - Brissie is a great city, so hope the move all works out for ya.

I moved here from Sydney with work almost 8 years back, and altho it was meant to only be a 2 year move I've ended up staying... I love the place !!!

👍

Anyway, each Brisbane suburb has a very different personality and 'feel' to it... and yeah, knowing where your office is going to be is an important to factor in. Traffic is nowhere near as bad as say Sydney, but it can be a large chunk of your day if you're going with the flow, and the rail networks here are a lot less than what you see in Europe.

My advice would be line up some temporary accommodation either in Brisbane City, or maybe somewhere like Kangaroo Point or South Brisbane for the first few months you're here... then travel around, get the feel of suburbs, price ranges etc. and then make decision on where to go. Coming from UK, won't it take like 3-4 weeks for all your stuff to arrive anyway ?

Coming into a suburb cold, or just on our recommendations can really wreck the experience.... 6 other guys from my company and their families moved in at the same time from Sydney, Perth and Adelaide... and the ONE guy of that group who didn't do the temporary thing first ended up somewhere difficult to live with, and so 12 months later him and his fam moved back home again. The rest of us all turned the 2 year transfer into permanent moves... as the real estate types say it's all about location, Location, LOCATION !!!

As to getting the split rego'd etc.... well it's RHD presumably, so providing not too crazily modified and in resonable mech condition is definitely do-able !!!

😉
VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
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'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#879437
Welcome to Aussieveedubbers and and our community. Like Sides says, rent somewhere first as it will help you enormously. I live in Mt. Crosby which is about 20 minutes from Ipswich or a 45 minute drive to Brisbane. It is a small acreage area with lots of room to build a big garage if there is none there already. Forest Lake and Springfield tend to be smaller blocks of land so less room for sheds etc. I don't know much about Greenbank for housing but there is a big Army training ground there.

Once you rent somewhere, you can drive around and see what these places look like for yourself so you can see if they suit you.

To import your splittie will not be too hard under the personal import scheme but you have to apply before the car gets here. Follow this link and there is lots of info and links to the forms you will need http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/index.aspx

Good luck with the move here.

Yogie

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#879442
http://ironladyimports.com/ can help you bring it with you 👍
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂

STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress

Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.

The above are personal views, no more, no less

MrsBahBah Casual Dubber

32 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#879463
Sides you've made some good points - maybe renting somewhere for a while is an option, then spend your weekends driving around different areas to see where you and the family want to settle. I commute/drive to work everyday into Brisbane and it can be a bitch, however there are some nice areas in between Ipswich and Brisbane like Chapel Hill, Kenmore, Brookfield and Fig Tree Pocket. Good luck with your relocation!
😍"Olive" - 1955 VW Beetle😍

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879503
Sides wrote:Hey, cool - Brissie is a great city, so hope the move all works out for ya.

I moved here from Sydney with work almost 8 years back, and altho it was meant to only be a 2 year move I've ended up staying... I love the place !!!

👍

Anyway, each Brisbane suburb has a very different personality and 'feel' to it... and yeah, knowing where your office is going to be is an important to factor in. Traffic is nowhere near as bad as say Sydney, but it can be a large chunk of your day if you're going with the flow, and the rail networks here are a lot less than what you see in Europe.

My advice would be line up some temporary accommodation either in Brisbane City, or maybe somewhere like Kangaroo Point or South Brisbane for the first few months you're here... then travel around, get the feel of suburbs, price ranges etc. and then make decision on where to go. Coming from UK, won't it take like 3-4 weeks for all your stuff to arrive anyway ?

Coming into a suburb cold, or just on our recommendations can really wreck the experience.... 6 other guys from my company and their families moved in at the same time from Sydney, Perth and Adelaide... and the ONE guy of that group who didn't do the temporary thing first ended up somewhere difficult to live with, and so 12 months later him and his fam moved back home again. The rest of us all turned the 2 year transfer into permanent moves... as the real estate types say it's all about location, Location, LOCATION !!!

As to getting the split rego'd etc.... well it's RHD presumably, so providing not too crazily modified and in resonable mech condition is definitely do-able !!!

😉
chaps
many thanks for this it is really helping me. The bus is majorly modded and that's what i'm worried about and its also a left hooker but the old girl is nearly 50 years old so i was told that more and more left hand drives are hitting the scene down under......is this true.
The bus is running 200bhp and has a Subaru conversion but I was thinking about putting an air cooled lump back in just to get it through customs etc and then re fit the Subaru. I wanted to import it under the pre-1978 rule which means it needs the air-cooled motor back in.

what do you think ? i'll try and post some photos later.

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#879507
Not sure how the mods would affect the import side of things. To get approval to register here though, it can stay LHD due to the age so that would not be a problem. You would have to get the headlights changed to RHD lenses and probably have amber blinkers. The Subaru would also need to be approved by a local engineer so any photos of the build should be brought with you to show the engineer. It would probably also need the brakes upgraded if not already done and for them to be approved by an engineer as well.
Yogie

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879511
Hi Yogie,
brakes are disks all around. Due to the year it doesn't have amber flashers they are single round red ones, so they flash like in the USA and the flashers in the front are white - this is all legal in the UK. I'm confident that the Scoobie install is engineered to a good standard, but would it be easier to convert it back to air-cooled then re-fit ? I see that there is a specialist subaru / vw garage in Brisbane so what do you guys do when you change the engine from air-cooled to Scoobie ? do you have to have an engineers report ?
The headlights should already by RHD for the UK yearly test.
My plan was to convert it back to air-cooled and put the Scoobie engine inside the bus when I send it over - along with the contents of my garage !
keep the comments coming, maybe we'll hook up for a beer sometime.
Andy

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#879521
Custom Off Road in Stafford do the subi conversions here. Have a look on the governments website that I sent to see about the engine for import. I would have thought it would not be too hard to bring it in with the new engine in it but you will need a local sign off for it before registration. Same for the brakes. It is probably easier if they are brakes from another vehicle (Porsche for example). Still think you would probably have to do something about the blinkers though.

Let us know when you are here and we will meet up.

Yogie

kombibob AKA: Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter Van Robert

1,698 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#879522
engine and brakes will be no prob, i can give you the number of the guy in brisbane that approved my split (also with subi motor) 😉
1961 swb buggy
1960 karmann ghia
1963 Single Cab: "El Concreto"
1963 bent 23 window " Frieda Samba "
1963 Eriba Faun camper " Cara Van daCamp"
2012 Skoda Octavia scout

Get down low and go,go,go

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#879523
Darren (Rossi46) imported a modified beetle and had a bit of trouble getting to the right person.
Have a look here
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=94572

maybe send him a PM

things like dropped spindles and such are frowned upon.
Some of the disc conversions are as well.

Good luck and see ya soon 👍
Futue te ipsum!!!

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#879525
kombibob wrote:engine and brakes will be no prob, i can give you the number of the guy in brisbane that approved my split (also with subi motor) 😉
perfect, yes please.

I think the issue will be more like getting it registered as a 63 with a MY1999 engine in it by the customs people. They may register it as a 1999 vehicle and therefore has to comply with emissions etc....due to the engine install, i'll try and post the link later.
Andy

Governor Wolfsburg Wizard

414 posts · joined Nov 2008 ·

#879530
Put the air cooled back in, at least then you can use it when you come over, then look at what's involved with the Scooby conversion.
Also the rules recently changed and I believe it basically must be stock , ie height engine, brakes, wheels ect, I know the custom car sellers are having a hell of a time trying to get modified Yank cars into the country.
You won't have a problem with it being a left hooker, the closer you can get to it looking as stock as possible the easier it will be to get into the country.
I think you will have a problem with the disc brakes, they won't even allow some genuine ones here , ie if you even fit Porsche ones you have to get them engineered, I have heard of an engineer not passing CSP brakes as his excuse was he hadn't seen them before so he wouldn't pass them?
Also some places say you have to have demisters , two speed wipers ect if you have a later engine fitted, it all depends on the engineer and how they interperet the rules, you first problem is getting it in the country and regoed first

Zebra van man Learner Dubber

17 posts · joined Jan 2012 ·

#882271
kombibob wrote:engine and brakes will be no prob, i can give you the number of the guy in brisbane that approved my split (also with subi motor) 😉
That would be kind thanks. I have found out a bit more about the job, I will be working at either Bribane airport or Victoria Army barracks. So North side of the town may be better for us.
I have been looking at Samford Village and Ferney Hills - are these places any good ? Good schools are essential.

Do you guys have any shows coming up ? Hope to be there in September.

kombibob AKA: Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter Van Robert

1,698 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#882324
ha ha love it!
Samford is a nice place to live semi rural and still not far from every thing, i live just up the hill from there.
But yep chuck the aircooled back in for the trip and trust me you will have no probs getting the rest engineered in QLD once you have the customs stuff sorted😉
1961 swb buggy
1960 karmann ghia
1963 Single Cab: "El Concreto"
1963 bent 23 window " Frieda Samba "
1963 Eriba Faun camper " Cara Van daCamp"
2012 Skoda Octavia scout

Get down low and go,go,go

tar76 Custom Title Time!

1,622 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#882328
Can't wait to see that split at some shows 😎,
"Obey your Dreams"!


62 Std beetle.
65 11 wnd Split "The Cross".
6? coming very soon!!!!

dave1342 Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#882880
Zebra van man wrote:Thanks, is forest lakes , Springfield and Greenbanks any good ?
I moved here from UK 18 month ago I sold my 67 split as it was a pain to bring it over I was told you have bring it back to stock to re register in qld.
Anyway if your working in Ipswich forget living in the north lol. I have worked in Forrest lake and know the area well and would say there is better places in Brissy to live. For a start it's right next to Inala which is a a dump.
North Brissy is best lol but in all fairness even the Worst suburbs are nice compared to most ruff places in UK.
Keep the thread updated and if there is any help I can give ( having made the move) let me know

dave1342 Casual Dubber

44 posts · joined Jul 2011 ·

#882882
Oh yeah I live in Arana hills right next to ferney hills lol.
Nice place

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#882929
Northside people are generally deluded about the desirability of their suburbs. 😘

Some very nice suburbs in south Brissie along with ordinary ones.
Southern side of Brisbane has all the new road networks so you can get around a lot better IMO

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#882934
vassy66T1 wrote:Northside people are generally deluded about the desirability of their suburbs. 😘

Some very nice suburbs in south Brissie along with ordinary ones.
Southern side of Brisbane has all the new road networks so you can get around a lot better IMO
Spoken like a true southsider.....😂😂😂
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

waltermitty Legend when my beer goggles are on

1,993 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#882941
kombibob wrote:engine and brakes will be no prob, i can give you the number of the guy in brisbane that approved my split (also with subi motor) 😉
Not correct , to import it needs to be stock but once here you can get the mods engineered and then register with the goodnesses. Mitchell
23 windows ...8 too many!