Thoughts on South African cars

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andy19422

Active Forum User
I always see people talking about importing cars from the US but never from South Africa and wondered why. I would have thought the bodies would be as good if not better than those from the US, the shipping cost is about the same and they are right hand drive.
 
Rob Gaskin

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
People do import classic cars from SA but there were far more cars sold in the US. I knew someone who had an Australian 240Z.
 
Mr Tenno

Mr Tenno

Digital Officer
Staff member
Site Administrator
As Rob says, they tend to rarely come up and be expensive when they do
 
G

Geoff-R

Club Member
I think it's very model/marque specific to be honest. A couple years ago my dad purchased a 1968 Fiat 124 Coupe AC which was from SA, UK models were very thin on the ground and a SA version made perfect sense due to the climate and being RHD. I am sure he could have got one from Europe but then it would have been LHD, whilst that wouldn't have been an issue as he's driven many LHD cars a RHD car just seemed an easier option.
 
richiep

richiep

Club Member
Supplies from SA are limited, and not necessarily without issue. Chrisvega on here can relate the eye-watering amount of surgery that was needed to his SA import 240Z that was seemingly rust free and straight (it had a horribly repaired and hidden bang up the arse that required complete replacement of the rear panel).

Australian ones have got very pricey, and Japanese ones have been that way for some time. People opt for US imports as they are relatively plentiful and cheaper project cars can still be had to use as a blank slate for restoration, RHD conversion, etc.
 
C

Crasher76

Well-Known Forum User
This guy has been going for a while however I have no experience of the quality of his cars, one of a few zeds.

Datsun 240ZX

<p>Beautiful example , clean , running and driving , papers in order. 280ZX Motor fitted.</p>
www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za
 
C

Crasher76

Well-Known Forum User
This one claims to be fully restored

Fully restored Datsun 240 ZX

<p>This car has been fully restored by the Datsun Heritage center in South Africa.</p> <p>It is not registered in South Africa.</p> <p>Excellent condition, nothing to be done.</p>
www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za
 
datsfun

datsfun

Club Member
all that glitters is not gold..

S30 are very thin on ground in SA. Most Alfa''s also more or less exported and i would say most SA sellers are now pricing their cars using UK/ US as benchmark - ie for export.

Lots of substandard repairs and poor paint Also cars from coastal areas carry rust.

Chris can probably write a whole book on SA imports :) 😀
 
Z

Zedman

Well-Known Forum User
Crasher76 said:
I don't think he will turn out to be a messer....https://www.speedhunters.com/2019/03/the-datsun-nissan-heritage-museum-youve-never-heard-of/
Click to expand...
That post from 2019 says he’d never consider selling any of them.. but seems 5 years on he’s changed his mind. I guess now he thinks there hit a decent value?
 
5

51mes

Forum User
Been looking at this myself, given the paucity of uk cars & came across this video on YouTube - albeit about Alfa's (which were actually assembled there in their time) but it makes some good points.


I think buying from abroad without first hand knowledge of the car and buyer is a risky proposition.. if it looks too good to be true it probably is....
 
N

Needa240z

Club Member
Crasher76 said:
This guy has been going for a while however I have no experience of the quality of his cars, one of a few zeds.

Datsun 240ZX

<p>Beautiful example , clean , running and driving , papers in order. 280ZX Motor fitted.</p>
www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za www.oldcarsandtrucks.co.za
Click to expand...
I looked at this. While searching for a 240
I've got a few pics of it also
 
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