How to get an SW20 HT

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (just_ace)

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:25:34 GMT

for a short time, later model imports were allowed. but not anymore. they changed the rules.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (track_mr2)

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 08:09:27 GMT

mr2twanted
Hmmm sounds interesting - Assume you only track the car now but sounds like it meets compliance? Are you at liberty to disclose more about how you got your car & its history?

I just bought it from a guy here in Melbourne. It was fully compliance and registered. He had an engineers on it as well because of the modifications but isn't a repairable write off or anything. It's just a imported GTS Hardtop which has been modified. I didn't want to pay rego every year because I'm only using it as a track car so didn't bother registering it. He used it as his daily however and was fully registered. It's very low to the ground with a big carbon front splitter so not able to drive everywhere on the streets also why I didn't register it. Has the compliance plates and all bolted to the firewall.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (Ray-MR2)

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:43:54 GMT

I also have a Gen 3 GTS hard top, it was damaged in Japan with just 10 K on the clock. It is not to be registered in Australia. The importer sold it to me for parts. One day when it is thrty years old it may be alowed "club rego" in NSW.
This GTS was imported with the strict condition that it not be registered.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (mr2twanted)

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 22:37:31 GMT

Hmmm sounds interesting - Assume you only track the car now but sounds like it meets compliance? Are you at liberty to disclose more about how you got your car & its history?

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (track_mr2)

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:35:51 GMT

I've got a gen 3 hardtop (genuine SW20 GTS Gen3) and it was street registered and not a personal import. Can still be street registered again but has a few mods on it.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (xez)

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:46:30 GMT

Unfortunately, due to the import regulations in Australia, importing any Gen3 HT and getting it registered on the road is pretty much impossible, unless (correct me if I'm mistaken) it's a personal import that you have owned overseas for 2+ yrs.

A Gen3 HT is indeed a nice idea, and it's a shame Toyota didn't release more over here in the later years.
So in reality - your options are;
Live with an ADM Targa (like a nice Bathurst edition!), or get yourself a slightly older Gen1-2 HT here and apply TLC to make it as mint as you can afford.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (dylmrt)

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:41:20 GMT

it just seems like a really round about way of getting a hard top (buying 2 cars for one).

But like you said, anything can be done, for a price.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (mr2twanted)

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:02:13 GMT

Thanx for your input guys :-) - I was just wondering if its been done before? I know it has with other vehicles with sun roofs. I'll just try cold calling around some resto shops and ask directly if it can be done.......and the cost - clearly "anything" can be done but I do have a budget limit (unfortunately) :-)

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (Shaz)

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 12:27:28 GMT

I'm not really sure what you are talking about with importing and doing all the other stuff (too much technical stuff does my head in, lol). But there is this one on carsales. I took it for a drive a couple of weeks ago. Drives nice. Very trustworthy club member. It's an easy 3ish hour drive down the highway from Newy.
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-MR2-1994/SSE-AD-2899492/?Cr=6&sdmvc=1

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (dylmrt)

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 11:56:58 GMT

Can't you just weld some roof panels in place of the targa tops if that desperate for a hard top?

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (track_mr2)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 21:18:57 GMT

There are hard top SW20 turbo's for sale on carsales currently for around 7k.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (mr2twanted)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 20:41:12 GMT

OK, OK guys, apologies - to all for my ignorance - I think I get the message - "dreaming" (respect to all) - I didnt mean to offend anyone - Thanx for your advice :-)

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (Dudeman)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 20:34:17 GMT

And you'd need to have the car engineered to show that the roof was installed correctly. God knows what would happen if the govt decided that as the car wasn't sold as an ADM with a hardtop and they wanted to test it.

I feel like i'm getting sucked into some troll void here so i'll stop.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (Dudeman)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 20:31:02 GMT

Yes mate, that would be much more cost effective than buying a hardtop thats already here in the country. And much better made too, those clowns at Toyota never really stuck the hardtops down that well anyway. i'm surprised there aren't way more SW spyders getting around.

Re: How to get an SW20 HT (mr2twanted)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 20:27:16 GMT

No - not rebirthing - take the bare shell ADM remove roof and fit imported HT roof (saw this done on a TV program with a Mk 1 Escort with a terrible sun roof) - car is still ADM complianced - respray with internals out - then use internal parts to complete? What do you think?