Some of you may have followed my antics in looking for a Bellett... Primarily a Sport, either 4 or 2 door. I have been looking for several months but many disappointments so far. The cars are there (Japan) but many reasons for them not being “available”.

In particular, a 2 door Sport was the favorite, mostly to be a little different. I am unaware of any Sports models being in Australia, or at least, on the road.

After many tries, I then started looking at GT’s but similar problems. But, a white PR60 1972 two door Sport i had found some months ago, came on the market again, in Japan. With the help of Jason (prince_skyline) in this group, we managed to buy it on the 17th June. Actually, two Sports sedan models but the 2nd car is a ’parts’ car. I think a 1971 model. Possibly re-buildable though. It does have some parts like original steering wheel that will be put on the “main” car. Spare car still has all the Sport (ie GT) gauges etc in it, but no seats.

So, the import approval has now been applied for. The Govt. Web page says it takes 15 days but the reality is that apparently 6-8 weeks is the ‘norm’. Weird system too in that you apply for approval AFTER you buy the vehicle ! What happens if you are knocked back, I don’t know.

Once approval is granted, the process of shipping can begin. Part of the problem finding cars before, was their mobility for roll on-off shipping. These are not mobile. The better car has “ignition problems”, whatever that means. I suspect, like many I have seen, that it has a CDI system or similar that might have failed. In such case, going back to standard system will solve it hopefully. So, the cars will come by container along with some spare parts. New and old. As far as I can tell, they won’t arrive here until about mid Sept. Leaving precious little time for the main Sport to be ready for the Nats in October. Maybe time to get it going, roadworthy items and Club Permit ‘rego’. Fingers crossed here, as it will need a shakedown run etc also, as Merimbula is a long way to go in an unproven car ! Later, I will slowly improve it as time permits.

Will update this thread later..........................

Glenn

Good to see you finally got one, the 2 door sports is my favourite bellett body shape, i have a small thing for 2 door sedans! cant wait to see what you do with it as you go.

I love the "look" also.

No big plans at this stage. Will have to see what its like initially. I guess some rust repairs, hopefully not too bad !
Get rid of the excess wiring in engine bay. Remove the Japanese radio.
Possibly remove the engine and paint the engine bay white. It appears to be black and i have seen a number of cars like that. I don't think belletts were ever painted different colour in the engine bay ? Car appears to be originally white by the floor at least inside.
Then tidy up, clean etc all over. Maybe re-plate the engine bay parts.
Not too keen on all black wheels either. I think they are Wanatabe rims ? Maybe see if i can get the colour changed or at least polish the rims ?

I don't plan to get too carried away with it.

and enjoy it .......

glenn

thats the main thing "enjoy it" it looks good from the pics, but you can never tell with pictures they dont show any of the nasty stuff! I think all black rims look good on some cars but not all, perhaps paint the centres and polish the outer lip?
will be good either way to watch how you shape it up!

yes, polish the outer lip is what i plan initially, depends how hard it is to do though......

you can do it!

we would allllll love to see it at the Nationals!

Merimbula a long way with an unproven car ... pffftt.
Adelaide to Coona say no more ...

Okay maybe I had a support car with enough spares and people who know Belletts to get me going if anything did go wrong.
Though blowing the engine up wasnt a problem (we had a tow rope), the broken windscreen proved to be the fly in the ointment.

So the moral :

If it runs and the brakes work, it will make it

Cheers
Rob

maybe a trailer then ?

glenn

Congrats Glenn! Looks like all that hard work is about to pay off. Hope you get a lot of fun out of the little beastie!

Duane

Thanks.... will be good to get back into a Bellett after about 5 years i think it is now.

Time files Glenn, by the time you receive this car it will be 6 years and 1 month and hopefully you can still remain proud of your job on the GT!!! LOL.!!
Looking forward to catching up,hopefully you will still be at Merimbula??
Dave M.

goodness me, had no idea it was 6 years already. The older one gets the faster time flies !

should be at Nats, paid the 'fees' and deposits.

glenn

Great News Glenn, only 4 weeks left to wait for Canberra tick of approval.
How long will it be on the water? NZ was 4 days from Auckland to Brissy.

congrats glenn and looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.

the Bloors had a 4 door Sport years and years ago, but it's unknown what ever happened to it since it left their ownership.

and i'd suggest trailer-ing it Merimbula either way. i do it that way these days as it a long way from home if something goes wrong, and my back won't cop 8 hours in a Bellett anymore either.
after all, if u've got the tow car and the trailer, why take the risk?

Hi Brett

do you know of any other 2 door Sports here ?

I am very tempted by the trailer idea for those reasons, assuming i can get RWC and Permit in time. The Ute should pull it easy enough. I can't see Milena sitting on the side of the road if it breaks down under it's own steam !

glenn

Not sure on ship time. I guess it depends on where else ship calls in also. The import approval seems to be the longest period out of the process apparently.
I'm hopeful it will be here mid Sept. Precious little time though to do much. Just hope theres not a lot a lot to do for roadworthy and getting engine going.

glenn

How old are you mate???
I can't believe it!
My family managed quite a few stints on our trip to the 2009 Nats, and me with the seat forward a few notches to give Rhys more space!
Cri i i i i i i ikey!


Matt.

And hows the poor car feel? "I'm not good enough", "I need to go on a trailer", "I look broken down"!

Fair enough if it's tired, or not fixed up yet, or new th the country and avoiding 'Culture shock', but if they're as beautiful as yours....... They wanna Dri i i i ive!


Just funnin, as long as they're there,
Cheers mate.

only your's when it arrives!
and being that we never had them from new, that'd mean a private import at some stage, and with it being unusual from the local "norm", someone would have known or still know about one in Aust if there was one.