The 101" FCs stranded in Hong Kong.

[Senorbarbo]

Let's talk about the FC101s stranded in Hong Kong.

I know the place very well, among other things because for us it has been a place where we can test the products we make (there are also Defenders, Series, Lightweights...) in very adverse weather conditions. My friendship with the owner even led me to buy one of the tropical ambulances, and although I still don't know what I'll do with it, I'm excited to have it go from time to time, clean it, and God willing this year I'll put its engine back into operation.

For some time now I've been thinking that these very special vehicles deserve to be rescued and brought back to life. The situation is as follows: Mechanically they are perfect, and the one with the most kilometers does not reach 25,000. They need radiator changes, hoses... but these are minor things that can be manufactured without any problem, or at least for us who come from the automotive sector in China it is very easy to provide at very good prices and competitive quality . The same could be said of the hoods, windows... which are very easy for us.

The biggest damage is to the chassis and bumpers, not all of them, but some areas are totally destroyed. Again, although these are not our products, it is feasible for us to remanufacture the chassis or their parts in China and take them to Hong Kong. Obviously it will be much cheaper to manufacture 10 bumpers than to manufacture just one. The same thing happens with the grills, or the tanks (the ones I have inspected are very good). The dashboards and steering wheels require care, but I don't see them as a major problem.

In short, we have very good suppliers and more than enough experience to undertake this project, which I can calculate that each one of them perfectly restored and improved would cost around 35-45000 US$, but this is something I am not going to embark on if there is no interest and commitment. If someone wants to buy them, Alan is asking around US$7,500 for each one, and it could be an interesting price if they are bought by someone who makes and restores everything himself. If someone wants to import them and have a third party restore them, in many countries it will be very easy to reach a much higher amount.



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Here you are my Whatsapp link: https://wa.me/message/UH27J4LQKS7AL1

[Tins]

That's almost tragic. Getting one into Australia would be almost impossible. AQUIS would have a fit.

[Senorbarbo]

That's almost tragic. Getting one into Australia would be almost impossible. AQUIS would have a fit.

Excuse my ignorance, but have no idea about what is AQUIS.

Why so hard to take them to AUS? Regulations? I think is almost their natural fit.

Javier

[V8Ian]

It's actually AQIS, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, tasked with, amonst other things, making sure any second hand vehicle imported is scrupulously clean. Not a speck of dirt or any aspestos.

[Tins]

It's actually AQIS

Correct. Force of habit.

aspestos.

It's actually asbestos.

[V8Ian]

It's actually asbestos.

I knew that, not sure how it came out like that.

[Homestar]

Yeah, getting a clean vehicle into the country now is difficult, these would be tricky. You'd have to get someone to do a lot of work on them before shipping as AQIS would charge around $10K each to decontaminate them - that's if they didn't just send them straight back.

Although sad it may be easier to scrap them and sell the parts - there are some rare and expensive bits on them - the exhaust manifolds, axle assemblies and steering boxes amongst others. There are some excellent rust free examples in Australia that are available here and there and by the time you spent $10K AUD buying one and who knows how much importing it, they aren't a viable restoration project IMO unfortunately when a good going example here ready to dive would be around $30 to $40K AUD

[loanrangie]

It's actually AQIS, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, tasked with, amonst other things, making sure any second hand vehicle imported is scrupulously clean. Not a speck of dirt or any aspestos.

Hasn't been AQIS for many years, now they are the Department of agriculture and water resources, DAWR it is now known as.

[Senorbarbo]

Thanks for the info, guys. I already remove all the asbestos on mine. Yes, they do have a blanket on the engine cover.
it is sad, but it seems they are sentenced to rust to death. I will try to save my ambulance, and maybe a GS.

[Tins]

Hasn't been AQIS for many years, now they are the Department of agriculture and water resources, DAWR it is now known as.

Same ****, different shovel. just an excuse to spend $$$$$ on new stationery. Bet they're no easier to deal with.