From the "Things you don't see every day in Perth" file..

[theducks]

Today we were driving behind a Left-Hand-Drive Ford F150.

With Washington State licence plates, and a big American flag sticker.

As far as I'm aware, Australia will indeed let you temporarily import non-ADR complaint vehicles for use on our roads. It's just that, y'know, no land border means people tend not to take us up on the offer. Except this guy, who seems to have really made an effort.

Google Maps suggests Seattle to Perth would take 54 days, including the Kayak journey across the Pacific ocean. Heck, even the Great-Circle route is 16000 kms.

Comments

[evil-megz.livejournal.com]

Might it just be that he intends to keep it here permanently but has not yet gotten around to getting it licensed here?

[theducks.livejournal.com]

Possibly. Still, quite a lark to see Washington state plates here in Perth.

Also, have seen 2 x 1DAA plates, and one 1 x 1DAB plate

[evil-megz.livejournal.com]

I seen some Ds now too :)
I would have plastered it on my journal but I saw my first DAA weeks after seeing a 1CZZ 905 and I assumed they were probably old news by the time I finally found one and didn't want people pointing this out to me :P

[evil-megz.livejournal.com]

ergh... I just had a look at what a Ford F150 was. I'd been picturing a sweet little 60s muscle car... not one of THOSE. Why would somebody want to import THAT :|

[luyer.livejournal.com]

It's not uncommon to see super jacked up Fx50s in the bay area (usually F150/F250/F350, I think the larger models are probably more common in other parts of the US). Perhaps he got a good deal on one recently, and imported it to Australia - those things were almost impossible to sell when "gas" (petrol) was over US$4 a gallon (it's now back around US$2 a gallon, under US$2 in some states, above it in others - I wonder if the demand for insane vehicles will pick up again).

[luyer.livejournal.com]

...like this.

[ataxi.livejournal.com]

I've seen a few left-hand drive super-wide US cars parked in the Arts parking lot before. One in particular comes to mind, a really massive Caddy convertible with all of those "CAUTION: LEFT HAND DRIVE" stickers blazoned upon it.

[torque-635.livejournal.com]

Meh. I've had 3 left hookers in my life time. All in the space of 2 years mind you.

PS Caution LHD stickers are no longer a requirement in WA.

[theducks.livejournal.com]

LHD is no issue in and of itself. The fact it was driving around Perth with US Washington State plates was notable :)

[torque-635.livejournal.com]

We've done the same on european plates too.

Cept these cars weren't exactly temporary permitted...

[dannipenguin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was going to say this.

[tevriel.livejournal.com]

That's some serious dedication to driving a land yacht, right there.

[aphrodite.livejournal.com]

I saw a (perth licensed) F250 on the roads yesterday and thought THAT was bloody huge!!! I couldn't see the point of it!

[dr-jekyl.livejournal.com]

I saw the most beautiful mustang the other day. Seriously, it was a joy to watch and listen to. I think watching Top Gear is doing funny things to my brain.

Washington plates though - that is somewhat awesome.

[silne.livejournal.com]

I saw a lot of left-hand drive cars whilst living in Alice Springs in the late 80s. Even rode in a few! Was way weird though and NOT an experience I care to repeat in this country any time soon.