American Muscle Cars Australia

Member Chat + Industry News + Tech Talk + General => AMCCA Members Chat Room => Topic started by: robbie on July 26, 2009, 09:12:17 PM

Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: robbie on July 26, 2009, 09:12:17 PM
Hi Folks, new member to the forum here, so be gentle :)

I've just bought a 1970 cadillac coupe deville from the US and am in the process of getting it out here and registered.

The car has shaved door handles, with access to the car via remote entry which wind down the windows. It also has an air-ride suspension set up.

The one RTA engineering signatory who has even agreed to look at my car to get an engineering certificate has told me the car needs to:

- have some mechanical means of opening the doors from the outside, like a hidden button/switch/handle
- air-ride suspension has to have some auto-levelling device so that the front and back are of even ride height.

My question is...can anyone recommend someone on south west sydney (liverpool campbelltown way) that can do either of those two mods? For the door stuff, am I better off taking the car to a paint/panel shop, or a mechanic?

Thanks for any info you can give me. I'm not sure my car qualifies as 'muscle' (tho it has a 472 big block?), but I hope to be around the forum and maybe even join the club if you'll have me! Here's my car...

(http://image7.autorevo.com/382/pics/711858_498aa9cf-c0d7-4117-ba4d-2f05b7705f29.jpg)
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: GT SALLY on July 26, 2009, 09:32:30 PM
Can't help with your query but that is "one sweet ride" robbie!

(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/gdivola/My%20GT/IMG_7227.jpg)
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: robbie on July 26, 2009, 09:55:24 PM
thanks - You probably won't miss me when I'm finally out and about, that's for sure!
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: MuscleVette on July 26, 2009, 10:03:31 PM
 ;18   Robbie welcome to the forum it would be a pleasure to have you & your Caddie in our club. About your door handles give a friend of mine a call his name is Jeff on 0412534317 he is an auto electrician who has hot rods.
 ;v Garry ;M :cool:
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: robbie on July 26, 2009, 10:12:17 PM
thanks for that Garry. Car won't arrive for a month or so. I'll apply for proper membership and call your mate then.

Much obliged.
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: Muzzy 66 on July 26, 2009, 10:16:06 PM
Hi Robbie...

Try calling I think there called Lohning Bros Engineers at Peakhurst/Penshurst for some advice they should be able to point you,used them myself years ago.

There is also Steve Janda think hes in Menai.

There is another engineer out at Minto cant even recall his name,from memory he worked out the back of an Auto Elec.they may also be able to point you.

Do some research look around and you soon see whos good and whos not..
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: Muzzy 66 on July 26, 2009, 10:28:56 PM
Bit of digging,the guy who ran Lohning Bros passed away,one of his workers is now at at Consul Automotive in Peakhurst near Hurstville Gold course,from many forums he is widely liked and helpfull...


http://www.consulmotive.com.au/Website%20Pages/Company%20Profile.htm
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: Steve on July 26, 2009, 11:27:56 PM
would be interesting just for $hit and giggles just taking the car down to the local blue slip place ....does a 1970 car have to comply ??
I realise that its modified ...........:D

Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: 69DirtyRat on July 27, 2009, 08:18:33 AM
Nice ride!
Rta are strict about those door handles unfortunately! There case is that in case of an emergency you are unconsious and someone needs to get you out they need an exterior handle or button! Which in a way doesnt make sense because what if you have locked your door? and you are unconsious? they still couldnt get in!
 
ProBag, http://www.probag.com.au/ are down wollongong way - 10/8 Marshall St, Dapto New South Wales I'm sure they could fix the auto leveling?
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: 68PONY on July 27, 2009, 01:03:50 PM
Very cool ride robbie, you would have loved our harrys run on saturday night with that beast of yours , you will have to join us on a run when she arrives and is on road , hope it all goes smoothly for ya.
cheers chris
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: GTA390 on July 27, 2009, 03:43:34 PM
Nice ;2

Right out of left field here but if all else fails how about bolting 2 stock doors on for rego.

David.
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: robbie on July 27, 2009, 05:19:44 PM
hadn't thought of that! not sure how easy it would be to find some locally though!

I would ideally prefer to get the car properly engineered as it means a) the police can't touch me and b) it will be easier to resell if I ever need to.

Can't wait to get it here and get involved with the club, you all seem like a friendly bunch ;16
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: bonnevista on July 27, 2009, 05:52:48 PM
Quote
Originally posted by GTA390
Nice ;2

Right out of left field here but if all else fails how about bolting 2 stock doors on for rego.

David.


Or attaching them with double sided tape.
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: usa383 on July 27, 2009, 06:16:30 PM
Quote
Originally posted by bonnevista
Quote
Originally posted by GTA390
Nice ;2

Right out of left field here but if all else fails how about bolting 2 stock doors on for rego.

David.


Or attaching them with double sided tape.

or  coat hanger wire with a loop in it wedged between the glass  like my xd ute;x
Seriously thought what a top looking car Robbie good luck with rego mate
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: GT SALLY on July 27, 2009, 09:51:51 PM
My son used these guys (Lohning Bros Engineers at Peakhurst) for his turbo gemini (9 years ago) & his highly modified SS Commodore (4 years) & a turbo RX7. They were very good & professional. At the end of the day, it's gotta be right so forget the tape, don't want to cruise thru Brighton or Bondi or LaPeruse when they got a blitz happening! Where there's a will, there's a way & who you know!!!
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: robbie on July 28, 2009, 08:18:21 PM
Hi All, thought I'd write a quick update. I spoke this arvo with a guy named Nick from Specialized Fabrications. I think they're over Narellan way, forgot to ask. Turns out these guys seem to do a one-stop shop, able to sort out my shaved door handles and the air-bag suspension height controllers, AND issue an engineering plate and blue slip for the car.

Some of the prices they quoted were a bit pricier than others, but some were cheaper too. And the convenience of getting all the work and engineering approval done in the one place is a big plus.

Just gotta get the freakin car in the country now....so excited I can hardly sleep haha!
Title: new forum member - help with engineering/RTA woes
Post by: twodogs on July 29, 2009, 01:00:20 PM
;4  Dribble dribble ;u  
                                   ;5 phil