Saturday, October 27, 2007

The 73 Reborn - part II

After clearing US customs at LA, the 73 was on the water for roughly 3 weeks, in which time, local import related papers (permits, appointment of freight and handling agents, storage, clearance, etc) were prepared to avoid having the 73 sit in local port storage for longer than it needed to.

As it arrived on new year's eve, there was unfortunately a good 2 weeks of unproductive down time at the local port and customs, by which time, the Approved Permit (AP) for vehicle import (which has a 6 month time frame) had expired. This entailed having to go through the entire rigmarole of getting the AP extended by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI), while the 73 continued to sit in (or out of) storage vulnerable to all kinds of forces de nuisance.

While at the port, the 73 understandably attracted a lot of unwelcome attention. Evidences of this include missing emblems, damaged wheel caps, and a pried open roof. As the fuel lines were disconnected, the 73 was immobile and our heroes at port exercised their keen professional judgement by deciding to move the 73 around by forklift (!!) that resulted in a bent and dented in left exhaust and nicked transmission.

After 2 months since its arrival (!!) the 73 was eventually hauled out on a flatbed tow truck to the shop.

Sitting in the open & unprotected for 2 months. Pried open roof is visible.






Local customs had trouble locating the VIN, despite having 4 seasoned officers inspecting the vehicle from all angles. Found on the left A-pillar and visible from the front windshield.




Rolling it down on brakes and into the shop.










Damaged exhaust - which no party is taking responsibility for. Dicks.






Misaligned exhaust coupling.







To be continued..

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