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Originally Posted by COUPEMAN
Does anybody have any export numbers or is it nothing more than the classic chineese whisper?
A couple of months back I sent an email to the importers of Coupes in the USA indicating what I had. I also indicated that I had hundreds of photos I could shoot him if they were interested. For the record I had a 10 second XC Coupe, a near perfect XB 351 Fairmont Coupe and a 460 XB Coupe all in show condition. I put no prices on the cars. Do you think I got a reply? Nope. Even if they thought I was full of shit, it costs nothing to send an email requesting the photos.
Personally, I think the whole "USA importing all our coupes" is nothing short of a myth.
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I've posted info before on this but basically the AFFC (Australian Ford Falcon Club) tries to stay in contact with all owners here in North America (Canada and US). We are international owners only group with approximately 140 members in Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, US, and Japan! We are always trying to track what cars are coming into North America (we are very concerned about theft and theft resale). At last count, there were less than 100 Falcons in Canada/US. Of these, there are 2 panelvans, 2 utes, and 10-12 sedans. The remaining cars are hardtops of which only 10-12 are in some form of Mad Max conversion (there are less than 20 MM cars worldwide according to various MM websites). Very few of the owners that I constantly communicate with (about 50%) would even consider turning their car into a MM clone. Also, of the current owners in North America, 6 are Aussie ex-pats and all own more than 1 car. All brought their cars with them and some have brought more over for themselves and their family use. With the current exchange rate and new regulations, it currently cost almost US$6000 to bring a car into country (one guy recently paid US$6200).......MAYBE 2-5% of the current owners could afford these fees and if you follow any of the MM forums, you'll see that most of the posters on those boards CANNOT afford those fees. Currently I know of 5 cars in the US that are being sold by the current US owners. None have sold and all have been for sale for well over 12 months.......all are MUCH cheaper than importing so it's a pretty safe bet that the market is drying up.
ONE VERY important point, RHD does NOT sell up here! There are very few Canadian/US muscle car owners that will touch a RHD muscle car...most just want a Camaro or a Mustang. Perfect point is look how few Monaros and Chargers have come over! I have been able to track down 5 Monaros and 1 was LHD. I have found 10 Chargers and one has been for sale for over 10 months and it's price has dropped from $11,500 to $8500! There is one Falcon sedan that has dropped from $16500 to $9000 and it has been for sale since 2001!!! I'm sure there some cars I don't know about but I'd bet it's not many as RHD muscle cars do draw a LOT of attention up here.....these are much more rare up here than LHD muscle cars down there or in England.
Y'alls supply of coupes are safe so PLEASE restore ALL you can find regardless of drivetrain, color, options, OR RUST! Ford ain't building them anymore so it is up to ALL of us Falcon Hartop fans to save an endangered species!!!
--J
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