Registration Anomalies - picking up a 1975 S3 LWB with a 179

[mesothelioma]

Howdy folks,

Looking at picking up this S3 with a 179 and checking what it needs to get registered and come across a little hurdle - VicRoads can't seem to find the vin/chassis number at all on any national databases, despite it being registered in NSW on club plates in 2020 and turning up on the NSW rego lookup, and having a conditional rego slip from NSW in 2020 with the chassis and engine number on it

If they can't find it on those databases, the VicRoads staff on the phone said I need an engineer's certificate - and what sort of cost am I looking at if that needs to be done

It's in solid condition so I'm able to drive it back down to Melbourne on a UVP

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated 🙂
Reg: 87425H
Chassis: 94312545C
Engine: CD430320

172166 172167

[101RRS]

If it is in the NSW system but not in the Vic search of the databases then clearly Vic has an issue.

[Homestar]

Was it only ever registered with that engine when on club plates? Not sure in NSW but in Vic club rego is a permit so it doesn't show up in any rego checks. If it's not on the data base then yes an Engineers Certificate will be needed. This includes a brake test, functioning 2 speed heater and seat belts as well as the mechanical checks to see if the job was done properly. If it has the original 3" drums up front the brake test will be fine if everything's in good condition.

Price wise, it will vary - pick an Engineer of the list here - https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/formsandpublications/registration/vass-signatory-contact-list---light-vehicle.ashx?la=en&hash=69686F45F193B741E72EF2B02A6E728E - and start calling around. I'd budget $900 to $1500 for the Engineer plus anything he wants you to fix.

[gromit]

Do you intend to put it on full rego or Club Permit ?

Club permit shouldn't be a problem, join a Club, get a roady and apply for a permit.
If full rego then you might try the NSW registration authorities, especially if it hasn't been registered in VIC previously. If there is some evidence on their system it might help to get something in writing to get VicRoads into action.
Any old paperwork with the vehicle detailing an old NSW rego number (not Club Plates) ?

Surprised if it needs an engineers certificate if it's a standard configuration that was sold in Australia although VicRoads can be full of surprises !

Somewhere I have some paperwork from VicRoads for a number of motorcycles I brought out with me. I had to get 'approval' that they could be registered in Australia before they were shipped from the UK.


Colin

[Slunnie]

I suspect the engineers certificate will be because of the 179.

[Homestar]

Yes, the 179 would be the issue. Wouldn’t pass a RWC without proof of Engineering or previous rego details showing that engine number.

[gromit]

I suspect the engineers certificate will be because of the 179.


Yes, the 179 would be the issue. Wouldn’t pass a RWC without proof of Engineering or previous rego details showing that engine number.

Didn't read the 179 bit ....

So for full rego proof from the NSW authorities that it had been previously registered with the 179 would save the need for the Engineers certificate.


Colin

[Slunnie]

Didn't read the 179 bit ....

So for full rego proof from the NSW authorities that it had been previously registered with the 179 would save the need for the Engineers certificate.


Colin

I would try it on. In some states it was an approved modification without engineering approval. Have a look at this document from way back and so I tend to think that many of these conversions never needed engineering approval.

Wheel & Tyre Guide1979 - www.slunnie.com (http://www.slunnie.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=155)

That said, I think it would be worth trying to get them to put through what was a pretty much standard conversion based on its previous registration with the 179 assuming the engine number matches what was on the rego paper. Surely the NSW papers are enough, but if it is like in NSW, when they do the inspection they will just present the numbers which are on it.

[mesothelioma]

Bit of a late response, but before the Vic lockdown I went to VicRoads to go through it all, the guy said it’s a simple case of the club reg system not logging things correctly - and that it’ll be all good to register as a normal club rego would go, with rwc and club signatures - as I have access to the documents of the previous club reg (2020) with the 179 engine number attached to this body


Thanks to everyone for all the advice and help it’s been awesome having such a great amount of knowledge available, still haven't headed out to pick it up though unfortunately as I'm stuck in Melbourne!