Full Puma 110 rebuild. Flood damage. Project ideas needed

[Alex]

OK. Story first. Late last year I traded my TD5 90 in on a near new 110 Puma (20,000km). It was immaculate with a few extras and I absolutely loved it.

Then it got caught up in the floods in Northern NSW and spent some time fully submerged. After a very long battle with a very inept insurance company (I won’t mention their name but I definitely wasn’t lucky I was with them) I managed to buy it back at a fair price.

I have fully stripped and cleaned/drained/scrubbed and put back together the whole body/interior to cleaner than new and it looks like a new one. I have also drained and changed all oils and everything seems to work OK however needs new computer (speedo, ECM etc) to finish it off. When I say completely, I mean every nut/bolt/switch, air duct, light bulb etc. Considering it even had 1cm of mud ON TOP of the hood lining, it was a big job J Gotta love the defenders use of aluminium and plastic.

Unfortunately, it seems like I am not going to be able to re-register it in NSW. This is another ongoing saga that hasn’t quite finished, but it seems to be going against me.

The Plan…

Purchase a very average, but registered or registerable defender and use all the Puma parts to “Make it new again”. I am thinking that as long as it had a good chassis then everything else should be able to be replaced with Puma parts.

If the donor car had a good engine/box, I may just keep that and sell the Puma engine off with the caveat that it may have internal problems from water damage.

Before I put an advert in the “wanted” section for a suitable base car, I though it would be good to get some collective ideas/wisdom.

Does anyone know if the chassis was significantly changed anywhere along since the 110s came out?

All suggestions gratefully received, I am going around in circles in my head on the next steps.

[Drover]

Can't reaLy help with the info you need, but wanted to comment on your tale.

I think it is somewhat unfair that you are not able to re-register the vehicle in NSW and fair play for your rebuild effort, good job.

[Alex]

Thanks Drover, unfortunately new laws in NSW that are a bit too restrictive. I understand the need stop dodgy rebirthing though, but it seems they have gone over the top.

[jocky]

Hi Alex, also interested in your story. lucky your with Aulro! where you given a reason you cant register. i thought it could be checked over the pits? from SA so rules differ here.

[MR LR]

If it is a statutory write off it can't be re registerd in Aus IIRC, if its repairable thenm there is no reason it can't be re-registerd in NSW, what about if it went over the pits in another state and got transferred back ???

[Alex]

Under the new NSW rules, even repairable write offs can't be reregistered unless an application is made to the RTA under a short list of exemptions.

They ask for a letter from the insurer (decleration of vehicle damage). I had the insurer send me the letter saying it was repairable and applied to the RTA on the grounds that I was previous owner. Unfortunately the Insurer didn't put it on letterhead so the RTA rejected it.

I went back to the insurer to ask for it on letterhead and they sent it again (this time unsigned) saying it was not repairable. I have tried again but the &*^& insurer won't give me the original letter on letterhead and now insist that it is not repairable.

As I said, ongoing saga, however it looks like I may be out of luck. I am thinking my only option is now just to use it as a donor car.

[Alex]

what about if it went over the pits in another state and got transferred back ???

I am planning on moving back to QLD in about a year so have thought this might be an option. Not sure if I can wait that long to get back in a Defender though

Also, RTA keeps a register of write offs so very unlikely I would be able to register it in NSW ever again.

[MR LR]

Sue AAMI then, i'm sure once you threaten legal action and i'm sure you would have kept the old papers saying it was repairable, they will promptly issue the correct certificate as they wouldn't want to lose any clients with special or modified vehicles that would worry about things like this, and now its on the interweb. I wouldn't drop the matter, there are hardly any deefers on the road anyway

[goingbush]

How long was it in the water, In victoria it has to be fully submerged for 48 hours (freshwater) before its declared a stat write off, if it was less than 48 hours its a repairable write off & can be re-registered.

[Alex]

It was completely submerged for maybe 12 hours max, however sat with water over the wheels for a couple of weeks before they got around to getting it out. I am going to keep trying with the insurance company to get the correct letter (RTA sent back the original signed letter from insurer).

I could write pages on how bad this insurance company is.

First off, one of their salesmen tricked me into getting two policies when I did the trade in on the new car so he could get an extra commission (I got this refunded).

When I was stranded 5 hours from home with only a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, they said they couldn't help me with emergency accommodation or a hire car as I didn't have ID. It took me 2 days to get home.

Then it took them at least 3 months to finalise the claim, with hours of phone calls and many arguments along the way

Then they sent the car off to the auctions when I had asked to purchase it back. They then said it was too late to buy it and I would have to bid at auction. After a huge ____ fight, I finally managed to get it back.

And now this. Like I said, I am going to keep trying and I am the sort of person who stands my ground, but not sure I will win this one.