Move T3 pop-top into QLD?

[Oldman]

So you would get cheaper rego then as it is a passenger vehicle?

No idea Phill....

[syncro]

No idea Phill....

Back in the 70s (1975) when I bought my Sopru new from a dealer they were usually registered as panel vans with windows. So if a Kombi was $4,000 and a Sopru Adventurer was $7,000 you only paid stamp duty on the $4,000 and not the $7,000 which was a substantial saving on a new car price. That is why most are registered as a 2 seater unless someone changed it at a later date.

[Krazywaffle]

Thanks for the further insights.

Got two insurance quotes today, almost identical from KT and CLI. Both quite reasonable ($1k/year) so need to read the different policies to see how they differ in cover.

Heard from dealer today that an independent pre-sale inspection has been arranged for next week as well as a pre-inspection report written by the engineer they work with the for modifications they do (pop-tops on non-VW vans, can’t remember what). After talking with engineer here in town today he advised getting the pre-inspection report as that will lately tell him what all is likely to be needed as most standards are National (ie., a few hundred or a few thousand). Combined these two reports should priced a very good overview of just “how good” this van is and what all is likely to be involved with QLD transfer (as well as can be known in advance). 

Actually going to see a different van this evening that happens to be for sale locally. Not a VW but a Mazda Bongo conversion, which has a suprising online reputation/presence so should offer a good basis for comparison (even though it is $10k less for 1997 diesel than 1991 T3 petrol; km comparable).

[Oldman]

When comparing policies, check for the right to retain the vehicle in the instance of a repairable write off and a total write off..
Salvage rights are really important for an owner as these vehicles are often written off very quickly. A lack of panel beaters prepared to work on old vehicles tends to tip the assessment towards write off.
Many members have the skills and time to resurrect their vehicles……being paid out usually covers the cost of consumables required & or an engine rebuild.
Just a thought…….

[Grantus]

When comparing policies, check for the right to retain the vehicle in the instance of a repairable write off and a total write off..
Salvage rights are really important for an owner as these vehicles are often written off very quickly. A lack of panel beaters prepared to work on old vehicles tends to tip the assessment towards write off.
Many members have the skills and time to resurrect their vehicles……being paid out usually covers the cost of consumables required & or an engine rebuild.
Just a thought…….

Shannons gives salvage rights to vehicle 35 years and older…….so pre 1989.

My bus is covered, but my single cab has to wait a couple of years…….

[syncro]

After talking with engineer here in town today he advised getting the pre-inspection report as that will lately tell him what all is likely to be needed as most standards are National (ie., a few hundred or a few thousand). Combined these two reports should priced a very good overview of just “how good” this van is and what all is likely to be involved with QLD transfer (as well as can be known in advance). 

Just one example of our national standards. You can buy/build a beach buggy legally with a blue plate in Queensland. It can never be registered in NSW.

[Krazywaffle]

When comparing policies, check for the right to retain the vehicle in the instance of a repairable write off and a total write off..
Salvage rights are really important for an owner as these vehicles are often written off very quickly. A lack of panel beaters prepared to work on old vehicles tends to tip the assessment towards write off.
Many members have the skills and time to resurrect their vehicles……being paid out usually covers the cost of consumables required & or an engine rebuild.
Just a thought…….

Thanks for the heads up regarding this. From what I can tell the KT policy is more clear regarding right to retain salvage (minus estimated salvage value) than CLI policy (excerpt from CLI policy below), but will confirm this point with both companies before making final decision.

Another van of interest just popped up. 2010 T5 diesel with professional conversion. The odd thing is that the previous owner transferred from NSW to QLD but, for some reason, this process didn’t require changing NSW mod plate for QLD mod plate (ie, NSW mod plate still mounted despite being on QLD rego). Seller claims that they had no issue with rego transfer from previous owner to themselves. As such, being that van already has QLD rego and all that would be required is transfer to new owner within QLD, perhaps there is less risk/concern regarding issues encountered during rego transfer (because it is already registered in QLD)? Just a bit perplexed why the previous owner wouldn’t have been required to switch NSW mod plate to QLD mod plate during NSW-to-QLD rego transfer process (as my research has been indicating is necessary)? Maybe because the mod plate is newer?

[Oldman]

There is no requirement to change interstate mod. plates........
Only requirement is for the registering authority to ensure that the vehicle meets their particular state's compliance requirements.
Could be as simple as accepting the vehicle as previously certified or as complex as requiring full, new certification to current ADR's.

[Oldman]

Any progress with your search....?

[Krazywaffle]

Still chasing up two promising options. Should be getting mechanic and engineer reports for the one owner 1991 T3 today/tomorrow. This should inform the challenges expected during QLD transfer/rego process. Also talking to another seller of a 2010 T5 LWB campervan that already has QLD rego (but NSW modification paperwork). This would seemingly simplify things but LWB is a bit bigger than I was aiming for. The 2010 van is scheduled to have qld roadworthy (and hopefully pre-sale inspection) done before Friday, which should provide additional useful insights. If both seem equally good then might have to fly to Gold Coast to see 2010 (in Tweed Heads) and if not impressed then continue on to Sydney to see 1991 T3. If the NSW engineer report/certificate for 1991 T3 provides compelling evidence that qld mod plate process will be straightforward then this would probably be preference due to more vintage style and shorter length; however, a 2010 for roughly the same price (and diesel) is very appealing too. Any thoughts on how you would decide between these options?