Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt S
(Post 1669097)
Why? It would seem that the emissions and fuel economy would be better with the newer drivetrain.
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Don't bring logic into this - it's a losing battle every time. :hmmm:
The hilarity of this process (one of them) is the exact process that is responsible for allowing cars like Chevelles, Camaros, etc, into the country - the 25 year old rule. Sounds simple enough, right? Read on.
Quote:
Your vehicle must have been originally built (or significantly modified) more than 25 years ago to qualify
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So this suggests the vehicle must be greater than 25 years old AND if significantly modified, these modifications must've been done more than 25 years ago. Wait, what...?
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If your vehicle has been significantly modified, you’ll need to show the modifications are 25 years or older by providing:
information on the nature of the modifications
dates they were performed, and
supporting material, such as photographs of each significant modification, and material to support the date of each listed modification.
The types of changes considered to be significant modification to a car or light commercial vehicle include:
body modifications
chassis modifications
modifications to the drivetrain
braking modifications, or
steering conversion.
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So in a general broad statement, those categories of modifications cover a WIDE array of non-stock cars. I won't break down the exact modifications but a quick read of
this link from the Australian Infrastructure Department website will give you a pretty quick picture on what is classified as significant modifications. Some of my favourites include drum to disc conversions, upsized brakes, modern rack and pinion steering, engine/transmission conversions (there goes 99% of pro-touring build eligibility), etc. Yes, all the modifications that can make a car safer and more fuel efficient are NOT allowed under this process. Yes, if you can prove that old, outdated and potentially worn out 25 year old + modifications were made... welcome to the country!
So this means:
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Please note that if the significant modification is less than 25 years old your vehicle won’t be classed as an ‘older vehicle’. You can still apply through the single road vehicle application process, but for a ‘significantly modified vehicle’. (See below.)
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which in turns gives you the options of:
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Vehicle significantly modified less than 25 years ago
If the vehicle does not meet the eligibility criterion for an older vehicle, other options are available
to you:
• Restore the vehicle to original specifications.
• If the vehicle will not be used (or only used in exceptional circumstances) on a public road in
Australia, consider the significantly modified pathway under subparagraph 151(b)(v) of the
Rules – check with your state or territory registration authority to confirm whether
restricted registration would be allowed.
• Wait until the modifications become 25 years old.
• Consider if the vehicle is eligible for entry on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Register
and use the pathway under section 37 of the Rules where the vehicle would be modified by
a registered automotive workshop in accordance with an approved Model Report.
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In other words, pro-touring builds = don't even bother. They can't meet any worthwhile and practical entry pathway available and haven't been able to for years. Yes, I've argued with the relevant Government departments but the law is the law currently.
Of course, the one caveat to this, you can import a pro-touring build - as a race car, which has significantly less strict requirements. The one problem? The import approval is forever marked as such and the car/VIN number will NEVER be eligible for road registration, even if you restore it to 100% stock.
