13 replies to this topic

[Cook]

Hi all. I'm looking a a car that was imported for the US some time ago. I have sighted the Import Approval Letter, but don't have it at present.

 

The Dept. has a register of cars approved but it will only accept a 17 digit VIN number for checking, but the car in question only has a 13 digit VIN (1967 make).

 

I have emailed the Dept for clarification but not holding my breath and would prefer an answer sooner than later. Has anyone else been in this situation and/or what was the outcome? Cheers Ron

[dattoman]

I brought my 76 Cadillac in early 2010

No 17 digit VIn

They just had to sight the old rego papers for US and the import approval letter to start the process

[Cook]

Thanks Neil. Yeah I think it changed a fair bit with the introduction of the zero Asbestos tolerance around 2017. As I said there is now a register of cars approved for import. I think the car in question was imported some time before that and suspect it may not be on the register anyway.  I just want to do the due diligence to be comfortable with the purchase. Cheers Ron

[yel327]

What is it?

[Cook]

It's a '67 Camaro convertible. Nothing special. Appears it was bought into the country back in 1997 when the requirements were somewhat more lenient than today, and I suspect it preceded the current registers etc.  Watch this space. Cheers Ron

[jpxu1]

Sounds pretty special to me! Engine/trans/pic?

[yel327]

I'll take a guess. '67 Camaro if a V8 will be 327 2BBL 210hp, 327 4BBL 275hp or 350 295hp (if its an SS). Could be others but these are the most common by far. Powerglide auto, 3spd or 4spd Saginaw. If an SS will be a Muncie.

[Cook]

It was originally a 6cyl but currently has a 327. No trans.  Haven't bought it yet so not getting ahead of myself. Cheers Ron

[yel327]

It's amazing how many of these originally were 6cyl 3spd or V8 3spd with 4 wheel drums. Even some of the higher power engines were still 3spds. 

[neglectedtorana]

I just tried the register with the VIN from my 1981 Kawasaki which is 17 digits and it didn't show up.

Also tried the SEV register and it doesn't have any motorcycles at all

 

Guess those databases are not 100%

[dattoman]

81 sounds a bit early for 17 digit

[neglectedtorana]

Its an American model, maybe they had 17 digits earlier

[yel327]

1981 the US went to 17 digit VIN.

[Cook]

Well I finally got a response to my request from the Dept of Infrastructure etc saying that as I wasn't the original importer they could not provide me with a copy of the approval letter.  Instead they provided another letter stating that the car in question was granted import approval and I could use that letter when registering the car. Sort of answered the question but didn't answer why it wasn't on the register.  In the meantime I bought the car anyway and I hold the import approval letter provided by the seller.  Cheers Ron