Aussies - SR Plates...your thoughts?

Guys, what are your thoughts, what have you heard, who's got them or is going to use them?

I have been doing my build along the lines of full reg. Engineer on board - going quite well. Had my first inspection yesterday and it went OK. I have 1 1/2 pages of notes but nothing much that I wasn't going to do or hadn't yet worked out. A fairly positive meeting.

BUT then he asks me why don't I avoid a lot of the **** that he wants me to do and go with SR plates. My reasoning has always been the limitations on when and where you drive your car. But apparently a 90 log book system is being introduced allowing 90 days of driving per year whenever and wherever you want. Rego is about $120, no stamp duty, cheap insurance.

Any reason why I shouldn't go this way?

Your thoughts?

Pete

 

'Full' rego is great, but I can't see any real problem with SR type rego.

I used it for 4 years with my old roadster, no drama's at all.

My 'new' (if I ever get it finished) rpu is only ever going to be on SR rego purely because it allows me to practically allow my ideas of what I want my car to be 'like' a reality. Nothing else comes close.

Provided I keep my build cost down I can't see a problem with the system. I say that because I can see the car being either sold off for profit, or stripped at the end of its day, with the money easily regained by recycling....

Each to their own, but the world is not flat, and from my previous experience I had no drama's.

Cheers,

Drewfus

 

When is the log book being introduced, and is it really unen***bered?

 

Personally I'd probably wait till the 90 day thing is definite. But it does sound ****** good if it comes into play. Having to have an original ch***is for full reg plus all the other ******** would be a pain in the ****.
Lucky in a way for me I'm not building a rod!

 

I'm using an original ch***is anyway but the $ savings on reg and ins as well as an easier ride over the pits is pretty attractive.

I am wondering how definite the log book thing is. My engineer and Con Mantzaris both seem to think it's a done deal.

Chebby. I don't know if the log book really is unen***bered. That's the reason for this post.

 

It all comes down to your own personal preferance. A few things you may or may not know, you have to be a paid up ASRF member to get these. Con will have to sign off on your car and he may not agree with things engineers have approved, this has happened with others before. Its in your best interests to listen to Con and do what he asks if you want to run SR plates.

The log book is likely to happen soon (not sure how soon is soon). 90 days works out to almost every weekend for a year. My understanding is if you don't fill in the logbook and are pulled over it will be a pricey fine. I think the restorers are the hold up on the 90 day log book as there also may be a slight increase in cost.

90 days is alot but I like the freedom to go where and when I like and know if I do something silly (like running fenderless) or get pulled over there will not be repurcussions on or from others. Also another problem is the whole thing could get pulled (very minimal but...) by someones idiotic actions in a brief moment.. But in saying this the Vic TAC (ASRF) has a very good ***ociation with those that matter in Vicroads and even better to know Vicroads are happy with how the scheme is run to the extnt they wish some others were run this well.

Con and his helpers have done alot for rodders in setting this up and are still doing more to hopefully improve the situation in Vic in relation to limited and full rego. We just have to wait. I know what some of these things are and I hope they keep doing what they are trying to do...

 

I like the sound of the 90 day logbook proposal, but have concerns, similar to devilrods...The possibility of the scheme 'collapsing' due to some unfortunate event in the future....we all know how reactionary Australian beurocrats are!
The other thing that IRKs me is the opinion of one man being in a sense, law.
Con may be a clever guy, and have rodders interests at heart..but he is one man, with biases and opinions that are possibly wrong. the differences mentioned in relation to his ideas versus an engineers is case in point.
If I go to an engineer, and get an opinion that I disagree with, I have the option of a second opinion..admittedly at extra cost...but at least its available...what if Con doesnt like me or my car? I can almost gaurantee he wont...so I cant expect an unbiased critique of my engineering...**** that, that isnt a 'system' its an autocracy and shouldnt be part of Registration law in this, or any country.
Can anyone answer what happens if he is hit by a bus?

 

Yep, someone else steps in. There are a few others who wish to remain anonymous that can actually inspect and distribute plates. They just choose to push Con to the forefront when anything gets mentioned publicly. I don't blame them as everyone would byp*** Con. I always thought Con didn't think much of my car but have since found he likes it alot. Also Ben you might like Cons view on split bones I have never had to deal with him, Jason (Compact Fairlane, drove me to your farm last time) knows him very well and has said he is quite often taken the wrong way. Treat him like anyone else you meet for the first time with no preconceptions of what may happen and you just might find everything works out fine. Can't gaurantee it but who knows.......

 

Hi Guys,

Con has a reputation for making some bizzare decisions when it came to the old rego scheme, seemingly without any rhyme or reason. Is it true? Only the parties involved know for sure but it certainly doesnt fill me with confidence relying on him to be the sole power when it comes to issueing plates. Id rather take my chances with engineers and have the freedom to drive my jalopy anyway I want.

One thing I have heard is that he also will have to power to strip people of thier plates aswell for violations. If this is true, anyone without wipers, fenders or any other sundry things better watch out. Even Vic roads cant take your plates for no fenders.

Danny

 

Your right Dan they do have the power to take the plates and this has happened, but they were pretty big ****ups who deserve what they got. One clown is well known out this side of town for leaving his brain behind every time he gets behind the wheel, sideways out of a parking spot at the Rodders life cruise night into a crowd of people just one example!

I too will stick with full reg, Striper your engineer sounds like a good find, not many around these days ask Frank...

 

Are you sure? I seem to think of a HAMBer who got caught the other day....

In regards to the rego issue, if you can, build it to suit 'full'/regular rego, then that way you have an alternative.

Again, for me and my rpu, there is nothing remotely standard, so a SR type format is my only option which I'm fine with.

Cheers,

Drewfus

 

Hey all it takes is money to fix a canary!

Danny

 

G'day,

I reckon that the SR is a fine if you are happy with limited use of your car. Personally I like to be able to jump in and drive anytime. Also the "one man handing out the plates thing" does disturb me. Being a conspiracy theorist from way back I don't like particitating in a scheme whereby your car is not even registered - its is allowed to operate unregistered....
At the moment I don't even consider the registration and insurance costs. If I had two rods, then it might be a different story.

I spoke to an engineer on the phone the other day to discuss my upcoming project and he sounded very sensible... maybe I had a wrong number cause its the first time I've spoken to any engineer who wasn't a either a clueless ***** or a combination of the both

Adam F

 

interesting that there are 'others' who have the authority to hand out SR plates...do they actually function or are they 'not operating' currently?
Im aware Con has approved of split bones before..I kinda gave the wrong impression..ive nothing against the guy and will go to him with an open and positive vibe if I go that way..its the principle of one mans opinion being the end-all of a particular registration cl***...
but im thinking full reg is the best thing.
We'll see, I start the Registration battle in earnest in a couple of months...

 

You guys have aired all of my concerns.

1. Run fenderless - lose plates. I can cope with a fine but no plates...?
2. One man's opinion......
3. Split bones. I have them, engineer is happy with them and he's even OK with the "Ratrod 2003" (TM Lowsquire) spring mounts on the bones.

The car will be built with all the input I already have from the engineer but if I could avoid some of the expensive and difficult testing including the nasty brake test (drums), that would be good.

It's not that I am having difficulty pleasing the engineer, moreso I would like to avoid some of the testing and the cheaper reg and insurance is a definite plus when you have a few cars.

Thanks for all your input guys. I think I'll get a first inspection done by Con and test the waters. If he hates my car or wants huge changes I'll just go on with the engineer.

Pete

 

Striper who is the engineer you are using as I'm looking for a new bloke as the one that I had do my first inspection has stop doing engineers reports.
Bisitecniks here in Ballarat aren't even taking any bookings until Febuary next year and a couple of others I have contacted have a 3 month waiting list.

Binga

 

Binga,

His name is Bill Malkoutzis (Talk Torque Automotive). He is based in Eltham. I don't have his number right now but I could PM you later in the week if you need it. You would find him on the Vicroads list of V*** engineers. While I'm fairly positive about the relationship I've had with him so far, don't be misled...he's no pushover. Good luck.

Pete

 

The others do hand out plates just no one really knows unless they know them personally, but they have been doing all the work (as well as Con) with Vicroads to keep our future of having cars legally on the road with limited and full rego. Also if what they have planned actually goes through we ALL will be happy believe me. I can't really say alot as I have been told what is happening by someone who is very close to all of this. Who I might add is aiming for full reg not limited! I guess we miss some of this due to not really being members of the ASRF as this is where my info comes from.

Con isn't the be all and end all alot of people have combined their effort to create the guidelines used, its just the way it appears Con takes on the general populace. The way I see it is to aim high (as in full reg) leaving SR as a backup plan. I can't see most of you guys attending ASRF sanctioned events as the appeal is not there (well not for me anyway). Which means if it aint sanctioned until the log book comes in it's unregistered.

Realistically its upto you to make the decision thats right for you. If I had the luxury of owning more than one I'd consider it maybe...

 

Hmmm, you talkin to me?

HAHAHA

Rat

 

Pete,

Thanks for the info. Actually he was the next bloke on my list, I was going to contact him tonight if I got home from work early enough. I learn't awhile ago that the engineer is always right even if what he wants makes no sense. It's the only way you are going to get that pice of paper signed off and those number plates on the car.

Binga

 

Dont you need disc brakes if your running a V8 and want full rego?? Thats what I was told recently...

 

As a long time sufferer of the SR/Full rego dilemma, I'll now proceed to inflict my thoughts upon you all.

A few years ago I was "advised" to go with the ch***is that was built for me to go under my coupe - a 29 5 window, that needs a 110" ch***is to fit the Stovebolt mill in without touching the firewall. I left a chev ch***is with the ch***is shop, and left with a 6x2 boxed tube ch***is, and a virgin Chev ch***is! You know the story - just tell the engineer thats its a 32 ch***is!!! Yeh right!

Now the only options available to me to get it registered in its present from, is to go the SR plate route, or move move to a state where the guidelines have been accepted!

I say this without prejudice, but how can a registration scheme (SR Plates) be a non-prejudiced open accountable system, without formal guidelines, without do***entation, without financial accountability, without review, and managed unilaterally???

SR rego is a great option for those who have more than one car, or are unable to go any other route, but I fear for its long term survival, due to those concerns expressed above. All it takes is for one person to stuff it all up, be they a ****** idiot with their car, or make waves with the authorities, whatever - I just fear to go down that path.

So what am I going to do??? I've spoken to Bill the Engineer too, and I have another ch***is to build to get the car on full rego - eventually!!

Caveat Emptor - let the buyer beware.

 

The multiple rego thing is one of my reasons for thinking about the SR route.

What ch***is are you now using? Back to a modified original?


Oh yeah, the disc brake V8 thing. My advice is that you only have to meet the requirements of the brake test. It is a big ONLY but if you can do it with drums, you're OK.

 

I'm busy doing the body at the moment - steeling it out etc. Finally got to see the body all bolted together for the first time last week. It looks good - at least to me anyway.

Re the ch***is - I'm fortunate that the two ch***is that I have have a degree of interchangeability - the kickup is in the same place, and bolt holes will be replicated in both ch***is. Presently I'm using the fabbed ch***is, but I have a 29 Chrysler ch***is waiting to be started. If the national scheme comes in in Victoria - well I may use the fabbed ch***is, otherwise I will build the Chrylser, and use the fabbed chasis for a race car.

 

The national scheme you refer to is based on the DOTARS guidelines I ***ume. Is it supposed to provide for full registration based on those guidelines?

 

Its me belief that provided that you build to the National guidelines (DOTARS) and get it engineered by the relevent authorities in the state where the guidelines have been accepted, then yes, they will get you full rego.

Thats what happens in WA, SA, and QLD...... but not in Victoria where, it has been said, there is a degree of inconsistency, unaccountability, lack of a paper trail, and other issues as outlined both here and on the Oz rodders forum. Now I have had no experience with the process, I've just been talking to people as I try to decide where I'm going with my project, and thats what I hear around the traps.

Thats why I worry about the SR rego scheme.

 

Just a little progress report on this for the Aussies. I had Con at my house over the weekend. He was pretty easy to get on with and didn't have any real problems with my work so far. Don't know if he's just drumming up business or saving me a ****load of grief & $$. He reckons that even with the engineer I would never get full rego on my car. Anyway, I've suc***bed. I'm taking the path of least resistence. SR Plates here we come. That way I might drive it before I get old(er) and broke(r).

Pete

Edit: Did him a deal on a couple of flatheads that I kept tripping over while he was here. You know...win / win.

 

Hey Striper,

Did con say why you wouldn't be able to get full reg?

Danny

 

Any update on when the 90 day log book is coming in?

 

Pete good to hear it all went well with Con. Very curious as to his thoughts on why no full reg too. Sounds like you sussed out Con keep him happy and you'll be laughing...