need to find the original engine number for my early 260z

[EVIL_denver]

Interesting that 17 digit VIN explains why my FD RX-7 got a bunch of prefix digits before it's actual chassis ID. My chassis ID on that car is only FD3 4XXXXX or something like that, but they put all these nonsensical numbers and characters before that number on my registration.

 

@Evil_Denver - if you want ask the guys from Iron Chef Imports about a compliance shop to help you out with this issue. They helped me import the FD and would know who can help I'm sure. It might cost you a couple of hundred but at least you've got that sorted?

 

hi Gav,

 

Ive spoken to my mate who is a police officer. He advised me to do a stat dec which i take to vic roads. When the car is ready, vic roads will inspect the chassis number in accordance with the stat dec and issue a new compliance plate.

 

Well Gav's suggestion has merit.

However, the fact remains that you have a body/chassis number, but no engine # (well, no engine either as yet...), & no proof of any previous registration in Australia. But you can prove the chassis is indeed yours & not stolen.

So surely the process of registering your Datsun is the same as when someone imports themselves an early Mustang - they will have a body/chassis number, a bill of sale/proof of purchase, & - sure, I only have Qld experience here to go by - surely they then go to a compliance company whose engineer examines the car & is authorized to provide an engine number if there is none (& most haven't) from new? Then owner, chassis #, fresh engine # & Vic-issued rego # are all linked together in the system; part of Vic's own 'post '89' system.

I don't see why your car can't be treated the same as any used pre-'89 import. Go talk to a compliancing company, get professional advice, & start hunting down an engine after you've talked to them first just to see whether you're going to be locked into buying an L26 (to match your car) or whether you would be allowed to use an L24 or L28 if one comes up. What happens with V6 or V8 transplants in Vic should you want to go down that road?

Yes, FWIW the VINs these days are 17 digits whereas our old Mustangs & Zeds etc etc have 10 or 11 digits. FWIW, in NZ my Mustang being imported after a particular date required a 17 digit so they just took the 11 & slotted in extra digits here & there to some sort of logic or code, & the new 17 digit VIN was stamped into a plate which they riveted to the firewall. Then when I brought the Muzzy to Qld the professional compliance company engineers issued L02 compliance & I obtained registration using that 17 digit VIN, no hassles at all, I just paid the costs & fees & everyone was happy.

 

hi Gilltech! thanks for your input and yes your spot on. That is all thats needed to register the car.

 

To all you guys that may have an issue in the future, dont take what vic roads say as 'gospel'. If they need to do anything outside the ordinary... they will try and brush you off like they did to me. Good Luck!

[gav240z]

When you get this sorted, please let us know the exact process, who you spoke to and what info was needed to be supplied so that we can make this a sticky thread for others in future who might be in a similar situation.

[EVIL_denver]

When you get this sorted, please let us know the exact process, who you spoke to and what info was needed to be supplied so that we can make this a sticky thread for others in future who might be in a similar situation.

 

will do.

[Riceburner]

 

Ive spoken to my mate who is a police officer. He advised me to do a stat dec which i take to vic roads. When the car is ready, vic roads will inspect the chassis number in accordance with the stat dec and issue a new compliance plate.

 

 

Really, a new compliance plate. Seems like a lot more effort than they normally put in  Lol.

 

When I had my engine changed all I had to do was go there to get it visually checked. L24, 26,28 it didn't matter. They made a record of the new engine number and I was driving out 2mins later.

 

Definately a good topic for a sticky

[nizm0zed]

An engine number as the main identifying point is absurd.

It also flies directly against the point of Australia adopting the VIN identification scheme along with the rest of the world.

As some one who is an ex rego inspector, my advice would be to call vicroads again, ask the same questions again and revel in the stupidity as you get completely different answers.

yes, you need all the identifying numbers of the vehicle, so, engine number as well as the chassis number.

 

Across ALL of Australia vehicles are identified by the chassis number or VIN. this goes for trucks, buses, mopeds, cars, trailers, caravans, motorhomes, boats ect ect.

The basic point behind it is that components can be changed, but chassis cant, because a different chassis is a different vehicle.

Drop a VN commodore wagon body on a lifted Hilux chassis? Use the Hilux chassis number.

32 Ford Tudor reproduction body on a Datsun 720 Chassis? yep, Datsun 720 Chassis number.

 

[EVIL_denver]

An engine number as the main identifying point is absurd.

It also flies directly against the point of Australia adopting the VIN identification scheme along with the rest of the world.

As some one who is an ex rego inspector, my advice would be to call vicroads again, ask the same questions again and revel in the stupidity as you get completely different answers.

yes, you need all the identifying numbers of the vehicle, so, engine number as well as the chassis number.

 

Across ALL of Australia vehicles are identified by the chassis number or VIN. this goes for trucks, buses, mopeds, cars, trailers, caravans, motorhomes, boats ect ect.

The basic point behind it is that components can be changed, but chassis cant, because a different chassis is a different vehicle.

Drop a VN commodore wagon body on a lifted Hilux chassis? Use the Hilux chassis number.

32 Ford Tudor reproduction body on a Datsun 720 Chassis? yep, Datsun 720 Chassis number.

 

you are 100% correct. The problem i have is that the car hasnt been registered since at least 1989 when the new VIN sytem took place. So when i go to vic roads with my chassis #, it doesnt exist. They require a previous rego # or engine # to search previous records. Same with Darwin RTA. I now have a statuary decloration which shows me as the current owner, which i will send to Darwin RTA to provide me with any details on the car which they may have.

[gilltech]

I still can't understand why they are making it all so difficult. So what if the chassis # you have doesn't exist in the system. Plenty of cars nation-wide get parked up for decades only to be unearthed eventually by enthusiasts & put back into use.

You've got a chassis # (which is a VIN), you've got a stat dec that you are the owner, the car shouldn't be treated any differently than if you were presenting an old Mustang or whatever you'd just brought over from the USA. Everything like that pre-dates their '89-on record-keeping, database etc. And the later (longer) VIN style.

Have they actually commented on the car's 'old-style' VIN as being a problem at all?

You might have to give up on Vic as being impossible to deal with (wouldn't surprise me - some of the things I've read about on Mustang forums regarding initial rego there.....) & register the car in another state to start with, then transfer it later.