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 Posted: Mar 10, 2017 05:27AM
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I never have a mini long enough to give it a name or fall in love with one but l certainly can look back now and after 450 minis passing thru my hands do a bucket list of the 5 or so l should have kept

The, "Show me the money" syndrome kinda took over and the rest is history

Big AL

P S, but do l get points for owning my original mini van, 1071S for eight years ?

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

 Posted: Mar 10, 2017 01:13AM
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I know Terry...in Queensland, ROO was Andrew's Van...it's why I had to spirit ROO across the Pacific!

 Posted: Mar 9, 2017 11:36AM
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Congratulations, one step closer...
Ownership is an interesting thing. Although we have had the woodie for three years now, I think it will always be David Haight's Traveller.
Terry

 Posted: Mar 7, 2017 08:07PM
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SUCCESS...title Registered with the original VIN/Chassis Number: A - AW7 - 140141...not long enough for modern VINs but accepted in British Columbia today (as it would have been in 1961).

 Posted: Mar 1, 2017 03:38PM
 Edited:  Mar 6, 2017 10:50AM
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Fortunately, the Woody only changed hands 4 times getting from Sgt. Thomas (US Army) to me.  Mike Kearney picked up the Woody from the Sgt.'s spouse, he sold it on to the late Kent Summers, who sold it to Chris Higgins.  Chris imported the Mini but neither he, nor Kent nor Mike had registered the Mini in California or British Columbia.

My documents included the 1981 title registration in Thomas' name, the paper trail with notes from Kearney and sales documents from Summers to Higgins & Higgins to me.  And copies of emails & letters in my attempt to find Thomas if alive...no success.

Higgins had the CBSA Form 1 confirming the VIN as in 1981.  I also had a photo sent to me by the chap who sold the Mini to Thomas.  The remaining paint & holes in the roof from the roof rack were icing on the cake.

 Posted: Mar 1, 2017 12:45PM
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I was thrown off by Lurchs remark. The primer does look like Speedwell blue. Good news on the (pre)registration. Finally something good ICBC has done. It takes the stress off the restoration process!

Ron

 

Cool

 Posted: Mar 1, 2017 10:07AM
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Tagus,  You are seeing gray epoxy primer in photos of the Woody when upright.  After seam sealing, the bottom was undercoated, paointed Lime Squeeze Metallic & cleared. 

 Posted: Mar 1, 2017 08:33AM
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Got the word yesterday that my Notarized & documented statement claiming title was accepted and that I can Register the Woody in restoration.

Submitted documents on the way back to me by post, when they arrive I can go to my local ICBC agent and complete the Registration, pay the sales tax, get storage insurance.

Once complete, I can trailer Woody to shop for Safety Certification or get one day permit to drive it there (identical to process when the Australian Mini Window Van arrived at Port Metro Vancouver).  After Safety Certification it can be Licenced & Insured for road use.

At that time, the expanded Modified Collector car program will be in effect so the Woody can be registered & licenced as a Modified Collector car.  The modified program allows for a bigger than stock engine, i.e. 1293 versus 848, non-standard paint & interior colours/materials, including TR-8 seats.

For those who haven't seen it, here is a video of the Aussie Van's first drive in British Columbia.  The Woody will go to the same shop in Abbotsford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lHhSqUeK-A

 Posted: Feb 20, 2017 11:03AM
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There is no documentation that the 'transfer' in the US mid-west was 'parts only'.  Kearney was simply honest in that he had no intention of Registering the Mini in California.

He did transfer it on to someone who would rebuild the Mini but didn't, instead selling it to a young Canadian, who flat-towed a complete Mini from California up the I5 and imported a complete vehicle.

the young Canadian started the restoration, then got concerned about getting into Vancouver's housing market, sold it to me...I stored it from February 2004 until late november 2015 when a restoration, maybe 30 years late in getting started, got under way.

Another club member has a Woody, last registered in 1978, that will come back to life.

We'll see, they should have opened the envelope by now....

 Posted: Feb 20, 2017 05:50AM
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I sold a 1976 Porsche 912E that I spent two years restoring for half its value because SC DMV wouldn't issue a new title after telling me that they would if I documented the rebuild.  I tried many ways to get a title for the car but couldn't pull it off.  So, anyone looking at a car having a PARTS ONLY title be aware.
Jack

 Posted: Feb 19, 2017 09:28AM
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hunter2 here in the USA. most states now will NOT title car with bill of sale that says PARTS ONLY.. DMV considers it a  total loss..  or called certificate of destruction in Florida..   congrats on getting the title there..  real PIA in any US state.  now.. 

 Posted: Feb 18, 2017 08:15PM
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Bill,

Mine will have the original VIN plate screwed onto the radiator cowl in July 1961 and the fact that the PO had disassembled the Mini is not much of an issue as it was flat towed from California on the I5, complete & documented by both the original Transport Canada Form 1 & the original Casual Goods Tax form issued on crossing the border.

And, although it is old, I have the State of Ohio certificate of title from August 1981.  After that title change, no one else registered the title anywhere in the USA (nor in Canada).  The hands who touched the Mini later include Mike Kearny who acquired it as a 'parts car' from the 1981 owner's wife as she was disposing of stuff to follow her Army NCO husband to a new posting.  Mike transferred possession to the late Kent Summers, who sold it to the Canadian who towed it north.  I have Sales Agreements on the last 2 transfers of possession.

I spoke with ICBC's Collector Car folks and on giving them the detail verbally...they said send the documents you have described...they did not foresee a problem.

They will be opening the envelope on Monday.  We'll see.

Rick

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 08:24PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lurch
good to know, thanks Ron. I will have to look into that. I have a 76 from Saskatchewan with no papers I will want to deal with at some point.

looks great Rick, love the colour.

cheers
Justin,

Take lots of pictures, right side, left side, etc before you start taking it apart. They want proof that it's complete and the engine sitting on the floor beside it doesn't count. I was lucky in that I was able to pull prior registration out of the Ontario system which made it a shoe in to get the pre-reg here even though it is half restored now. Mine was last on the road in '78 and I was quite surprised it popped up right away. Good luck!

Ron

 

Cool

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 02:03PM
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hunter2.. quite easy to title here in NC. with NO title and even no VIN plate.. with our MVR 260.MVR 262 , MVR 264a and 264..  basic  mechanics lien..  and then you can get state vin number called NCS with title bond  MVR 92h and MVR 92F.. all this for about  $100 total. ( cancels the past title.. LEGALLY) and takes cares of past Liens..  easy peacy..   later bc

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 12:38PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lurch
good to know, thanks Ron. I will have to look into that. I have a 76 from Saskatchewan with no papers I will want to deal with at some point.

looks great Rick, love the colour.

cheers
About that colour. I thought it was going to be Lime Green?

 

Cool

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 11:23AM
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good to know, thanks Ron. I will have to look into that. I have a 76 from Saskatchewan with no papers I will want to deal with at some point.

looks great Rick, love the colour.

cheers

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 09:53AM
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Hi Rick,

Yes, it's a risk restoring a vehicle without the paper work in place. I didn't have it for the Moke project but here in BC you can now get it pre-registered as a being in the process of being restored. I was successful getting this in place for mine. I know this doesn't relate to what you are doing but I thought I'd put it out there. See you Sunday..

Ron

 

Cool

 Posted: Feb 17, 2017 07:24AM
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can you buy a vin plate and title from a wrecked 2010 MINI countryman???    brings a whole new meaning to the revin discussion  

 Posted: Feb 16, 2017 06:53PM
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My current project was built on July 19, 1961 an Austin Mini Countryman shipped to a Dealer in New York with heater & whitewall tyres.

Last official 'Certificate of Title' dated August 17, 1981 in Ohio.  Mini, then unused, found in the mid-west, still owned by the 1981 title holder.  Headed for California as a 'parts car'...so no transfer of title, no sales agreement, not registered.  Passed into other Californian hands without any paperwork, not registered.

Sold to a Canadian, who flat towed the Mini to Canada & imported so original import documents.  But, not registered in B.C.

I bought the Mini...and stored it on a rack in my garage (for 11 1/2 years).

Having invested some effort to document the 'transfer' of title...chasing the buyer in 1981 without any success, pulling up sales agreements before coming to Canada, having a sales agreement with the importer....finally a Notarized Canada Evidence Act statement, with supporting documents, declaring that I am the lawful owner.

Next up, completing the Registration of the 'Woody' as a vehicle in Restoration.

Then, we can continue to spend on completing the build with some assurance that title is secure.

Fortunately, in July 2017 our mandatory licensing body and basic liability insurer provider will be offering an expanded 'Modified Collector' car program including vehicles up to 1974 (from 1958) to allow Minis with non-standard engines - 1275 vs. 848 etc.  Thus, the 'Woody' can be a 'Modified Collector' car following the required safety inspection for imported vehicles...lower annual insurance costs.

Whew!

Getting there....