Collector Plates Tips?

[Mark]

I'm going to apply for collector's plates for my 64 sedan here in BC. I don't need to do a AirCare/smog check in my area and the car is stock except for the 12v conversion. I'm told this is fine, as it is considered a safety mod. Anyone have any advice on what else to take care of before sending off the application & photos? They require 9 photos, including pics of the front, back, open trunk, engine bay, left & right sides, dash, driver's seat, & driver's side floor. Anyone have any suggestions to help ensure I get it the 1st try? I'm told the ppl in charge of registration are quite picky. Thanks.

[j.pickens]

Freakin' Socialists!!!
NINE pictures???????

[lotsavws]

take donuts!!!!!

[jason_hamilton]

First off, how did you get out of the AirCare test?
ICBC will never know about the voltage upgrade; they're not that knowledgable. They will question stereos, aftermarket or dealer-option shifters, custom exhaust, etc. How do I know? Because I sell them the books they're gonna compare your photos to. (Wilkinson's Automobilia in Vancouver) I'm forever getting both ICBCers and classic owners coming in for books and sales brochures to justify their claims.

You'll be fine. People make it sound like a big deal to acquire collector plates, because it makes them feel better when people ooh and aahh that their car is so cherry it was deemed plate-worthy. I'm sure you've seen less than stellar cars that were so plated.

If you want 'em, go for it. I just couldn't give up driving my car to work all the time, even for the insurance discount.

And j.pickens, you wanna talk about socialists? ICBC is a government-run company, with a monopoly. That's right, in BC you can't buy your insurance elsewhere unless it's optional stuff like theft coverange. AND they've merged with our version of the DMV, so if you have outstanding tickets, they won't renew your insurance, 'till you've paid, and it's illegal to drive without insurance.

More food for thought, Mark.
The National Post released their annual FP500 issue today, and guess who the top property insurer in Canada was? You got it. ICBC, with 2.759 BILLION in revenues for 2002. That's from something like 2.5 million insured vehicles in the province. And you're willing to give them even more money?

[nik]

Man, all this work for plate. I asked for mine, pointed to a car price in a book as what I thought it was worth(they didn't list my Notchback as a car in there. Then "BAM" two weeks later I have collector plates.
nik

[Mark]

Thanks for the input everyone. I wish it were that easy for us here Nik. As for the Aircare, I'm told this only applies to vehicles on the lower mainland, (unless you've heard otherwise Jason?) My reasons for getting collector's plates are it's cheaper to ensure for the year than just for just a few months of the year I would have it out of the garage, and except for the 12v conversion it's stock. I have a HUGE maintenance history file that came with this car, and among this I found a denied application for collector plates. The reason stated was the seats didn't appear stock & documentation was req'd to substantiate.
The seats look stock to me, and the seat upholstery IS original, except the top & front of the seats have been replaced w/ newer material. In contrast to the original slighty faded material on the sides I can see why it would not appear stock, but it was done to keep as much of the car original in the first place, ironic. I'll post the outcome of this asap.

[j.pickens]

The Western portion of Canada should just dump those Francophone Commies from the east and become the 51st State!!!!

[Mark]

Here's a link to the ICBC Collector Plate program (scroll to the bottom half):

http://www.icbc.com/Insurance/insura_collcar_PI189.pdf

[Mark]

Thought I'd follow through & wipe the dust off this thread. Got my application stamped approved today. Only took 12 business days. Hello cheap insurance pleasure car. Just over $200 Cdn/year, (about $145'ish US).

[jazzed]

Not to start a border war, Mark, but you've still got a ways to go. I have two classics insured in the 15K range and pay $135/yr each. A LIFETIME registration here in OR for a classic is only $46, plus the cost of an appropriate plate for the year which the owner must dig up (in my case, the plate and sticker appropriate to my vehicle was $44). Also, our DMV isn't so picky about modifications.....if it's an old car, you're pretty much in as long as the VIN matches up to the model year applied for.

[lotsavws]

Ummm.....sounds like someone has something to prove. Must be bored.

Mark,
Congrats on getting it accomplished! Have fun with your VW!!!

:D