Trace the history of your Vehicle in Victoria
Source: Association
of Motoring Clubs (AOMC)
Background
The card records of the Victorian Motor registration records were used
by the Registration Branch, RTA, Vic Roads etc. since their inception
in the late 1920's. These cards were part of the set of records comprising
the full history and ownership of each vehicle registered in Victoria.
From the late 70's to the early 80's these records were gradually put
on the official computer database and the card system was thus gradually
made redundant. The AOMC fortunately obtained custody of the engine number
records from the Government in 1992.
>> The companion cards which contained the owner details etc. were
destroyed by VicRoads for privacy reasons. <<
Where a vehicle was not currently registered at the time of the conversion
to the official computer database the details were not input and hence
any approach to the present registration authority for a report on the
history of a vehicle may not reveal this earlier detail. Therefore in
trying to trace an engine in a vehicle for originality or history, the
AOMC database may be of use as it records this detail and in some cases
may duplicate the official database. It is important to note that there
are a number of typographical errors on the cards particularly in the
engine/chassis prefix and suffixes, due to obvious errors when they were
originally made. In the interests of historical accuracy no attempt has
been made to correct these in the AOMC database and it is left to the
user to make the interpretation.
It is also instructive to note that there is also the possibility that
the present official computerised records may now have even more errors
through their subsequent transfer from cards. Where no record is found
then it is possible that the engine record card has been incorrectly filed
in the card system with some other make. These may be found later when
the other makes have been processed.
What is on a Record?
Each record contains the Engine No. (plus prefix and suffix). Chassis/Commission
No. (plus prefix and suffix), Registration No. and Type of vehicle since
first registered in Victoria. The card also shows any subsequent changes
that have occurred up until about 1982-4 including the numbering of the
engine by the Victorian Registration authorities. If the vehicle was previously
registered interstate or imported from overseas then a note might have
been added. If the vehicle was stolen at some stage then there may have
been an entry on a separate card. Some interstate registered vehicles
which have been stolen at some time have been included where that state
had advised the Victorian authorities. The records generally start in
1933/34 although where a vehicle originally registered prior to this has
had a subsequent engine change then details will be recorded.
What use are the Records?
If you are trying to trace the history of your treasured vehicle for determining
its original registration number, proving its racing career, concours
originality of various items such as overdrive etc. or you are just inquisitive
and want to settle a bet, then these irreplaceable records may be able
to fill the gaps.
What is needed for a Search?
As a first step you should request VicRoads to undertake a search to see
what is revealed. Then, if it is clear that the vehicle was registered
in Victoria at some time prior to 1982 then it is most likely that the
details will have been recorded on the card index. (Note if VicRoads say
that there are no earlier records on their computer then you can probably
believe them!)
At present only a few Makes in the AOMC records can be searched by computer
and these records can be searched on any one item eg. Eng. No., Chassis
No. or Reg. No., however the more detail you provide the greater the information
that might be found. Other makes require a manual search on Engine No.
only. All searches are performed by volunteers in their own time so please
be patient.
The details required of your vehicle:
Make and model
Engine No. - Present and any known previous,
Chassis/Commission No.,
Previous Registration No(s).
Download the Application Form from the AOMC Publications page - Click
Here
Plus a cheque for $25 made payable to Association of Motoring Clubs.
(Your donation will go towards the costs of maintaining and storing the
records.)
Post to:
AOMC Engine Records Search
GPO Box 2374V,
Melbourne, Victoria 3001
Australia
Source: Association
of Motoring Clubs (AOMC)
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