Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker of the forum!
For a while now, I've been looking for the perfect bug project, but then something came up that I couldn't resist.
I have the opportunity to buy an abandoned Subaru.

I've read just about all the posts on this site regarding questions similar to mine, but nothing quite matches the exact circumstance, so if you don't mind - I'll ask away, and I hope you dont mind that its not about a VW, but I'm hoping the flat 4 motor will give me a pass?

I finally managed to track the owner down (they immigrated), so found a family member and they are willing to sell.

The car is 24-25 years old and has been left to rot away for the last 15.
There were only around 650 of this model made and it would be SUCH a waste to let this car decay away.

THE ISSUE: The car has no papers and doesn't seem to be on the enatis system as all these online VIN number checkers cant seem to pick it up.
It could be an import, driven over a boarder, properly imported - I have no idea!

1. Regardless of the origin, since its not on enatis is there any way that I can get this car on the road again in SA or will it have to live its days off the road and on the race track if I did buy it?
2. If the car is not on the "system" how do they tell if its an import at this age?
3. Would an affidavit from the person selling it to me, be enough?
4. The car doesn't have a 17 digit VIN - its shorter, but perhaps that's due to the age - when did the 17 digit VINS become a "thing"?
5. If it cant simply be registered, can it be "built-up" with enough restoration work?

Sorry for all the questions - I'm desperate to save this car and you all seem like such a knowledgeable bunch!

You should be able to get it on the system.

You will need an sworn affidavit from the owner as well as a copy of his SA ID

This should include the Vin number where the car is standing and why the papers are gone.

Take as many photo's of where it has been left to rot away for the last 15 as this will convince the guys you are telling the truth.

This you will do at the licensing department, they will give you a Blank SAPS clearance form to take with you.

Than you will have to take the car to the SAPS and have it certified "not stolen"

Will be a long slog, but can be done.

Herman

And is it lefthand drive or rigjt hand drive?

retrovan wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 11:24 am You should be able to get it on the system.

You will need an sworn affidavit from the owner as well as a copy of his SA ID

This should include the Vin number where the car is standing and why the papers are gone.

Take as many photo's of where it has been left to rot away for the last 15 as this will convince the guys you are telling the truth.

This you will do at the licensing department, they will give you a Blank SAPS clearance form to take with you.

Than you will have to take the car to the SAPS and have it certified "not stolen"

Will be a long slog, but can be done.

Herman

Really appreciate the reply, thanks man.

My biggest fear is taking it to the police, and then its somehow discovered/accused of being an "import" and then its impounded and my money is gone.

Is there any way for them to definitely prove its an "import"? There is literally no license disc or plates on the car so I have no clue.
It simply has the short VIN.

I don't mind how long or how much effort it will take.

buggyfan wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:37 pm And is it lefthand drive or rigjt hand drive?

Right-hand drive

You can try to get hold of Subaru and they can tell you where it was sold.

If its parked off for 15 years and you have photo's, then you should be OK.

Get clearance 1st before parting with cash

Best of luck.

Herman

retrovan wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:31 pm You can try to get hold of Subaru and they can tell you where it was sold.

If its parked off for 15 years and you have photo's, then you should be OK.

Get clearance 1st before parting with cash

Best of luck.

Herman

Thanks Herman.

I did ask Subaru and they have no record of the car - but not sure if that's just bad record keeping.

To get "clearance" I'd physically need to take the car to SAPS right?
Not sure if the family member would be too keen on me putting the car on a trailer and taking it so need to think that one through.

Thanks again.

The immigrated owner is really not being helpful, so I'm dealing with the family member left in SA who is selling the car for him.
Still no idea regarding where it was bought.

When a car is "built-up" do all the parts need to originate from registered SA cars?
Does anyone know?

Do they check if the donor chassis and engine are registered on enatis and deny it if its not on there?

Normally the SAPS do not go into a big dig to find out if you have a local or black import.

Normally the car manufacturer give the SAPS computer a list of these imports and thats how they find them.

But nobody I think will get narffie about a 15 year old junk standing in a field or shed.

After all a lot of 2nd hand engines are legally imported every year.

If its not on the stolen list or as was with my oval beetle, being blacklisted you should have no concern with getting it on the road.

You just need someone to go on the e-natis system and see if its clear, engine and body.

If clear just go for it as not all cars and engines are on e-natis.

Herman

Thanks Herman, appreciate it!