How old does my car have to be before it will qualify for a modified collector plate ?
Your vehicle must be at least a 1958 model or older.

What do I have to do to get a Collector plate on my modified vehicle ?
To get the collector plate it requires 2 different ICBC forms.

The first form needed is MV1437. The application to register a modified or altered vehicle. This form is available at any ICBC Insurance Agent or on-line from ICBC or from this link. Some requirements on this formare two (2) visible VIN numbers, the approximate cost of the modifications on the vehicle, some pictures of the vehicle, a copy of your most recent safety test & inspection (which can be done at any registered auto repair shop)

Send the completed form and pictures in to ICBC via an ICBC Insurance agent. ICBC will re-register your vehicle as a modified or altered. Now you are ready to apply for a collector plate on form MV1426 ( available as above ). Fill this form in with more pictures plus a current AirCare test with a PASS if you live in the Greater Vancouver area. Send this in to ICBC and when approved, they will return it to you.

When you receive the approved documentation from ICBC, take it to your local ICBC Insurance agent, who will order your new Collector Plate !

Happy and safe motoring from the SVABC !

I found a car in the California, and it is a replica '34 Ford that has been constructed from the frame upwards and may have a composite or steel replica type body installed and the vehicle is newly constructed or has been constructed within 15 years of the date I want to import it. Can I import this vehicle & what do I have to do?
No, you cannot import it. If one does import the same and declares it as a 34 Ford, Canada Customs and Transport Canada will required the vehicle to be removed from Canada.

If I want to import a complete motor vehicle or other types of vehicles including trailers where can one find out the requirements ?
Contract Transport Canada's information centre at 1 - 800 - 333 - 0371 or look up the information of their web site at www.riv.ca  
Note: if one imports into Canada a vehicle, for example a reproduction car that resembles a 1932 model year of a North American production motor vehicle which is a new reproduction or is only a few years old and declares it as a 32 model year ( which it is not), the person importing the same will be ordered to remove the vehicle from Canada, thus it is very important to contact Transport Canada before importing motor vehicles or other types of vehicles to ensure one does not run into problems.

Say an owner has a vehicle he feels is worth around $40,000 but is not sure, can he take the vehicle to a claims center to have pictures taken and pay the required fee? (this maybe less costly then hiring someone with the correct camera equipment)
Vehicle owners should do some research as to the value of their vehicle. Free value guides are available on the Internet such as Hemming’s, N.A.D.A. and Cars of Particular Interest are a good start. The Old Car Price Guide is available quarterly from good magazine outlets such as Chapters. See the guides outlined on the SVABC web site for Agreed Value, there are step by step instructions regarding the required vehicle photographs. I can arrange for pictures to be taken at a claim center if necessary, I would ask you to call me to arrange for this (604) 982-4718 or toll free 1-800-665 8262 local 4718 

9.

I have a 2008 Shelby GT 500 ordered. I would like to know if their is any thing in the works or something you could look into with ICBC for more affordable insurance as the car would not be eligable for collector plates. The car is a collector car and will only be driven sunny days. I will have to pay around $3000 a year. Maybe they can limit the amount of milage you can do in a year or something like that. As there are some modern day collectables such as Shelby GT 500, new Camero, new Chalenger etc. THANKS !

Unfortunately the SVABC began its negotiations under the premises of preservation and restoration of vintage and classic cars. We of course obtained the Vintage category first. To obtain the privileges we did, the major criteria was age and with that the 25-year requirement seemed as the most viable solution. You may be interest that for some areas in the world to qualify for certain exemptions the mark maybe as high as 40 years.

Now the bright side is that there is one exemption to the rule and that is if the production of a vehicle worldwide is under 1000 units, the bar is lowered to 15 years. I for one purchased a new GM vehicle that was built in 1991 with a production total of 81 in Canada. Last year after 15 years of waiting I now have a collector plate.

My kids bought a 1998 SVT Mustang Cobra (approx production 4000), paid the high price of insurance for the first year and the car has had storage insurance ever since. It has under 1000 miles and was just sold due to what they felt was unreasonable holding costs for a vehicle they never drove.

On the other hand you can do what most of us do with non-qualifying vehicles. For 12 years I insured a 50’s modified collector car for three months a year to reduce my annual costs from $1200 to $300 per year. Since I only drove it under perfect conditions and short runs, it was a way of making the best of an expensive situation.

Finally, congratulations on obtaining a 2008 GT 500. If you have what you feel is a valid argument (the low vs. high cost of insurance rarely gets one a lot of sympathy) put it on paper, submit it to us and we will certainly entertain it at our next executive meeting.

If someone has any more positive thoughts I am sure they will jump in on our discussion.