At last I have taken delivery of my own Coaster.

The plan was hatched last November here:-  
http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/my-new-12-month-plan.html
Updated with photos here last December:-
http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/update-to-my-new-12-month-plan.html
Now it has come together after I saved up the balance whilst I was travelling Tasmania having saving up the deposit whilst at Greens lake.

I arrived back from Tassie last night in the dark so I couldn't get a good view then but this morning will be another story. The first plan is to get the serial numbers and see Vic Roads to get a temporary certificate so that it can be driven to get the necessary tests done. It has no roadworthy certificate or registration, a gamble I have taken in order to get my hands on a vehicle that would have been out of my reach had it just needed a transfer of ownership.

So the excitement builds, I have some asset with the Hi Ace which will have to be converted into cash plus a  Centrelink loan and I am fortunate to have a place to stay in Frankston, Jules house with Chris her son. The best outcome will be a speedy roadworthy and registration and the worst a compliance hassle costing more than I can afford which would make me stay in Melbourne whilst saving up. There is a saying "Living the life of Riley" that is my surname and whilst the saying didn't come from my life I am certainly living it now and have for the last 2 years on the road.    John

Gosh John, you won't know yourself, space galore after the Hi Ace.

Helen

Good on you John, you will be living in the lap of luxury.  Good luck with all the red tape,  hope it all goes smoothly for you.  Catch up on the road sometime, can't wait to see your new acquisition.

Cheers!

Chris

What a ripper of a camper, John. And it must be a good feeling to know that all that hard work as paid off (or will soon). Mine's in for a rego check today. Fingers crossed. Congrats, and see you around sometime.

Just one thing,Whatever happens don't sell the Camera.

Best wishes for a smooth transition into your ownership.

Trevor

Great stuff John.

Look forward to the many adventures in the new palace. You won't know your self.

Cheers and beers

Looking good John,

Looks like you're on a winner with that one, good luck with rego etc, good you have somewhere to stay while you sort things out and still have the Hi Ace to run around in.

Hats off to Jules and her son for helping out!

 

John - don't forget that you can get an aged pensioner's discount on your rego in Victoria.
I have yet to get it on my Coaster, because I can't do it till the rego is next due (had it on my former car). The guy at VicRoads indicated it will cut about $300 off the rego cost.
Will you be taking out insurance on the Coaster? I joined the CMCA in order to be able to get my Coaster insured with Ken Tame Insurance. That company will arrange towing if you have a breakdown and need it, and I thought their insurance rates were reasonable. The RACV roadside assist does not cover towing vehicles that big.

Another hint - get some help to accurately measure the height of the Coaster - and keep a copy of that measurement where you can get at it easily. Coasters do not fit under all bridges!!!!

I was going to offer that advice too wendy but thought Jules might have already told John how much cheaper the rego would be down there.

John if you can get an address to use it will be well worth it.

Glad you've finally got it John.   You won't know yourself with all that extra room.  When I bought my Hi-ace, the previous owners had the Height requirement taped to the Speedo so it was easy to see when needed.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Good news John , and the new bus looks great. I'm sure you will enjoy it and see plenty of more of our great playground in it.
What will you get painted on the sides?????

Congrats to you John, enjoy all that space you will have :)

Mini update:- have now the numbers from the bus to apply for a temporary permit to drive and went to Vic Roads to discuss the requirements for registration. There appears to be no record of it ever being registered in Australia so they were supposed to deny me a permit but sense prevailed and I was given a permit for 7 days and advised to get a roadworthy and bring the bus in for a physical checkover. Not sure what will happen if they still can't find a record. I will set about getting an appointment to have the roadworthy tomorrow.

This is one big vehicle as I have found when washing it, Chris has a pressure hose and all the necessities to do the job but it took forever using a step ladder and moving it along window by window. The good news is that when washing it all the area gets examined and those parts that are subject to rust in older cars are rust free. The gutters, window surrounds and wheel arches are good and the roof has not been raised it must have been manufactured as a camper. The area where the roof is raised or cut to allow a pop up are the main areas of concern.

Moving on.

 

John

 

 

I'm watching your posts with interest John. You have saved so hard for this to happen, good luck and best wishes for a speedy get back on the road with your coaster.