I like your proposal Baz (I should as apart from wording,it is the same as NT) what I built to.
For your referances,incase it helps.
First stage is to apply to build the car, Using following paperwork and application form.
http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/v...tins/ibv32.pdf
The MVR board sit during the first week of each month and at this time is when they go through these applications (there is no charge applied at this stage), and if they are happy with your proposal then they send you "Approval in Principle" this gives you 4 years from the date to build the vehicle.
The vehicle is built following the VSB14 guide.
Vehicle Standards Bulletins
If you go past the 4 year deadline, I do not know who sits and approves an extension, but I simply went to my local MVR and asked, they jumped on there computer and extended the date by 12 months.
In regards to VIN number, this can be obtained at any time, and is attached to a persons name, I applied (again at local MVR) for my vin, they jumped on ther computer again, did not ask me for any vehicle or build details and supplied me a VIN.
Once the car was built, I got a plate made up that showed the vin and attached this to my car.
I used the chassis number stamped on the chassis as my ID for the propsal build and used that number throught the paperwork process.
Once the engineer inspected the car, he added the VIN number to his paperwork (His paperwork used my approval in principle number) and the MVR attached teh 2 together in there system.