Guys, its a 100% legit yellow plated EVO III. I checked the rego papers and paid for an RTA History report on it and the history and chassis and engine numbers check out.
Like PROGSR stated above, it has the yellow plate on the firewall and the last 4 numbers of the VIN/Chassis number stamped on the top of the 'DRIVERS' strut tower (not passenger tower like the Aussie cars have). On either side of the 4 numbers on the driver's strut tower is a specially stamped Japanese symbol of some kind which I suspect would be to stop any additional numbers being added on either end of it.
The RTA history check records that it was imported and first registered in NSW in June 2005 by the original owner. It was then sold to the current owner who has owned it for just over 5 years. It also states that it has only ever had 2 owners since 2005 - the report checked out when I questioned the seller about its history.
You know me, I know these cars like the freckles on my wife's back :lol: I went over it with a fine tooth comb trying to debunk it, but no matter how hard I tried I couldnt find any evidence to suggest otherwise.
Therefore my wife and I found ourselves presented with a very rare opportunity to purchase a genuine NSW rego EVO III and may never get an opportunity like this again for... well..... probably never again. So after giving it the thumbs up, my wife said fuk the 380 VRX we looked at earlier in the day and bought the EVO III before the EBay auction ended B)
The seller was looking for $16-17k for it and would never have settled for the price it ended on EBay for. I guess he didnt cancel the auction but he did state that he reserved the right to end the auction early if it sold outside of Ebay.
I guess that makes her the 3rd owner since 2005. She has gained some extra street cred amongst my friends now so it looks like her Ralliart Magna will be up for sale soon