No I most certainly do not believe that ppl driving their VWs on Open Transfer Letters would update the registry. We know it from start, e.g. you do as you already expressed, and I do too.
But what I know is that the only possibility of registering those VWs is when they sell their VWs the New Owner would update the registry under his name of the same car . But that would require an online presence of A Registry. And if there is one, why shouldn't it be comprehensive right from the begining? We all know when an enthusiast buys the car first, he is in the most engaged state. Over the period the enthusiasm of owning a VW wears out in majority of the cases. Thats the time we should be eyeing on when the probability of getting a VW registered is the highest, i.e. when an enthusiast buys the VW.
Here again, VIN becomes even more important when VWs changing hands and showing twice or even thrice would need to be sorted out through VIN for all Unique Cars.
I agree most VWs have their motors swapped but still we have a point to start with the Current Motor information, from here on we can build if it changes yet again. And about Original motor identity it is always there in the Registration Book (if the VW has one).
I agree the details could be collected on a gathering far easier than online. My question is who is gonna do that? I dont see hardcore members entering details of ONE VW, i.e. their own car how do you expect someone from the club do it for say 20 VWs on the show?
Point is, lets start engaging ppl. Lets make them realize that even hobbies too require dedication, constructive thinking and contribution.
You may rightly believe that hobbies are for fun and this wont work if we force ppl to do what we wish should be done. My question is who is forcing them? I am not, you are not, and a website/registry cant by itself! If anything that could force them would be their own free will / pleasure out of serving the hobby if they so wish.
You have been in US/Canada, could you name a club which gathers registry through physical surveys? NO! Its gathered by ppl's free will through Registries, by engaging them, involving them. I dont see if we are trying to accomplish anything differently or are we?
More questions? Plz Ask!