There are numerous cars on full reg with multi-point weld-in ROPS.
(I have a good mate with an Engineered 260Z with a 383 Chev & multi-point ROPS - including door bars).
It depends on the Engineer you are dealing with...
As for the 'mass roadworthy audit' - it's just a rumor.
The AOMC has not had ONE report about 'mass auditing' happening, and VicRoads themselves deny any such dealings.
Can you imagine the shitfight that would happen if the understaffed VicRoads decided to conduct such a thing...?
It's a pity that so many 'stories' get bantered about as truth.
Lurch.
P.S. It's pretty hard to defect a car on a 'Permit'...
Cops can defect a car on a permit as easily as any other registered vehicle.
Unfortunately too many clubs have been pushing the boundaries so this was going to be the inevitable response.
If you have built your car right and you find an engineer the only problem will be a financial one.
Given most engineers charge <$1000 it will be cheap peace of mind to ensure your car is legal and you are not liable because you are driving a vehicle with illegal modifications.
As Australia follows the litigation happy nature of the USA it is all the more important to be sure you have ticked all the right boxes when you build and register/permit your car.
After a long discussion with the head of the Vicroads defect management group (who manage the club permit scheme) after Vicroads sent one of our members two sets of plates/logbooks for the same car, he made it clear that any car used on the roads regardless of full reg or permit needs to be engineered if the modifications exceed the NCOP standards.
As for structural testing of chassis' that will only be required if the chassis has been significantly modified.
Mass rw testing is highly unlikely but some clubs may be required to present all CPS cars for inspection if they are deemed to be doing the wrong thing.
I don't like it any more than the rest of you but I really can't see a way that it can be avoided.
Build your car so it will satisfy the VASS criteria and you won't have a problem.
And as Lurch said, pick the right engineer