MadaboutKitcars

The bottom line is, as my father taught me, that you can't legislate for fools.

In the case of the 2 I know about , the first one was simply pulled over by a traffic Officer , who asked the owner if he had built it ..The owner started to say he had assembled it himself , bragging about his use of various components and home manufactured parts etc..When the Officer questioned its right to be a 37 Ford , the owner realised his error and started to back track talking about the original chassis etc...but it was game over !! The chassis was clearly box section ..V5 voided , START AGAIN !

The second 'Rat Rod' pickup was pulled for open pipes and open wheels by a motorcycle Cop , again questionable originality was brought up as vehicle was a 28 Ford with Chevy V8 , stretched wheelbase , suicide front , about 4' high overall ...Local Vehicle examiners called out to inspect ..a couple of hours later , vehicle had prohibition notice issued , The owner was told he could not drive it home , he lived literally less than a half mile away ! He had to have it transported back ..V5 voided ...START AGAIN !

Both cases were extreme , I guess and if you keep your head down , no bragging to strangers , drive sensibly etc. minor discrepencies will mostly go unflagged...

Don't underestimate DVLA's knowledge though ...they have overlooked things in the past , not because they are unaware , more just a policy thing , I have had a vehicle pulled out of cherished vehicle inspections due to being incorrect . The vehicle examiners wanted to go for a prosecution stating I must have known it was wrong , I did know , but DVLA decided to Q plate it and void the V5 as punishment enough due to loss of valuable registration....But they do adopt 'projects' ..just before my local office closed , they had received a memo about pursuing any Bob tailed Range Rovers spotted locally by the vehicle examiners and details to be reported to DVLA ...

On the Hot Rod highlighted in the earlier note (interesting link, if long read) I just can't understand how anyone would think a huge air intake mounted on the bonnet was a good idea! Excuse my ignorance, but what is a 'bob-tailed range rover'?

Usually an 80's Range Rover with the chassis and bodywork rear overhang shortened for off roading ..

Enthusiasts have enjoyed the benefit of the doubt for many years, but it seems the tide is turning. With specific reference to the rods (bit of a soft target, sorry) it has always amused me how many '32 Fords have almost nothing from the model at all. I briefly owned a track-style '27 T that had a homemade ladder chassis, GRP body, Sherpa axles and a Pinto! I think those days are passing now.

Triumph ..do you have any pics of that car ? I had a Sherpa axle'd 27 T that I sold locally to a guy called Chris Crutcher in Southbourne , wondered where that one had gone ..mine had a s/six Zephyr engine in it whilst I was driving it but these things change .....