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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Mister Towed's SWB 250GT SEFAC build.

1 Apr 2015, 2:04pm
Under the British law, which is unique in this respect, just about anything can be changed quite legally on a car, and the originality and the registration of the vehicle will remain.
This includes engine, gearbox, body and even the chassis.
However, kit cars and chassis modifications fall into a slightly different category and different rules apply.
1 Apr 2015, 2:27pm
...and the parts keep on a comin'

This is a period speaker grille from ebay for £12.49 -



...which will be mounted below the dash on a sort of upholstered central console to form part of the transmission tunnel.

It will have the appearance of a speaker for the wireless, but will actually be there to disguise the outlets for the air conditioning. Simple. :)
1 Apr 2015, 2:48pm
I love it, when a plan comes together...
2 Apr 2015, 8:48am
Scottie22 wrote:
Under the British law, which is unique in this respect, just about anything can be changed quite legally on a car, and the originality and the registration of the vehicle will remain.
This includes engine, gearbox, body and even the chassis.
However, kit cars and chassis modifications fall into a slightly different category and different rules apply.


Yes, you can change the electronic or mechanical components such as the gearbox, suspension, trim, wheels etc for whatever you want to your heart’s content.

However from https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate
1. Changes you'll need to update
You must update your registration certificate (V5C) if there are any mistakes on it, or if you make any of the following changes to your vehicle:
• colour
• engine
• cylinder capacity (cc)
• fuel type
• replace or modify the chassis or bodyshell
• seating capacity
• weight of a goods vehicle
• tax class changed to ‘disabled’
You must send your updated certificate to DVLA with any necessary evidence
.

Items 1 to 4 should not be a problem, DVLA should just make the changes to your V5C and return it.

Item 5 will not be a problem if you are replacing like for like, i.e. using a new chassis or monocoque body from the original manufacturer or a “heritage” manufacturer.
The issue comes when you use a completely different chassis or monocoque body. As I see it the “recreation” will be classified either as a “Rebuilt vehicle” or a “Radically altered vehicle” ( from https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/overview ).
Either way the DVLA will not allow it to retain the registration number of the original vehicle because it does not use the original chassis or manufacturer’s specification replacement. As a result of this the car will need IVA or some other Type approval.

I would be interested if you know anything different from the above. I think the problem is that there are so many different interpretations of the laws and rules, indeed the DVLA have said “Due to the very nature of rebuilding or modifying vehicles from their original manufacturer’s specification, DVLA assesses each vehicle on its own merits based on the documentary evidence provided and a physical inspection of the vehicle.”
2 Apr 2015, 9:08am
But DVLA only assess each vehicle presented to them! So if the sellers pass it on, then it becomes the problem the owner has, either once plod stop him, or more likely? when he takes it for MOT and they start asking questions.
There is (was?) an outfit changing jags into DBR Aston Replicas, and clearly using a new chassis, carbed engines etc and selling them as 'recreations' or whatever - from my point of view they have a big question mark over them.:mod:
2 Apr 2015, 9:10am
I think the problem is that there are so many different interpretations of the laws and rules

Indeed.

My Z300S is the first one out of the moulds and was the original one built by Chris specifically for me based on pictures I sent and discussions we had.

DVLA Description : Z300S Replica

IanA liked my car and had a replica made (2nd from mould I think).

DVLA Description : Z300S

So it appears I was replicating the car that was only created after mine was on the road!
2 Apr 2015, 6:52pm
Mine is #4 of 6 so far.
I think the ease of registration was due to the careful wording on Chris's invoice to me and my wording on the V457 (?) form- all mentioned in my build thread.
I wasn't quick enough with my MOT guy to make sure it said Z300S on the MOT- next time.
3 Apr 2015, 7:55am
Mister Towed - It is good to see your collection of parts growing steadily. :cool:
( I also love how "far & wide" your search goes. )

Although I would be grateful if you could delay finishing your second build until I've finished my first. :icon_wink:

Good luck, Paul. :)
3 Apr 2015, 8:57am
Paul L wrote:
Mister Towed -... I would be grateful if you could delay finishing your second build until I've finished my first. :icon_wink:

Good luck, Paul. :)


I'll try, Paul. What I could do I suppose is leave a tyre valve cap off until your car is on the road, that way I won't have 'finished' my next project before you finish yours.

Anyone know if it's legal to drive around with only three valve caps for years and years? ;)
3 Apr 2015, 9:18am


... but I like you.

;)
3 Apr 2015, 10:13am
Mister Towed wrote:
I'll try, Paul. What I could do I suppose is leave a tyre valve cap off until your car is on the road, that way I won't have 'finished' my next project before you finish yours.

Anyone know if it's legal to drive around with only three valve caps for years and years? ;)


I'l check out my 1966 copy of the Construction and Use Regs... I like to keep up to date with these things!
5 Apr 2015, 5:26pm
Picked my ebay tyres up from the seller the other day. I'm not going to bore anyone with pictures of tyres, I'm sure you all already know what fecking tyres look like. The seller was a very friendly car enthusiast with a passion for classic racing and a choice of Aston Martin and Lotus road and track cars in his garages. But the ad said that they came off an e-type, and indeed they did.

This one to be precise -



And you could eat your dinner off this -



Lovely.

Spent my lunch hour at a classic car meet in Shouldham today. It's going to be a regular meet on the first Sunday of each month and it's centred around The King's Arms, which is a community owned and run Pub. It's going to be one of my regular haunts and well worth a visit if you're anywhere near Norfolk -







We did try, but we couldn't quite get my Spyder into the boot of that Chevy...
6 Apr 2015, 6:50am
What is the black car with the number 2 on it?

Looks a great place :)
6 Apr 2015, 7:24am
Paul L wrote:
It is Phil9's Sammio Spyder, more photos here:

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3893


Yep, and although it looks black it's actually a very dark, Jaguar green. My car runs a 2 litre six (with methanol injection) and feels bloody quick. Phil's car has a much more powerful modified 2.5 six and has been clocked on the track at over 130mph. Scary.
6 Apr 2015, 6:55pm
Looks lovely whatever colour it is!
8 Apr 2015, 7:02pm
Still collecting parts, these Alfa 156 handles came from the same scrappy, sorry, vehicle parts recycling centre, that I got the Rover seats from -



Bargain at £35 for the full set including a key.

They really look the part, very retro with a lovely, quality feel to them. My intention is to use the Alfa ignition barrel so the same key opens the door and operates the ignition.

I really can't wait to get started on this project properly.
8 Apr 2015, 8:58pm
Thats my old 55 Chevy you are sat behind Towed . Small world !
Was 2 tone green when I had it and not as pretty as it is now !
9 Apr 2015, 5:40am
EL PRIMER wrote:
Thats my old 55 Chevy you are sat behind Towed . Small world !
Was 2 tone green when I had it and not as pretty as it is now !


What a coincidence. Never been a big fan of American cars, but in the 50's they definitely produced some awesome machines. That '55 Chevy sure is one great looking Classic. :)
9 Apr 2015, 5:46am
Anyone see the Channel 4 infotainment show about supercar dealers last night?

One thing that struck me was how not one customer for the £1m+ classic supercars showed the slightest interest in them as cars, it was all about their investment potential.

One night-club owner splashed out £6.5m on a handful of the greatest classic cars on the planet (including £1m for a replica Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa) and signed the deal with a look of tiresome weariness on his orange, botoxed face.

What a sad, joyless world the super rich must inhabit. :(
9 Apr 2015, 6:58am
Mister Towed wrote:
Anyone see the Channel 4 infotainment show about supercar dealers last night?

One thing that struck me was how not one customer for the £1m+ classic supercars showed the slightest interest in them as cars, it was all about their investment potential.

One night-club owner splashed out £6.5m on a handful of the greatest classic cars on the planet (including £1m for a replica Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa) and signed the deal with a look of tiresome weariness on his orange, botoxed face.

What a sad, joyless world the super rich must inhabit. :(



I thought the same things when I saw the programme.

I also thought, looking inside the dealers' houses, that their is no connection between mega money and my idea of good taste.

I'll stick to the lower end of the scale, life's great down here.

Cheers, Bob.
9 Apr 2015, 10:27am
Those so called"collectors"ruin our hobby by paying way to much money for old cars only to sell them with a profit.
I am not poor,but i have always some month left at the end of my money so sometimes i feel a bit envy when i see this kind of shows...........
9 Apr 2015, 12:14pm
When you look completely impartially at those kinds of cars, most o them are piles of unreliable, badly engineered junk. I once had a ride in a 250 GTO (a real, 4 million pound one) and whilst it is beautiful and sound wonderful, it is a pile of badly made, poorly fitted bits and pieces, as are Lamborghinis that people coo over. My son had to work on an early Countach LP400, his previously favourite car. Within a day he was describing it as "that bloody shed in the corner". Parts of the insides of the many body vents were made of Italian road signs, because they had no aluminium. You could clearly see part of a men at work sign!

Having said that, I'd still kill for an Alvis Speed 25!

Cheers,
Martin
9 Apr 2015, 5:48pm
MrTin wrote:
... piles of unreliable, badly engineered junk...


I seem to remember that the chassis rails on the original Lancia Stratos were hammered flat where the steering rack bolted on.
9 Apr 2015, 5:51pm
Mister Towed wrote:
...What a sad, joyless world the super rich must inhabit...(


The dealers driving the Fezzas around at the London Classic Car Show in January were particularly po-faced.
Come to think of it, I've never seen a Fezza driver smiling. Maybe they're scared of appearing smug?
Can't help grinning when I'm driving any of my toys.