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.
Made it to DVLA Bristol and got the Cabrio registered.
Total waste of time and money though. I had to trailer it there, and the inspector looked at the VIN number and that was it. Well bugger me if the VIN number isn't on the IVA MAC form for heavens sake. Cost me a total of £180 to hire a trailer, tow car and fuel.
Piccie attached. Note the Numberplate bolts are also the lights.... Rest looks a bit scruffy as I'me getting ready to paint it. I may go play a bit first it will be taxed from 1 october
Well done, it's so exciting getting your number plates!!
I agree about the inspection, a complete waste of everybodies money.
Why VOSA, who do the IVA, can't do the rest of the checks beats me.
I guess it's two different government departments not working together.
I'll let you know on Thursday. I've decided to go for a blast at 00:01 on 1 October when the tax come into force.
Going slightly off thread... The exhaust is some hidious system cobbled together from the Sierra system and odd bits of pipe, with a twin pipe rear box, which exits slightly off centre and crooked. I seem to have 4 options.
1. Leave it as it is (cheap)
2. Make a new system up (not sure about what components to use)
2. Get my local exhaust fabricator to make up a replacement in stainless steel with a single centre exit (£350)
3. Get time to make a system in SS with two pipes exiting on either side (£460)
I agree with Jason. Without being too subtle (something I am not noted for - subtle) a single central pipe looks - err - naf.... For me it has to be one pipe on one side.
Well two things, first of all the tax came into force at 00:01 today 1-Oct-09, so I went for a midnight blast. Bit too much fog on the A303 but the front lights worked well on full beam.
Then I went to Performance 3000 in Yeovil and since that back box was stainless steel they made up a stainless mid section for me with first stage silencer and fitted it.
Two photos, of each end of the car.
When I got home last night there was a queue (Wife, adult daughter, adult son and his girlfriend and the dog) all waiting to have a blast around the block. The dog would not get out of the car after.
So I phoned DVLA this morning to find out where my V5 had got to, as it was over a month since my visit the DVLA Bristol.
After giving some details it appeared they had my address completely wrong. They informed me that I had to fill out a V62, and send a £25 fee for a 'lost V5'!
I pointed out they had my address incorrect, and the error must have happened at DVLA since they had sent the inspection appointment, tax disc, and authorisation to get a number plate made to the correct address. I was told if I included a letter including that information they might waive the fee.
After a month no V5 had turned up so I phoned Swansea. After a bit of discussion it turned out they had the totally wrong address.... Initially they claimed it was my fault as I must have filled out the V55 incorrectly, and wanted a £25 fee to correct it.
I pointed out that they had managed to send 3 items of correspondence to the correct address, and since I had filled out only ONE form it was LIKELY they had made the mistake. They asked me to send in a V62 with a covering letter explaining why the fee should be waived.
Today the V5 turned up. It seems I own a blue Sierra 5 door hatchback and not a green Marlin Cabrio!
I've got nearly every panel back now, and fitted the tail, boot lid, both wheel arches and one door. It seems to be taking ages, but I'm doing my best not the scratch anything.
I'm planning a roll out on th13th Dec.
I must say the paint job is absolutely superb. The guys doing the work have taken a lot of effort in getting the finish spot on. The only downside is that the cost has gone up....
Unfortunately progress has been slowed since my father passed away last week and I have funeral arrangements to make and then attend.
It has also taken much longer to put things back together than take them apart. I've been very careful trying not to scratch anything.
Another problem I had was I had made a piece of plastic from an old storage box to sit ontop of the radiator to block the hole between the rad top and the top of the nose cone, but it was a bit too big. I went to trim the plastic down using Sandie's best kitchen scissors and broke the handle. That put me in bad books.
So then I tried to trim the plastic using garden secetuers, and it shattered into 1000s of bits.
I've made a new bit up using marine ply...
