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[Genem]

Talking via Facebook with a bloke who has bought a "Series 2" Lightweight..... except its blindingly obvious that its a Lightweight body nailed to a Defender 90 chassis. He's bought it in good faith, SORN and looking to "do it up". He has a V5, its on the DVLA site with the details of an S2A, he has no idea of the legalities or that if DVLA get involved they will not be at all impressed with what he has actually got. The bad news is that he paid almost twice as much for his "Lightweight" as I paid for mine.

How do we educate people about this, there are a bunch of people out there who don't want to hear the message and when pointed to the "Radically Altered Vehicle" section of the DVLA website we get accused of being spoil-sports and worse... If the builder had left it on the 90s ID it would be a lot simpler.... 

Buyer Beware.

 

[Peter Holden]

The seller will probably claim that it was done more than 30 years ago.

I wonder if the 90 chassis still has its original chassis number

Peter

[Wittsend]

There's nothing we can do about it.
(We could and do report such vehicles to the DVLA).

The problem is people buy on impulse, they do NOT do their homework or ask for help from the Club 
Sadly, this often ends in tears.

[GHOBHW]

for me, if it has coil springs, i run for the hills, others should follow suit, even if it is claimed it was made 30+ years ago, which i highly doubt for 99% of them.
i wonder what the future will bring with all the heavily modified series or "series" trucks out there.

[GlenAnderson]

Caveat emptor.

If they can’t be bothered researching and asking before they spend their money I see no reason to lose any sleep.

[Peter Holden]

I accept that comment Glen and I have been involved with landrovers for 55 years but we have to remember that where motor vehicles are concerned there are lots who buy that dont know anything about them.  (We have a Romahome camper and there is as much of a problem with them).
I think the old adage that you dont know what you dont know comes to mind.

Gene, it may not be built on a 90, it may be on a marsland S2 coil sprung chassis but it is the same problem.

Peter

[Genem]

The seller will probably claim that it was done more than 30 years ago.

I wonder if the 90 chassis still has its original chassis number

Peter

Do we know what evidence DVLA would find acceptable ?  ....in this case the vehicle is way up north, bought from way down south, work done by some previous owner, unknown who or when.  A picture of this coil-sprung lightweight-bodied vehicle on some rainy hillside at an event in Nineteen Canteen is unlikely to appear, as is a receipt from Marsland or Arrows for a coil-sprung conversion kit of similar vintage. If it was a cut-down RR chassis then perhaps.... but the oldest 90s would only have been 7 years old 30 years ago, the number that were re-bodied as a "lightweight" miniscule.
( We say "Done 30 years ago" - whats the legal basis for that ? A specific date when legislation changed, some rolling exemption ? - I can recall the Arrows coil sprung conversion adverts in LRO back when ...) 

[Craig T]

Designa chassis is another company that offered and still do I believe, replacement series chassis with coil mounts on them.

Craig.

[Wittsend]

The onus is on the (poor) owner to prove the vehicle was converted more than 30 years ago.

He is very unlikely to be able to do this 
I think you would need more than just a chassis receipt. I would want to see more supporting evidence; garage/parts bills contemporary pictures etc.

Sadly, if the authorities catch up with this one it's likely to end up in the crusher.


 

[nathanglasgow]

Is it this abomination per chance
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-cars/land-rover-/1417055592

[Genem]

Nope, similar but in better nick ....and WAY further north :-)

I saw that one the other day, on Ebay.

[GHOBHW]

Is it this abomination per chance
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-cars/land-rover-/1417055592

i dont get it, i dont like to pick faults with peoples work or their vehicles, as it is their choice, but why go through all that effort, at that point, just buy a 90/110.
entire charm of a series is the old style and feel to it, at least in my view.

[nathanglasgow]

Ah, must be this one then. If it is I remember it being discussed on another forum. The poster disappeared when it was pointed out what he had.

[Genem]

Designa chassis is another company that offered and still do I believe, replacement series chassis with coil mounts on them.

Craig.

Their website is certainly still active, offering coil sprung 88 and 109 Chassis, with an option to supply 90/110 axles too. Looks like they make to order - 4-10 week leadtime quoted.  No answer to the phone. It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on how the product complies with DVLA "radically altered vehicle" regs.

 

[crumbly65]

i dont get it, i dont like to pick faults with peoples work or their vehicles, as it is their choice, but why go through all that effort, at that point, just buy a 90/110.
entire charm of a series is the old style and feel to it, at least in my view.

Totally agree!  I can only suppose these people think that is how a vehicle is supposed to be, given the way modern vehicles are.  I think it's ok to be critical of this bastardisation and dilution of a Series Land Rover's charms, our aim as a club is to preserve the historical significance of these wonderful old utility vehicles.

It's one thing to make relatively minor adaptations to keep a vehicle safe and drivable in today's heavy traffic, or to even add comfort-orientated things like sound proofing, radios, carpeting etc.  But to mangle a vehicle's identity.....