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[w3526602]

Hi,

The bloke across the road has a RAV 4. He's paying £600 PA for VED. That would hurt.

But back to insurance ... low mileage PA seems to be good.

Low number of passengers seems to be good. But can anyone tell me how good? Is it worth removing seats that you may never fill? I think my (as yet) un-named project will have a big box, so no room for a middle passenger.

Hmmm! Short legs for it's size?  Baz?  Is it suitably meaningful? Is there a female equivalent?

602

[Wittsend]

Number of seats up to 7 is not an issue.
All seats have to be "proper" seats firmly fixed to the vehicle.

Things get ify if you exceed 8 seats, then you become a minibus & new drivers have to pass a minibus test.
Folks with 10 & 12 seat Land Rovers can have problems, but like the driving test, have "grandfather" rights.
... and don't think you can get away with removing the seats 
Some of our Station Wagon owners will have better info.

You have to define "modified" and the context you use the word to describe the vehicle in question and to which agency.

If we are referring to the MoT exemption and retaining Vehicle of Historic Interest to qualify for tax exemption then as far as engine conversions - conversions that were common 40 years ago are acceptable. So that's Rover V8s, Essex 6 pot, Transit & BMC diesels, Perkins
diesels, including the Perkins Prima, 200 & 300 Tdi's etc.

You could fit another engine type, but would lose MoT exemption.
Modified as per the DVLA points system, means you could/would lose your VHI status and have to pay Road Tax (VED).
However, if you have documentary proof the changes were made 40 years ago, you might be OK. The DVLA would want the vehicle inspected by their agents to ascertain what it is.

Building a "one off" special makes you liable for an IVA test and compliance, and probably a Q-plate.
For the absolute low down you need to go to a forum that specialises in kit cars and the like, extreme modifications are a bit outside of our experience.

This topic being about insurance; Insurers need to be told about any modifications to the original spec of the model. The "common" engine conversions of the day don't normally attract an extra premium - V8s and that. Fitting winches, servo brakes, or even the S3 brakes, hard top, truck cab, tilt. They just need to be told so they have the details on record.

[w3526602]

You could fit another engine type, but would lose MoT exemption.

Hi Alan,

I don't enjoy doing it, but I have to disagree.

Retaining the identity of a vehiicle, to Dept of Transport requirements requires achieving 13 points from the Dept's list. Eight of those points MUST come from the chassis. All components must be either ...

A. ORIGINAL, or

B. NEW, TO THE SAME SPECIFICATION AS THE ORIGINal, or ...

C. THE SAME SPECIFICATION AS A (COMMON?) REPLACEMENT FITTED 60 YEARS AGO.

A chassis may only be ORIGINAL, or a NEW chassis built to the same specification as original ... with evidence of speciiication and newness.  Would a suitably aged DESIGNACHASSIS be acceptable? It is impossible to achieve the required number of points  without counting the chassis. Provenance is required.

Hmmm ... Many yonks ago, there was a kit-car manuacturer, making replica GRP bodies, and separate chassis frame, to replace the unitary body/chassis of a popular British rust bucket sports car. To retain the donor's identity, the manufacturers required the chassis cross-member, bearing the chassis number of the scrap bodyshell, which they welded into their new chassis.  I assume DVLC were aware of this ploy? Both Barbara and I were working at DVLC at the time, so mid to late-1970s.  There was also a kit (GRP cab plus ladder chassis) to convert a Mini into a chassis/cab ...called something like JIMPY (Anno Domini is creeping up on my 140 memory thingy .. Quotiant? 140? It seemed to amuse the shrink who was assessing me for Medical Retirement ... said HE had to get by on only 60)

All other relevant components seem to be acceptable, if they could have been fitted more than 60 years ago and evidenced by their identity number, or, a brand new item, or, no longer supplied by the manufacturer.  Have I got that right?

An S1 fitted with an MGB 1800cc engine, used to compete "off-road", maybe 40 or 50 years ago, but Google can only come up with MGB V8 engines. The MGB and Marina 1.8TC used the same engine, though I would only want a single carb. The Marina bodyshell would accept both 1300 and 1800 engines, without modification (been there, done that). I've discounted fitting a 1300 into a Landy ... I think ... not yet added it to my virtual spreadsheet.  As far as I know, MG Midget and Triumph Spitfire engines are interchangable. Does that extend to the rest of the small Triumph range... Toledo and Dolomite?

Time to get my coat.... unless anybody knows of a Moskvitch engine looking for a home, or can tell me what engine it was a copy of? FIAT?BMW?

602

[Peter Holden]

John, it was called a Jiffy, we had one,kit supplied by Indespension, we put a Romahome demountable shell on it and although we sold it in 1994 it is still on the road.  DVLA rules were different then and as you kept the front subframe, engine and transmission you could keep the original registration, I seem to remember on the log book it was a Mini-Jiffy or some such thing.  I have a photo somewhere.  I will dig it out.

An interesting point the chassis was made from 75 x50x6mm box and as it dripped in the middle there were hude gussets.  It was a much tougher construction than a Land Rover chassis.

Peter

[w3526602]

Hi Peter,

JIFFY!  Yes that was the name. Pretty little thing, could almost be described as "forward control". I'm surprised it didn't have 100mm deep chassis rails ... I just assumed it did.

I used to look sideways at how Mini front ends were cut-off, leaving no support for the front of the sub-frame.    But hey, a bad idea that works is better than a good idea that doesn't.  Er ... look how the front suspension of a E-type is hung onto the bodyshell. Cantilever bird cage hanging off the "fire wall".

A mate in South Wales rebuilt THE 1902 "Gordon Bennett" Napier ... first car to be painted BRG. I commented on the flimsiness of the 2"x 2" RHS chassis rails (forged dumb-irons, bolted on). He quickly put me right .... the chassis rails were 2"x 2" timber.  I watched him racing at Pembrey  -  I think a 4-litre engine.... approach bend ... glance over shoulder ... grab hand brake ... lean back ...   Apparently this is the only car to have a certificate from the Science Museum in London, saying that it does not need mudguards.

I think Google can find you a "1902 Napier image"

602

[Gibbo103]

This topic is going a bit off track, but for Johns info, moskvich engine was a copy of bmw 1500 ohc engine

[Old Hywel]

This topic is going a bit off track.....

...and deep into the realm of misinformation. Reader beware.