Current registration Rules

[Mike]

What are the current rules regarding registration?
I am building a Ford Sierra based Cabrio, but with a BMW engine and gearbox. What determines what the donor car is deemed to be. Is mine a 1993 ex BMW, or an ex Sierra 1991?
Answers on a post card............
regards
Mike

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Current registration Rules

Looking at the DVLA website under registering a vehicle, it seems the term 'Kit Conversions' applies here (a 'Kit Car' means a COMPLETE kit of new parts supplied by a manufacturer):

"If a new ... chassis from a specialist kit manufacturer is used ... together with two major components from a donor vehicle, an age related mark will be assigned. The mark will be based on the age of the donor vehicle. An ESVA, SVA or MSVA test will be required to register the vehicle."

I can't remember if the engine and gearbox count as 2 'major components' or a single one - I think I recall it as being 2. I think the other major components were suspension, steering and axles, but can't be sure. This might, worryingly, mean that the main 'donor' for your car cannot be determined, in which case you might be offered a - gulp - 'Q' reg:

"Where there are insufficient parts from a donor vehicle or in cases where the original registration mark is unknown, an ESVA, SVA or MSVA certificate will be required to register the vehicle and a 'Q' prefix registration number will be allocated."

Do you have the V5 from the Sierra? I think this would be the donor route to pursue - emphasise that everything else save the engine and gearbox have come from this, single, donor.

Perhaps contact your nearest DVLA office and test the water? I understand there is a fair amount of interpretation that can be applied to the regs by individual officers; if one starts to draw in breath through pursed lips, muttering "It'll have to be a 'Q'..." then calmly put the phone down and call another office.

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Current registration Rules

Actually, if the engine and gearbox are definitely considered as being 2 separate 'main components', then using the BMW's age for an age-related plate should be on the cards too.

As I said above, I've heard of different officers interpreting the rules differently. Thankfully, it is actually quite unusual these days for a Q to be issued.

Do you have either of the V5s?

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Current registration Rules

What's so wrong with having a 'Q' plate ?.Apart from the fact you are stuck with it and cannot switch to a personalised plate I don't have a problem with it but then I'm not in favour of those that switch the spacing around just so that they can spell their first name or something equally crass.
With styling reminiscent of the 1930's even keeping the original plate from the donor doesn't really wash -but then it's only my opinion !!!!!!

[Patrick]

Re: Current registration Rules

Search for the V627/1 form on http://www.dvla.gov.uk/ that's the one you have to fill in to say what bits are from which car.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/forms/v627x1.pdf

Advantage of an age related plate is that you can replace it with an old plate (if you can get one for sensible money).

I'm think of getting an Irish plate for my Sportster which drops the age relatedness of it.

Patrick

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Current registration Rules

Hi Alan.

Far comment. Time was that most kits were given a Q pretty much as standard (my Dutton was, and everything on there came from a single donor).

And I couldn't agree more about peeps who fiddle with fonts and spacings. You'd think that a bored cop could easy fill his weekly 'requirements' by simply walking round a car park for 30 minutes and make an excellent job of depriving these twits of a little wad of cash... Grrr.

For me personally, it's simply down to thinking of my car as a 'Marlin', not as a 'kit'. I guess it's a throw-back to my Dutton days - I was a bit cheesed-off to be given a Q; instead of people asking "What is it?!", they'd say "Oh, it's a kit..."

That was along time ago, tho' - I guess I should have grown up by now.

But I haven't...

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

Hi Mike, My Roadster has the engine, gearbox and electrics from a Toyota Corrola and is registered with the number plate from the original Morris Marina on which the running gear is based on. I don't know if that helps? Adrian

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

Try this link it may help. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_10014246

[cabrioman]

Re: Current registration Rules

Hi Adrian

Interested to hear you are running a Toyota engine in your roadster. Was it a RWD unit to start with or have you modified it to fit ie as a 4age would need. I would be really interested to know what was involved in fitting it, what its like size wise in the Marlin engine bay and what fueling etc you used.

I am still diliberating on what engine to use in my Cabrio in the long term and have looked at the toyota lumps before and wondered. I run a toyota avensis as a main family car and it has been bullit proof on reliability.

I want to find an engine which is compact but tuneable, the BMW straight six is a great engine but its a shoehorn to fit in the Cabrio and the Zetec and Duratec route becomes very expensive by the time you have converted it for RWD use.

What size engine is in yours and what power is it putting out.

Cheers

John

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

Hi John, My engine is what they call a 2T. It is the double overhead valve version which was a rear wheel drive car in its standard form. It has the 5 speed gearbox which was fitted to the later models of this design (4 speed previously). This engine was also commonly used in Australian Formula Two race cars during the 1970s and 1980s, where they typically made between 180 and 200hp. The 1979 championship was won by a Toyota 2T powered Cheetah mk6. In 1984 Peter Glover borrowed a Cheetah mk7 powered by Toyota 2T for one round. The car won the round and helped secure the championship. So as you can see it has a bit of history and can be tuned to see off most at the lights grand prix. I find it has more power than I can put to the road and if racing from stand still can spin the wheels even when going into 3rd gear. As far as fit is concerned there is more of a problem with width rather than length. The Steering shaft has to take a bit of a route to get around the standard Carb but still works ok. Are you going to any of the kit car shows this year, if so maybe we could meet and you can have a look at the setup. I have to say the car starts first time every time, goes like stink and is bullet proof. Hope this helps? Adrian

[h_m_cumming]

Re: Current registration Rules

Any pics Adrian? Sounds a good setup.

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

Opps, forgot to add it runs on unleaded as standard.

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

Read you question again and forgot the output. In standard form it was 105BHP (In the Toyota), what that equates to in a Roadster heaven knows.

[listerjp2]

Re: Current registration Rules

I'll take some and put them up. Won't be till later as I am just going out.

[cabrioman]

Re: Current registration Rules

Hi Adrian

Thanks for the info, I'll be interested to see some shots of it installed. Should be going to Stoneleigh and Newark so if you are going to either of those I could see it in the flesh.
Cheers

John