Mike's Cabrio Build

[b_caswell]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Its not so much being a simple soul as its because they can!

[Mike]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Any news, Mike?

Hi Peter

Slowly move the wheels of Government........................

Yes, there has been some development.

I was contacted by Mark Vickers from VOSA to confirm DVLA had made an error in their processing of my application when asking for the weight of my Cabrio (it is recorded on the IVA pass form (IAC)), so he confirmed I would not be required to provide them with a certified weighbridge weight of the car.

However, when I received the DVLA's letter through the post, as well as the weight question, they had also asked for form V627/1 - " Built Up Vehicle Inspection Report" to be completed, signed, and returned.

This sounds much more daunting than it turned out to be. Basically it asked me to self certify the origin of the chassis - ie New Marlin Cabrio chassis with receipt, and donor Sierra axles, steering assembley, to assess whether it qualifies for an age related plate.

This was a little frustrating as I had already submitted all this information on a typed sheet of A4 (as I wanted to ensure my Cabrio receives an age related plate), which the clerk accepted gave him all the information required, but then politely insisted it had to be on a V627/1 !
No point arguing, so, I sent it back by return on Thursday and am waiting to see if they now issue me with an age related V5c registration?

There are times when you know you are dealing with a simple soul, so I gave up trying to get my personalised registration transferred on to my Cabrio in one simplified process, and will now take it one step at a time..............!

Watch this space....................

[Peterx]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

DVLA Registration process.

.....................so am I being too optimistic to hope I can look forward to receiving my tax disc, and advice on registration next week allowing me to get my new number plates made, and get out onto the Queens highways?

Mike

Any news, Mike?

[nigel]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

.....................so am I being too optimistic to hope I can look forward to receiving my tax disc, and advice on registration next week allowing me to get my new number plates made, and get out onto the Queens highways?

Mike

Mike,

Things are looking better at DVLA.

I know its not kit car related but I bought myself a 125cc twist and go for my new daily commute from home to Reading Station.

The bike was delivered to me on Thursday, the day after I bought it. The tax disc arrived on Saturday and the V5C three days later on Christmas eve.

I was very pleasantly surprised so I hope things continue smoothly for you too.

Nigel

[b_caswell]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Mike, Have you allowed for the department's Christmas do then Christmas jumper day followed by the Girls night out and day after giggling about what went on, not to mention a day off for Christmas shopping.Then nothing happens until the Christmas decorations are taken down after the twelve night . Best of luck I am still waiting for my TV licence that should have arrived in the middle of November.

[Mike]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

DVLA Registration process

Rather cheekily I contacted DVLA this morning to enquire how my application for first registration and road tax was progressing (I am aware they have an internal rule to process applications within 10 working days). So accepting the disruption Christmas/New Year must cause I was deliberately not pushy, but just wanted to make sure my request for a personalised plate wasn't causing any unnecessary complications?

The response was a surprise: everything seems OK, except they have processed a letter, yet to be sent, requesting I have my car weighed and send them the certificate confirming its weight!!

This seemed strange, particularly since my Cabrio's IVA pass certificate stated the operating weight of my Cabrio as 1,035kg (960kg curb weight + a nominal 75kg driver). This (curb) weight was recorded on VOSA's own weigh bridge at Nottingham, so must be official.

I contacted my IVA inspector, expecting to ask a favour of him to confirm the weight of my Cabrio back to me to then forward on to DVLA, Swansea.

However, he advised me to send my details to the senior man at VOSA for kit cars (Mark Vickers) who is based at DVLA, Swansea, who would personally approach the DVLA team processing kit car registrations to advise them that they were being given the correct weight information on the IAC form (IVA pass certificate), and that provided there is no other information required by DVLA my application should proceed without the need for me to supply them with any further weight information. We may complain about the lack of joined up Government, but at least it sounds like this guy is trying to join the dots...........

.....................so am I being too optimistic to hope I can look forward to receiving my tax disc, and advice on registration next week allowing me to get my new number plates made, and get out onto the Queens highways?

Mike

[Mike]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

The physical examination DVLA at Bristol gave to the car was to look at the car on the trailer, check the VIN plate and to see how many miles was on the speedo. At no point did I have to demonstrate that ANY of the components were from the donor. That was done with a paperwork exercise of me showing them a copy of the donor's log book, photos of the donor being dismantled on my drive and the appropriately filled out forms. Then we had the Q-plate / age related plate argument, which I finally won by making the examiner look at DVLA's own web site.

So provided its got a VIN plate and a speedo I guess I could have got away with presenting a Routemaster bus.

As they have now closed down the local DVLA at Peterborough I am rather hoping I do not have to take my car to Swansea - I live on the East coast in Lincolnshire - (should have built a boat not kit car!).

[chris_cussen]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

The physical examination DVLA at Bristol gave to the car was to look at the car on the trailer, check the VIN plate and to see how many miles was on the speedo. At no point did I have to demonstrate that ANY of the components were from the donor. That was done with a paperwork exercise of me showing them a copy of the donor's log book, photos of the donor being dismantled on my drive and the appropriately filled out forms. Then we had the Q-plate / age related plate argument, which I finally won by making the examiner look at DVLA's own web site.

So provided its got a VIN plate and a speedo I guess I could have got away with presenting a Routemaster bus.

[davidmartin720]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

When my Roadster was built in 1981 by Derek Giles using a Herald 13/60 or Spitfire as the donor, the DVLA said there was not enough of the original to be able to use the donor's registration. Herald front and rear axle, Herald engine and gearbox and loom, I know it is a Imp petrol tank and Mk 3 or 4 radiator, but Derek said he did not push enough, if he had done so, mine would now be tax exempt. I wish you luck as part Sierra running gear, part BMW engine gearbox is quite a mix!!!!!!!! David.

[b_caswell]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

"Logical" The DVLA you must be joking! As for the colour how about Mr. Kippling raspberry red!!

[Mike]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Registration

The current registration process is still the same Chris, which means my Cabrio should be allocated an age related registration based on my Sierra donor car.
My application is blurred a little because of the BMW engine and gearbox, but the front and rear suspension, two axles, brakes, and complete steering system, are all from the donor Sierra and are more than adequate to meet their current rules for an age related plate.

The reason I say should receive a V5c with MAG 111D is that I included with my V55/5 - 'Application For A First Tax Disc & Registration' - a request to transfer my private registration plate onto my Cabrio after it has been formally accepted for registration: it seemed logical to do this in one process rather than have two separate goes at it.

Whether DVLA will prove up to it, and get it right first time remains to be seen!

[chris_cussen]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

I DID get stopped by plod driving back from my IVA pass, no number plates, no tax disk. Roadside plod wasn't happy with an insurance certificate show chassis number, and a letter from VOSA inviting me to attend a re-test. We had to hang around for 10 minutes or so while waiting for confirmation from chief plod on the radio that everything was kosher.

And on the DVLA. Well I did post the saga of my dealings with them 3 years ago, but in essence if your car has used a single donor then you should get a number plate of the same year as the donor. However be prepared to argue your case as DVLA personnel don't always seem to know their own rules, or have their own interpretation of the rules.

[milliemarlin]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Ah; that drive home with the pass certificate. I’m fairly sure the remnants of that grin are still on my face 8 years on.
Hearty congratulations on a well deserved pass. In amongst the to-do list don’t forget to enjoy the simple pleasure of driving her.
DVLA work in mysterious ways so I would not be too sure of the registration no. Millie has an age related plate but not that of the donor.
As for colour my only advice is to look at real cars and picture yours in that colour. It is easier to give the painter a specific car colour than pick a colour from a swatch. The more expensive the paint job is the less inclined I would be to use the car. No matter how careful you are the paint is bound to get damaged especially when people reverse onto you (three times so far!). Solid colours are easier to repair.
I hope you enjoy the car and continue to post any enhancements you make here.
Paul

[nigel]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Wey Hey Mike. Many congratulations on the successful IVA. That's great news.

Well done. You must feel chuffed to bits.

Sit down and relax with a couple of cold beers before you start on the lists above. Yes, we'll all miss the build diary updates but we'll probably all be too busy over the next few weeks to read them so keep the car mobile for a while and enjoy a few drives in the rare but inevitable cold crisp sunny winter mornings. It'll convince you, if you need any convincing, of why you built it in the first place...............................!!

I only spent a couple of weeks on my shake down. But by that time I had done 1500 miles in the sunniest summer for the last six years which made things a bit easier. But a shake down and paint job in the 4 months between now and Stonleigh must be a distinct possibility and I, and I'm sure many others, are looking forward to seeing it in all its glory (even if the paint's still wet.............!!)

Congratulations again. An IVA thoroughly deserved.

Nigel

[Mike]

Re: Mike's Cabrio Build

Hi John, and all others offering congratulations, thank you.


You seem to have picked up on a few of the jobs already planned!

They are - "Strictly in order" of course:

1 Apply for a registration number - DVLA say they will issue one within 2 working weeks - If all goes to plan it should come back with MAG 111D on the V5c- but lets see! - there is no big rush to be out driving in the next couple of months.

2 Re-fit my new alloys/tyres as the old Sierra tyres must each be over 9 years old (it took me 8 years to build my car!)

3 Remove some of the IVA edge protection, and sleeves from the Track Control Arms

4 Re- adjust the TCAs to set the camber back to near the required angles - one side has changed significantly after 100miles.

5 Fit my MGTF rear wind deflector behind the seat headrests (as per the excellent Peter Licence design/instructions)

6 Make up my hood frame, and then have a hood and cover made, and fit them (incorporating the wind deflector).


Then the post build jobs start, and there are already a few more than I had on the list prior to driving it!

1 Cure the rattle in the drivers door!! - I suspect it is the connecting bars from the door handle down to the lock - Danny suggested covering in a split foam/rubber tube: and the seat belt tower mounting which is designed to be flexible with a wavey spring washer, but is too soft, and allows it to rattle - hopefully rectified whilst installing the rear wind deflector.

2 Modify the exhaust - it sounds really nice, but on a long journey will be/is wearing

3 Make a new spare wheel bracket - the current one, made from old brake discs is good, but is so heavy its embarassing!

4 I need to get the engine rolling road tested for fuel efficiency as I estimate it only achieved 22-25mpg on my run to Nottingham - I had hoped for 30+ mpg on a steady run. It appeared to be running cold all the time, so the thermostat could require changing. Also I want to satisfy myself the MAF, and various engine sensors are all wired and working ok.

Then there are the "Improvement" projects lined up

1 Complete the glove box - (it is screwed up closed at the moment without a latch, as it would have failed IVA) but my reticence is that I have an idea to move the windscreen wiper to the drivers side to improve the space for the glove box, but this depnds on space after....

2 Fit Power steering? - Not sure about this. My car is drivable as it is, but it is noticably heavier than a modern power assisted car, though I hope it will improve when the suspension is all set up professionally at some time in the future when it has all settled down. If I do go down this route, and it is by no means certain, the motor space could prevent the windscreen motor being moved across - so we'll see on that one.

3 Bonnet alignment pegs - I have been very careful to ensure my panels fit well, but the bonnet latches I have fitted have a rubber pad which forces the bonnet out by a few mm. A combination of a thin spacer behind the lower fixing, and a couple of guide pegs will ensure the bonnet always locates into the correct position.

Then there are the pipe dream projects.........

1 Lower the side windows is one John has spotted in my previous posts - I'm sure it will be more difficult than it first appears, and could involve making a new interchangeable set of doors for the summer, with lower sides, and different glass arrangement? - (none?)

2 Convert the boot opening hinge from bottom to top, using a Saloon car boot hinge?
It could be thwarted by the spare wheel fouling the rear hood as it is raised, so may never make it into production? But I do like the idea, and would consider a skinny spare if it solved the conflict.
This is quite literally a fanciful notion at the moment, but one I will investigate before I have my Cabrio painted.

And on that bombshell, what colour am I going to choose???????????
And when do I get it painted???????
I would love to have it complete for Stoneleigh 2014, but feel this might be rushing the shake down a little?

What advice does anyone have to offer??


So for all those of you with long suffering wives, or complaining of the onset of withdrawal symptoms for lack of build diary notes - fear not: there's still a bit of life in this old dog yet!!

Hope you've enjoyed the ride so far.

As we have reached that time of year once more, may I extend my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to one and all. With a bit of luck I hope to meet a few more members next year at the shows and local meets.

Kind regards to all

Mike