Classic Vehicle Modifications

Any thoughts on this?

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/...EhAyEMQ4P1kdASGaVMEjq6Z1oFTgzEfIfYfl4J0t7uRc8

 

Just ridiculous and shows the problem of having rules and regulations enforced by people with no relevant expertise.

 

That’s worrying

 

Is the chassis of a Late Bay cut/modified to fit a Subaru engine? Would fitting a "Red 9 Design" twin wishbone coil over suspension fall under scrutiny or the electric power steering from a Vauxhall Corsa? What about replacing the chassis sections the likes of 'Alan H Schofield' or 'VW Heritage' supply. It makes for scary reading.

 

Knotching chassis rails to enable drastic lowering sounds like it would be a no-no.

 

In 10 to 15 years time our time enjoying classic motors might become a problem . A new generation where the majority take not much interest in classics will wish to have us off the road ...ECO freaks and Extinction rebellion may well look at our gatherings with a dim disapproval view .
I can remember a comment made by a steam traction owner at a steam show at Belper ....said, there was a time when folks used to wave when we steamed through towns and villages as we ventured to our destination ...i fear soon the way things are ...we will be showered with bricks by the younger generation .

 

It’s a reality check.
Check your policies and see . Alterations, upgrades, non- factory additions, ……a whole range of loopholes to allow Insurance companies to refuse to indemnify.
If you have up/down graded to Subaru, lowered/ raised outside the stock spec………you are obviously risking your insurers repudiating liability. ………If they do , what is your choice? A complaint to the Insurance Ombudsman taking 12 + months or take them to the small claims court again 12 months plus and you would need £750 to £1000 worth of “expert reports “ on your side.
Only answer I see is ….
Notify your current insurers of all variations you or PO have made ( not easy ) and hope.
I’m sure 100’s probably 1000’s will say I’ve never had a problem , very pleased for them.
Remember…..insurance companies are not in business to pay claims out, they are in business to collect premiums !

 

Nothing new it’s been like that for years just no one puts it through a dvla inspection.

I don’t it’s even a requirement otherwise any car that’s had any welding or repairs would fail

 

I think we have 2 questions here,
1. Attitude of DVLA

2. Attitude of your insurance company who have given cover on a stock unaltered vehicle, not one that had been structurally altered, engine enhanced etc.

Again lots of owners appear quite content to do all sorts of alterations quite oblivious to the problems this may cause with their insurance cover. Perhaps I am over cautious but …

 

My 73 Devon has a small hole cut in the floor (by Devon) to route the waste water from the kitchen sink.

I guess that renders it effectively scrap

Stirlingmoz

 

^this.

 

I know that once I had a chat with a John Deere fitter who was servicing our tractors,
We got on the conversation of classic cars,
He told me he had a TR 4 or something (only went to the Red Shoot meeting on the fourth year when the sun was out type)
I said I had a VW van that conversation went drastically downhill after that,
Ohh you lot with the body chops and modified engines will have us all off the road he said !

whatever that means

 

One day,our children will all have wonderful sheds..

 

They will try to get us off the road but not without a fight . There is big business in classic motors ..company's making after market parts ...Yes some rubbish but much decent .
Then there are garages who specialise in classics all contributing to Inland Rev .
They may well start with bringing out ...Hopefully a low rate tax for classics .
You just have to be on the ball with new regulations and try and prevent them from being successful .

The classic commercial vehicle society had stiff opposition from the EU wishing to ban old classics off the road until
The classic historical commercial vehicle society stood up and made a stance and only just got away with it .

 

Don’t worry I think most of the younger generation would be quite happy living in a house without windows,
as long as there’s a good internet speed,
I think their interest in classic cars is about the same as us having an interest in medieval jousting

 

I like to think there's still a decent enough interest in classics amongst us younger folk. There seems to be a good contingent of young bug enthusiasts.

 

Hopefully enough percentage… I was just doing my usual post 60 grumble

 

Why did he have the car inspected for DVLA to get involved? Assume it was to notify them of an engine change, in which case the best option is to provide a receipt from the garage that carried out the replacement - involving the DVLA is the last resort...

I had to have an imported scooter inspected to get it UK registered - the DVLA sub-contract the inspections out - mine was a semi retired insurance loss estimator - I provided him with tea and listened intently to his dull anecdotes, he accepted the scooter was road worthy even though I started it by pouring petrol directly into the carburettor fuel line !

He approved my V5 application but I would imagine some inspectors can be quite bloody minded.

 

With elevating roofs.......