Chinese Reproduction Shell - Discussion &Poll

[Frosticles]

Looks ok but oh, Do I hate those tyres with a passion...........

[alancdavis]

I think you have been told a few times already Alan tha 'Q' plates are a thing of the past and an age related plate is issued.

I haven't seen many triumphs that have used heritage shells on 'Q' Plates.

Taken from DVLA site

Get an age-related registration number

DVLA can only recognise your vehicle as a reconstructed classic vehicle if it meets certain criteria. It must be:

• built from genuine period components from more than one vehicle, all over 25 years old and of the same specification as the original vehicle
• a true reflection of the marque

The appropriate vehicle owners’ club for the vehicle type (‘marque’) must inspect the vehicle and confirm in writing that it:

• has been inspected
• is a true reflection of the marque
• is comprised of genuine period components all over 25 years old

They must also give manufacture dates for the major components.
DVLA will assign an age-related registration number to the vehicle based on the youngest component used.
New or replica parts

Your vehicle won’t get an age-related registration number if it includes new or replica parts. DVLA will give your vehicle a ‘Q’ prefix registration number. Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix registration number.

[para144]

If you have most of the parts from an original car you can re-shell & keep the v5 registration.

These new shells are fully eligible to do just that:

From DVLA:

Get a vehicle registration number
DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle.

Keep the original registration number

Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.

Part Points
Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified 5
Suspension (front and back) - original 2
Axles (both) - original 2
Transmission - original 2
Steering assembly - original 2
Engine - original 1


Get a ‘Q’ registration number

You won’t be able to keep your vehicle’s original registration number if one of the following applies:

it has fewer than 8 points
it has a second-hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
there’s evidence that 2 vehicles have been welded together to form one (ie ‘cut and shut’)
Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix registration number.

[alancdavis]

Agree with all the above ,, Just wanted to say the DVLA do still issue Q plates.

The replica parts statement is the crux as the way I read it is that you need to use original parts ???

=============

Your vehicle won’t get an age-related registration number if it includes new or replica parts. DVLA will give your vehicle a ‘Q’ prefix registration number. Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix registration number.

=============

[morcheen]

hopefully mr Higgins will let us know how his car gets on with dvla,if indeed he's going to use it for the road

[The Mexican]

Wonder if they will be doing mk1 shells next?

[Paul V]

Just love all the negativity

I thought we were Escort enthusiasts ?

It is not like the past where a car would be stolen and ringed, this is a all new shell brought to restore a MK2 escort. As said there will be plenty of second hand parts / donor parts on the car.

What is the concern about the DLVA ? or how it is going to be registered ?

It is not like you are going to cover up the fact it has had a brand new shell, i would have thought it would be a selling point.

But i guess people just like to moan

[alancdavis]

Just love all the negativity

I thought we were Escort enthusiasts ?

It is not like the past where a car would be stolen and ringed, this is a all new shell brought to restore a MK2 escort. As said there will be plenty of second hand parts / donor parts on the car.

What is the concern about the DLVA ? or how it is going to be registered ?

It is not like you are going to cover up the fact it has had a brand new shell, i would have thought it would be a selling point.

But i guess people just like to moan

I don't consider the comments to be negative but prospective buyers need to know of the legal situation.

Regard to the DVLA then again it needs to be done correctly otherwise the DVLA are within the law to sieze and destroy the car

Personally I would not have a problem with a Q plate as at the end of the day you could be driving around in a nice car that pleases you so who cares what the anoraks think

[ebj60t]

Back in the day when cars were badly damaged and reshelled, they took on the same identity, would that not happen now or did the new shells have to be of Ford manufacture?

[alancdavis]

The way I read the DLVA is if its an OEM shell then yes no problem .....If its a replica as these shells are it could be a Q plate,,,,If its a build with parts collected from lots of cars the it will be a Q

Well that's the way I read the current guide lines

[robrs2]

The new shells can be used to re-shell an exsisting escort under the DVLA rules. It doesnt need to be made by Ford, But you can't put the Chassis number from the old shell onto it. The new shell can be given a DVLA number to be stamped on. This also applies to any re-shell. The new shells could have there number given by Higgins Car Dismantlers supplied by the DVLA or a number of there choise, which would be better.

A new shell can also be built up as they have done with new parts and registered as a new car. An Escort Mexico if they want (But not A Ford).
It will be subject to the requirement of passing an IVA test. This may be a problem as Emmison standards will need to be met and a cat fitted.
But if a pre 75 engine is used(proof needed) there is no test. Other year engines have different standards.

Also the steering column needs to be collapsible and a few other items may need to be altered have a look here https://www.gov.uk/government/public...alconstruction

If it passes then you would get a 2017 "17" plate on the car if you can prove all the parts (except engine, but must be recon) are new.
If you can't prove new then it would be a Q plate.

So you could have a nice RS17 BDA plated mk2 Escort Mexico all legal and above board.
Down side is it would come under the new road tax rules and costs

[ebj60t]

Crikey, a bit of a mine field and open to interpretation I guess!

[robrs2]

A little but if you want to build a Re-shell, new one or a Q plate one it can be done and is legal if done right.
Build a new one and it will be about £20K+ to get a 17 plate on it.

[alancdavis]

Good post Rob but this bit is still confusing

Your vehicle won’t get an age-related registration number if it includes new or replica parts. DVLA will give your vehicle a ‘Q’ prefix registration number.

Nice as these shells are they are being sold as replica shells so surly the DVLA will class this as a Q ???

[robrs2]

Makes no difference if the shell is replica or not its still a replacment part.

It will get an age related plate if you prove all but 1 major parts are new i.e. you have receipts to prove there age. So if there dated 2017 the car will get a 17 plate.
If you mean an age related plate for the mk2 1975-1980 then no it will not be possible unless you have all new parts with receipts for the date you want and that would include a shell receipt (which it will not be).

also DVLA will not sieze and destroy a car, they just Q plate stuff. Only the police and customs crush stuff.

Its not confusing just treat it as a kit car but one built from new parts like a Westfield.

Ok its not an escort, but it looks like one. My concern is the quality and build. From the first shell photos they were poor, but the later ones appear to be better. I have not seen one up close so have no idea if its good value or worth doing. but tempting