Chinese Reproduction Shell - Discussion &Poll

[alancdavis]

If the DVLA knows its age why wouldn't they do that? seems perfectly logical to me?

I agree,, My comment was directed that the DVLA gave my import an agre related plate and not a Q plate as has been suggested due to the unknown history

[robrs2]

And that is the problem - are you qualified to determine if the correct grade or thickness of steel was used or that the panels were welded correctly or glued as is common these days...........no! I wonder if Ford would concur?

So all these copied new panels that get fitted to shells that are re-built are all to the ford spec?? i think not.

Don't know when you did your kit car but it wouldn't happen now! It has a different chassis so NEEDS a different number before it goes through IVA test.

It did get a new chassis number and SVA test. Still registered as a sierra and kept reg number.

The MG and Mini shells are at least stamped using the original tooling in this country with access to all the specifications. Ford destroyed all their tooling after sufficient spare stock was made.

New mini shells are not to the old spec nor are they stamped with a chassis number. The Ford presses from what i read for the "Brenda" production or the mk2 escort as its known got bought and sent to china a few years ago.

[cdeane74]

'scene' 🤓

[katana]

I don't think anyone has tried to build a whole car out of aftermarket panels which is essentially what these are! Everyone says the aftermarket panels aren't brilliant for fit and finish so draw your own conclusions on that point.

My point re IVA is now not then.

The Chinese may have bought the 'PRESSES' ie. the machines, but the tooling dies were long since gone else Ford could still have been in the aftermarket panel business and made a mint!

[Andyboy]

I seem to be in the minority inasmuch that I don't give a toss if it's a new shell or not.

As for DVLA, ignorance is bliss. Don't tell them anything. You haven't nicked anything, you're building a nice old car from a new shell, a V5 and other parts. These cars were not bought by the local vicar, but were used hard, written off, rallied, wrapped around a tree, rebuilt with another shell and so on. Even if DVLA want to inspect it, what are they going to find? A restored car with matching numbers.

These cars are so rare that there aren't enough to go around, and any endeavour that revives a long dead V5 into a functioning AVO Escort to be seen, driven and enjoyed is fine by me. We're all big boys and know full well that lots of these cars have a 'story' behind them.

That brings us back to the Heritage MGB shelled. Most reshelled MGB's have very little left of the car that left Abingdon 40 or 50 years ago. I've never seen one with a Q plate because owners rightly didn't make a rod for their own back by involving DVLA - 'what you don't know can't hurt you' etc.

[Chesney]

Cue big al .........

[alancdavis]

Cue big al .........

Why bother any more

[Andyboy]

Why bother any more

Indeed, if you can't differentiate between this and a Heritage reshelled MGB. Which you can't........

Here's one you can moan about. Why not write a strongly worded letter to DVLA?

http://www.mgsforsale.com/stock-list/mgb-roadster-heritage-shell-rebuild-htt219n

[Frosticles]

I seem to be in the minority inasmuch that I don't give a toss if it's a new shell or not.

As for DVLA, ignorance is bliss. Don't tell them anything. You haven't nicked anything, you're building a nice old car from a new shell, a V5 and other parts. These cars were not bought by the local vicar, but were used hard, written off, rallied, wrapped around a tree, rebuilt with another shell and so on. Even if DVLA want to inspect it, what are they going to find? A restored car with matching numbers.

These cars are so rare that there aren't enough to go around, and any endeavour that revives a long dead V5 into a functioning AVO Escort to be seen, driven and enjoyed is fine by me. We're all big boys and know full well that lots of these cars have a 'story' behind them.

That brings us back to the Heritage MGB shelled. Most reshelled MGB's have very little left of the car that left Abingdon 40 or 50 years ago. I've never seen one with a Q plate because owners rightly didn't make a rod for their own back by involving DVLA - 'what you don't know can't hurt you' etc.

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[alancdavis]

Indeed, if you can't differentiate between this and a Heritage reshelled MGB. Which you can't........

Here's one you can moan about. Why not write a strongly worded letter to DVLA?

http://www.mgsforsale.com/stock-list...ebuild-htt219n

Andy ,, very disappointing attitude you seem to have ,,, The DVLA are fully aware of what is gong on and increasingly taking action to prevent the misuse and falsification of cars details and documentation

Its not a matter of moaning as you so nonchalantly state it more stopping people attempting to pass of a car as some thing it is not

[Andyboy]

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Personal abuse? Nice.

[Andyboy]

Andy ,, very disappointing attitude you seem to have ,,, The DVLA are fully aware of what is gong on and increasingly taking action to prevent the misuse and falsification of cars details and documentation

Its not a matter of moaning as you so nonchalantly state it more stopping people attempting to pass of a car as some thing it is not

But what can they do, exactly?

I'm not being confrontational for the sake of it, but what is the difference between that MGB, and an Escort built from a new shell? Are you really saying MGB's can use the existing V5, and Escorts cannot, inasmuch that an MGB 'reshell' actually uses about 10% of the original car once finished? They've all got new trim, new wire wheels etc etc.
Not just that, but a reshelled 'B seems to be more desirable than an original. As long as the vendor of a reshelled Escort is upfront about it, what's the problem?

[Chesney]

Personal abuse? Nice.

he's like that i'm afraid.......

[alancdavis]

Finished car with interesting reg number

[katana]

I think the genuine issue is the use of ...... as someone said 'long dead V5's' to res-erect cars. I have no objection to a 're-shell' per se, if the owner has the original car, the V5 in their name and repairs to the original bodyshell outweigh the economic cost of repair - that is as far as I see it, a one for one swop. But creating something that either didn't exist or couldn't be described as a car is IMO beyond a swop! Haven't BL Heritage Trust certified these replacement bodies as 'true' replica's which offers a degree of originality and desirability - If Ford did the same it would help clarify matters .......but I doubt they will!