Chinese Reproduction Shell - Discussion &Poll

[RS2000EXPRESS]

A bit of a minefield is this, it just needs sorting out for everyone's interest! In the old days we re-shelled a car with a service shell, replaced all damaged parts with new where possible or aftermarket parts, and then we transferred the original chassis number over! One interesting thought is that Fords sub contracted jobs out to outside manufacturers to produce some of their parts, so if someone like Quinton Hazel produced a few shells for Ford, would that be acceptable for keeping the original chassis number????? It's 42 years since the first Mk2 rolled off the production line and many remaining cars have life expired shells which has made some restorations nearly impossible to repair. Restoring these cars is the only way some owners can get on the Escort ladder, and in many cases new shells have been the only answer, but they have been a very long time coming. At the end of the day, safety has got to take priority, followed closely by protection for future buyers of a vehicle, that they are not being misled in any way! Surely the fitting of new high standard shells should be encouraged rather than have cars bodged up like patchwork quilts that might disintegrate when the car is involved in an accident! The way I see it is that a new shell is just another aftermarket replacement part! It would be good to have the shells certified as fit for the purpose! Maybe a instantly recognisable new chassis number could be stamped onto the new shell, it could even incorporate the old chassis number, then the original or age related registration numbers can be reused! It would also make things a lot easier if DVLA approved guidelines where made available on purchase of any aftermarket shell, so everyone knows where they stand!....just my opinion!

Tim

[robrs2]

It is clear what to do and its on the DVLA site, copy below. This would apply to anyone reshelling anycar now. Its different if it was done a few years ago ~(not sure on dates)

Keep a vehicle’s original registration number

A rebuilt vehicle can keep its original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:

• the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
• a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)
• the original unmodified frame (motorbike)
• a new frame of the same specification as the original (motorbike)

You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.
For cars or light vans:

• suspension (front and back)
• steering assembly
• axles (both)
• transmission
• engine

So is the new shell the same spec as the Ford built one? Guess it is.

If your in dout read through here https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/overview

Also it is not ringing using these shells, but it would be deception using the old chassis number.
Ringing is using a previously registered shell and changing the number to that of another.

Please dont get me worng, i am not in favour of using one of these shells to make out an old wreck or just a V5 is a now mint mk2.



Check out the mini's and mg's that have been done.

[alancdavis]

So reading the above comments is this assumption correct

If you were to use the new replica shells to reshell your own car in this case you are using the majority of the parts from the original can and hence keep the doner cars original reg.

If you built a new replica shell to construct a car using a mixture of new,used and replica parts then after having the required inspections the DVLA would issue a Q plate.

Big no no would be to build a car to a particular specification and use a scrap car documents and tags to pass it off as some thing it is not or even to rebrand an existing car as something it is not by means of the dodgy V5

Regarding the destruction of cars then you are carrect the DVLA will not do this but in cases of fraud and ringing the police will carry this out on their instruction

As Tim rightly states people need to be 100% clear as to what the rules are ,,,,saying this I am not sure if the DVLA know themselves

[alancdavis]

Just a general note

Maybe this thread needs to be moved to the main disscussion section as it has out grown the picture only section

[robrs2]

If you were to use the new replica shells to reshell your own car in this case you are using the majority of the parts from the original can and hence keep the doner cars original reg.

Yes but not sure if the DVLA issue a new chassi number or allow you to restamp the old one after inspection. The important thing is it needs an inspection to remain legal to the regulations

If you built a new replica shell to construct a car using a mixture of new,used and replica parts then after having the required inspections the DVLA would issue a Q plate.

Yes but as above the shell needs inspection to gain chassis number

Big no no would be to build a car to a particular specification and use a scrap car documents and tags to pass it off as some thing it is not or even to rebrand an existing car as something it is not by means of the dodgy V5

Here is where the problem starts. If found DVLA will remove the documents and reg



As Tim rightly states people need to be 100% clear as to what the rules are ,,,,saying this I am not sure if the DVLA know themselves

DVLA do know but only if an inspector has knowledge of the type of car. But that still may not help if there opinion is something doesn't match up correct. Using an owners club to validate things will help.

The funny thing is even if you have a 100% genuine car that is modified and its spotted, it could be classed as a radically modified car and end up on a Q plate. This is something that you do need to be worried about

[havard01]

In a perfect world these shells would be used for rallycars, and the originals could remain as roadcars.

[RS2000EXPRESS]

In a perfect world these shells would be used for rallycars, and the originals could remain as roadcars.

Afraid it's far off from a perfect world, but it could be good if these shells are nice quality! Seems to be all if's and but's at the moment! ;-)

[alancdavis]

Suppose if I buy one and build one all this will be sorted by the time it takes me to finish it...


Good thread with lots of constructive comments ,,,

[robrs2]

I'm putting an email together to DVLA and see what comes back. The repro british heritage shells done seem to have a problem for the mini's

I'm guessing that its a case of a new shell number for a re-shelled car

[RS2000EXPRESS]

I'm putting an email together to DVLA and see what comes back. The repro british heritage shells done seem to have a problem for the mini's

I'm guessing that its a case of a new shell number for a re-shelled car

Good idea and see what they have to say!

Tim

[robrs2]

just as a note about replacment shells ( doesnt apply to the escort ones). With a mini there was and is a fiberglass replica shell, Marketed as a replacment for old rusty mini's. A few people were caught out as they got called mini minus and some had the docs changed. Then someone got into an argument with DVLA about there convertion and it being fitted with a rear engine motorbike setup. The DVLA then revoked all mini minus log books
But that was due to them using fiberglass where the old body was steel.

[alancdavis]

I'm putting an email together to DVLA and see what comes back. The repro british heritage shells done seem to have a problem for the mini's

I'm guessing that its a case of a new shell number for a re-shelled car

Word of advice regarding the DVLA, If you do not get a reply within a reasonable time scale the write to the minister of transport as the staff at the DVLA tend to ignore any enquiries they dont have an answer for.

[Paul V]

So reading the above comments is this assumption correct
If you built a new replica shell to construct a car using a mixture of new,used and replica parts then after having the required inspections the DVLA would issue a Q plate.

No if you used the original engine, axle, suspension, and steering then you can keep the original reg number.

I will go so far to say that you can even fit new struts rack etc as they are original parts as fitted to a MK2 escort, it is this way in the kit car world Ie you have to use the donor components but for safety you can replace / recondition them or replace with like for like.

What would your take be on that this Alan.

Take that Yellow RS2000 that was up on Ebay with the moss green recaro seats.

Say you brought that car, brought a new shell. Used the engine, gearbox, axle, suspension where possible. Had the seats re-covered by Aldridge, new carpets and door trim from Aldridge. New glass rubbers etc etc, you get the point.

You then could put that reg number on there with the approval of the DVLA as per above.

What are your feeling on that ?

[RS2000EXPRESS]

just as a note about replacment shells ( doesnt apply to the escort ones). With a mini there was and is a fiberglass replica shell, Marketed as a replacment for old rusty mini's. A few people were caught out as they got called mini minus and some had the docs changed. Then someone got into an argument with DVLA about there convertion and it being fitted with a rear engine motorbike setup. The DVLA then revoked all mini minus log books
But that was due to them using fiberglass where the old body was steel.

I remember a fibreglass replacement front for the old rusting minis. It incorporated front wings, front panel and bonnet all in one!....and was held on with a few rubber straps, Lol.

[morcheen]

it would be in Higgins best interest to get a difinitive answer from the dvla regarding re-shelling cars and logbooks etc .it would help with answering potential customers questions . then that would,if all goes well,help sell the shells easier.