Chinese Reproduction Shell - Discussion &Poll

[RS2000EXPRESS]

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.

What do the manufactures have to say regarding all this?.....surely they have done some research first before investing in the project?

[alancdavis]

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 ?

I think the first part of my quote covers that , If you were to buy the pile of scrap from e bay and manage to get a V5 in your name the technicaly you own that car and can use the parts to build the new car and hope the DVLA will allow the use of the same reg, Having said that it does not mean that car is now an RS2000

[alancdavis]

Too many people with the attitude I will do as I please and stuff the DVLA,,,whats the harm ? people have done this for years !!

I have a top draw full of V5s and will sell them if I want ,nothing to do with me what people use them for

All well and good until they are found out.

[robrs2]

Too many people with the attitude I will do as I please and stuff the DVLA,,,whats the harm ? people have done this for years !!

You are right.

So buy the scrap RS and build it, get it inspected and it's all fine (hopefully).
But try and hide the fact it's rebuilt and that's not on.

Oh and on the rebuilding bit, you need photos to prove all what you have done too.

[Paul V]

I think the first part of my quote covers that , If you were to buy the pile of scrap from e bay and manage to get a V5 in your name the technicaly you own that car and can use the parts to build the new car and hope the DVLA will allow the use of the same reg, Having said that it does not mean that car is now an RS2000

Yes but your second part as i quoted is not true as in "a mixture of new and used parts" it would have to go in a Q reg, This is not the case if you use the original engine, axle.

But if you start with a RS2000 donor car and from what i recall the replacement shells are RS2000 spec then why is it not a RS2000 ??

Too many people with the attitude I will do as I please and stuff the DVLA,,,whats the harm ? people have done this for years !!

I have a top draw full of V5s and will sell them if I want ,nothing to do with me what people use them for

All well and good until they are found out.

That is not my attitude at all i am an Escort enthusiast and the car i used as an example is a complete original car and with these shells that car will get a new lease of life, well some parts from it will. It also supports a whole host of suppliers and service industry and forums like this.

If you then think the car can not be classed as a "original" then that is your point of view but it is not one i share.

I condone the sale of just the paper part of the log books and that would not pass with the DVLA as unless you had the original engine to go with it.

[alancdavis]

The comment was not directed at you Paul

[robrs2]

This is what is needed to keep the reg number.

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


Now how you prove any part except the engine was of the old car I don't know as nothing has numbers on??

[katana]

and from what i recall the replacement shells are RS2000 spec then why is it not a RS2000 ??

No they aren't - they are flat fronts ie. RS Mexico's as that's what the rally boys want.

Unfortunately in legal terms, if it isn't produced by original manufacturer ie. Ford - it cannot / will not be classed as original. It can be described as 'in the style of' or replica but not original. Even using something like an Atlas axle - although produced by Ford, its not 'original' as it wasn't a std. fitment. Its a bloody minefield and the DVLA should provide better clarification - forget points, if its rebuilt from parts new or not it gets a Q plate, imports get a Q plate, brand new EVERYTHING ie OEM - gets age related plate.

[alancdavis]

As you say its a mine field , I have a 4 door inport and the DVLA gave that an age related plate

[robrs2]

Please look to my above post. It's from the DVLA website. Nowhere does it state it must be a manufacturer shell, just of the same specification. It's no different to a kit car and I have done one of them. That was registered as a Sierra.

[morcheen]

What do the manufactures have to say regarding all this?.....surely they have done some research first before investing in the project?

Higgins must have invested a large amount into the project,wether they have partners i don't know.they aimed them at the rally boys but i'd of thought that the road car market would be as big, but maybe they avoided wording them as such to keep out of any potential issues with registation with the dvla ? as said above it does not directly state a replacement new shell has to be from the original maunfacturer.if mini's and mg's can do it

[katana]

Nowhere does it state it must be a manufacturer shell, just of the same specification. It's no different to a kit car and I have done one of them. That was registered as a Sierra.

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?

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.

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.

No reason not to give an imported car an age related plate although a Q would make more sense as reference to its unknown history outside the country!

[para144]

As you say its a mine field , I have a 4 door inport and the DVLA gave that an age related plate

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

[para144]

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?


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.

No reason not to give an imported car an age related plate although a Q would make more sense as reference to its unknown history outside the country!

The new MK1 mini shells did not use the original tooling (which doesn't exist), they also use a few internal panels from later models too keep costs down.
The Mustang shells, e-type etc shells all use brand new pressings from brand new tooling. All of these qualify as a replacement body shell to keep an original I.D.


For some reason there isn't the hysteria about these other shells like there is with a new escort shell.

I'm struggling to see any major issues

[Paul V]

The new MK1 mini shells did not use the original tooling (which doesn't exist), they also use a few internal panels from later models too keep costs down.
The Mustang shells, e-type etc shells all use brand new pressings from brand new tooling. All of these qualify as a replacement body shell to keep an original I.D.


For some reason there isn't the hysteria about these other shells like there is with a new escort shell.

I'm struggling to see any major issues

For me it is the ugly part of the "seen" there have always been some people who don't accept parts / style / colours / finishes, i have found this more so in the Ford seen, mainly in the RS models.

I have been at shows where certain people would pick fault with the shade of zinc plating used on nuts or bolts, or that bolt has not got ford on it, it's not original!

I am involved with bikes, scooters, and other car model brands that have had "Non Original" parts re-made and in most case they are accepted with open arms as long as the quality is as good as the original. For me it keeps these vehicles on the road and the "seen" alive.