Practically Classics Forum

OneCarefulOwner wrote:Yeah, like I said it's confusing; I'd like it to count as an Amateur Build and get a BIVA, but I can't be sure & I'd hate to go through all that work & end up with a Q. I know when the TG idiots made theirs, they all got Q plates but then they all made more than just a little stretch...

Remembering the state of those, I'm surprised they weren't bounced out of there with the examiners size 10 steel toecap planted firmly up their fundement.

Actually thats the response I'd generally recommend as a default for those idiots anyway

I was wondering about that mob - do you think the BIVA will stop the stupid vehicles that they make?

I'm really worried about the fans - Oxford Diecast are now producing models of the vehicles from the channel crossing show!

Hmm, I wonder if there's a model of Clarkson that I can use as target practice....

They showed how they "ignored" most of the IVA stuff when they built their first 'leccy buggy, so no I don't think it bothers them in the slightest. They presumably get some kind of exepmtion based on how little their vehicles will actually get used.

I think, if I found a suitably sympathetic examiner, I should be okay... Now to work out where to cut

tractorman wrote:I was wondering about that mob - do you think the BIVA will stop the stupid vehicles that they make?

I'm really worried about the fans - Oxford Diecast are now producing models of the vehicles from the channel crossing show!

Hmm, I wonder if there's a model of Clarkson that I can use as target practice....

To be fair I would have thought that those sort of things are what BIVA is supposed to prevent and the justification for it.
Therefore properly built modifieds get tarred with the same brush and fun and games ensue.

As for TG? They're just laughing all the way to the bank

SirTainleyBarking wrote:My thoughts that a stretch aggro would be amateur modified, BIVA, either original or age related plates. (IMHO, IANAL, all this stuff depresses me no end)

Most stretch limo's class as new builds, as a new car is taken then modified. The coachbuilder is the now "Original Manufacturer"

Provided no 'Professional' work is done (i.e. it is all built by the owner) the vehicle is classed as ameteur build and therefore you go for BIVA (Basic Individual Vehicle Approval).
Once proffesional builders getr involved it's IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) which is tougher to pass.

The original Reg will be removed because, to stay within the 8-point regulations, the 5 points for the unmodified monocoque are mandatory.

Then, you are into the question of points for components from the original or a 'doner' vehicle.

If you score enough points from the major components you can get an age related plate, (Which will be non-transferable).
If you score under 8 points you are in Q plate territory.

A Q plate isn't the end of the world, it used to simply represent a vehicle which was of 'Questionable' age, but many now see it as a badge of a vehicle which is fully legal and has been through the relevant tests.

One piece of advice I would give is to photograph the build up to show that it is actually Amateur built.


f you need further information or help with the regs feel free to visit us at http://www.the-ace.org.uk/

bubs wrote:
B.I.V.A is something your vehicle has to be subjected to if you modify the monocoupe shell in any way what so ever, from something petty like cutting the manual gearstick hole out of the tunnel to go for an auto shifter, to summit major like useing a different floor pan like my escort.

It's also some thing that affects anything thats not a direct repair, so probably about 70% of classics in brittan are illegally on the road.

Which is one of the reasons I'm against certain modifications to our classics which are pushed ad nauseam by other owners: type 9 gearboxes, Subaru diffs etc. It's becoming a craze, rather than restoration or replacement of the original items. Oh sure, it's so easy: cut the chassis, modify the gearbox tunnel, adapt the bellhousing.. and it makes the car drive like a modern car. Apparently. Never mind the fact that the soul of the original car is lost, the main chassis rail cutting may raise a few eyebrows amongst people like the BIVA, not to mention the insurance companies... and then we all suffer.

Is it possible to replace a Q plated registration number with a private registration ? - (not that I would want to - just curious)

Grumpy Northener wrote:Is it possible to replace a Q plated registration number with a private registration ? - (not that I would want to - just curious)

In days of yore you used to be able to drop an ageless (NI or pre-63) plate onto a Q, but no longer. Qs cannot be transferred off, nothing else can be transferred on. Shame, as I have an NI plate I could use.

Still, if I can secure an age-related plate because I've not employed a car manufacturer to make the mods (anyone doing the work would be doing so under my direction, which fulfils the "amateur" requirement as I read it?), I could be able to transfer off the existing number of one of the cars (as it's road legal) then put it back on after... Or just go with whatever the new age-related one is, or use one of my personal plates; I can understand the badge-of-honour aspect of having a Q, but I'd much rather make it look like it's always been that way if I can.

Now, with the monocoque gone scoring 8 points is only barely achievable, but the test will also wish to determine that I've uprated items to cope with the increased mass, which means improved braking, suspension, and engine/gearbox are likely... Unless I do it all in stages?

Grumpy Northener wrote:Is it possible to replace a Q plated registration number with a private registration ? - (not that I would want to - just curious)

Now that it's not possible to change to a N'Iron plate it's harder, but still possible.
All you need to do is export the car, then re-import it. Pick a country whose plates don't identify the vehicle's age, there you as the owner are tasked with declaring the age. You then have a registration document from your (EU of course) nation of choice, stating vehicles build date.
That will be accepted on re-import and subsequent UK registration.

This has worked on four separate occasions for a bunch of keen students of mine who were otherwise unable to obtain insurance as a result of their Q-plates on project cars.
Pick a country and stick to it is the only advice I could add. It works with any EU member state whose systems don't show the age on the plates.

On import to the UK, you'd get an "age-related" plate, from there, yes, you can transfer on a "private" one as long as it's not designed to make the subject appear newer than its build date. Older they don't mind.

Aha... I knew someone would know a wrinkle!

Any countries you recommend? How does that work anyway, don't DVLA have records of cars that have been "permanently exported" which they can tally up with the one you're importing? Don't you need to go through another BIVA on import, unless you're an ex-resident of said foreign land & have lived there for a year?