Practically Classics Forum

Am I the only one getting sick of seeing Mk1 and Mk2 Minis for sale on a well known auction site that are clearly ringers?
The amount of cars claimed to be "re shelled" that have had little more than the reg plates and VIN tags swapped over is alarming.
Its common to see a sixties Mini with internal hinges, wind up windows, fuel injection, late clubman style dash and seats with headrests!
Why are the Police not taking action?

I think it is a generation thing! Those that were police 10 plus years ago and back to
the 80's when the original mini was being made knew what they were looking at, partly
I think because they had more contact with them. Now it's a different car entirely that
has the mini badge. So they have no idea when they look at the original minis what is
what unless they are really into cars.

Well that is my theory anyway.

Some of those ringers are being aimed at the export markets. For example Australia and the US where it's difficult or expensive to bring in a 90's Mini. Far easier to call it a sixties Mini and bring it in under the radar. I have seen five or six examples of cars like this on Aussie roads.

Heres one ive reported at least 4 times so far!
A blatant attempt at fraud!
The seller has not replied to my polite but to the point message,so he obviously knows what he is doing is illegal!
The more report it the better!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201044154800? ... EBIDX%3AIT
I have now reported it the the DVLA!

Pilkie wrote:Heres one ive reported at least 4 times so far!
A blatant attempt at fraud!
The seller has not replied to my polite but to the point message,so he obviously knows what he is doing is illegal!
The more report it the better!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201044154800? ... EBIDX%3AIT
I have now reported it the the DVLA!

At least five times now!

looking at the parts it seems only the plates & wheels could be from the 60s


does this make me an anorak??

This also afflicts Triumphs, where it would appear that the MkII Vitesse convertible is still in production, and also landrovers. In the case of Triumphs, given the nut'n'bolt construction, and i suppose it's the same with Landrovers, you can build more or less whatever you like from a commision plate and a V5 provided it hasn't been marked as scrapped by DVLA.

My car is the less desireable non-rotoflex Mk1 Vitesse so they don't suffer so much from cloning but in theory I could totally destroy it and create a replica and nobody would be the wiser!