Practically Classics Forum

i have been seeing cars in recently years being spaceframed, but here my question is it legal as they are on there original registeration plates shorely it would need a IVA test? as your cutting the monocoque bodyshell? but i have seen minis and ford escort mk1 and a Imp van done but how? have i missed something?

Hello there

You have a fair point, but as per the above thread, the answer is that the people involved didn't mention the mods to the DVLA and yes this should make the car so far from standard as to require an SVA or the newer type approval.

As a couple of examples, a chap I know built an an Alfa 164 with an extra engine in the back, so not only substantial mods to the structure, but a whole extra engine driving the back wheels. He took it to the local police who said ...Hmmm, yer,.. ok! and then he took it to his mates at the MOT station who gave him a ticket.

Another chap I know has just nailed a very serious Nissan 2ltr turbo nutter bastard engine into his 67 Alfa along with the gearbox and a bespoke tunnel and of course that meant new brakes wheels diff etc etc etc, and somehow this manages to get classic insurance as a 67 Alfa.
I dont claim to understand this.

Another one for you: Coil spring conversion on Series Landrovers.
The "Official" line is: If you leave the old spring hangers on, remove the leafs, weld on coil spring mounts that doesn't class as "Substantially modified" ie requiring SVA
Unbolt or cut off the leaf mounts, it is.

Trouble is a lot of this legislation was introduced to get rid of cut n shuts, which is a good thing. The law of unintended consequences means that well engineered mods get blatted with paperwork that they don't need.

There's an official response from DVLA in this month's mag - but it only talks about the position in terms of DVLA maintaining the reg number - they don't specifically say that they would issue a new reg but I suspect they would issue a Q reg given half a chance (do they still do them?).

They specifically say that any intervention they make would be on reg issues, not safety.

It is fascinating how many government agencies spend so much time defining exactly what isn't their job.