The end of importing modified muscle

[Pete]

The gamble/risk/concern for me is always insurance.

I am sure an Insurance company will have no qualms about walking backwards very quickly if there is an opportunity of getting out of honoring a claim.

You may never need it, but you could end up with a massive debt and potential lawsuit if it went pear-shaped and a personal injury was involved.

Sorry to be the boring voice of doom/common sense.....any way you can ensure a stronger footing in this area must be good......

I am sure an off-the-board discussion with Ivor could help here...........

[Ivor]

You are absolutely right Pete, I had typed out a long a detailed response regarding insurance, VOSA inspections and the like, but didn't want to be branded the profit of doom.

In my view it is a very sad state of affairs when competent car enthusiasts can't modify their own cars, particularly if they are well engineered and don't pose a danger to other road users.

I won't go into the politics of what's behind this, I'll leave you to guess what's driving it and why, but we have now reached the point where we have to play "the authorities" at their own game and there are ways around it.

Ensuring the insurance companies are aware of the modifications is essential, they don't have to know when the modifications were done, it's none of their business.

Yes, we all know that insurance companies make their money by not paying out and they'll wriggle like a wriggly thing to get out of paying, so it's important they are fully informed.

The DVLA does not need chapter and verse, they are really only interested in three things with pre '72 cars - the vin number, the engine number and whether or not the car is modified. As long as it all conforms with the V5, that'll do nicely.

[Dave81]

Hey chaps,

I keep getting confused by all this (may of asked this before, so sorry in advance).

Does this just relate to un-registered cars...........or does it effect any car that has been modified from how it left the factory/on the V5?

For instance.

My car being a 72 Dart pretty much all stock (318/904/7.25).

Will i have issues if it becomes a warm (360/904/8.75) and MOT time.
Would i have issues getting the V5 updated to show the engine change etc??

Cheers,

[Dave999]

just do the e ngine change stuff before the MOT
tell DVLA

you might have to get a garage to look it over and confirm you have bolted it down properly and write a letter


but the MOT man he won't know cos it will match the log book by the time you take it

don't have to take the last MOT certificate with you

you wouldn't tell em about the axle

and you'd say to the insurance company that you have had an as new rebuilt rear axle fitted with bigger but standard, for higher price bracket versions of this car, brakes....

cos you have...... darts with big engines got bigger axles n bigger brakes

told mine about

3 speed manual to 4 speed manual upgrade
useless VH brakes to much better VJ brakes upgrade

and said
standard equipment for this model within a year of mine being built....
done for better access to replacmenet parts as earlier stuff not supported as well

they couldn't care less....

basically said they aren't really modifications because your car is still within specification of the series production model

MOT man doesn't know becasue mines the only one hes MOTed

Dave

[Dave81]

just do the e ngine change stuff before the MOT
tell DVLA

you might have to get a garage to look it over and confirm you have bolted it down properly and write a letter


but the MOT man he won't know cos it will match the log book by the time you take it

don't have to take the last MOT certificate with you

you wouldn't tell em about the axle

and you'd say to the insurance company that you have had an as new rebuilt rear axle fitted with bigger but standard, for higher price bracket versions of this car, brakes....

cos you have...... darts with big engines got bigger axles n bigger brakes

told mine about

3 speed manual to 4 speed manual upgrade
useless VH brakes to much better VJ brakes upgrade

and said
standard equipment for this model within a year of mine being built....
done for better access to replacmenet parts as earlier stuff not supported as well

they couldn't care less....

basically said they aren't really modifications because your car is still within specification of the series production model

MOT man doesn't know becasue mines the only one hes MOTed

Dave

Cheers Bud!

[Jon Connolly]

Hi Dave81

I have a V5 for a 72 Dart 360 and the VIN tags if you`re interested ?













Only joking

[Ivor]

Dave, you've got no problems at all, pre 1973 vehicles come under historic and engine changes can be made regardless of capacity, the DVLA doesn't even require proof of purchase any more, simply let them know the new engine number and capacity if you wish.

Otherwise listen to Uncle Dave, he's right about the gearbox and axle, they are factory upgrades, full stop.

The most important thing is to let the insurance company know.