Is this the End of Modified Vehicles in the UK?

[Admin/Founder 2]

Ive been reading several threads on various forums and the odd magazine or ten and it seems the Government are Hell Bent in the UK with putting an end to Modified Vehicles

Where will it all end?

I agree that cars have to be Safe that benefits everybody but does putting another Manufacturers Running Gear into a Mini or any other car for that matter really affect its safety?

There are two ways to look at things,if you want a Classic Car like a Mini,ADO 16,Metro maybe it,s better to leave things as they are so you get that unique driving experience from driving old technology

But on the other hand the Government want us all in modern Eco Friendly Boxes that run off Juniper Berries that hug trees

So shouldn't they be encouraging modifications that bring our classics up to modern standards?

I whole heartedly agree that cutting the front end off a Mini and replacing it with a full fibreglass front end is going to compromise strength but surely cutting a sandwich box size hole out of your bulkhead and properly welding in a properly constructed box to allow clearance for an alternative Carb or Larger Engine clearance isn't going to compromise Safety?

Lets Face it most of the pre made Sub frames made for engine conversions are often stronger than the Original and Lazer Welded

I despair sometimes before too long I'm sure there will be an emissions tax if we pass wind ;D

Sam was telling me the other day that one of her colleagues was stopped by the Police for a blown bulb,apparently now even if you replace them yourself you have to have the job signed off by an MOT Station and i cant see them doing that for nothing

Its all gone Mad!!!

The Classic Car/Modified Car/Kit Car industry is bigger than the New Car Industry so are they going to keep chipping away until there are no older more interesting cars left?

It'll serve them right when thousands of businesses close and they have to provide unemployment benefit for what they've caused

Im afraid they will have to drag me kicking and screaming before ill give up my human right to drive what the hell i want and not what I'm told to!!!

Rant Over,

Any Thoughts?

Huggz
Jodie

[mrslaphead]

The part about getting "repairs" checked out by an MOT man have been with us for many years. The Police can issue a 7 day rectification notice which means any defects must be repaired/put back to MOT standards.
I was given one of these in 1999 for a tiny numberplate and cut slick tyres on a bike and had to get it signed/stamped before reporting to a Police Station.
Maybe there is an initiative to push the use of the 7 day notices which will target modified cars, that wouldnt surprise me.

[rose4765]

the world has indeed gone completely mad. i have had problems with both motorbikes and cars. i did put one over on mr plod once tho' with my toyota townace, i was stopped for having a blown brake light bulb and got the you must have it replaced by an mot testing station blah blah, i was then told that as the townace has two sets of both tail and brake lights either side the law apparently says you only need one of the two working which when mr plod checked was correct, luckily my local garage is owned by a friend of mine and he didn't charge me for stamping the ticket but it's the hassle and stupidity of it all. so mr plod ;D

[GW]

The rules relating to all this have been around for many years, they are just better publicised now with the growing use of the internet. Yes its hard, but we have it a lot easier than the rest of you-rope, and that is who will push this to the extremes.

Unfortunatley the UK motor industry, despite having a HUGE aftermarket business, will not unite and stand up to any recent or fortcoming changes.

One organisation are working to try and educate on the rules and regs and how to keep Mr Vosa happy, and that is ACE - www.the-ace.org.uk - do your bit and join up. They are very helpful in explaing the rules and maintaining what we have now to avoid it getting anything like the rest of europe and other countries where engine swaps and roof chops simply can't be registered.

Build within the rules and you've got nothing to worry about. Ok, you cant run a webber box? so run a 7 port head instead!