Mayday! ... it's "that" thread about "that" car!

[scaryoldcortina]

I'm soaked to the skin but have a grin from ear to ear...

It's all back together, running again (gearchange now MUCH better ;D ) and I've been having a drive up and down the lane despite the rain. I'd actually forgotten how much fun this thing is to drive ;D ;D Going to try and get an MoT tomorrow so I can take it on the road again (on the road again)

Shame I left the camera at the garage

[Mystery Machine]

Aug 31, 2009 19:42:51 GMT scaryoldcortina said:

Shame I left the camera at the garage

For once, pictures are not needed and the lack of camera is not important.....


.......because

Aug 31, 2009 19:42:51 GMT scaryoldcortina said:

I'm soaked to the skin but have a grin from ear to ear...

^^ THAT ^^ is an image I can picture all too well.

That one sentence sums up all that is good about Retro Rides. All that is good about Retro motors. And all that is good about people like you.

That has made my day ;D

[Oldbus]

Look like you´re going to have to get a waterproof camera Andy.... ;D

Good luck with the MOT mate! ;D

[DutyFreeSaviour]

Glad you've got this sorted - after an epic build it'd be a shame for her to sit too long......
Good luck with the MoT - I'll be expecting a ride around when I get over in October fella

[BenzBoy]

Fantastic! I love this car.

[Knugcab]

Missed this one out... Don't know how I could do that.

But I only have to say that I'm AMAZED!

This clearly shows that with a bit of imagination, probably not GREAT amounts of money, and some work, something that most people would consider being impossible to save, can be made into something that's really fun, and also different.

Not only that, but you've managed to get the style of the build really right!

If I had sixteen thumbs, I would put every single one up!

This car really shows the true spirit of retrorides...

[Autofive]

any new photos for us Scary?

[hotwheeler]

I think it is a very nice looking car

[scaryoldcortina]

Now that IS odd. Each time something significant happens, someone has already dredged the thread up from the depths so I don't have to go searching for it

I got a letter from the DVLA at the start of the month, calling me to the local office for inspection. Reason being, to establish vehicle identity due to the change of body. I first wrote to dvla over a year ago, they had issued a revised book with bodystlye "open" already without inspecting, but lookis like they changed their minds, or the "open" designation didn't refer to the no roof situation but rather the unresolved changes. I don't know. Anyway.... Off to gosforth with it, where I was met by a nice lady in a hi-viz with a clipboard. She explained that the reason for my visit was because elderly austins tend not to have a stamped chassis number, the only ID is the body tag, which is on the body, which I cut up. It's actually on the back of the driver's sunvisor on a somerset . Point being, in the eyes of the DVLA, because I moved the body tag, I could have moved it onto a completely different car . So, she looked at it, and looked a bit confused. "What is this body? Is it a kit conversion?" ... "Ah, it's the old body cut up and re-arranged! You did WHAT with the roof?" ;D
Anyway, after she inspected (and she knew EXACTLY what 50's austin running gear looks like) she informed me of her opinion, which was that it is an austin a40, the engine number matches the one fitted to WRG616A, and as the number is a worthless replacement after a previous plate transfer there would be no financial advantage to deception. Her recommendation to DVLA policy would be that my logbook be ammended. Then she said "They have the final say - they may not agree with me" So I went home and waited on tenderhooks for 3 weeks until this arrived in the post this very morning ;D

Thats really going to confuse people ;D Austin A40 Sports ;D Something else it looks nothing like, lol


Eh? what, photos.. hang on then ;D


here's one I took the other day. Notice I now have indicators, misread the rules before it's 1936 onwards you need some sort of direction signal. Mind you, I did discover that the 500mm minimum height for headlights came into force 1st jan 1956 so mine can stay at their current 420mm ;D

[davej]

Shouldnt the tax class on the V5 be Historic vehicle? Or does that need another DVLA visit.
Glad you got the V5 issue sorted though! ;D

[skinnylew]

result!! Was the woman an Austin expert then or just a happy coincidence that she knew lots about Austins? Would be a right result if it were randomly the latter, i'd imagine they cant send any old jobsworth down though as it is a fairly specialist subject......
looking peachy still

[scaryoldcortina]

Now I have this logbook, I can go back to gosforth (with MoT and insurance) and tax it as historic vehicle, AND claim a free age related 3 letter/3digit plate. This means, of course, I'll have to be sent another logbook....

[BiAS]

Glad the red tape worked out right for you Andy
I'm curious about how the doovla lady knew so much about Austins too. D'ya reckon they have a bank of inspectors, all with specific areas of knowledge or do they have to research each upcoming id inspection?

[dubzi]

Spot on! The DVLA can be a royal PITA but sometimes they come up trumps.

I've always found the DVLA local office very helpful. Changed my Bedford's body type to motorcaravan (it was blank before) when I had to change the taxation class from Disabled. The woman on the desk asked if I had it with me so they could look at it. I didn't so she just asked "has it changed the weight". I said no, logbook got sent to Swansea, job done!

Also had a pair of Burlington Arrow kit cars about 10 years ago. One was on a Herald Chassis, the other on a purpose built one. The latter was part built and not registered so I enquired about it and had a visit from DVLA. He looked at it and came to the conclusion that all the parts bar the chassis and body were used Triumph bits and that he believed in recycling old vehicles; so if I finished it quickly and formally applied to register it he'd neglect to mention the chassis and recommend it be given an age related (tax exempt) plate! Never did finish it befroe I sold the pair though......

[scaryoldcortina]

I dunno, we did have a chat about pre-war 7s and how it's a pity people keep transfering the original number off them, but I suspect that each inspector has areas of expertise and does some research before the inspection.

[Team Blitz]

Sign above SOC's shop: "DVLA Solicitor, Engineering, & Tea Brewerage - For Assistance Inquire Within".

[rooster]

took your advice from last might, and just read the whole thread, it looks fantastic, will have to come see it in the flesh 1 day looks mint!

[ruffgeezer]

I've just re-read this whilst bedridden and dosed up on flemsips, such a wicked little car, how does it stand now?

[ThePollitt]

But yes, how is the unique little monster these days?

Chris

[Clement]

I just read the whole thread this afternoon instead of working, and I've noticed that both times the thread was resurrected in the past, scaryoldcortina actually had something going on with the car! Fingers crossed, it was an incredibly good read