Is this where Kit Car designs should be heading

[qdos]

The MX5 does not have a separate chassis. It has two subframes (front and rear) that are joined together by a 'Torque Tube' The suspension loads are fed into the bodyshell of the MX5, the drive/traction loads are fed along the torque tube The "torque tube" transmits this force by directly coupling the axle differential to the transmission and therefore propels the car forward by pushing on the engine/transmission and then through the engine mounts to the car.

Sadly this set up does not count as a separate chassis to the body.

Close but no cigar unfortunately.

Edited by qdos on Friday 20th November 10:04

[andygtt]

Ok so these cars fall into the option 2 in my example... is this officially accepted by DVLA or are they simply getting away with it?

[Fastpedeller]

Looking at the "morganesque" car, it could be that it uses the monocoque minus the bolt-on wings, boot and bonnet - thus using the mechanical structure, and complying with the rules - certainly the doors appear to be mx5.

[Steffan]

andygtt said:

Ok so these cars fall into the option 2 in my example... is this officially accepted by DVLA or are they simply getting away with it?

Good Question. The DVLA are becoming increasingly aware that some builders of kit cars are attempting to avoid IVA by intrepereting the rules concerning the originality of the chassis used in a particularly generous, but not necessarily reasonable, way.

As qdos rightly says the Mx5 rebodies that are based on the bare underpinnings of the MX5 subframe without all the original additional strength of the original structure upon which the underpinnings depend cannot be regarded as retention of the original set up. I wish it could but it cannot.

Indeed the latest comments from the DVLA really do limit the extent to which IVA can be avoided by chassis retention indicating that any major alterations to the chassis or repairs defintely require inspection by the DVLA and possibly IVA depending on the view taken of the significance of the alterations by the DVLA.

Essentially the DVLA changes following the introduction of IVA means thay every significant alteration to the form of a car which changes the basic structure and shape may require IVA unless the original chassis is substantially unaltered. Even the positioning and size of engine mounts and additional strengthening cross members is a target for DVLA concerns.

I well remember the days of Dutton/Rickman/RobinHood and all the other offerings of long ago where registration of the changes was merely a paper exercise. That has long gone and will not return.

That explains why there are so many supposed unfinished barn finds advertised currently on the web because without the current paperwork and genuine retention of underpinnings registration of these has becoming impossible. Hence the availability.

Years ago I regularly bought unfinished kit cars without even seeing the cars. Nowadays genuine provable history with full receipts and documentation and genuine probable provenance for the vehicle is essential before considering the purchase. We live in a changing world and IVA or similar is the future. There are no easy answers I regret to say.

[Fastpedeller]

Fastpedeller said:

Looking at the "morganesque" car, it could be that it uses the monocoque minus the bolt-on wings, boot and bonnet - thus using the mechanical structure, and complying with the rules - certainly the doors appear to be mx5.

As an addendum.... It does look a bit longer on the wheelbase though!