Registering US title porsche 911 chassis in the UK with DVLA

[Soundbud]

hi, this is my first post.

I bought an American title car already imported into the UK. comes with the NOVA certificate.

The car is a 1975 Porsche 911 targa. The American title states salvage from South Carolina, since there is no engine and gearbox, no interior or glass or roof and has a rotten floor. This is title is allowed to go back on the road.

I want to install a non air cooled Porsche engine into it, as the originals are very expensive. So looking at a few options which seems to be a lot cheaper:

Porsche Boxster 3.2
Porsche 928 5l v8
Lexus 4.3l v8

All of the above engines can had for about £1000, Lexus being around £300-500

Reading through the DVLA web page about radically alerted vehicles and keeping the same registration.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-...

Parts of the car seems to work on a points system. I already have most of these parts which are factory original parts bought with the car.

Chassis
Steering column and linkages and hubs
Suspension (no springs on these cars only shocks and rear torsion bar)
Axles

The only things I don’t have is the engine and gearbox.

I would like to lose the original suspension and replace with coil overs.

This page refers to keeping the original registration but in my case my car is not yet registered in the UK.

The other concern I have is that because it’s a 1975 vehicle, this is now classed as historic classification. Will this hinder what I want to do? Or would I need to put an engine and gearbox in from the same era to keep its historic vehicle status?

[The Moose]

Just FYI, salvage title means it’s been written off or considered a total loss by an insurer.

[Soundbud]

Ok fair enough, but it’s still allowed to go on the road. The US title for not allowed to go back on the road is pink as below from South Carolina but mine is green / blue

[The Moose]

Soundbud said:

Ok fair enough, but it’s still allowed to go on the road. The US title for not allowed to go back on the road is pink as below from South Carolina but mine is green / blue

I didn’t say it couldn’t go back on the road. You said the salvage title was because it was just a shell or whatever. I wanted to make sure you were aware of what it meant before you poured cash into it.

[Soundbud]

I see thanks for that.

What I really want to know is if it’s ok to register on the road as a 1975 vehicle with newer water cooled engine and gearbox in it? And keep its historic status?

[iDrive]

Hi

I imported a car from the USA and the process was very simple, though it was roadworthy over there and just needed minor changes to lamps for it to be MOT'd over here.

My understanding is that if you score 8 points or more;

Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified (direct from manufacturer) 5
Suspension (front and back) - original 2
Axles (both) - original 2
Transmission - original 2
Steering assembly - original 2
Engine - original 1

Then you will get an age-related registration, however a non-original engine will possibly mean it won't be "Historic" for the purpose of MOT exception (ie you will need to get one every year), though it will not need Excise (Tax).

[Peter3442]

My understanding coincides with that of iDrive.

Strangely, though the requirements for historic status go into 'substantial changes' they seem to be applied differently from the 'radically altered' ones for registration and don't mention the 8-point system. If you decide to make your Porsche a test case, many of us would like to know how it turns out.

[Soundbud]

Ok thanks guys, it’s a big project so it’s not going to be anytime soon but I will keep you informed.

For me at the moment I’m researching all the angles so that I have something substantial to evaluate and then I can decide on which way to take the project forward.

I definitely want to fix this car up, it’s knot of exciting.

.seems a bit of a grey area though for registering as an historic vehicle. Also read this earlier too that as some meaning:

https://www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk/newsroom/ne...

Then it got me thinking, using a 928 v8 engine from the era of 77-79 still puts the car in the historic category along with the radically altered category at the same time.

A few different possibilities but nice to know where I stand with each scenario.

[aeropilot]

If you put a non-air cooled Porsche engine in it, you won't retain historic VED, as its not of same type etc., so you will need to consider building the car to BIVA rules, so best get a copy of the BIVA regs and read carefully.

Worth joining Rods n Sods forum for advice.

[PAUL500]

The US salvage element will not be applied to the UK registration either, so its UK document will be clear.