I've got an urge to cut my top off! What am I getting into?
Discussion
Just bought a little plasma cutter and it's giving me ideas!!
I've got an XJS coupe just sitting there, going rusty. Have always fancied an XJS convertible. Have plasma cutter in hand ....... oh no Dave, what are you doing now!!??? Are you quite mad?? Stop! Stop! Hang on a minute!!
Seriously guys, I'm not asking about the engineering, chassis strengthening, bodywork etc involved - I'm quite up to that.
But some of you chaps know your way around the latest regulations, single vehicle whatsits and all that, far better than I do. So, to save me some time and grief before I actually start chopping up this poor little beauty, what would I be getting into - I mean regulation-wise?
I've got an XJS coupe just sitting there, going rusty. Have always fancied an XJS convertible. Have plasma cutter in hand ....... oh no Dave, what are you doing now!!??? Are you quite mad?? Stop! Stop! Hang on a minute!!
Seriously guys, I'm not asking about the engineering, chassis strengthening, bodywork etc involved - I'm quite up to that.
But some of you chaps know your way around the latest regulations, single vehicle whatsits and all that, far better than I do. So, to save me some time and grief before I actually start chopping up this poor little beauty, what would I be getting into - I mean regulation-wise?
Hi Dave.
As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
Dave Dax builder said:
Hi Dave.
As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
Hmmm. As I feared.As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
So, as a point of interest, let's assume that my conversion work in itself is done to meet IVA standards, do they also check the rest of the vehicle so that things which would have been OK in the original production car as supplied in 1991 might now need modifying? For instance, radii of front grille slats, dashboard equipment etc? That would be a real pain.
Edited by dave de roxby on Tuesday 9th August 01:58
dave de roxby said:
Dave Dax builder said:
Hi Dave.
As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
Hmmm. As I feared.As the roof is part of the chassis structure then it would require an IVA test if you cut the roof off as it would be classed as a mojor structural modification.
As an example. If you Bobtail a Range Rover by chopping off the rear chassis rails even beyond the suspension pick up points it still should be tested.
HTH.
So, as a point of interest, let's assume that my conversion work in itself is done to meet IVA standards, do they also check the rest of the vehicle so that things which would have been OK in the original production car as supplied in 1991 might now need modifying? For instance, radii of front grille slats, dashboard equipment etc? That would be a real pain.
Will include the sharp edges, reverse light, fog light (only with head lights), switches and dash lights identified, steering column crush zones, etc.
Steve
I went to a show a few weeks back and saw a mini mini. It was basically a BL mini that someone cut in half, took quite a large section out on and then welded it back up and smoothed over and painted. The bench seat in the back of the mini was used as the driving seats to give you an idea of the wheelbase and size. It had no roof and no doors but it looked amazing!
always wanted to do something rediculous like that.
always wanted to do something rediculous like that.slomax said:
I went to a show a few weeks back and saw a mini mini. It was basically a BL mini that someone cut in half, took quite a large section out on and then welded it back up and smoothed over and painted. The bench seat in the back of the mini was used as the driving seats to give you an idea of the wheelbase and size. It had no roof and no doors but it looked amazing!
always wanted to do something rediculous like that.
Have lost track of the crazy ideas I've had over the years. Once wall-papered a Mini in Laura Ashley for my (now ex) wife - it only lasted through a couple of downpours! I guess even that might get you into trouble nowadays, for not being able to describe the colour on your V5 - "sort of cream with pink roses above the dado with gold and purple regency stripes below" - it just wouldn't fit! always wanted to do something rediculous like that.But I am half serious about the XJS. You can't get a decent convertible these days for this side of £6K. I'm all for sensible legislation. But, if a simple roof-chop now entails a total re-test of all the other parts of an existing model, it could make the whole idea rather uneconomic.
I wonder what bits of the old XJS would actually fail the IVA? Possibly not too many.
dave de roxby said:
.....I wonder what bits of the old XJS would actually fail the IVA? Possibly not too many.
You need to have a good read of the IVA manual.Yes there are a number of places where it says things like...It must comply unless the item is from the original vehicle. Things like the dash and switches will likely be OK where they would fail in a kitcar.
Steve
Steve_D said:
You need to have a good read of the IVA manual.
Yes there are a number of places where it says things like...It must comply unless the item is from the original vehicle. Things like the dash and switches will likely be OK where they would fail in a kitcar.
Steve
Thanks Steve. Yes, must get up to speed with this. I have a feeling that, despite the seemingly fixed regulations, there may be a degree of discretion by the testers? That in itself is welcome but it does mean that to embark on a project relying on such discretion could be foolhardy.Yes there are a number of places where it says things like...It must comply unless the item is from the original vehicle. Things like the dash and switches will likely be OK where they would fail in a kitcar.
Steve
But, you know what, I'm gonna have a go at this XJS!
Again, to save me time, does anyone know about the IVA acceptability of the various traditional style hood fastenings - 'lift-the-dot' and, what were they, dzus or summut?? Guess there must be something more up to date on the market by now.
Also, is there anyone I can actually talk to at Vosa to get opinions on design elements, before actual submission for a test?
Grateful for your experience.
Also, is there anyone I can actually talk to at Vosa to get opinions on design elements, before actual submission for a test?
Grateful for your experience.
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