Is any DVLA check needed for a rebody?

[hairykrishna]

I seem to have just bought a GTO replica with minimal research... Am I right in thinking that I don't need to do anything other than get it MOT'd? No chassis/engine changes as far as I'm aware.

[Paulbav]

Is it the Supra one on eBay?. Someone with far more knowlage than me will no doubt be along in a mo but iirc provided no chassis changes have happened you should be good to go.

[hairykrishna]

Yes, that's the one. I've always fancied a mk4 Supra and one that looks, approximately, like a GTO appealed to me.

[Paulbav]

Excellent good luck, looks like a decent job was done with it so far, don't forget to get pics up ASAP....

[Steffan]

The Registration of Kit Cars is a complicated issue currently. Several posts cover this issue.

If the base car is still on the original chassis with a new body applied and the main components are the same you should ask VOSA for an inspection to confirm that fact. Car will need to be MOT'd. Providing the original chassis is NOT materially modified I think you may well only need inspection.
VOSA will explain this term.

However the construction and road use Regs apply to all cars going on the road so all the important bits must comply and be securely fitted etc.

If the chassis is modified you WILL need an IVA on the car.

This is no small task with a car that has not been designed with IVA in mind.

I would suggest asking that question on PH.

There are several really knowledgeable experts who are building kit cars for IVA at the moment and who will be able to give chapter and verse.

I have been building Kit Cars for many many years but I am very careful about buying part completed kit cars unregistered for road use because I have experience of IVA.

IMO getting an unfinished car like a Dutton, or a Robin Hood, designed long before SVA, IVA or anything like this, would be a real challenge, if actually practical at all.

Certainly not economically achievable. The work required is just too great.

Hence the number of unfinished projects on Ebay and the like.

I wish you well and I hope the purchase gives you a really usable car.

Edited by Steffan on Monday 13th February 00:04

Edited by Steffan on Monday 13th February 00:06

[smash]

Far as I saw from the listing he's just grafted one of the old Datsun Z GTO shells on to it and done nothing structural so no need for IVA. Stick the V5 description change in to DVLA (like "Supra GTO" or something) - they may, or may not want to inspect depending on how they feel, I certainly wouldn't go asking for it up front though. You should have no issues even if they do inspect as it's just exterior facade that's changed.

Congrats on a very interesting purchase - looks a damn sight better than a stock Supra to me!

Edited by smash on Monday 13th February 20:04

[dal2litrefrogeye]

can you post some photos it sounds interesting

[hairykrishna]

Got my hands on it this afternoon - I'll try and get some photos up tomorrow. Seems to have been done to a good standard so far.

[Mike N]

Basically if you have just removed the original cars panels and refitted a new shaped body your car will need a DVLA check to record the body change (as it now looks different) and the model / make name change if you give it a new name or its a kit car build (hint). There is a points system for original parts retained completed on a form which needs submitting to you local dvla regional office (Maidstone for me). An examiner will inspect the car incl chassis / engine nos etc and determine whether an IVA is required or whether they just write out a new V5 with the vehicles new name details and give you a new tax disc which is what happened to me. I have completed 3 so far, the inspectors were helpfull and polite.

Before I went for the check my car had a new MOT test just prior with the new body on etc, it passed with no problems.

On that day 5 cars were DVLA inspected and 3 needed an IVA.

Looking at the above, I would be tempted to re-name your car a ZED GTO 2.8!

Edited by Mike N on Friday 17th February 21:13

[hairykrishna]

Sat on my drive now. Given it a quick going over with some rattle cans to protect the filler while it's sitting;



About an inch too wide to go into my garage unfortunately! Step one is to relocate the air intake so the bonnet fits, then secure it properly. Unfortunately very busy for the next month or so so not sure how much I'm going to get done.

Edited by hairykrishna on Sunday 19th February 13:57