A couple of questions ?

[Ross_328i_sport]

Hi,
Just want to know a couple of things can a kit car on a Q plate be changed to have a private plate as long as it is not newer than when the car was first registered. Can a type 7 car with the bonnet cut out for the air filter be used as an everyday car (filter will get wet).

Regards

Ross

[grahambell]

If you've got a Q plate you're stuck with it. As for the filter, you can either put up with it getting wet (engine should run fine so long as it's not drenched or frozen) or get a scoop or bulge to cover it.

[rushv8]

Hi Ross

Agree - Q plate is with the car for life - but if it's in great nick after 10yrs it hides the true age of the car !

As for exposed air filter - as long as it is atrue pancake filter (with solid top) then they are no problem at all : my 4.6ltr V8 Rush has no problems strating or running even in torrential rain (drove 25 miles to from MOT centre in Nov 2006 and it was raining so hard M1 was 1" of standing water, car ran fine but "7" wipers were really put to the test as was my gentleness on the throttle pedal - 500Bhp/ tonne and very very wet roads are not a good combination).

Do not consider running an exposed foam filled / mesh topped air filter though - these soak up rain an drizzle it into the carb inlets, which can give backfires on startup (and I fondly rember leaping out of my car at a wet Newark Kit Car Show so I could remove a flaming foam air filter and kick it around in the wet grass to put it out !!!)

[ricola]

My old speedster had had a Q plate removed, it was originally given as the age of donor was unknown, but after that was proven, it got taken off and given an age related number. I doubt it would be possible with a 7 though as the speedster was effectively a rebody..
Rich

[Ross_328i_sport]

Thanks for the answers. I suppose that your right when you say that a Q plate hides the age of the car