Just been reading an article on the ACE website --- www.the-ace.org.uk --- and makes very intresting reading about a propposed EU law that could be passed soon. Go have a look.

Andy W

Of course anybody who has a pre 1960 car won´t ever be tested anyway, so who´s to say what´s stock and what isn´t?

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Have you read it??????


Andy W

Not thoroughly, but yes.
Though it doesn´t affect me anyway.

Who is supposed to be policing it anyway?

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It all depends whats classed as standard. Dose that mean we all have to run crossplys and 6 volts 😞


Andy W

Actually, I still run 6v and crossplys voluntarily!

But that highlights exactly why it´s unworkable nonsense. Say someone swapped your gearbox to a later type, forty years ago? Will you be forced off the road, even though you had no idea it had been done? I doubt it, just because that´s simply nitpicking stupidity, and even the govermnet have better things to do with their time.

You can get away with a lot of stuff here if you are doing it for safety reasons - disc brakes, radials, non asbestos brakes and so on.

And anyway, this document pertains to "roadworthyness". It´s entirely possible to be modified and roadworthy.

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This is the 'thin edge of the wedge', and ultimately the end of the free 'historic' road tax for vintage vehicles that are no longer really vintage at all. They are no longer trully vintage and, so not historic due to modifications that have been done to make them more useable in modern traffic, and not from a safety point of view such as adding flashing turn signals, but such things as fitting a Porsche engine in a 1950s Beetle for example, or a 1990's Jag engine in a 1960's Ford Popular. Or, adding disc brakes to a 1960's Beetle when correctly maintained drums are adequate for the car's original factory performance and correct size engine.

The lowered Beetle and Bus brigade will fall foul of this and so, rightly, will have to pay road tax again.

The good thing to come out of this is that Jon is now looking to put his lowered '56 Oval back to stock. Let's hope that many of the other lowered air-coolers get put back to original spec where possible.:wink:

As I understand it, all vehicles will have an initial check (probably at an MOT station), before receiving the MOT exempt status.

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So I guess running a vintage speed engine is out of the window too.

Says vehicle of historic interest will be exempt from road worthiness test;

‘vehicle of historic interest’ means any vehicle which fulfils all the following
conditions :
– It was manufactured at least 30 years ago,
– It is maintained by use of replacement parts which reproduce the historic
components of the vehicle;
– It has not sustained any change in the technical characteristics of its main
components such as engine, brakes, steering or suspension and
– It has not been changed in its appearance;

I read it that if it has been modified it will be subject to a road worthiness test not 'banned from use'

It's so woolly and open to interpretation that my feeling is if someone fails it you'll just take to someone else who will interpret the guidance rules in your favour.

Things like "Vintage Speed" add-ons like a supercharger will be regarded as period accessories and acceptable...as I've said,depending on who examines it.

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The previous owner of my car converted it to 12v, and changed the engine from 1500 to 1600 😳

I've changed the brakes from single to dual circuit, as kids are often in the car...

Mine 'officially' fails on engine and brakes then??? 😛

Reports of the death of modded cars are, for now, greatly exaggerated....

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=26260 

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The magazine Classic Car Weekly this week still seems to think that it will happen?

It seems typical of anything done in this country that details of government changes only travel on the grape vine, and are invaribly incorrect, causing confusion.

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Things in Germany, for example, are done far more thorough and laid out clearly. This may also explain why they have a thriving car industry, a strong economy, adequate road and rail - and we don't!

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Dont forget we live in Broken-Brittan




Andy W







( Still would not swap though )

Not quite... if you are granted historic status, or which period mods you are allowed still comes down to the opinion of the bloke doing the testing. Which can be good or bad.

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2199311/Millions-modified-classic-cars-banned-roads-meddling-European-Union-try-shake-MOT-rules.html 

So safety upgrades are out, time to take out those seat belts and put your crossplies back on...

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Its intresting to read there slant on it. The last paragraph sums it up.



Andy W

Thas good
is that a b4 1965 exempt fing

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so how is it u have to fit screen washers on early bugs?
Thas a mod innit:?

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