Reshelling Article

[EricTheRed]

I've just read the article on reshelling but as far as I can see it didn't make clear why anyone should worry about following all the regulations in the first place! I am assuming that if you did take a car in for an MOT test the tester would start asking questions if the chassis number didn't match the official records?

Also I've wondered for a long time but never got around to asking - what is so bad about having a Q plate on your car?

[SirTainleyBarking]

(IANAL, This is my Understanding, The only swapping I've done is use a breaker engine to replace a Mullered identical engine in the Landrover, and I informed the DVLA of the serial number change)

From what understand it depends on how honest you want to be
And how much ID the replacement shell has.

If for instance you reshell with a brand new shell, just transfer the ID to the new shell, and all is good as it is a complete replacement for an existing part
If you reshell with another body that already has been used, if its an older car with just a VIN plate, you could, in theory, just swap the plates and retain your ID
Another example is that you have a vehicle with completely shot running gear but the body is good. You replace the Gearbox, axles and suspension from units from different veicles of the same model. In theory this should be informed to the DVLA and they issue a Q plate. In practice, none of the components have serial numbers, so nobody could challenge the ID of the car. You wouldn't tell the DVLA if you replaced the gearbox of your car with one from a breakers. I certainly wouldn't.

[Mrotwoman]

How come so many street rods are able to retain the original number plate ?

[hillmanimpman]

because they not been noticed. if you say made a copy of i don't no a Hillman imp in Glassfibre and fitted all running and painted it in underseal underneath. how would you know it Glassfibre this problem i have thought about for a long time as someone is now making GRP bodyshell for ford escort mk1 and minis it very interesting how could you tell if it was done properly.

[Aar0sc]

because they not been noticed. if you say made a copy of i don't no a Hillman imp in Glassfibre and fitted all running and painted it in underseal underneath. how would you know it Glassfibre this problem i have thought about for a long time as someone is now making GRP bodyshell for ford escort mk1 and minis it very interesting how could you tell if it was done properly.

*cough* Magnet?

[hillmanimpman]

well part from that not many people are going to do that on cars are they?

[JPB]

Minis were made in GRP in Venezuela, shells are available for VWs, Lotus' original Elite was a GRP monocoque and I've had quite a few GRP-bodied cars in my time, but MK1 Escorts? Can't see that working without a spaceframe to hold it all together since there's no chassis under an Escort.

BMC themselves did an ADO16 in GRP, this one:



There is a GRP monocoque that uses Imp running gear of course:


The 875 uses sheets of aluminium bonded into the structural parts of the shell to carry its Imp engine, gearbox and rear suspension, so I reckon you could do likewise and get away with it.
Bond, in making the 875, managed to lose the Imp's swing axles up front too, using a leading arm arrangement. They somehow managed to weigh less than the all-steel Imp, so are ridiculously quick.

[hillmanimpman]

i heard that BOND 875 could do wheelie in the prototype so they had to use the gearbox off a van prefer wheelie myself

[SirTainleyBarking]

BMC themselves did an ADO16 in GRP, this one:

And a bloody good Idea that is too. The amount of those I remember as a kid that were falling apart with terminal rot, and flapping wings were too numerous to count.

Thats the reason I wouldn't buy a ADO16 now. Too many bad memories of rot, and not many left because of it which is a shame as they look a hoot to drive

[hillmanimpman]

if there anything like the allegro they are comfort is the best feature, i did heard once that you can drive 1100 with a cup of tea and you won't lose any it stay in the cup