Anyone into classic cars

[d8mok]

engine swap rules out classic status doesn't it?
assuming the majority of "chassis" remains the same than shouldn't need a IVA/SVA though (based on memory here though, it's been a while). seem to remember engine was worth 1 point, but you could find that points elsewhere in a built to get to you your 8 points.

No idea to be honest as I’ve never had anything old enough for classic. My knowledge of this kind of thing is from 15-20 years ago.

What’s the benefit of classic status?

My fire blade engined car was cheap tax and only £150 to insure at 19 years old back in 2004 ish

 

[novocaine]

No idea to be honest as I’ve never had anything old enough for classic. My knowledge of this kind of thing is from 15-20 years ago.

What’s the benefit of classic status?

My fire blade engined car was cheap tax and only £150 to insure at 19 years old back in 2004 ish

classic status means no tax or MOT.

I haven't insured anything crazy in a very long time, but I suspect these days it's harder to do.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

engine swaps are generally fine - 998 to 1275 A series they won't even blink. Generally 'period' modifications (mods that were performed 40+ years ago) are fine, with the caveats below.

Engine swap with different transmission - you're into the points system territory. it will head towards 'too modified' if you lose more points.

Chop out a bulkhead/ swap to rear engine/flip front - do not pass go, go straight to IVA. That's on any car, not just classics. Yes, you'd need to get caught, but the risk is real. Ever seen the guys in wales that convert classic cars to electric? Guess how many of those conversions have been declared to the DVLA...

 

[d8mok]

engine swaps are generally fine - 998 to 1275 A series they won't even blink. Generally 'period' modifications (mods that were performed 40+ years ago) are fine, with the caveats below.

Engine swap with different transmission - you're into the points system territory. it will head towards 'too modified' if you lose more points.

Chop out a bulkhead/ swap to rear engine/flip front - do not pass go, go straight to IVA. That's on any car, not just classics. Yes, you'd need to get caught, but the risk is real. Ever seen the guys in wales that convert classic cars to electric? Guess how many of those conversions have been declared to the DVLA...

At 18 I had a 2.0 16v Nova. It was a built engine with throttle bodies and a stand alone ecu making around 220hp

It was also porsche pepper mint green , caged , bucket seats etc

It was insured as a 1.0 nova in red / taxed as one.

I got pulled over and instructed to take it to be inspected the following week. Needless to say we removed that engine , cage and seats over the weekend and stuck a 1.0 in it. I got a slap for wrong color on V5.

Karma bit me not long after this doing 128mph in a 50 in a kit car just to even the world out again. In my defence it was 11pm and on a 2 lane bypass with only me around (and the copper in the T5 who I hadn’t clocked)

 

[Siish]

Well B.O.M (Bad Obsession Motorsport) have put a st185 celica gt4 engine and running gear in a mini so anything is possible

 

[novocaine]

Well B.O.M (Bad Obsession Motorsport) have put a delicate gt4 engine and running gear in a mini so anything is possible

Yes, but it is important to note that they are completely screw loose mental. seriously, who thinks "I know, I'll make an adapter for my CAM mill so I can print with solder".

Love it, absolutely bonkers.

 

[Twozaskars]

Project Binky is pretty wild but feels like it will never be finished. I'm sure that will have to take the reg and ID of the Celica like that 7 above is still on the MOT website as an Alfa, or be a Q plate.
As for classic insurance and status, my 1985 one-ten has a 1997 300tdi and R380 gearbox ripped out of a crusty old Discovery (these were in production within 10 years of the age of my vehicle) but is still within its eligibility for classic status. Front axle casing is original but with the Discovery 24 spline half shafts inside. Still on rear drum brakes but bigger fronts (safety upgrade is ok). Mods declared to the insurer on the understanding that the original engine and box were scrap and direct replacements are no longer readily available. Costs me £250ish with agreed value of £13k.
Still have to tax it until April 2026 though due to classic status not being as straightforward as you're led to believe.

 

[Twozaskars]

Oh did I say Crusty and old Donor vehicle? I meant 5k miles, kept in garage, FSH, owned by a little old lady who only ever used it to go to church on Sundays and only if the roads were dry. Like all donor vehicles

 

[d8mok]

Q plate - isn’t all bad. MOT is less strict (or it used to be when I had mine)

Everyone on here is old enough not to worry about insurance costs and MOTs are easy to ‘acquire’. So it’s just the benefit of free RFL which is appealing.

I’ve been looking again at Novas again. I’d quite like a Nova sport but they are silly money

 

[novocaine]

Oh did I say Crusty and old Donor vehicle? I meant 5k miles, kept in garage, FSH, owned by a little old lady who only ever used it to go to church on Sundays and only if the roads were dry. Like all donor vehicles

you selling it are you?

heres your points table. as you can see, not ******* with the chassis or shell is really where the points lie. I think on a monocoque a rear engine in a subframe would mean you loose those points. For a 110 on a separate chassis you are pretty much assured 8 points unless you do something radical (even a certain, somewhat less than stock LR that would struggle to drive over a fag packet was on it's original plate*)



*think it was area 52 on retrorides that did it.