SVA or rebodied MG?

[martinlcb]

Hi there,
I purchasd an XI kit about 12 months ago because one was available from the factory. Not sure when I will build it however as I have several other classic restorations on the go.... However, I have followed the tales of woe with regards to SVA/IVA so have a really stupid question to ask.............why can't the finished Westfield be defined as a "re-bodied MG", thus avoiding all the hassle?
Personally I don't mind what badge the car has to wear, or how it is described in the V5. Anybody remember the MG based bodykits of the 70's?

Just thought i'd ask..........

Martin B

[beng4]

They were just bodykits, the main monocoque was still there, some kits can still be made like this where they retain the main tub- see mx5 based kits. Do it properly get the IVA done, its a bit of a fag for sure, but makes the satisfaction of building and completing it even better! dvla/mot testers are looking out for incorrectly registered cars, and i believe there is the potential for them to take your car from you.

[martinlcb]

Thanks for the reply - just knew that it was a stupid question........By the way, I believe that the strange light pods need to be fitted for IVA but, thereafter, do they need to be fitted for each MOT?

[beng4]

The hideous pods get the lights to the right height for the test. They are soon binned and the lights positioned where they should be. MOTS seem to be fine as the height of the lights is not a test requirement.

[jonclancy]

DVLA INF26 has all the details (well, most of them!).

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg ... 180218.pdf

Welcome to the forum, Martin.

Jon

P.S. There's no such thing as a stupid question.

[Nick Algar]

Having taken a Megabusa through SVA 10 years ago and then my son did a standard Zetec a couple of months ago. The test is not too bad. It's a shame so much has to be left off, but other than that it's really important yo get it correctly registered. there has been some real horror stories with standard Westfields still registered as Escorts etc.

I hope not to be eating my words later this year after an IVA

The good news is the loom I ordered from Westfield at the beginning of October has just arrived so I can now start making some progress.

[beng4]

You will be fine then. IVA is a pain in the arse, it picked up a couple of points that were relevant on my build ( and many that were not) but at the end of the day just a hurdle you have to accept these days to correctly register a car.

I dont see why so many people have an issue with it to be honest, if an eleven can get through (with a few tweeks) anything can get through if properly built, budget the IVA test into your build and its not a problem. Plenty of expertise on here, let us know if any qs.

B.

[bobwhittaker]

Regards stories of Westfields registered as Ford Escorts , at the NEC show November 2012 I was looking closely at a Ford GT40 replica, obviously fitted with the obligatory huge V8 etc. etc. and to my " Horror " the tax disc showed it was classed as a " FORD CORTINA "

[OldEleven]

Hi,

I have owned a Westfield Eleven for many years, which was correctly licenced as a 'Westfield', using the Westfield Chassis number (KR-....), but with the pre-68 donor first registration date. Unfortunatelly, the car has been sold a number of years ago. I'm now in the process in buying another Eleven, but this car is registered as an MG Midget, which is not allowed for the admnistration.I'"m thinking of re-registering this car in the UK first, but want to keep the old first registration date (< 1968). However, my understanding is that more recently licenced/build Elevens now have 2006-2014 registration dates, which does not match the emission norms within the country.

So here is my question : Is there an option within the UK, to keep the year of first registration date from the donor (< 1968), eventually the MG-chasis number as well, but rename the car from MG to Westfield on the V5 by the UK authorities ?!

Any advice, guidance and observations ?

Thanks

[beng4]

I think the only way to do this is via an IVA test and re-registration. You will end up with a different no. Plate (age related) and it will be a lot of effort.

B.