1961 or 1962?

[ALAN COCHRANE]

My car was built in November 1961 but not registered until February 1962. The question is which year should I list it as? I'm thinking it should be 1961, what have other Forumites done in this case?

[malcolm]

My car was built in 1969 but not registered until 1970. It existed as a car in 1969, so I describe my car as a '69.
The heritage certificate says '69.

[PeterCrespin]

Is it a US re-import?

In the US documentation it’s typical to list the model year, which is the calendar year after the year of manufacture for cars made after the summer break.

In the UK it’s usually aged by date of first registration.

Both systems are subject to anomalies. My 66 was built on April 5th and was the launch car on a turntable for the new model at a big Chicago dealer. The US title says 1967….

So the answer is potentially one of three different dates depending what the exact question on the form is: Year of Manufacture, Model Year or Date of First Registration

[Joes66]

In the uk, date of registration is its official year
Thats what insurance companies and the like use to date a vehicle and insure it as
This is how its always been
With expensive classic cars its financially beneficial to say a vehicle is older than it is
Unlike modern cars
My car for instance was built early January 1969 but was registered February the 5th
This would make my car a very early series 2
Which ofc it is
And it has many of the features and parts from the previous series 1 car fitted making it unusual but not worth any more
Or at least I don't think it does
However, calling a registered 62 car a 61 car could increase its value?
Possibly?
Or is it all just a bit of a talking g point?
Like my series 2 with series 1 fit out?
Thing is, the registration plate will always be the same so its down to the buyer to assertain if its worth more
When money is concerned moving goal posts is quite acceptable in classic car circles
Maybe body numbers would be a better way to think about it
Joe

[mgcjag]

It is possible to have an old classic that has never been registered with the dvla.....so if built in 1961 it will be a 1961 vehicle.......if you then decide to register it and provide all details to the dvla they will give it an age related plate(1961)......so a car built in 61 will always be a 61 built vehicle....but first registration date could be anytime.....Steve

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Steve

I tend to agree with you. Year of manufacture is fixed while registration can be delayed for a variety of reasons. No idea why my car waited four months to be registered, especially since at that time E-Types couldn't be bought for love nor money in the UK.
I'm going to change my signature detail to suit.

[tinworm]

I have a 308 Ferrari (RHD) which was first registered in 1981 - in Hong Kong. Everything on the car that is stamped says 1979. The parts on the car show late model -along with the build number. It was constructed during early 1980 but the car hung about for a year before sale and registration. During this period some rules changed in the UK regarding construction and use so the car needs a fog light to comply with them. When it came to the UK I bought it unregistered and sorted that for myself - it is X reg. No other 308 GTS's are X reg and many people ask me if it is a GTSi modified - a slight pain -haha.
Sorry for rambling on.

Barrie

[chrisfell]

“ In the uk, date of registration is its official year ”.

Without a Heritage Certificate none of us would be any the wiser. Once I had a HC for my car it could have two birthdays - its official birthday in October, marking the date of its registration, and its ’real’ birthday in February marking the day it came off the production line.

Why such a large gap between being born and first being used? I have no idea.