Coupe to Roadster DVLA Registration

[simonhaughton]

I have Mk1 1962 Etype that was converted from a coupe to a roadster when it was totally rebuilt in 1986. I have all the bills relating to this and the car is currently with a specialist who tell me it’s indistinguishable from one originally built as a roadster.
However the V5 was never amended and it still records the car as still being a coupe.
Does anyone have experience in dealing with DVLA in similar circumstances ? - I would like the car to be correctly described on its V5 but I don’t want to open a can of worms !!
Thanks
Simon

[MarekH]

Assuming you have had a v5 for the past 30 years, you are in a better position than someone who is just applying for one.

There is some guidance on this on the supplementary notes regarding changing one's taxation class to Historic Status for 40+ year old vehicles, in that they explicitly allow for the change in taxation class if it can be proved changes of the type you specified were made over thirty years ago. That implies they let you have a v5 for a modified car of that age if it meets the tests specified.

That doesn't mean they'll change the v5 in the way you want or not be ready with the tin opener, but they ought not deny you having a v5 for the modification. Flipping the argument on its head, it also means if any of the receipts for such a modification are from less than 30 years ago, you can't change a v5 taxation class to Historic and almost certainly do open a can of worms.

See https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-criteria for the acceptable alterations

kind regards
Marek

[mgcjag]

Hi Simon..In my opinion its very likely you will run into problems have a look at this thread and then as mentioned get in touch with Keith Vincent at the JEC who may be able to help...How would you describe the car on the V5....You cant describe it as a roadster becaus it isnt.....its chassis number will always show its a fhc.....a true description is a converted vehicle....Steve http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php? ... 7fc47791d9
keith.vincent@uwclub.net

[simonhaughton]

Thank you for the replies - I would certainly never try and pass the car off as an original roadster - I am happy with its history of being a car completely rebuilt and modified 35 years ago by an eminent marine engineer. Amazingly it’s never actually been used since the rebuild and I am now having it recommissioned.
My principal concern is that’s it’s just incorrectly described on the V5 and that may give rise to some insurance issues if I don’t do something.
I bought the car with a view to making it into a pre 63 FIA race car - but it’s just too nice!
Simon

[mgcjag]

Hi...its obviously an early car......another option is to convert it back to a fhc....then you have no problems. ...Steve

[steve3.8]

Simon ,
Your honesty is appreciated.
If you disclose to the DVLA i think same as Steve you will run into problems , my guess is they will immediately assign a temporary 16 digit chassis number to your V5 until the vehicle is inspected and decided upon--so you could end up battling over the original chassis number never mind fhc Vs roadster ! .
Jaguar did us a favour long term with the chassis numbering , yours if rhd fhc starts 86**** , rhd roadster 85**** , lhd are also different 88****---, apologies if you already know.
I cannot see the DVLA switching the body style on the V5 and letting you also retain the chassis number .

Race it

[abowie]

Numbers aside there is the potential to get into an engineering/safety battle with the DVLA resulting in your not being able to road register your car.

I would not poke the sleeping dog.

[Simon P]

Numbers aside there is the potential to get into an engineering/safety battle with the DVLA resulting in your not being able to road register your car.

And that's before JLR's copyright lawyers get wind of it!

[Simon - that's a joke by the way (or at least, I hope it is.... )]

[TurboScab]

Your difficulty is that failure to notify this alteration to DVLA is an offence, carrying a max fine of £1000 under the Registration and Licensing Regulations. Additionally, every use of the car on the road while the particulars of its registration are incorrect is also an offence. Again, this carries a max fine of £1000.

Well, who cares, I hear you say, DVLA won't ever find out. But any copper in a car with Number Plate Recognition is going to see that it's registered as a coupe and may want to stop you for an explanation. Up to you if you want to take the risk.

[Robbiee]

Weld a roof on ....much prettier

[tinworm]

Well it is technically a coupe - a drop head coupe or DHC.

Barrie

[vee12eman]

Fit a hard top? I fell in love with the E-type shape through a series 1 OTS, fitted with a factory hard top. Then it’s definitely a coupe.

Regards,

Simon

[inner pickle]

I had my 2+2 in with a restorer who was very keen to saw the roof off for me.

sacrilege - revert back to a FHC and get your value back on track methinks?

[cactusman]

I'd agree..FHC look better anyway ..DVLA may issue a new chassis no and even the dreaded Q plate.....so mandatory MOT and no free car tax either..

[MarekH]

I really don't understand all of the speculative opinions offered up here.

On what basis can DVLA deny historic status if it is applied for?
Have any of you read the current guidance notes for the information on the v5?
The changes were made over 30 years ago and the original poster says this documented.

See https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... idance.pdf

None of this implies the "coupe" description will be changed by the DVLA, but I see no basis for most of the scare mongering people are coming up with.

kind regards
Marek

[christopher storey]

Marek : with all due respect, the document to which you have referred us quite specifically states at the end

"This guidance is only intended to determine the testing position of a
substantially changed vehicle, not its registration"

[mgcjag]

Hi Marek.....The original post is about a change in registration......the vehicle has been sustantially altered therefore legaly this should be notified to the DVLA.....who have already withdrawn registration from a 2+2 that was converted to a roadster that i know of and refer to in the link i posted above......all information can be found here....https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration ..as mentioned by Christopher your links only refer to mot exemption....... Steve

[Philk]

I agree with earlier posts. This has the potential to get into a very messy position (safety and the car's Chassis No. not mirroring the body style to name but two).

Personally, I would convert the car back to a FHC. The car is then original to its body number, chassis number and mirrors the V5C.