12 replies to this topic

[mini35le]

My mini 35 shell is in a bit of a state and I'm not sure what i should do with it. After stripping the front end off to replace it with a steel flip front I've found-

• The scuttle panel needs replaced.
• The top rail/bulkhead panel needs serious repair work.
• Both flitch panels need repair panels.
• Outer/inner sill needs replaced on one side.
• Boot floor needs a half panel replacement.
• Floor pans need a bit of work.
• Various other small welding stuff(closing panels etc).

Now the thing is after posting in the wanted section for a shell to put my running gear into GuessWorks( cheers mate) has offered me one that needs a bit of work( which is cool as i intended to blast/repair/refinish before i started refitting the mechanicals) but has also informed me that legally i would have to Q plate it which means hassle with the insurance and the dreaded SVA test instead of a normal MOT. So now I'm undecided if i should just keep my own shell and repair it rather than doing the re-shell.
My main area of concern is the top rail/bulkhead repairs as i don't know if repair panels are available which means loads of difficult fabrication of panels in a bit where i know I'll have to get spot on or the red demon(rust!!) will probably return due to the windscreen rubbers trapping moisture like they do.
I did think about just re-shelling it and changing the chassis tags but don't really want to go down that road just in case the worse happens and I'm left up poo creak without the proverbial rowing stick.
So any advice?? sorry for the long post but needing to get started with this one way or the other cause I'm missing my wee car.

[miniboo]

get the welder out and crack on i say.

[Dan]

You only need the SVA once you know, after that it's normal MOTs. And there's no MOT for the first three years after an SVA as you technically have a new car.

[miniboo]

can a mini actuallly pass an SVA though?

[mini35le]

I thought it would be difficult to get through but surely not impossible...what makes you say that??

[Dan]

Lots of parts can't, but they will tell you what needs changing to pass the test. I think it was established the other day that the basic shell can pass. Personally I'm still not certain that the seam covers meet the requirements for protrusions but someone said they do. You'd need to put trim over all the panel edges that aren't normally covered (bottom of the front and rear valences for example).

[mini35le]

sounds like more hassle than it worth to be honest....even though the thought of no MOT for 3 years is appealing!!! Anybody no the legal implications of building my running gear into another shell if i got a v5 with it?? would it just be like replacing worn out parts on an old car or do you have to have so many items from the original vehicle to keeps its identity??

[Dan]

Sure do, you'd be building a ringer. You can't use a logbook and a shell any more, in fact you haven't been able to for years and years. You need the shell and at least two major assemblies from a specific list of parts to be original, and all other parts must be completely new or fully reconditioned to as new condition otherwise it's back to a Q plate and SVA. Think about it, the only difference between that and the other option is which V5 you're using.

[jack_marshall]

Before anyone goes nuts... I know criminals do this.. but then again, we're not criminals.

If I was you, Id be getting out the 1/8th drill bit and the rivet gun, swapping the plates and having the old shell squashed. Yeah I know its "illegal" and all that, but unless your a criminal stealing cars and messing with identies...

But then again, im not you, and you shouldn't listen to something that is my opinion.

Im sure Q plates dont cause problems with insurance if you explain why it's Q plated?

Dont bite my head off

[minisprint]

how do you get away with building a car from a heratige shell and subframes.like they have in the mags then?

[Dan]

New parts are permitted, as I said above. Second hand parts already have an identity.

Jack, if you do that then you are indeed a criminal. Sorry.

The VIN is on more than just the VIN plate. You'd have to swap the scuttle panels on the cars as it's etched into that. Tampering with the stamped VIN is obvious signs of a ringer, no-one would touch it. Also MOT stations are now able to refuse to test you if they think there's anything dodgy with your car or it's paperwork and they should report ringers.

[mini35le]

Me thinks I've opened a big can of (tin??)worms here...

So really unless i want to be driving round in whats basically a 'ringed' car its a case of repairing my own shell, cause from the sounds of it the SVA isn't feasible.

Makes you wonder how many 'ringed' minis there are out there though??

And as for the VIN on the scuttle panel, does this mean if, sorry , when i replace the scuttle on my shell I'll have to get it my VIN stamped in?? Wont this look more like I've something to hide?? Or is there a official way of doing this??

We all know all this is to stop car thieving scum from ringing motors, but come on, doesn't this seem like another way for older cars to be gotten of the roads unless you have a large amount of money to buy your way back onto it again?? >

Sorry rant over, normal service will resume soon....

thanks for all the replies.......

[Dan]

No, it's a way for dangerously rotten cars to be taken off the road. If it had been properly maintained throughout its life then all the bills wouldn't come at the same time.

There must be a legal way to replace the panel with the VIN stamped into it, check with your local bodyshop what they would do as all cars have the VIN stamped somewhere. Or you can buy a brand new shell, I know they're expensive but it's a lot easier. I've done it.

As for how many ringed Mini's are there, hundreds by these rules but they haven't been in force long. If you'd been doing this 10 years ago it would probably have been legal, the rules change all the time.

Edited by Dan, 23 March 2006 - 02:05 PM.