7 replies to this topic

[nollyd]

Hi all.its been a while.
Just a quick one.basically my 87 shell has seen better days so im looking for a shell to replace.im not swapping id.
Are 1980 shells the same as 1987 shells.
What do i need to look for when purchasing the shell.cheers

[Compdoc]

There are more body panel changes over the years than most people realise, but all are pretty minor and nothing that would stop you fitting the parts from your '87. The injection cars have a few more changes but even then nothing that you can't work around. The hard part is finding one without the creeping brown stuff!

[nollyd]

Great thanks.just trying to juggle the idea.spend out on mine or go for another shell.looking round at mo.

[tiger99]

You can't legally change used shells in the UK. You can only restore the old one, using as many new panels as necessary, or fit a new shell from the original manufacturer or their successor, i.e. Heritage, in which case you need to inform DVSA of the new shell number. If you give them the number of a used shell, they will immediately know what you have done, and your car is likely to be crushed. You will most likely be fined, and if you are allowed to keep the car it will be required to go through an IVA test, which it will fail on many items..

 

This has been stated many times by many people on the forum.

 

A used shell is only useful in motorsport etc and will never, ever be allowed to go on the public highway. Why do people continue to give bad advice?

[mini_in_progress]

You can't legally change used shells in the UK. You can only restore the old one, using as many new panels as necessary, or fit a new shell from the original manufacturer or their successor, i.e. Heritage, in which case you need to inform DVSA of the new shell number. If you give them the number of a used shell, they will immediately know what you have done, and your car is likely to be crushed. You will most likely be fined, and if you are allowed to keep the car it will be required to go through an IVA test, which it will fail on many items..
 
This has been stated many times by many people on the forum.
 
A used shell is only useful in motorsport etc and will never, ever be allowed to go on the public highway. Why do people continue to give bad advice?

Its my understanding he CAN legally do as he suggests as hes not changing the id, the new shell will get all his running gear transpanted all he has todo is change the engine number on the new log book and colour if he changes it.

[Broomer]

I don't see the problem in swapping 100% of components from one shell to another providing the correct iDs remain on the relevant shell?
The way tigers post reads suggests you should never buy or sell a project i.e a shell and a box load of bits.

[mini_in_progress]

I don't see the problem in swapping 100% of components from one shell to another providing the correct iDs remain on the relevant shell?
The way tigers post reads suggests you should never buy or sell a project i.e a shell and a box load of bits.

Correct, as far as i know a shell with NO ID is useless and illegal to swap id tags

[DeadSquare]

I suppose things change, but  50 years ago, when I welded the back half of a Pick-up to the front of a Clubman, the authorities simply insisted that it was, what ever the front part was.

 

About the same time, I welded the back of my brother's crumpled S to the front of a Hornet, and was able to register it as an MG Bee.