20 replies to this topic

[Mito]

The government have launched a call for evidence on how to future proof classic cars.

As many of us are diyers when it comes to maintaining our minis, is anyone intending to respond?

https://www.gov.uk/g...nd-back-drivers

Edited by Mito, 09 May 2024 - 06:47 PM.

[beardylondon]

Put it this way, you wouldn’t take an antique clock and rip out the carefully crafted movement and replace it with a battery driven movement, which runs on rare earth minerals, and costs a fortune and will never pay for itself.
Electric cars have their place, but messing up perfectly good classic cars is a ridiculous concept. I think people will laugh at us when they look back in 20 years time and remember how we destroyed motoring history.

Edited by beardylondon, 09 May 2024 - 10:03 PM.

[Mito]

I don't see how an electric conversion is different to transplanting a different car/bike engine into a mini. Granted the majority may not do that but in principle it is exactly the same.

For me it comes down to practicality, I enjoy driving my mini and if it becomes difficult or impossible to find fuel or venture into cities, then an electric conversion or other modern tech conversion is likely to become more appealing regardless of my desire to stick with the a series - if I can't use it, then it'll be converted so that I can.

[Steam]

I am trying to think of something good or constructive to say on this but I cannot, so I will not say anything.

[Mito]

I am trying to think of something good or constructive to say on this but I cannot, so I will not say anything.

The conservatives won't be seeing this through is fairly constructive

[mab01uk]

 

I am trying to think of something good or constructive to say on this but I cannot, so I will not say anything.

The conservatives won't be seeing this through is fairly constructive

 

 

When the new Labour government got back in last time, Gordon Brown as Chancellor for Tony Blair immediately abolished the rolling 25 year classic car Tax Exemption brought in by the Tories a few years earlier in his first budget in 1997. He called it a "Bangers Charter" for polluting old classic cars....the Tories re-instated it on their return at 40 years rolling tax plus MOT exemption for classic cars.

Edited by mab01uk, 10 May 2024 - 08:43 AM.

[Shooter63]

The government have launched a call for evidence on how to future proof classic cars.

As many of us are diyers when it comes to maintaining our minis, is anyone intending to respond?

https://www.gov.uk/g...nd-back-drivers

Are you sure this isn't some form of April 1st joke, for a government paper to keep using film/TV references just seems a bit wierd.
On the EV classic mini front I know someone who has done it, they get just over 80 miles from a charge.

Shooter

[Bobbins]

This isn't just about electrifying classic, it's about whatever drivetrains and fuels are developed in the future and how that can be applied - "evolving technologies". To dismiss this because you don't like EVs only shows that you didn't read the document.

[mab01uk]

Some may remember this 1960 Mini EV conversion in the link below and the problems that a TMF member had with the DVLA for drilling an extra hole in the bodyshell?

 

"The DVLA inspectors couldn't fault the conversion, but due to the holes the car needed an IVA test which it could never pass.
They refused to allow the holes to be welded up so this was terminal and the car was scrap."

 

Petition To Allow Classic Car Ev Conversions To Continue:-

https://www.theminif...ns-to-continue/

Edited by mab01uk, 10 May 2024 - 11:24 AM.

[Shooter63]

This isn't just about electrifying classic, it's about whatever drivetrains and fuels are developed in the future and how that can be applied - "evolving technologies". To dismiss this because you don't like EVs only shows that you didn't read the document.

If I'm honest I haven't believed or read a word from any government since 1990 ish, I was working for the MOD at the time when Blair stood up in Parliament and told the nation that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction able to hit us in a few minutes, I happened to walk into the front room when he was on TV, these were my exact words " well that's total bollo@#s and he knows it is" a couple of years later with hundreds of or service personnel dead and thousands injured I wasn't wrong.

Shooter

[Spider]

What's the agenda here ?

Really - how many classics are going to be converted to warrant new legislation for them ? 

 

Bear in mind, 99% of classics out in the world today only do low mileage, so in the scheme of Carbon Emissions they are going to make bugger all difference. I think it's a silly move to convert one, devalue it and seriously reduce it's appeal.

Also, overall, the UK only contributes something like 0.9% - in total from all sources, not just cars - to the world's carbon emissions, so it won't make a lick of difference other than some poor misguided owners feeling warm and fuzzy inside for a while until reality sets in.

 

[coopertaz]

the amount the uk produce is not in doubt but the government will detremine what we drive if they limit supply, think hydrogen, also when lpg. prices shot up as people converted to them. diesel now more expensive than petrol after we were all sold on the emmission benefits of diesel.

so in short go with what you like until whoever makes the rules decides otherwise we will have bugger all say as whoever you vote in will spout what they need to get to play in no.10

[Midas Mk1]

I don't see how an electric conversion is different to transplanting a different car/bike engine into a mini. Granted the majority may not do that but in principle it is exactly the same.

For me it comes down to practicality, I enjoy driving my mini and if it becomes difficult or impossible to find fuel or venture into cities, then an electric conversion or other modern tech conversion is likely to become more appealing regardless of my desire to stick with the a series - if I can't use it, then it'll be converted so that I can.

 

High voltage, that's the biggest issue for any retrofit into a classic, its a hidden / invisible danger, that could be deadly to the uneducated, which will push such a conversion to a specialist only in terms of fitting or repair. 

Especially when involving Isolation issues.
 

[SolarB]

This survey is not just about converting classics to electric drive, it covers much more than that.

"3.14 To what extent should a vehicle be rebuilt before DVLA needs to be informed?"

Survey closing date is the 4th of July, I'd urge everyone to put aside a little time to look at this and respond.

 

https://www.gov.uk/g...nd-back-drivers

[beardylondon]

All very sensible to ask for opinions. I’m apolitical, but looking at last local elections for Mark Harper’s (conservative) constituency, Labour won. If he gets kicked out at the next election, I wonder if there’s someone to take the lead. As someone said previously it’s possible that Labour scrap it, as it was a conservative thing.

Edited by beardylondon, 21 May 2024 - 07:54 AM.