I am not an expert but I would say; " Yes you are stuck with the 'Q' plate."

In order to have had a 'normal' registration the car would have needed to have been built from, substantially, one doner vehicle and evidence produced to show what that vehicle was.

Under certain cicumstances it may have been possible for it to be registered as a *new* car in the year that it was built but it would then need to comply with all the current regulations; emmisions for instance for that year of car, however I don't believe that that was an option once the SVA regulations came into force and I just can't remember when that was.

It is obvious from your description of your car that it has been built from used components from several vehicles: the fact that the original builder works in a scrap yard suggests that he had a wide range of doners to choose from

The information that your car was first used in 1971 would most likely be an anomaly, probably relating to the age of one of the vehicles that was used for the construction but does not *really* mean that it is a 1971 car elligable for 'free' road tax.

Some people have had problems with early build kitcars being incorrectly registered and subsequently falling foul of 'SVA regulations, and have suffered a lot of grief because of it.

Your car seems to be correctly registered for what it is and it may be prudent to accept it.

Hope that helps and doesn't dissapoint too much.

You may receive further replies to your question, either supporting my view, or otherwise.

Nigel

Hi Larry.

I'm afraid I suspect Nigel is correct. DVLA have, over the past years, actually relaxed the almost automatic application of Q plates to kits, as they acknowledge many owners don't find them desirable. Basically, if you could show that a minimum of 2 (I think) MAJOR components came from the same donor, you could, in most cases, get an age-related plate. Therefore, if you could have shown that the engine/box and axles came from the same car, and you had the reg no. of that car (and the engine number corresponded on the V5!), then you'd have a good case.

However, your car has a Fiat-sourced engine and box, with Ford axles etc; I'm almost certain this will mean a 'no', I'm afraid.

(The only, 'dodgy', way around this, I think, is to find an early (pre-73, if you are interested in historic status) Cortina, and fit the engine and box from that car. You could then claim that this Cortina was the SOLE donor, and chance your arm... Obviously, you'd have to go to a different office! Lots of pitfalls - when was your new 'donor' last transfered? etc!!!)

I thought so.
Thanks for your time, and replies.