Moggy returns to Blighty after 48 years

[Orinoko]

Hi am a newbie but thought you might be interested in the history of my car.

In 1965 my Father bought a Morris Minor Delux in Taunton as a LHD to export to Portugal where we were going to live.This was the family car and would deliver me to school in Lisbon.

In 2006 upon the death of my Mother (my Father had died long before) I gave the car to my best mate,a portuguese guy so he could have a project to get a nice classic on the road.

6 weeks ago he decided after doing a complete strip and rebuilding to about 2 thirds finished(painted,engine/gearbox in,all running gear sorted,new wood) He decided to give the project up so I had the car shipped back to UK to finish it here in sunny Gloucestershire.Can't wait to get her finished though there is also a 40 year old German sports car to finish as well. Busy or what?

So here's my question: it did have a British reg no before being exported, so how do I do the paperwork to re import it, presumably after it is finished and MOT'd?

Looking forward to taking her to the Cheltenham meet when finished.

[bmcecosse]

Interesting story. Do you KNOW that original Reg Number? If so - discuss with DVLA. Are you keeping it LHD ??

[Orinoko]

I do know original number so will discuss with DVLA.Any tips as to best contact no for this please.

Beleive it should remain LHD and am also gonna refit the extra dials (ammeter,oil temp,water temp n performance) that my Father ordered extra plus a clock that was fitted in front of steering wheel.I also have an ID plaque that was a legal requirement in Portugal.Maybe even the extra CC plates it carried as a consular car,Mother was french consul.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

The technical tips adviser Rob Thomasson assists club members to retain original number plates, his contact details are in Minor Matters.

[POMMReg]

I do know original number so will discuss with DVLA.Any tips as to best contact no for this please.

Beleive it should remain LHD and am also gonna refit the extra dials (ammeter,oil temp,water temp n performance) that my Father ordered extra plus a clock that was fitted in front of steering wheel.I also have an ID plaque that was a legal requirement in Portugal.Maybe even the extra CC plates it carried as a consular car,Mother was french consul.

Before contacting Rob, do a bit of digging - I always advise this!

IF the car was FIRST registered in the UK, it will have carried a registration number. If it was bought from
a Taunton BMC dealer, chances are a YA,YB,YC,YD mark.
Contact Somerset Archives to see whether it's listed - ideally alongside chassis number!

Probably advisable to obtain a BMIHT Certificate too.

[morrisminorbzh]

In 1965 my Father bought a Morris Minor Delux in Taunton as a LHD to export to Portugal where we were going to live.This was the family car and would deliver me to school in Lisbon.


So here's my question: it did have a British reg no before being exported, so how do I do the paperwork to re import it, presumably after it is finished and MOT'd?

This just an thought : If I remember correctly weren't vehicules bought in the UK for private export given temporary 'Q' plates - you could buy tax-free if you exported before a certain deadline date (? 12 months).

Yes keep it LHD -

[POMMReg]

"Q" started in 1983/4, ie. A123 ABC - think so anyhow?

[morrisminorbzh]

"Q" started in 1983/4, ie. A123 ABC - think so anyhow?

I still have in the back of my mind a temporary registration system that existed back in the 1960s for vehicules bought tax-free in the UK (used mainly by servicemen in Germany).

You had one year to get the car out of the UK or you had to pay the purchase tax etc - a "Q" was used to indicate that it was bought tax-free. When the vehicule left the UK a declaration had to be made at the UK customs.

There must be an old bloke like me out there who can remember.................or enlighten us!?!

Found this - Seems that "Q" was used for temporary imports :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_re ... 32_to_1963

[busguy]

Also used for UK vehicles for many years, where the date of manufacturer/origin cannot be properly determined by DVLA, or previously, the motor tax offices.
Many kit cars, rebuilds, imports were stuck with a Q plate, which could not be transferred off and replaced by another reg number.
Temporary imports were allocated Q numbers through a London Motor Tax office. At least most of the QA marks onward to QS were issued, except the QI, QO, QR marks.