Anyone done the convertible conversion?

[tysonn]

Thanks Louise for the update.Re-reading the thread you did tell me to get in touch with John Thomasson earlier but I missed it.Of course I will now do so.And yes it stands to reason if CW are doing it regularly they maybe just put a covering letter in with each application.
Thanks again
Mick

[moggyminor16]

hi ya we had the same thing rob helped us out but still needed to go to DVLA all they checked was that it was completed the reg was correct and the vin plate was correct as what was stamped on the body the longest part was towing teh moggy on a trailer to dvla that was all they did with us a cuple years ago
worth it in the end trust me but you will have to move for the sun lol

[irmscher]

I think you will find BMC is right regarding monocoque construction and it states so in Ray newells book The original Morris Minor ! surely Ray cant be wrong after all these years of hard work and dedication regarding the Minor

[tysonn]

To moggyminor16.I was beginning to wonder if there actually was anybody out there that had been through this!Wish you had contributed to the thread earlier.You didnt mention if DVLA asked for payment for this inspection?If so how much was it?Although my local DVLA is only 30 miles away I envisage being able to drive the car there on the same premise as if it was going for an MOT,i.e car is insured and test has been pre-booked.

[moggyminor16]

i did reply before but it went
well we had the same as you know
at first they was trying to come and see the car at my address but it was just a shell so i had to get it done then i went away with the army came back got intouch with the local DVLA (you should have the number so that you can arrange teh inspection ) they could not do any more inspections at home addresses so i arranged a day off borrowed a trailer took it to them as i had no tax nor mot and was about 40 miles to go there . as i recall there was no charge as they wanted it inspecting to make sure it was the same car and that it was safe . it has a reg a look book the lot so they are requesting that they would like to see it so they should not charge ask them if they say they want paying then say to them "ok you want to see the car then no charge or you want the log book back stating its still a saloon" there are many cars out there that are convertibles and hard tops as well i hope this helps if not please send me a email i will see what paper work i have still and email you back but do call teh Vosa inspection lot see what they say dont be worried about it its only to check it to see if you have what you say you have

chris

moggyminor16@hotmail.com[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[tysonn]

Thanks for that Chris.Emailing you now.
Mick

[irmscher]

You cant threaten the Dvla

[tysonn]

LOL!!!!!!No matter how much you would like to.

[moggyminor16]

very ture however can use diffrent departments and use what they say against each other some times you do win

[bmcecosse]

Two/three years ago that would be fine - it's much more strict these days. The Mini lads have been having loads of trouble with all this, and even engine upgrades from 998 to 1275 were causing all manner of mayhem, although I believe that has calmed down now.....

[irmscher]

EEC legislation has tightened things up and everything has to be done to ruling but not as strict as some EEC countries

[tysonn]

Still waiting for pics Lee.

[IaininTenbury]

I would have thought the fact that you are modifying the body from standard spec to another 'standard' spec works well in your favour. The rules are intended for the customiser and radical modifiers (roof chops, stretches, massive engines and separate chassis etc...) and just happen to catch the convertible converter...
A letter from a club rep or Minor specialist confirming the conversion has been done properly should help if theres a problem.

[tysonn]

Had to go to mt local DVLA today to change the Traveller from PLG to Historic(how all the POs never realised they didnt have to buy road tax beats me).While I was there I explained about the convertible conversion and asked what was involved for them to check it out.He said its quite simply a matter of taking the car there at a designated time and the person in question checks any body/chassis/engine numbers against the V5 details.If any receipts are available from the purchase of the conversion parts it would be helpful.He said the only time he has known the vehicle to lose its original reg: has been with kit cars,i.e a car that started life as for example a Sierra and became a Cobra by way of a substantially differing bodyshell/suspension/etc set up.I told him about all the speculation,imaginary conclusions,speculation of costs etc(its free by the way) and he shook his head and smiled and told me that from what I had told him there would be no problem.Should be able to get the pics taken and sent off to DVLA in a couple of weeks then no doubt have another long wait until they send me for the test but I'm feeling more confident of a good outcome now.

[moggyminor16]

did tell ya mate all the best hope all gos well only took about 3 weeks from when i sent the letter in whan i was ready

[charlie_morris_minor]

hope it goes well to.. you seem to be going through a bit of a roller coaster of a journey.. fingers crossed

[tysonn]

Thanks for the good wishes lads.All will be revealed shortly!

[tysonn]

Well its been a couple of months since the last one.Basically because when a test date arrived it was for Leeds DVLA which is 70 miles from me(bear in mind car has to be trailered).I called them to change it to Beverley DVLA which is 40 miles closer!When the appointment came it was for an inconvenient time so today I managed to change it.Absolute nightmare getting to actually speak to someone but once I got through they were extremely helpful and let me pick any time I wanted on any Thursday(this is the day they do them and its every 20 minutes).So its booked for a week next Thursday.By that time I should be able to actually drive it onto the trailer!One thing the form stipulates is that if the chassis plate is unreadable its an instant fail!Which leads me to a question about body numbers I'm just about to put in the bodywork section if anyone can help.

[docgibbons]

there's a school of thought that converted saloons are actually a better bet than original convertibles, assuming done properly. mine was done about eight years ago now, and it was a top job. i dont really know why originals fetch more money. if i had a choice of the two in identical condition, and the converted saloon was, say, 25pc cheaper, why would i buy the original? assuming, as i said, they were in the same condition.

[faversham999]

because they were made in the factory