Anyone done the convertible conversion?

[docgibbons]

so were the saloons

[lambrettalad]

it's kudos .plain and simple ,as long as people believe one is better than the other then a price premium will exist ,it is as if the workers in the factory were guided and worked with some super natural ethos directed by gods
it's the same in the scooter world,with say lambretta TV175 or SX200 etc(not always as good as they think they are ,having owned and sold both)

[tysonn]

Had my inspection this morning.We arrived 20 mins early but the chap came straight out.Took all of about 8 minutes.He asked me what had been done to it structurally,checked the Vin number,said what a nice car it was going to be and that he couldnt envisage any problems.He said I would hear from Swansea quite soon.No charge BTW.In his opinion Vosa would be taking over from them when they all close down.Will let you know when I hear more.

[moggyminor16]

told you same as what i had mate weldone

[wstead]

As far as I'm aware the DVlLA still use the points system to decide where a reg number belongs. The issue is how much you alter the shell, past a certain stage (decided I'm guessing by the inspection) then you lose the points for your shell. This would only cost you your reg number if you have non standard engine and non standard axles, suspension etc. So too many mods and you could lose the required number of points and then your id and reg..
The example I have in mind, Guy takes a Morris minor Traveller and mounts the body on a range rover chassis, that would then be registered under the range rover id. At that point he is free to take all his original Morris engine, gearbox, axles and suspension and build a nice 2 seat locost sports car. That would then retain the points for the morris and be a tax exempt lotus look alike ,e.g a re-bodied Morris minor. You could even park the two vehicles next to each other and have a chuckle every night at the dvla system.
There has recently been some very strict changes to the rules however, in the above example you can't alter the Range Rover chassis, even cutting an un-needed bracket off would render it non original and lose you your chassis points and possibly in the above example the id (since you would have already lost points for not having the Range Rover shell).
Of course my information is from the press etc so could be totally wrong.

[tysonn]

Well finally I can give a definitive outcome result so others will know whats involved in the future.A reinforcement I think to C6Daves comments in another thread about the doubters and doom and gloom merchants.I was told that the inspection would cost a fortune,I would lose the original reg: number and be given a "Q" plate etc,etc.None of this is actually true.Maybe those of you driving converted cars with incorrect V5 details may be prompted to get it done to save possible problems in the case of an accident where the assessor refuses to pay out!
The V5 arrived today.
Bodytype Convertible.
Registration still with the car and still transferable.

[charlie_morris_minor]

Well done and thank you for taking the time to come back with the definitive answer

I did try to warn you about all this - you were quite cheeky with me on the matter!! So it turns out I was correct after all? An apology would seem to be due.....

so over to you Roy..

[IaininTenbury]

Just done one. Sent V5 + photos of car to DVLA with letter and it came back with the body style altered to convertible.
No inspection or anything. Apparently they just look at a sample of cars ands its just luck if you get chosen for inspection or not.
Anyway a simple enough process!

[tysonn]

With that sort of luck you want to buy some lottery tickets this week ;-).