Morris Minor Owners Club

I have been reading 'Practical Classics' magazine and came across this article titled 'EC delivers death blow to classics'

Classic cars will be forced to conform with new European Community regulations, which will effectively make them unusable. British Euro MP's tried to counter the shock proposals, but were unable to veto more than two, which will be reassessed in six months. The ones that got through are as follows:

Permitted exhaust emissions will now be at modern car levels, regardless of the age of the vehicle. All vehicles used in built up areas must have a catalytic converter.

Any vehicle using a motorway must be equipped with drivers side airbag. Bakelite and other hard plastic steering wheels will be banned. Annual mileage must not exceed 3000 miles. Owners of pre-1980 vehicles will be required to log every journey in a specially provided form and send the form to DVLA every month. Pre 1975 vehicles will only be allowed on the roads on saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Tyres must be the original design and specification as those that were supplied at the factory. Rear lights must be upgraded to meet modern intensity levels. An EC sub-committee recommends the use of Volvo 240 light units'

The article goes on about open top cars and when regulations are likely to come into force. I think this is terrible because I can't afford to make expensive upgrades to my two moggies.

Not an April the 1st article is it! Or is this real? Utter madness.

Well that was worrying reading.
Does seem a bit OTT.

Even if i can afford to upgrade my car I don't know if there really would be any point. It is my everyday car so f this is true I will have to sell it as I cannot afford a second car and I couldn't manage just driving it on saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

I can't see people lying down and accepting this - assuming not an April Fool.

Well the article is from the April issue. Hope they are just teasing us.

I'm really shocked and worried by this. My Traveller is my only car, my day-to-day car. I loathe modern cars. And I chose a Morris because I'm convinced that the Durable Car Ownership philosophy is genuinely green (especially if, like me, you do fit a catalytic converter).

I can't believe people will comply with this absurdity. Can the Club provide us with any more info?

Jamesy

Relax everybody. It's an April Fool. Either that or I intend to buy every single Volvo 240 rear light that I possibly can and sell them for thousands of pounds per set to classic car users.

Hmm, actually, it's an April Fool............. for now.

Ken

Could they really bring in legislation like that? What are the chances do you think?

I think statisitics show over 90% of accidents on motorways are caused by lorries. So I think they will be banned before we have to have airbags fitted.

Or Volvo rear lights for all old cars

I know catalytic converters are a legal requirement in some areas of Germany.
Wheeler dealers on discovery bought a Merc sportscar from over there because it would have cost the owner to much money to convert for use and brought it back to England on a trailer to do up and flog on.
So theres maybe a bit of a grain of truth in the article.

This appears to be an April fool.Do you not think there are a good many MP's with Classic cars?As seen in the last week they tend to serve themselves first so I would say worry not.

I hope to god this is not true as I have just got my Minor, if its true it a f-ing load of crap, thing is though is a Minor is just as practical as any other small car and just as reliable

Yes, I keep telling people this, but unless they've owned one, it's really hard to convince some people that old cars aren't all death-traps.

I've had an hours worth of hunting online for any evidence and haven't found anything...

A clue Apparently this piece of legislation was due to come into force !st April! Panic not!

MP's with Classic Cars?
Only if they can claim it on expenses!

Some Jags are classics! MP's like Jags I think.

alanworland wrote:MP's with Classic Cars?
Only if they can claim it on expenses!