Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all.I am in the process of restoring a minor.I had intended to weld up my car,which is a 62 grey 2 door, but when I started stripping it, found that it was absolutely rotten, so I decided to buy a good shell, all welded and sound, which is a 69 Trafalger Blue 2 door, and transfer all of the parts over, restoring everything as I go before putting on to new shell.The question is, what car do I register with the DVLA,the 62 original car or the 69 shell transplant with all parts fitted !!! I have the V5's for both, but don't know which I should cancel.

I think in theory, at least, you should use the ID of the shell that you are using. That way it would be like you had restored the 69 car. Engines, axles, gearboxes etc could well have been changed (and would be expected to have been changed) many times in the life of the car....

Hi.Thanks for that.I thought that might be the case.

Someone may correct me here, but if you have an engine and gearbox for the '62 and fit it, you could legally sell it on with the V5 (to an enthusiastic restorer).

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to sell a bare shell with a V5 and use the original plates, if you do it has to go on a Q plate. There is not enough of the original car remaining. I think many do get away with it though provided you can be certain the plates aren't on something else rotting in a barn waiting to be found.

I'm not sure that it is "illegal" to sell a shell with ID. Certainly you can not just sell the ID by itself as many are used to ring cars, however, this is not the case here. It can easily be interpreted as "restoring the 69 car and using the 62 car as a parts doner". To be completely "legal" the sensible thing to do would be to then officially scrap the 62 on the DVLA computer..... Changing parts on a bodyshell would not rob the vehicle of its ID and would not require a Q plate. How many Minors are still on their original engines, gearboxes etc now....?

Hi.I was going to scrap the other car, whichever one it may be.I just want to make sure it is ok to do this.

I was reading it on another forum somewhere.

Someone quite innocently buys a shell and the V5 they assume is for that shell, all tags on the body work match the V5. They then lovingly spend thousands restoring the car and use it on the road.

Five years later in another part of the country, someone pulls out of their barn and old nail..... but can't find the V5. They then fill out a DVLA online document to get another V5 for it.

DVLA then notice that there is a duplication and request both cars have their registration documents suspended while experts check both vehicles.

One of the two cars is crushed as the identity has been impaired... sods law it won't be the barn find.

This has happened, and when I find the link to the story I'll post it up.


Gary, I think provided you are certain the shell of the later doner car has the correct V5 then you'll be ok.

http://www.guess-works.com/Minis/Skud/

There you go.. short and sweat, but I suppose it's a risk we should be aware of when buying shells.

I think that is the key question Dean... If you can be sure the shell has the correct paperwork, all is well. If not then the original vehicle ID might be the safer option....?

PSL184 wrote:If you can be sure the shell has the correct paperwork, all is well. If not then the original vehicle ID might be the safer option....?

Yes exactly, I'd hate to see a good honest man end up in a pickle. For the record I would have gone along with your advice and would have advised the same, until I read about the mini.

Is there noticable differences between 62 and 69 2 door shells? Could he get away with that easily enough. If the body tag and engine tag match exactly as per V5, would the body flag anything up?

The 69 body has to be that car as the VIN number should match the V5 (check it).

BTW, I hate to hear of a Minor being scrapped, why not put the bits you have onto your old shell and sell or give it away as a project. If you were driving it around till recently, it must be restorable.

chickenjohn wrote:The 69 body has to be that car as the VIN number should match the V5 (check it).

Working to the letter of the law yes, but a dodgy character would make both the same if he thought he could get rid of an old shell and a V5 his mate let him have. Other guy buys the shell and V5, restores the shell, then gives up and flogs it to Gary. As long as Gary is happy the source of the shell and V5 is legitimate, he has nothing to worry about. If in any doubt, personally I'd use the old one.

Hi.I am going to see if anyone wants the old shell.It may be of use to someone.
I live in Northumberland, and could deliver to a 30 mile radius for the cost of the fuel.

If you use the 69 shell - then you must keep it's identity. What you do with the 62 shell is up to you - you can certainly sell the shell - but it may be safer to officially 'scrap' it (ie sell it for scrap) and return it's V5 to DVLA having filled in the parts about scrapping it. This will prevent anyone resurrecting that ID at a later date! And will keep you in the clear. Nothing wrong with revamping the 69 car using parts from any other source - as long as the shell remains - then that IS the car!
You must NOT try to use the 62 ID on the 69 shell!

The '69 shell should have the chassis no. stamped on the engine compartment bulkhead?

If I can pass on the old shell, would I be able to pass on the V5 to the new owner ?