Using tax exempt vehicle as a base
CompoSimmonite - 14/6/13 at 08:48 PM
Am I right in thinking that if I use my tax exempt 1972 vehicle (Austin Sprite) as a base (engine, gearbox, rear axle, rear suspension, front axle /
suspension / steering) for a "special" it would gain an age related registration but LOOSE the road tax exemption ?
Thanks.
Paul h
ReMan - 14/6/13 at 09:22 PM
Ha, depends on the DVLA on the day.
ISTR that the answer is no though, As the car was built now, even though registered on an "age related" plate
Mr Whippy - 14/6/13 at 09:57 PM
Simple answer is no you will not get to keep the sprite plate and the tax exemption that goes with it since you don't mention keeping the
chassis, if you were it would be classed as a body shell swap, also the chassis could not be altered like shortening it for example. People bend the
rules all the time like with land rovers but the standard chassis is a key item that must be used.
As above it will be an age related plate and an IVA test so maybe a more modern donor would be better?
You can get the forms from the DVLA and they explain the points system used quite clearly.
[Edited on 14/6/13 by Mr Whippy]
stevebubs - 14/6/13 at 10:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by CompoSimmonite
Am I right in thinking that if I use my tax exempt 1972 vehicle (Austin Sprite) as a base (engine, gearbox, rear axle, rear suspension, front axle /
suspension / steering) for a "special" it would gain an age related registration but LOOSE the road tax exemption ?
Thanks.
Paul h
Yes - you are correct on both counts:
- If you use enough parts to qualify for an age-related plate, it will gain one.
- It will not have tax exemption
blakep82 - 14/6/13 at 10:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
quote:
Originally posted by CompoSimmonite
Am I right in thinking that if I use my tax exempt 1972 vehicle (Austin Sprite) as a base (engine, gearbox, rear axle, rear suspension, front axle /
suspension / steering) for a "special" it would gain an age related registration but LOOSE the road tax exemption ?
Thanks.
Paul h
Yes - you are correct on both counts:
- If you use enough parts to qualify for an age-related plate, it will gain one.
- It will not have tax exemption
not noted yet, but to clarify, you won't keep the plate off the old car, but if for example its FEL385G, then you would get a different plate,
from the G suffix year, eg BDE812G, age related, but not the same plate
Not Anumber - 15/6/13 at 09:56 AM
But if the number itself is important for you to keep for sentimental reasons you could always transfer it off the vehicle, put it on retension then
transfer it back onto the kit following IVA.
CompoSimmonite - 15/6/13 at 10:29 AM
OK I fully accept road tax exemption would be lost if I use all the components on a new chassis.
So now plan B 
Is the road tax exemption also lost on "Radically Altered" vehicles ? Obviously BIVA would still be required.
I'm thinking of altering the Sprite into the look of a Arkley / Dragonfly.
Lima, Dragonfly & Midget -
The rear would be fabicated steel rather than a fibreglass moulding as Arkley, Dragonfly or Frogeye conversions. Front is bolt on panels so
wouldn't affect anything. I'd also modify doors (rear hinged and extended front) so A post would be reshaped. This could, however, be done
at a later date if BIVA passed on rear bodywork - if you know what I mean Wheelbase would be extended but I can get around affecting anything by
making a bolt on subframe that attached to exisiting suspenion mounts (Dragonfly has longer front chassis rails to replace the original so
wouldn't go that route)
So do radically altered vehicles keep road tax exemption ?
BTW I have got a Plan C 
Cheers.
Paul H
Mr Whippy - 15/6/13 at 02:41 PM
Hmm given the sprite is more a monocoque chassis rather the traditional ladder type I think radically customising it like that and then trying to keep
the original registration would be like trying do the same with a focus...
Not a good choice of donor for that project, a spitfire would have been a better choice, can you not just restore the sprite?
CompoSimmonite - 15/6/13 at 04:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Hmm given the sprite is more a monocoque chassis rather the traditional ladder type I think radically customising it like that and then trying to keep
the original registration would be like trying do the same with a focus...
Not a good choice of donor for that project, a spitfire would have been a better choice, can you not just restore the sprite?
What it comes down to is I have poor health so am very limited in what I can do. If I restore the Sprite then I'll use up a large amount of my
capabilitys for a long time and at the end have a vehicle that isn't my ideal car. Better then to just work on things that appeal to me. Building
is massive part of the enjoyment and planning / dreaming for me and is a hobby in it's own right with the bonus of being able to drive the end
result. I can no longer ride my (4) motorbikes so an open toped sports car is four wheeled alternative rather than a mid life crisis (I've had
numerous convertibles in the past out of the 100+ car's I've owned)
All is not lost as there is a Plan C - sell sprite and buy a rotten Austin Somerset with perfect chassis and running gear to use as a base to build a
special Already joined the A40 Owners Club a little while ago as expected that might be the route i'd have to take. Already confirmed as long
as A40 chassis 100% original then DVLA class as a simple rebody so no BIVA and in fact both MOT and tax exempt 
Thanks.
Paul H
Mr Whippy - 15/6/13 at 06:38 PM
If you sell the sprite and I'm sure you'll find a buyer a kit car I'd recommend would be the JBA falcon, I had one and it was an
extremely enjoyable car to own and work on, you can find cortina based examples for around 3k