Hi all, new to the forum and looking for some honest, direct advice on where to go from here.
Bit of background. 15 years or so ago I had a Robin Hood for a couple of years great fun to drive, enjoyed the tinkering but I moved location and it
had to go. An opportunity arose a few weeks back to purchase a Tiger Cat “part finished” and fancied a winter project to get me back on the road for
next summer. All sounds good so far. I purchased the car from the original builder who has spent many years assembling the car and, once the dust has
been removed, it revealed a well planned quality build. But, and here is the issue and which after spend hours of trawling the interweb for a straight
answer I thought I’d ask those in the know, I knowingly purchased the car with some paperwork irregularities. Tiger original paperwork, manual and
chassis number. It came with a V5 for a Capri Auto, but that it clearly isn’t. It is fitted with a manual gearbox so can only assume that the only
parts from the donor car is the running gear. Plot thickens as no Pinto in sight but a lovely 1993 2.0 zetec with twin Dellorto’s. Everything plumbed
in and wiring complete and runs, needs tuning, but runs. However, since completion it has been covered for years in a garage and never been on the
road. I would dearly love to get this project finished and the car to get some road time which it deserves. So the question is what’s the best route
to achieving this or am I about to throw a load of time and money to reach a very frustrating end?
I realise that the V5 isn’t worth the paper it’s written on and for all intent and purpose is destined for landfill, recycled of course! Best case,
assuming that there is a chance of getting this thing legal I will drop the gearbox for a 5 speed.
Anyway, I am sure that you of heard of cases like this before and would appreciate your advice and support.
Thanks in advance and although I said be direct, please not too direct
[Edited on 31/8/24 by Andy WAFU]
you should be able to get it tested [ iva ] and register as a Q plate
If you need any Tiger assistance there is a Tiger group on Facebook who are quite helpful and Tiger still exist although I think they go under the ERA Banner these days. And as has already been said you should have no problem getting a Q plate.
Sounds like that's just a v5 from an early donor car, and plans changed along the way. You do need an iva test to get road legal, but many people have managed that. Hopefully the car has been built with the test in mind and won't be too much of a nightmare!
Whereabouts in West Yorkshire are you?
As said it looks like the Capri was a donor vehicle. If you can trace the gearbox, front upright and brakes and also the rear axle and brakes to being
Capri ones then you might be able to get it registered under the points system on a donor age related plate, otherwise it is a q plate. Also make sure
the Capri is Sorn, simple online form to fill out.
Also, as has been said, not sure the Cat was designed to pass IVA, maybe SVA so worth downloading the manual and making sure things like dash board
radii, covers over brake master cylinders, lighting spacing and position, side indicator repeaters and seat belt mounting points are compatible with
IVA, the face book tiger page may be able to help.
Edit - you will also need to check the age of the Zetec, iirc the year and month of manufacture is stamped on the block. Depending on the age you will
need injection and a cat (post 1997 I think) so if it is set up with carbs you may need to sort that out.
[Edited on 31/8/24 by Ugg10]
Thanks all for your comments and maybe the challenge ahead doesn’t seem as daunting as first expected.
Couple of responses/replies.
Q plate – I remember from when I had the Hood 2B that many scoffed at Q plated vehicles, never quite understood why, but more than happy to go down
that route.
Schrodinger – I’ll seek out the Tiger facebook group that could prove helpful. Noticed the ERA branding on the side of the sump that is fitted so that
answered a further question.
JoelP – Think that you are right with the V5 and change of plans mid-build. The previous owner had issues with the donor engine and purchased a recon
Zetec via Tiger and which is currently fitted to the car, hence why I am keen to keep this engine. I am located in Ackworth, the car is currently in
Northamptonshire but is being moved up over the coming weeks now that I know its worth progressing.
Ugg10 – I did read about the points system and will delve a little further into that. The V5 is currently being switched over into my name and if not
already will be SORN. I think that the answers to whether the car is IVA rather than SVA compatible will become apparent once I obtain a copy of the
IVA rules and regulations. The engine is stamped 1993 which I hope means that it doesn’t need a catalytic but if it does then it does and will obtain
one.
Again, thanks all.
I built a Tiger Cat in the early 2000's it wasn't difficult to get it through SVA and I doubt it would be hard getting it through the IVA test just get the manual from the DVLA website and follow that. As far as the engine age goes others have got away with using the Burton catalogue ( https://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-guide-pages/ford-manufacture-dates.html ) to show the age at IVA or write to Ford and ask them for the production date, unfortunately I don't have the department or address for this but search on this site should find it.
quote:
Originally posted by Andy WAFU
Q plate – I remember from when I had the Hood 2B that many scoffed at Q plated vehicles, never quite understood why, but more than happy to go down that route.
I think that the answers to whether the car is IVA rather than SVA compatible will become apparent once I obtain a copy of the IVA rules and regulations. The engine is stamped 1993 which I hope means that it doesn’t need a catalytic but if it does then it does and will obtain one.
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
Q plates are often looked down upon, not just in the Robin Hood arena. There is a certain stigma associated with them.
Go for a Q plate - no emissions test once through IVA only visible smoke to pass and the car becomes ageless unlike new registrations. I tried to get a Q but was awarded an age related plate - which I was sure I didn't qualify for and then had to pass emissions test every year at MOT. My current kit has - yippee - a Q plate!!!!