512BB wrote:Miked wrote: Are we going completely purust now on this forum
Only people with original chassis' are going this way Mike
But you are correct in what you say. Not only could you not get a Lotus chassis that was accurate in dims, at certain times in the 1980's, you could not buy a Lotus chassis at all, which is why I fitted a Spyder stressed skin unit to one of my cars. Don't tell anyone mind
Leslie
Leslie, the problem is not with Spyder's stressed skin unit, you would have no problem updating the number on your records with the DVLA. The problem is the Space frame Spyder offer and the Space frame rolling chassis that changes all the running gear too.
But all that said if you just don't declare the change no one will come chasing you, only problem would come if it wasn't declared on the insurance and of course the DVLA/Police have access to your insurance, if you don't tell the insurance and you have an accident then thats when the worm tin gets opened.
pharriso wrote:I think Brian Buckland sums it up well on page 151 of his manual:
"The chassis is a sub frame of the body so you do not have to inform DVLA that you have changed one. If you do DVLA will award you a Q number plate which is for kit cars. You have been warned."
First just remind me what the section is called in Mr Buckland's book? and how many times the word 'Chassis' is used as opposed to 'Sub-frame'?
By the letter of the law!!........The problem with that is any modification changing the original structure of the Body,Chassis or Frame is required to be declared according to the dvla..... The DVLA have a thing about the Numbers stamped on a cars, even if the metal bit under a Lotus Elan is a Subframe the only time you would get away with a change without telling them is when there is no manufactures ID mark, for example a Mini just has a part number with no id number so if you changed that for an identical item no one could prove it had been changed! if it was an E-type front subframe that had been replaced then that does have an ID stamp you would have to have a note made by an Engineer to explain it had been changed like for like.
The reason this isn't more of a problem is it's a accepted fact the Metal bit under a Lotus elan is a disposable item and for many years it's been claimed there is no need to declare it so buyers don't question it...... But you ring the DVLA and ask them their opinion (carefully)