Intention to ban the use of the XK and similar engines in Kit Cars

[NATONEIL]

Ladies and Gentlemen
Although this document is starting to raise its head through social media, Many are not aware of the latest Department of Transport consultation document which was published on Feb 2 and sent to a very small number of organisations and agencies.

The consultation covers a number of areas ranging from new penalties for the fitment of emission defeat systems through to the new rules about lorry mirrors. However of interest to you is a proposal to change the IVA rules which requires all Kit Cars/vehicles tested under IVA from Jul 2018 to meet modern emission standards not the standards of the donor vehicle. The consultation ends on 2 March this year and has only been sent to a small the list of agencies and organisations. I shall be making an individual response and I suggest those with an interest in replicas and specials do likewise because without a considerable push from any and all from within small build/ kit car fraternity the use of engines older than 25 years will be outlawed from this summer.

A link to the document is as follows.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... safety.pdf

[Manbearpig]

Jeesus, do these beuracrats have nothing better to do.

The kit car industry is a shadow of its former self, how many realistically are registered each year? A couple of hundred? Hardly going to get the polar ice caps melting anytime soon.

Does this legislation also covers engine swaps in already registered vehicles, ie Rover V8 transplants in Capris etc?

[Tintin]

Jeesus, do these beuracrats have nothing better to do.

And with the other hand they scrap MOT testing for cars over 40 years old because they represent only a small percentage of cars on the road. Totally bats.

Robbie

[NATONEIL]

Good Point Robbie. If anyone has other ideas which I can add to my response please feel free to suggest them

[Mgcjag]

Hi Neil...thanks for picking this up.....it was me that put it on the facebook replica site.....im spredding the word as far as i can......will be writing to my MP tomorrow asking why only 1mth consultation and what we can do.....personally i have every thing ready to build a C type but cant have it done by July so thats £25k worth of sprap......suggest everyone responds to the consultation document.....as a minimum we should be given 18mth-2years to complete ongoing progects.....but not holding my breath..... Steve

[Mgcjag]

Copied this from the Lowcost self build site....makes a good basis for a reply to the consultation doc
I stole this off the locost site

1 - At best a change like this should have a reasonable lead time - say 24 months - because many people build kit cars over a reasonably long period of time - and many will have begun such projects expecting to use an engine which, under the new rules will not be allowable.
2- The actual impact from an environmental point of view of implementing this change will be minimal. Of the relatively small number of kit cars which are being built and used on the road, many already have engine which can meet modern emissions standards.
3 - Once registered many kit cars are used for a relatively small amount of miles each year (evidenced by the fact that many kit cars are insured on limited mileage policies), and therefore even those with engines tested to older standards will make little environmental impact in real terms.
4- If it is deemed necessary to implement this change, a reasonably long lead time to implementation should be considered acceptable because of 2) and 3) above.

I also think we should include that this legislation would have a serious impact on the classic kit car market possibly destroying it and many jobs

[CliveRothwell]

Just written my letter. good luck folks.

[J44EAG]

Appears outrageously ill thought out.

I`ll ping this thread to Club leaders for info tomorrow.

Mike K

[lowebird]

I don't think it's safe to leave the country at the moment!! I 've just returned from a brilliant 4 week break in the Canaries with no contact with the outside world and I return to read this. What the hell are these idiots up to? What is so different about using a 25 year old ( but rebuilt ) engine in a new replica that makes it so different from a 25 year old car of which there must be thousands running around. At a guess , most of the Jaguars in Club members ownership are that old but the MOT won't change for them.
The chap who runs Chesil Cars ( replica Porsche's ) has put together a really good letter for forwarding to the idiots and has asked all affected manufacturers and builders to add their names to it.
They don't have any idea of the damage this will cause to the UK economy just when we need all the jobs we can hold onto. I just despair about the quality of our "rulers" !!!!

[Tintin]

If there is to be an on-line petition I will happily sign it if someone can post a link to the address.

Robbie

[NATONEIL]

Robbie

There is not an online petition this is, like the DOT change to MOTs, a consultation document with a very short deadline. A petition goes to Parliament and could not be effective. Please write an individual e-mail or letter.

[Tintin]

Done

[NATONEIL]

I have been following this discussion on the JDC Replica and Specials Facebook page and one well know D type builder has stopped taking orders until he knows how the engine and IVA issue will end up

[Mgcjag]

Just announced on the Kit car facebook page they have recieved a call from the Dept Transport saying they will Not be going ahead with the proposed MOT style emmision requirements for new kit cars....thay had over 2000 replys to the consultation...they realise there is a thriveing special vehicle industry which creates jobs and gives enjoyment to many, with products exported all over the world.....So a good news day.. Steve

[NATONEIL]

I have seen lots of similar messages but the consultation page on the Government website says the process is still ongoing. Fingers crossed that this is not false news. I do not see the DOT contacting a kit car Facebook page.