Pistonheads

[Big Vern]

Built on a Dutton chassis - I think not!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/dutton/all-models/...

[Steve Kerswell]

No, can't be a Legerra, quote: fast and handles superb, defo not a leggie :-))

[Steve Kerswell]

My post got edited: Sierra yes, Legerra nooo. :-))

[Jim (across the pond) Adamek]

lol, No MOT or inspection over here in Florida. I never have to worry about my old girl passing. I have suffered a few problems that would not pass an MOT but here it does not cause any need to repair A.S.A.P.

[Adrian Southgate]

I agree with all of this.

This example is odd in that the original legerra chassis WILL NOT fit under a short 7 body under any circumstances without having major surgery (read complete replacement) so even if it is partly dutton metal it would still need an IVA to be legal.

There isn't an MK in existence that doesn't need an SVA or IVA certificate as the companies first car didn't roll until after the SVA was introduced. Knowing that even the factory used old Dutton Sierra reg's for demonstrator cars should be enough grounds to turn over every MK spotted on the road.

I do however feel sorry for the genuine MK builders who have gone legal and done the whole IVA thing. 

[Adrian Southgate]

I'll ask the FBHVC to find out if there are figures available. The DVLA survive on stats so there must be.

I can see it developing into an issue for all kit car owners if it all goes public. 'The Public' are a fickle bunch and given the slightest excuse will get behind the stupidest thing, get the media involved and you know its not going to end well.

[Big Vern]

MOT testers may not know what it is though they are being encouraged to, IVA inspectors are required to check up on what they will be testing especially with amateur build vehicles. They are usually pretty knowledgable too, but they are only seeing 'new' builds, this has never been near an IVA test station - thing is the mk was designed to pass so I have to wonder why risk ringing a car like this? Plod would be more interested with regard to it being the wrong colour - that could lead them in the right direction. Trouble with reporting this sort of thing doesn't seem to be leading to prosecutions :(

As for the car itself, the Dutton front chassis would is too wide to fit inside the nose cone, the engine bay pic is clearly not of a dutton chassis and the mk has a longer wheelbase than any dutton yet made.

[Paul Sheridan]

Gents is it really any of our business?  If an issue is raised by the authorities and requires help from a club official then fine, but until then why get involved?? 

[Adrian Southgate]

Yes Paul, it is.

The car is a newly built MK using the documents from a Dutton. The builder has deliberately circumvented the regulatory test currently in force for this type of vehicle. why should he be allowed to get away with it when thousands of others won't?

There are loads of MK's built legally, why not this one? He has taken the ID from one of 180 examples built by Dutton and stuck it on yet another 7 clone, one less Legerra in the world. I deal with the victims, those left with a complete car that the DVLA will not issue a V5 for because it's on 'something else'...

Having got one down the drive that is in exactly that state, too rare to scrap, small chance of an IVA pass due to emissions if nothing else, why should I have any sympathy for the perpetrator.

[James Doulton]

Yes, Paul, I think it is our business. Firstly, it is our business as a Dutton owners club that wants to see Duttons maintained and secondly, as conscientious and responsible members of society. "All it takes for evil to flourish is that good men stand by".

Evil? you might ask. Why would anyone buy a Legerra in order to build an MK? There is only one answer - to lie and cheat in order avoid the effort of making a safe and properly built car. There is no Legerra chassis in that car - the Legerra chassis is too wide in the middle, too wide and too tall at the front, too long at the back and it has gaps for full sized doors and no suitable fixings for IRS. The Legerra is one of the worst Duttons to start from.

Seeing as a properly built MK should not have difficulty in passing an IVA, why cheat? It can only be that it would not pass.

[Dave Adams]

I have asked the same questions on a legal web site, the answer i got from magistrates, police and insurance moderators........ was "what’s the problem? an unsafe old kit car has been replaced with a new and modern safe one. its a win for all involved......!"

we are fighting an uphill battle......

[Adrian Southgate]

But i for one AM fighting. 

This process is contrary to UK law and therefore should not be diminished or dismissed. I'll grant you there are far worse crimes and the police are busy. Still doesn't make it right.

[James Doulton]

If you were building a reasonable quality modern kit car, then why not get an IVA? Why destroy an old kit instead?