S1 Rebuild(s)

[Dave Adams]

some pics of the rebuild process,

the top trailing arm bracket is broke......

the diff is sloping back a little (looking up) so that will need sorting.......

As you can see there isn't a lot of bracing in an S1 chassis, that will be sorted.

[Dave Adams]

its a real bummer......i suspected something like this would happen with my luck. DVLA have assured me that my car is ok to pit on the road. so i will proceed.

[Adrian Southgate]

If there has been a mistake at 'the office' then they could always issue you with a different age related plate against the P****production number thereby allowing Rob to retain the TT number. 

[Dave Adams]

Rewire almost completed.....most of the switches are spst types... ( on - on) it makes it a bit of a pain for some functions. ...so lights heater blower and wipers have two switches. ..off-on and hi-low......fairly neat in reality.

It also means there is a total of 16 relays and 20 fuses...

[Dave Adams]

Oh....and two relays for hazards and indicators.....one each obviously. ....

[Dave Adams]

engine management need 4 for the engine processes and two others for ignition "ON" and cooling fan.

then there are 10 others for the lights wiper and heater plus a second ignition "on" relay for under the dash.....the lights need 3, sides dip and mains....heater needs two fan on and hi/lo speed, as does the wipers, one for the horn. ignition "on"  thats 9 extra...cannot remember what the other is for....

[Dave Adams]

so......an update...

the dash is about done...

i have had loads of gremlins ......which all turned out to be relay related...some relays have a different pin arrangement from other relays even though the pin out shape is the same for both types (well more than two types)...once i checked all the relays the electrics worked as they should.

[Dave Adams]

oh and my 4 way fuse box needed replacing as it was not making reliable connections.....

the wiring on the "back " of the fuse / relay board are a bit messy looking ......but look at any car they are all the same...they always look like a kitten has been in there....

[Dave Adams]

been checking the wiring......and every thing seems to work. the only issue i have at the moment is the immobiliser seems to only disarm when it wants to......i have had to connect the LED so i can tell when its going to play nicely....

it could well be in just one colour primer this weekend...it could also be scrapped....its 50/50 at the moment....

[Dave Adams]

weirdly....DVLA have confirmed i have a log book and that the car wont need inspecting again.....that however wont be the case for any other long abandoned project which goes back on the road from now on.....i was lucky i got my car inspected before the closure of local DVLA offices and before the rules changes recently.....i got lucky.

they do tell me that they are looking to harmonise all of the rules for cars......that wont be good news for other rebuilds, they have told me that even engine changes could lead to IVA tests before long. they really dont seem to understand the hobby.

[Big Vern]

Interesting Dave, there is no legislation listed or in consultation on this. The IVA is the VCA's responsibility as is all type approval - VOSA implement the IVA for VCA. DVLA are just responsible for the paperwork (something they are not very good at considering its their job!) DVLA and the cops have long wanted an end to ALL post reg modifications but VCA were always insistant the IVA is for vehicle registration so I don't see how changing an engine will need an IVA unless the vehicle structure is changed. As for harmonising the rules Brexit threw a mahoosive spanner in those works as almost all but IVA type approval will have to be done in europe now as the VCA that does brittish type approval is in Brittain and we are no longer part of europe.

[Dave Adams]

It was in a long conversation with one of the DVLA staff. They are very keen to harmonise the rules.....they said that all sorts of things are being discussed. ...one thing was that they thought a continental system of rules was regarded as best as it allows no changes at all unless it's really registered via an IVA..... they didn't say it's soon or likely ....just that they would find it easier.
It was suggested that an engine change should need an engingers report and maybe an IVA in the future. .. all a bit scary.

[Big Vern]

The are keen to harmonise what rules? The UK currently complies with all the EU directives for type approval, roadworthiness (the EU stole our MOT) and post registration mods. There are no continental rules that prevent modification beyond what is in the EU directives. Some nation states have tougher rules that they have applied themselves like Germany requires modification parts to be TUV approved.

I remember when the Q plates came in and the DVLA were whining about outlawing post reg. mods then. They are not responsible for that they are only responsible for paperwork and they aint good at that, with the left hand mostly not knowing what the left hand is doing!

An engine change would not require an IVA unless the vehicle structure has changed such that the vehicle could no longer be considered to be the original vehicle and that is already in place. The 8 point rule would still apply for engine changes. Engineers reports are currently required by the insurance companies and I could see the DVLA wanting a copy too.

I'm sure the DVLA would like it if there were no post reg mods as it makes their life easier but there is nothing I can find in discussion either with the VCA or ECE. The government may look at the rules for the UK post brexit but given the support the kit car industry and the custom car scene have had in the part I wont hold my breath.

As for returning long abandonned cars back to the road there is already the V765 process so I'm at a loss to understand why this will be difficult in the future. The DV:A must have people to make inspections somewhere along the lines for all the Cat C and D cars that get put back on the roads?