on this note i called the DVLA..
the only thing that changes on mine is the colour as the chassis (and hence chassis number/vin) remains with the chassis.. PROVIDED the body is from an equivalent vehicle.. i asked if it was a problem changing the body from another specification and she said that (and i quote) as long as you replace a vitara body with a vitara body, then all you need to do is update the colour if there is a change.
i asked about the peugeot and she said "provided the body does not have to be modified in any way shape or form, to get it to fit, then you are able to change the VIN number associated with the registration mark" basically a like for like swap (ie a peugeot 306 5door onto a peugeot 306 5door etc). i asked about insurance and she said that it would still be showing as a standard vehicle on the database but to check with the insurance company just to be sure.
i did seek to clarify modify,. and the response was "structural modifications that directly affect, or have the potential to affect the original layout, strength or purpose", in my mind this doesnt mean drilling a hole for your washer fluid bottle for your rear windscreen, but would say, include welding on 3 new engine mounts after cutting the old ones off.
upon speaking to an aquaintance, who works for a bodyshop, he said that this is common practice (changing the VIN) and that there is a wide scope for interchangeable body shells (he works with mk1/2 escorts) and has suggested that if appropriately done, and to a high enough standard, then the insurance company will treat it like a standard vehicle.
he did say he had issues if say, he was using a 1.6 body with a V8 engine as engine mounts and things were different and then they needed to update a few other things on the V5, but he has worked with S16 and GTI6 rally car spec cars in the past, and the body shell swaps were just that.. change the VIN and colour(if there is) and it was sorted.
he himself drives a reshelled Mk2 escort (it was originally a 1.3CVH iirc and now is a 1.8) iot was no issue as the engine mounts were near on identical on the car and only required a mount for the engine itself to be slightly modified, which doesnt constitute part of the bit that is being changed.
Why dont you ask the insurer mate.. explain the situation to them, speak to the DVLA, and see what they say.
the only thing that changes on mine is the colour as the chassis (and hence chassis number/vin) remains with the chassis.. PROVIDED the body is from an equivalent vehicle.. i asked if it was a problem changing the body from another specification and she said that (and i quote) as long as you replace a vitara body with a vitara body, then all you need to do is update the colour if there is a change.
i asked about the peugeot and she said "provided the body does not have to be modified in any way shape or form, to get it to fit, then you are able to change the VIN number associated with the registration mark" basically a like for like swap (ie a peugeot 306 5door onto a peugeot 306 5door etc). i asked about insurance and she said that it would still be showing as a standard vehicle on the database but to check with the insurance company just to be sure.
i did seek to clarify modify,. and the response was "structural modifications that directly affect, or have the potential to affect the original layout, strength or purpose", in my mind this doesnt mean drilling a hole for your washer fluid bottle for your rear windscreen, but would say, include welding on 3 new engine mounts after cutting the old ones off.
upon speaking to an aquaintance, who works for a bodyshop, he said that this is common practice (changing the VIN) and that there is a wide scope for interchangeable body shells (he works with mk1/2 escorts) and has suggested that if appropriately done, and to a high enough standard, then the insurance company will treat it like a standard vehicle.
he did say he had issues if say, he was using a 1.6 body with a V8 engine as engine mounts and things were different and then they needed to update a few other things on the V5, but he has worked with S16 and GTI6 rally car spec cars in the past, and the body shell swaps were just that.. change the VIN and colour(if there is) and it was sorted.
he himself drives a reshelled Mk2 escort (it was originally a 1.3CVH iirc and now is a 1.8) iot was no issue as the engine mounts were near on identical on the car and only required a mount for the engine itself to be slightly modified, which doesnt constitute part of the bit that is being changed.
Why dont you ask the insurer mate.. explain the situation to them, speak to the DVLA, and see what they say.
Given the choice between Niall and the sheep. I would choose the sheep!
/Toseland
/Toseland