RF's in UK
- Thread starter Chris Melia
- Start date
Re: RF\'s in UK
Neil,
IMO the cheapest/easiest way into GT40 ownership in the UK at present is to buy a car that is already finished and registered.
It is possible to get a GT40 thru an SVA, but at a cost.
If (like me) you see building the car as an important part of owning one, buy a runner, & take it apart... & you can re-build from the ground up to your own spec.
I've bought a complete car, MOT's & taxed & am running it for a few months until I commence re-building it. I've learnt Loads about the car simply by using it & now have a much better idea of priorities...
Saying all this I have no idea on importing a completed car into the UK.. not sure if this would be a way 'round SVA???
Neil,
IMO the cheapest/easiest way into GT40 ownership in the UK at present is to buy a car that is already finished and registered.
It is possible to get a GT40 thru an SVA, but at a cost.
If (like me) you see building the car as an important part of owning one, buy a runner, & take it apart... & you can re-build from the ground up to your own spec.
I've bought a complete car, MOT's & taxed & am running it for a few months until I commence re-building it. I've learnt Loads about the car simply by using it & now have a much better idea of priorities...
Saying all this I have no idea on importing a completed car into the UK.. not sure if this would be a way 'round SVA???
Re: RF\'s in UK
That much I can answer... if the car is imported it still needs an SVA.... unless it has European Type Approval..
but yes, building the car is definitely part of the challenge and enjoyment for me too...
I am thinking at present along the same lines as yourself.... buy a runner, avoid SVA... I have seen a few candidates that are clearly in need of a loving rebuild, proper panel fit etc etc...
Neil
That much I can answer... if the car is imported it still needs an SVA.... unless it has European Type Approval..
but yes, building the car is definitely part of the challenge and enjoyment for me too...
I am thinking at present along the same lines as yourself.... buy a runner, avoid SVA... I have seen a few candidates that are clearly in need of a loving rebuild, proper panel fit etc etc...
Neil
RF\'s in UK
Hi all.
Great BB... been following for a couple of weeks....
Has anyone imported an RF into the UK yet?
If so, what were experiences wrt to support, shipping, availability of spares in UK etc etc
Is the car ready/adaptable for SVA easily etc etc
And opinions for owners/builders cf GTD/Tornado would be welcomed
Neil
Hi all.
Great BB... been following for a couple of weeks....
Has anyone imported an RF into the UK yet?
If so, what were experiences wrt to support, shipping, availability of spares in UK etc etc
Is the car ready/adaptable for SVA easily etc etc
And opinions for owners/builders cf GTD/Tornado would be welcomed
Neil
Robert Logan
Defunct Manufactuer - Old RF Company
Re: RF\'s in UK
Neil,
We have never sent a car to Europe never mind the UK and the VAT and import taxes are the main reason. We have had numerous people ask and even a handfull visit but to date no orders.
I would be over the moon to send a car there and would do as good a deal as I would do as good a deal as I could to get the first car in.
As regards to support we would give the same support that we offer to the USA. I am often in the UK, my family still live there, and would always help.
I hope this helps,
Best wishes,
Robert Logan
Neil,
We have never sent a car to Europe never mind the UK and the VAT and import taxes are the main reason. We have had numerous people ask and even a handfull visit but to date no orders.
I would be over the moon to send a car there and would do as good a deal as I would do as good a deal as I could to get the first car in.
As regards to support we would give the same support that we offer to the USA. I am often in the UK, my family still live there, and would always help.
I hope this helps,
Best wishes,
Robert Logan
Ron Earp
Admin
Re: RF\'s in UK
Can someone explain this SVA thing to us US folk?
From bits and pieces I gather it is a regulation/specification from "The Man" that seriously prevents road use of GT40s. I've heard things like "no backward opening rear clips" and "tail lights must be visible if the bonnet (hood) is up" etc.
Seems like typical rules based system from people that do not understand too much about the car industry hobby. Particularily if there are GT40s for road use, but new ones cannot be created thus the need to buy them already built and certified for road use.
Ron
Can someone explain this SVA thing to us US folk?
From bits and pieces I gather it is a regulation/specification from "The Man" that seriously prevents road use of GT40s. I've heard things like "no backward opening rear clips" and "tail lights must be visible if the bonnet (hood) is up" etc.
Seems like typical rules based system from people that do not understand too much about the car industry hobby. Particularily if there are GT40s for road use, but new ones cannot be created thus the need to buy them already built and certified for road use.
Ron
Re: RF\'s in UK
I can explain SVA a little...
The European Commission agreed a system called European Volume Type Approval, that was aimed at mass manufacturers. In order to register a car for the first time in Europe, a car must have EVTA. This involves all sorts of nasties like formal crash testing, and EVERY single component on the car being permanently marked with a part number, with the exception of only standard sized bolts, nuts and screws!
The UK specialist car industry (along with Spain, Holland and a couple of other countries) was up in arms, so each country has come up with a work-around.
In the UK it is called Single Vehicle Approval.
To pass SVA the car has to comply with a set of regulations detailed in a manual 1 inch thick!
The regulations number amongst them some gems like:
Minimum radius on all corners on dashboard - no GT40 toggle switches - no Smiths instruments bezels!
Required view from wing mirrors to a point at a set distance behind the car and in line with the rear wings - hummhhhh
Emissions and noise levels at an agreed rev point - not low revving V8 friendly
A number of components need standards compliance markings such as headlight lenses etc etc - again gt40 originality suffers
You build the car, then take it for an SVA test which takes about 45 minutes per car...
The totally crazy thing is that the test is one time only, so once its registered, you can change it in any way you want, including fitting toggle swtches, Smiths instruments, new exhausts etc etc...
And also, the test is very easy to manipulate... a good example is minimum radius on suspension components has caused a good deal of problems for Lotus 7 replicas with the bolts on their upper wishbones, so the owners simply cut a hole in a table tennis ball and push it on to the end of the bolt... et volia... easily comply with minimum radius... and then after the test, remove the ball and away you go....
Oh the joys of government and regulation
Regards
Neil
I can explain SVA a little...
The European Commission agreed a system called European Volume Type Approval, that was aimed at mass manufacturers. In order to register a car for the first time in Europe, a car must have EVTA. This involves all sorts of nasties like formal crash testing, and EVERY single component on the car being permanently marked with a part number, with the exception of only standard sized bolts, nuts and screws!
The UK specialist car industry (along with Spain, Holland and a couple of other countries) was up in arms, so each country has come up with a work-around.
In the UK it is called Single Vehicle Approval.
To pass SVA the car has to comply with a set of regulations detailed in a manual 1 inch thick!
The regulations number amongst them some gems like:
Minimum radius on all corners on dashboard - no GT40 toggle switches - no Smiths instruments bezels!
Required view from wing mirrors to a point at a set distance behind the car and in line with the rear wings - hummhhhh
Emissions and noise levels at an agreed rev point - not low revving V8 friendly
A number of components need standards compliance markings such as headlight lenses etc etc - again gt40 originality suffers
You build the car, then take it for an SVA test which takes about 45 minutes per car...
The totally crazy thing is that the test is one time only, so once its registered, you can change it in any way you want, including fitting toggle swtches, Smiths instruments, new exhausts etc etc...
And also, the test is very easy to manipulate... a good example is minimum radius on suspension components has caused a good deal of problems for Lotus 7 replicas with the bolts on their upper wishbones, so the owners simply cut a hole in a table tennis ball and push it on to the end of the bolt... et volia... easily comply with minimum radius... and then after the test, remove the ball and away you go....
Oh the joys of government and regulation
Regards
Neil
