DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I've been offered a tatty GP Projects RS60/RSK that last changed hands in 2011 and has not been taxed or MoT'd for six years. It was built from a 1973 Beetle and has the original chassis, though chopped, obviously, and has the original engine, front and rear suspension and brakes (except the front drums have been swapped for discs since 2011), and of course, electrics. The windscreen is a non-E marked GP Projects. It has receipts for the GP parts from 1990 and quite a lot of history, including a build manual and handwritten notes, but no photos. There is no chassis plate anywhere, and the old VW chassis number is just stamped on the tunnel behind the hand brake.

The V5 says VW Saloon. Hearing and reading about the IVA etc and amnesties that may have been in place once upon a time, it seems like this vehicle is in no-man's land. What is going to be the legal status of this car for road use?

There’s plenty on the road with the same status (Which doesn’t make it right!) but given the tightening up of such things it would need to go through an IVA which wouldn’t be easy to get it correctly registered

That's my fear. Is the 'kit converted' route an option?

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration ... d-vehicles

I don't believe so

The only way you can put that on the road is by ignoring everything and hoping you don't get pulled... The moment the chassis is cut and shut, it's hello IVA, I'm afraid. And as it's a complete vehicle right now, you'd need to disassemble it, photograph the build process and effectively start again. No easy way out to do things legally.

If you pass on it I know a man who wants something like this to rebuild.

So, I could leave it registered as a 1973 VW saloon. When it comes to insurance - do classic car insurers enquire as to the registration status?

You could probably get it insured, but since it’s against the law to use an incorrectly registered vehicle on the road it’s likely they wouldn’t pay any claim, which would be a serious problem if you hurt someone else.

There’s plenty of discussion on kit car forums. If you google ‘kit car amnesty’ that will give you hours of reading.

Thanks Sam, obviously has been a big problem for lots, and it does look bleak. It seems like there is an ex-DVLA consultant called Paul Jepson who advises - I'll see if he can help