Registering an import

[chrisbeck]

Has anyone out there imported a LHD car, converted it to RHD and registered it with DVLA? Obviously I want to avoid a Q-Plate so need to be careful to jump the hoops in the right order.
Chris

[EuropaTC]

Alex (4129R) has probably imported more Europas than anyone else on the forum and as he lives in the UK, I'd think he's your best bet.  It would make an interesting topic though, a list of do's and don'ts to avoid the pitfalls and paying too much money to the government !

Brian

[4129R]

If you have the US paperwork (title document) showing its date of registration, then they will give you a J, K, L, M or N plate. The chassis number gives the date of manufacture, and the Lotus Europa Registry will tell you when it was first invoiced.

http://www.lotus-europa.com/regspcl.html

I got AOA96M for 4129R which is a Jan 74 registered car built in Oct 73.

You need to send the import duty paid paperwork. You would have paid this to clear customs when you picked the car up from the docks (Felixstowe or Southampton?)

When I registered 4129R, I had to get an MOT and pay road tax at the same time, but now 40+ year old cars are exempt. But they may want it inspected to MOT standard.

You will need to send insurance details. The insurers will insure it on the chassis number as it has no registration number.

I have 6 more to register, so let me know how you get on, and if anything has changed.

I am in Edgware Mon-Thursday just down the road from you, so if you need anything, let me know.

I have converted 7 from LHD to RHD so I know all the grubby details of what to do, or what you have done.

Alex in Norfolk (weekends)

[chrisbeck]

Thanks Alex, I imported a Mustang a while back but that was a runner and needed an SVA. This Europa has a shot chassis and a seized engine so will be undergoing a full restoration which is when I shall convert it to rhd. I’ve got a Certificate of Authenticity coming from Lotus to verify age for avoidance of import duty. My dilemma is registering it as rhd without opening a can of worms re. the replacement chassis. I will probably rebuild it on a Spyder but know from my Elan to preferably stay silent on this or describe it as a subframe. I’m not sure how we stand now MOT’s are not required.
Chris

[4129R]

When converting the steering rack, I know a few tricks.

Basically you buy a RHD Triumph Herald rack, strip out the bits and put the Europa bit in it.

I have to drill 2 new holes in the chassis for the 1/4@ long bolts, as the rack was not quite central, so the track rod ends would not line up.

Sometimes there is a 7 cog pinion, sometimes and 8 cog pinion. You have to use the pinion from the original Herald rack.

You can re-use the reaction lever the other way around, by cutting off the metal tube and putting it on the other side, and bending the lever the other way.

You can re-use the wiper rack by taking the two wheel boxes off and re-assembling the other way around. Slide them off the wiper rack wire, don't open out the wheel boxes to get them off or they won't work properly when you re-assemble. Been there, done that. You need to drill two new holes for the wipers, and you will need new chrome nuts where the wiper blades attach, they corrode badly.

[chrisbeck]

Thanks Alex, I’ve copied and filed that for future reference. I’m new to Europas so much to learn, I saw a JPS Special at Bicester on Sunday and noticed it only had one wiper.
Chris

[EuropaTC]

I’m new to Europas so much to learn, I saw a JPS Special at Bicester on Sunday and noticed it only had one wiper.

Ahh, that'll be a proper one then, Chapman never would carry extra weight.....   

If you rebuild on a Spyder chassis then I couldn't see any problem other than you'd probably need to get it MoT'd on the basis of a fundamental change to the OEM spec, especially if you're changing the rear suspension layout as well.   But there's a check list somewhere on the DVLA site for if you're in/out of the exemption categories. At the very worst you'd only need an MoT which is probably a good idea anyway after a full restoration ?

Personally I'd register as it comes over and despite the apparent crazy idea I'd even try to tax/insure it on the basis of "all original".   I doubt the DVLA will care (or even know) if the chassis is serviceable or not, but having a tax disc (and MoT exemption) would allow you to drive it round the block as work progresses.  The chassis might even be saveable once you get a good look at it ?

Brian

[4129R]

Once the chassis is separated, and stripped, it is very easy to repair.

[jbcollier]

Both Spyder and Banks will replace rusted out T-sections.  They both have jigs so everything lines up better than factory.

Read more than one article in old Club Lotus newsletters stressing the importance of calling the chassis a "subframe" when dealing with higher authorities.