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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Vehicles of Historic Interest - UK

This is really mainly for UK people.

The Dept for Transport has issued its definition of a Vehicle of Historic Interest (VHI). This is a name and abbreviation we will have to get used to.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/668274/vehicles-of-historical-interest-substantial-change-guidance.pdf

Although it is mainly about MoT exemption, and I know people have mixed feelings about that, it also looks likely to cover our Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) free status. The latter seems to be non-controversial for some reason although I am sure you can make a voluntary payment to the government if you wish.


My understanding is:

Basically any car over 40 years old that has not been seriously altered becomes a VHI. You can add safety, environmental and efficiency features and different capacity versions of the same engine. By that I would assume that an 1800 MGB engine is fine but a V8 or Mazda unit is not. Major suspension changes are out so if anyone has fitted a rear independent set up you are out but an anti-roll is OK. Any period mod up to 10 years after the end of production is OK.

The VHI definition will start on 20 May 2018
and will be a self-declaration every year on the VED renewal form.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

The rover V8 was an alternative engine in production so should be OK for MGBs at least.
Chris at Octarine Services

I wonder if a "just very slightly over-bored" 18V MGB engine in an MGA will still fit the VHI criteria Steve? :-)

Even if it doesnt, it would probably be much more expensive to re-sleeve the engine back to 1800cc than it would to just pay the road tax.

Que Sera!

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Guidelines say

"alternative
cubic capacities of the same basic engine "

are OK - so I read that as ANY BMC B series engine regardless of capacity.
Chris at Octarine Services

v8 B's had a v8 basic engine 40 years ago and Costello's

"Any period mod up to 10 years after the end of production is OK."

That would just about cover V8 conversions wouldn't it, I did my first V8 conversion in 1976 so that should just creap in in my books

There again you're on the other side of the world so it doesn't matter really

cheers
willy
William Revit

Colyn

My interpretation is the same as Chris.

Not quite sure how the Ford 5-speed fits into the equation other than it perhaps falls in line with "....in respect of axles and running gear changes made to improve efficiency,
safety or environmental performance;" My opinion is that it improves both efficiency and environmental performance - lower engine revs at any particular speed so less contaminant output.

My sports screen is an interesting one. It and similar types appeared in MGA touring car competitions during the 50s, both on the track and road. So I guess they are acceptable. All the metal parts are MGA production items.

Disc brakes. Ok, they appeared during MGA production. But I use the MGB system. I guess safety is the acceptable clause here, along with a dearth/shortage of original MGA Dunlop parts.

Adding/changing stuff seems to be the main theme. What about taking things off? The obvious one for me is the hood. It resides in the attic as it does not work with the sports screen.

Like all pre 60 car owners I have already completed the DVLA V112. I guess we will have to do it again next year. I always carry a copy around in the car in case I get stopped.

Plenty of food for thought.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,

You mention the scarcity of Dunlop brake parts. This is true but it only affects mga twin cam and Deluxe cars. Other MGA's used Lockheed brakes.

Mick
M F Anderson

For the benefit of us colonists guy's - how would the powers that be even know if you took an 1800 and bored or even stroked it? What would make them check or even think to?
gary starr

The only way to determine if it has been bored or stroked is to remove the cylinder head and they would not do that.
They rely on the way Governments make laws. The vast majority of people will conform. The minority are just ignored.
It is called "risk management"!


Mick
M F Anderson

This thread was discussed between 19/12/2017 and 22/12/2017

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