Roar of disgust at EU plan for classic cars

[dipsydoodle]

Bureaucrats in Brussels want to make modified and most classic cars illegal under radical reforms which would affect millions of Brits, it emerged yesterday.

The European Commission has proposed a shake-up of the MoT which could cost thousands of jobs and cripple an industry.

If the shake-up is approved, all vehicles would have to remain identical to the specification they were in when they left the factory, covering everything from fitting uprated brakes on a classic car to adding larger alloy wheels to a hot hatch.

The Department for Transport has now written to 240 organisations asking for their thoughts on the EU’s proposals, with a large number expressing concerns.

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Roar-disgust-EU-plan-classic-cars/story-16848294-detail/story.html

Good job Cuba isn't in the EU. Almost every single pre-'59 Yank that was there when the boys arrived in Havanna Jan '59 are still running in some shape or form - as Jeremy pointed out some now have Lada engines.

Nuffin' wrong with big wheels

[JustAnotherGen]

1. My husband is going to flip

We tool around Italy in his 1960 Volvo when we are there. At the end of the day - you might not even be able to get the EXACT same part as was available 50 years ago. He has a natural gas tank (the original that was installed) - but they don't make that anymore. We know - because he knows he is going to need a new one and is researching it right now . . .

[kooljerk666]

2. Thsi forces u to Junk old vehicles after parts go out of production...........

Last edited Fri Sep 28, 2012, 10:16 AM - Edit history (1)

I have 2 m/c's 30 & 20 years old & a 20 yo car. This would mean the end for many old vehicles.

My stuff is not that valuable, I like old stuff cause it is cheap, no bank loans & no expensive collision insurance.
Lots of old m/c have updated wheels, brakes & suspension, making them safer, these would be illegal. Much of stock parts are unavailable.

If cnc codes & blueprints for all vehicles that are out of production, then they could be kept running and original, otherwise low budget folk are fucked

I am in a suzuki RF900 club, 90% UK folk, and they were screaming about this months ago.

EDIT BEG

Hey if any of you UK'ers are in the http://www.rfownersclub.co.uk/ hi there, i am Jay_M over there and stayed awayed for the last few month between olimpics & RMoneys gaffes & what a critical time this election is here (usa booo) I have been wrapped up in politics more than m/c sttuff this summer.

For the non RF'ers the Suzuki RF900 is the most fuel efficient biggish sporty bike made. At 70-80 mph they get 45-50 mpg, engines last a long time & they are cheap to buy & maintain. This is 15-20 mpg better than my 82 GS1100E & the RF runs fine on 87 octane cheap gas,

edit end

[bluedigger]

3. It will never happen.

The aftermarket automotive industry is too big for them to just legislate it out of existence.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Hopefully you're right.

In the same way in which our trucks have been known to cause chaos in protest against fuel duty there are easily sufficient classics here to gum up the works too.

Last time I had a conversion done was to 1929 Model A Ford - 21 watt headlamps ain't funny being the equivalent of 4 candles on the front bumper.

On the subject of which :

[bluedigger]

6. Exactly.

Most performance mods increase safety, not decrease it. Funny clip, but I missed the punchline - must not translate.

Btw, you call those tires big?



(The biggest display Jeep I saw up at Easter Jeep Safari in Moab this Spring.)

[dipsydoodle]

7. I've got one of those

but mine's stock.

Sahara CRD Diesel - not Rubicon.

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/vehicle-reviews/long-term-review-2007-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-rubicon/6362183+w600+cr1+re0+ar1/2007-jeep-wrangler-unlimited-rubicon.jpg

[bluedigger]

8. Lucky guy.

Jeepers have been begging them to bring the diesel to the US market. I have an '06 LJ, which I am very happy with.



A JK and a YJ parked with my LJ (blue) up at the top of Imogene Pass in Colorado. I guess my winch would be illegal under the proposed legislation. Along with a few other bits and pieces.

[dipsydoodle]

9. That picture has grown on me

Could I use it elsewhere please ?

[bluedigger]

11. As long as it's for non-commercial purposes, sure.

It wasn't easy hiding the xterra or whatever it was in the back.

[HooptieWagon]

4. This is ridiculous.

Most classic cars are driven very few miles. Some are so valuable they aren't driven at all. And there is simply no reason to ban modifications... modern brakes, better tires/wheels, and modern efficient engines and transmissions.

[enlightenment]

10. I hope this is an error in translation . . .

because if it isn't, the European Commission has gone completely 'round the bend:

One of the suggestions outlined is that all “components of the vehicle must comply with characteristics at the time of the first registration. This may prevent most modifications to vehicles without further approval of the vehicle”.

emphasis mine

I ask my car to do a lot of things - accelerate a little faster when I'm passing on a narrow road and a big truck is bearing down on me in the opposite direction, for example.

I do not believe I have ever asked my vehicle for permission to do anything . . .

[bluedigger]

12. I have begged mine a couple times...

C'mon, baby, you can do it!