Hi Humber Sceptre fans. Yep I'm a newbie and am looking for advice and inspiration to assist with a new project. I have just bought a 1970 HS mk3 which needs some major work. Welding will commence once I have stripped it down to the shell. New sills all round followed by floor pan front l & r and boot corners/sides. Externally reasonable with a few patches of the dreaded metal disease on the front and rear wings/quarters.
My issues is quite simply, the money needed to restore will leave me with a classic car with low power compared to modern cars. I am toying with the idea of taking it into the 21st century using pre 90's 318 Chrysler v8 lump along with later running gear and shocks/springs all round (not leaf springs). Would this be acceptable or is it best to keep to restoration and retain its natural origins?
Well, what do you think?
MK 3 - restore or modify?
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sceptictank
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:28 pm
Re: MK 3 - restore or modify?
Hi Trebsi
Welcome to the forum - your post caught my eye because the title of your thread is nearly the same as my website name - http://www.restoreandmodify.com !
If you visit my site you will gather that I am all for restoring cars AND modifying them. So, my answer is yes, restore your Mk3 and uprate the running gear at the same time. However, one word of caution (I'm assuming you are based here in the UK?) if fitting the larger engine and gearbox involves modifying the bodyshell - ie you need to cut the bulkhead and /or enlarge the transmission tunnel then before the car can return legally to the road it will have to undergo a Basic Individual Vehicle Inspection at your local VOSA office. If it passes it will then be issued with a new registration (probably a 'Q' plate - these are no longer only for kit cars!) The car will also have to comply with various other legislation in order to pass the test - the test is also expensive at around £600!!!. I know what you are thinking - there are loads of modified cars on the road which haven't been put through the appropriate test and re-registered and you are absolutely right. Unfortunately this doesn't mean that they are legal and technically, if VOSA becomes aware of them they can be tested at anytime and banned from the road if necessary.
So, in summary, yes modify your car by all means - but do first visit the VOSA website and look at the rules for what are termed 'radically modified vehicles' and see what's involved.
Finally, a couple of pics of my own Mk1 Sceptre which is being fitted with a Rover v8 engine . . .
Welcome to the forum - your post caught my eye because the title of your thread is nearly the same as my website name - http://www.restoreandmodify.com !
If you visit my site you will gather that I am all for restoring cars AND modifying them. So, my answer is yes, restore your Mk3 and uprate the running gear at the same time. However, one word of caution (I'm assuming you are based here in the UK?) if fitting the larger engine and gearbox involves modifying the bodyshell - ie you need to cut the bulkhead and /or enlarge the transmission tunnel then before the car can return legally to the road it will have to undergo a Basic Individual Vehicle Inspection at your local VOSA office. If it passes it will then be issued with a new registration (probably a 'Q' plate - these are no longer only for kit cars!) The car will also have to comply with various other legislation in order to pass the test - the test is also expensive at around £600!!!. I know what you are thinking - there are loads of modified cars on the road which haven't been put through the appropriate test and re-registered and you are absolutely right. Unfortunately this doesn't mean that they are legal and technically, if VOSA becomes aware of them they can be tested at anytime and banned from the road if necessary.
So, in summary, yes modify your car by all means - but do first visit the VOSA website and look at the rules for what are termed 'radically modified vehicles' and see what's involved.
Finally, a couple of pics of my own Mk1 Sceptre which is being fitted with a Rover v8 engine . . .