So then...

[The Badger]

thinking of building up a series 2, tax fee one. And am wondering what I can do to it and still keep a 'historic' landy?

[sotal]

Follow the DVLA guidelines, and keep 8 points.

The most important part is that it must have the original unmodified chassis, or a direct replacement with reciept.

The other points are made up from things like:

transmission

engine

steering assembly

suspension

axles

I think (from memory) as a bare minimum you can do the chassis and two other major components. Seeing as you can't modify the chassis you have to keep leaf springs so that's one more point, then it's as easy to stick with original axles.

You can then put whatever body, engine and gearbox you want on.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Buyin...cle/DG_10014199

[FridgeFreezer]

IMHO in a tax-exempt truck you're more likely to draw the attention of the DVLA with mods because there's the potential to be depriving them of road tax on a vehicle that should technically be paying it.

[rtbarton]

Yes, build it dead original and do any mods a few at a time down the years if you really want to.

[FridgeFreezer]

For £180 per year is it really worth driving a ringer? Just build it legit, SVA it if you need to, it's not a massive hassle.

[Betsy]

Do parabolic springs count as a modification?

[Les Henson]

No - it's the same type of suspension - leafs.

Les.

[GL88]

Just worth pointing out that it is not 25 years old that qualifies but manufactured before 1973. I bought mine when it was 23 years old and then just before its 25th birthday the Government changed the law from 25 to 1972. It is now nearly 35 and I still have to pay each year!

[Les Henson]

The historic vehicle tax exempt cut-off date is December 31st 1972. If your vehicle was registered or made after that date, then you have to pay the current tax rate. If your vehicle was registered after 31st, but made before, then you can still get historic status, but you have to supply official proof of it - a Heritage certificate is the usual way.

As an example - catflap was registered on 3rd Feb 1973, but was made on 22nd Dec 1972, so he qualifies as a historic vehicle, so is therefore exempt from road tax.

Les.