Lotus 7 Replica (Lynx)

[excell]

Hi,

I have a Lotus 7 replica, which is also called a Lynx due to the nature of it. Now this vehicle is in bits due to the previous owner. It is a fibreglass shell on a triumph herald chassis. The chassis itself is all original triumph parts (which I am currently reconditioning or replaceing) It was pulled apart some 8 or so years ago. Back then the vehicle was perfectly fine and fully road registered, those days didn't have the LVV plates like we do now, any advice for getting it back on the road? I live in Hamilton if that helps. Also have original papers but not plates.

Regards and thanks

[Justin]

Hi excell.

Sorry for the delay in posting your reply.

Your first course of action should be to visit a TSDA (vehicle testing station).
This is outside our area of expertise, so I won't try to explain their process in depth, however it's here that you need to start the process, by presenting your evidence of previous registration, in order to establish (a) what year the car was built, and (b) what year the car was first registered. At such time as sufficient proof is shown and the TSDA is satisfied, they will allocate a new VIN, and will record a year for the vehicle. This is what you need in order to move on to the next step, which is LVV Certification. Whatever the year of the vehicle ends up being, it is a 'scratch built' vehicle, so will need to be certified as either a pre '92 scratchbuilt (meaning it has to comply only with 1976 traffic regulations) or post '92, meaning it will need to comply with the newer requirements. You will need to locate an LVV certifier near you who has a '1D' category - only 1D certifiers can certify a scratch built vehicle. Once you have contacted an LVV certifier, they should then be able to assist you with all areas of the certification process, including advise, inspection, and then final certification, and affixing of the LVV certification plate.

I hope this helps

Justin