Another "Modified v Scratch" build question

[gizzard]

Hi there,
I have been building a roadster for a few years now, predominantly using 1924 Dodge Brothers tourer chassis and body parts. Today I towed it to the local VINZ to get a Vin number and get it into the system. The problem arose when the guy I am dealing with couldn't allow it to be processed as a "scratch build" because the chassis is almost all from an original Dodge. Ok, I said, that's fine, let's just call it "modified original". BUT I have a huge problem in the fact that there has been a myriad of doner cars with all the parts concerned coming from swap meets, vintage car club sheds and buried under trees. There are no identifying numbers anywhere on any part of the chassis except for a 5 digit number on the firewall (which meant nothing to the LTSA database) I would like to actually call it a "24 Dodge Brothers Roadster Special. Where do I start?

[Todd]

If the car is a Dodge body on an identical chassis to that which the body would have been fitted to originally, should be called a Dodge. However, if it has less than 60 percent of the original chassis (for example, you've created custom rails from the firewall forward and new rails from the mid point back, that would tip it over the threshold to be deemed a scratch-built. From what you're saying it sounds like a Modified Production vehicle, rather than a scratch-built.

Keep in mind that if the vehicle is a 1924 Dodge Roadster (Modified Production), as opposed to a 2017 LVV Dodge Roadster Replica (Scratch-built) would be considered, there are different requirements that must be met.

The name of the vehicle can be changed on the Landata system when the vehicle goes through the certification process. So whatever it's been called currently is not necessarily final.

Have a chat to your certifier about it, and once they see the vehicle, they will be able to work through this with you.

Hope this helps.

[gizzard]

Thanks Todd. I hope to catch up with my cert guy tonight. I have been talking to the bloke I got the chassis from. He is happy to write me a bill of sale to prove it's legit. That may help me. As for the 60% thing, the chassis is original from front to back with 3 of the original cross members (two in original position and one re-located) I have introduced an X member in the middle for rigidity. The rails are kicked up at both ends but still original steel. I will let you know how I go.

[Todd]

Thanks for that. Good luck.

[gizzard]

Ok, all is good. Turns out I could have gone both ways with the modified vs scratch thing. However there isn't enough proof that it was on the road in NZ previously and with the extra chassis strengthening, it was decided to go the scratch build way. The other way would have needed a declaration from the VCC. I reckon the purist VCC inspector would likely have sicked up into his mouth a little if he saw what I am creating. My cert guy is all for it so.... onward and upward
Anyway, the car has now got a shiny new vin plate on the chassis.
Cheers for the advise.

[Todd]

Great news. All the best for the build.