mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,967
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Jun 10, 2021 22:35:53 GMT
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Could you sidestep an iva by starting with a beetle convertible, cabriolet? It doesnt have a roof from the factory. Technically bonding a hardtop to a factory monocoque drop top Except its more than removing the roof with the profile of the pickup bed surely?
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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It may be a moot point, but would either kit be capable of passing IVA? As the mk4 Golf based pickup kit from the states has a lot of bonded on and plastic structure parts Not a moot point at all - even my most conservative estimate puts a build around £5k, and that's without paint or shiny wheels and suspension. I don't want to spend that on a folly I can't drive. That said, the only bonded fibreglass on the Beetle is the two rear wings - the bed sits on the original floor and is bolted in at several factory points (rear seat belts, bumper mounts) which is intended to add structural support and rigidity. The only missing metal is the rear bootlid and a section of the roof & sides behind the 'b' pillar...like this: At the same time I'm no expert...would welcome clarification. Worst thing that could happen would be to spend weeks/months on it and end up with a dud.
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I just thought the drop top must already have extra strength compared to the hard top like beefier sills and chassis legs. Then it's just wop the rear quarters an bootlid off. I know this is a terribly simplistic way to put it
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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The Beetle shouldn't be a big problem for IVA, all the projection and radius requirments inside and out should be ok on a type approved car as should the glass requirements, not sure about the kit rear screen. Those are the things that give older cars the most trouble. There are a few IVA things that seem a bit wierd, no airbags allowed for Instance I think, but all do able. You will get a Q plate. Best bet is to download and read the IVA manual first
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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The Beetle shouldn't be a big problem for IVA, all the projection and radius requirments inside and out should be ok on a type approved car as should the glass requirements, not sure about the kit rear screen. Those are the things that give older cars the most trouble. There are a few IVA things that seem a bit wierd, no airbags allowed for Instance I think, but all do able. You will get a Q plate. Best bet is to download and read the IVA manual first I've read about type-approval for the rear glass, although will have to investigate airbags. I see that 'non mass produced cars' can't have airbags, although if this WAS clearly a mass produced car - just modified - it almost seems counterintuitive to remove such an obvious safety feature. There are a couple of folk in the UK who have done this, I'm trying to reach out to them directly.
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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For example... Found this on the Insty. Notice it's retained its original plate. Have messaged. Three's another guy who converted his Jetta but kept the original plate until literally a few days ago (some 3 years down the line) where the V5 has been revoked all of a sudden and he's now staring at an IVA. Murky waters indeed.
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paul99
Part of things
Posts: 410
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Have you been on to the kit makers, can they shed any light on others experience?
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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Jun 11, 2021 10:04:01 GMT
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Have you been on to the kit makers, can they shed any light on others experience? Have emailed them too... Waiting to hear back. The company owner has his cellphone on the website which is a brave choice. It's also about 4am in America. Torn between going full project or just buying a pickup truck...but where is the fun in that?
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Jun 11, 2021 22:58:38 GMT
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For example... Found this on the Insty. Notice it's retained its original plate. Have messaged. Three's another guy who converted his Jetta but kept the original plate until literally a few days ago (some 3 years down the line) where the V5 has been revoked all of a sudden and he's now staring at an IVA. Murky waters indeed. Thats the thing with not going through IVA when you should, it can bite you years down the line. The other thing to think about is that at IVA you are not testing a modified car you are testing a whole new one so no pre existing parts apply, google Andy Saunders experience with his Bentley . I read the airbag thing in an article about modified Rover 75s, one of the things that had to be done to pass was remove the airbags. Anything with a cut monocoque will get a Q plate, this is a good thing and future proofs your car. The decision to IVA or not is down to the builder of the car, most don't, some have been bitten, Andy Frosts Red Victor 3 comes to mind, many more will be bitten. The Beetle should not be difficult to get through though it does add another big bill to the project.
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I voted beetle because I'm getting quite fond of the 'early' ones now, and VW missed a trick by not actually making one. If I did one Id make it the sort of confusing oem spec that makes it look like it shouldve happened.
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,714
Club RR Member Number: 34
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You have to remove the ABS as well iirc from my readings.
Tbh, I don’t think the finished product of either is worth the time, effort or expense involved. For the money you’ll spend by the time you pay for the kit, import it, fit it, paint the car and then IVA it and make all the changes needed to get it to pass, you could just buy something that’s way cooler to start with.
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,909
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You have to remove the ABS as well iirc from my readings. Tbh, I don’t think the finished product of either is worth the time, effort or expense involved. For the money you’ll spend by the time you pay for the kit, import it, fit it, paint the car and then IVA it and make all the changes needed to get it to pass, you could just buy something that’s way cooler to start with. Sadly I'm beginning to agree with you...
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,714
Club RR Member Number: 34
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You have to remove the ABS as well iirc from my readings. Tbh, I don’t think the finished product of either is worth the time, effort or expense involved. For the money you’ll spend by the time you pay for the kit, import it, fit it, paint the car and then IVA it and make all the changes needed to get it to pass, you could just buy something that’s way cooler to start with. Sadly I'm beginning to agree with you... I kinda get the impression you don’t want a full-size truck, otherwise I’d say just go buy a ‘70s C10 or f150. A shortbed might be out of reach at the 5-7k youd spend on either of these builds, but would get you a pretty reasonable v8 powered longbed, usable but needing ‘improving’. But that sort of budget would get you an absolutely banging minitruck, already done with all nice bits, like a b2000 or hilux. Even cheaper for a ranger. And whatever you buy would move on easily (and Proably at a profit) if/when you get bored of it, unlike a one off weird conversion.
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Jun 12, 2021 10:04:33 GMT
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Last Edit: Jun 12, 2021 10:05:19 GMT by joem83
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