article in classic ford

**stumpy** · 26-02-2021, 00:41

dated 2010 regards space framing the front of your escort so is this legal and wil it pass an mot or do you need a sva biva test ect ect

**stardust** · 26-02-2021, 08:03

Is there any point when inner wings are easier and quite cheap and your car will be worth more money with new inner wings.

**Graham** · 26-02-2021, 08:06

it might of been back them, but for road use today i would imagine it would constitute major modification, DVSA would probably take a very keen interest if they were to look at it, but from an MOT perspective its not a fail provided you comply with mot regs.

**katana** · 26-02-2021, 17:32

As Graham says a lot of things can pass an MOT - whether they should legally be allowed on the road is another thing! If the vehicle retains its identity ie. its VIN tag / Chassis number it 'may' be ok although it is a major modification to the unibody construction and should be 're-registered' via MSVA test, which usually get you a Q plate. I can only imagine the furore the Police, DOT and Insurers would cause if involved in an accident involving fatality / severe injury. Maybe better left to use on a race track / motorsport use?

**stumpy** · 26-02-2021, 18:52

its not so much i want to do this mod rather i was wondering if legal
or if put through the sva test if it would pass /be able to pass
i know the boys building metro 6r4 replicas with spaceframe chassis rear engined audi motors ect manage to pass altho it may be on a q plate

and project binky springs to mind full new running gear [gt4 celica] new bulkhead modified floors ect ect ect

**Forest_rallying** · 27-02-2021, 08:57

Is there anyone old enough to remember the Mini Clubman Fiberglass one piece front end conversion of the 70's? I wonder what the Insurance companies would make of them now, the ones I saw were fastened on with nothing more than Meccano and 2 rubber bungies.

**katana** · 27-02-2021, 09:29

Mini wings, front panel and bonnet aren't structural though. Everything bolts to the subframe and bulkhead, and the inner wings brace the subframe (which were often removed and replaced with a piece of steel) No worse than hanging FG wings and bonnet on an Escort!

**Forest_rallying** · 27-02-2021, 20:04

Offer your services to crash test one of the Mini's with a fiberglass front and then we'll see what your opinions are.

**RS2OOO** · 02-03-2021, 21:40

A mini with a fibreglass front is still probably stronger than a standard Cinquecento!

How do I know this?

Well, I worked for Rover so was around minis all the time, then had a new Cinquecento delivered and joking around I lifted it up by the slam panel and the front of the car folded!

Was still an apprentice so was crapping myself that I'd have to pay for it to have a new front end lol. It hadn't even been registered yet.