For those not up to speed with what recently happened to a Guy on Facebook, here is a brief explanation.
A Black Buggy appears to have been rebuilt/restored/purchased/renovated/whatever, lets just say a rather nice looking Buggy has just emerged from the garage and ready for the open road. The Owner decided that instead of saying something like Beetle on the V5 that they would like it to say Buggy instead in the mistaken idea that changing the Body Type would be as easy as say, changing a colour or engine number,where you just fill in the empty box and send it off the DVLA. However,this is the first time that DVLA have ever associated this particular registration number with a Buggy and they have now assumed it to be a new build. As a new build it is now subject to IVA etc. Until this hurdle has been overcome, DVLA have now retracted the registration number. I really feel for this guy as trying to get an older car through an IVA is somewhat difficult and my advice would always be to start from the ground up for compliance and think very carefully about tackling an older pre built one. Yes, it can be done, my have done it, but you are in for a lot of headaches along the way.
It has been suggested that this Buggy is now only worth anything if broken for parts, and whilst that may be correct, and not impossible to actually make more om breaking it up, it seems just a shame to do that just yet. Before I did that myself, I would always try to establish the full history of the car and establish some provenance. Thats where clubs and internet searches come in. Look for the registration number in old photos, can you see pictures of it at an old show, and if so, could you prove the date and location of that show beyond contestation? Background images etc etc
Because if you can, and you can prove a date of existence prior to 1988 (its a DVLA historical date), then gather all of your information and present it to one of the caseworkers at DVLA. They will argue the toss with you, you will have to stand your ground and throw every bit of history back at them, because at the end of it, if you can win them over, SWB/LWB/Beetle/Saloon it matters not, a they will be forced to award you an age related plate and a new name on your V5.
Many on here have done it
