Hi to everyone. Recently I imported a 1973 closed bodied twinport 1600 Beach Buggy from Durban South Africa.  It is quite unique in this country but as a youngster growing up in South Africa I remember these which were popular because of shelter from rain etc..
This particular car was I believe an AA vehicle and remember these in Durban during the eighties and some being towed on an A frame by an AA van. No idea what they were used for. This car has been rewired and has had modifications Richard LED daytime lights . Before importing it was completely re painted in a metallic yellow paint over the original flat yellow paint.
The issues I have had is with registration with our DVLA . It does have a NOVA certificate number but I have had issues with registering it correctly as a 1973 model year. Because of chassis numbers and me mistakingly submitting The Durban Police clearance document caused me great issues,  this car does have it's A frame and be towed behind another vehicle. The DVLA have come back to me and want it registered as a Q plate car. I'm fairly upset here as this car is not a kit car build.  I am considering selling it as is as I don't know what my next step is. Any suggestions from anyone ? Remember,  this is a rare car with this engine unit.

Nice looking and very unusual, worth persevering with and worst case a Q isn't a disaster

On my small phone that last picture looked like it had a jet engine fitted 

Good luck
Dave

Great save and I agree that whilst a Q plate isn't fair it wouldn't devalue it in my eyes.

I have never thought of saying buggys are "popular because of shelter from rain etc" !

Thank you for your replies. To go for the "Q " plate process feels like a mine field for me. I have heard that the IVA  application costs £450.. and that's for a first application.

You need to speak to a firm who imports cars I would have thought the NOVA got you an age related plate.
Q is fine it just incurs tax and mot costs

Many thanks for your reply.. I have heard the car has to be inspected called an IVA costing £450. Is this correct ?...

It's actually very crazy really. It is an amazing car. Too much power in such a light body. I believe it has the SP Beetle unit fitted.
It's because on the Police clearance in Durban as they couldn't find a chassis number as of course the body has been changed but it's not a rebuild.

The beetle chassis number should still be on the tunnel the body number is irrelevant.

Oh I see. I think it now might be difficult to process as in the Police clearance they issued a different number what's on the S.A. logbook. I guess though if the chassis on the tunnel tallies with that on the logbook ( S.A.) I might be okay. I will be honest. At the time I decided to buy one of these I'd not long been home from hospital where I'd been in a Covid coma and it was on the cards that I wouldn't make it.. When starting this idea I was seeing everything through Rose tinted glasses.  I basically want the best way to sell this car as quick as possible. It is bound to turn heads everywhere.

I would send dvla photos of the chassis number showing it is part of the yellow buggy and stating perhaps the SA polic looked at the body number instead also on a photo.
It will be easier to sell if registered as getting it through IVA  will be awkward and expensive.

Great advice from all of you. Thank you. I will try and get it on a ramp to see. Where it is in storage there is a garage. 

The chassis number should be on top of the tunnel at the rear just in front of the access hatch. So no need for ramps. It may be obscured by paint

DVLA....... In a number of instances now applying for a Q plate has automatically automatically resulted in being informed IVA inspection and compliance is required.

Selling vehicle on....... Understand your words re- rose coloured spectacles and we have all been there. It would be only fair to advise any prospective new owner of the issues you have become aware of so would this affect the ease of sale?

"1st TIME UK REGISTRATION is achievable on a South African import via DVLA as I have done this. (This is separate from IVA but does involve K & R dept.    Cost is £55 for application. Plus current Taxation for the engine cc).

Sadly you cannot get a Birth certificate from VW for any South African Beetle etc. Forums are notable for inaccurate data.

So.....  Take note of the engine number stamped on crankcase.  Take note of the VIN from the chassis tunnel top just behind handbrake. (Vehicle Identification Number).

Visit the SAMBA.com website and search for Type 1, (Beetle), VIN numbers.   Locate the one that matches your chassis and take a screen shot that shows the YEAR, The MONTH, And to the right search for the ENGINE number.

CHASSIS NUMBER dating is shown from the first of the month to the last. You can get accurate Year from comparing whereabouts the chassis number lies in the listing.

ENGINE NUMBER... differs.. Listed from last day of December of a given year through to August of the following year and so on. Look where in this section the engine number will lie for approx date of manufacture. Record this

Looking at both engine number and chassis number dates...... Do they match in terms of the year you believe the buggy to be. Chassis number should be definitive but the engine may be a replacement that is younger or possibly older than the chassis.

If they are a close match good. If not it becomes more complicated.

Lets assume they are a good match for the year you believe it to be or a good match for a different year.

Photograph the engine number. Photograph the chassis number making sure the picture includes part of the buggy.
Prepare a copy of the screen shots and prepare a worded document to describe how the engine number and chassis numbers located on the screenshots.

Send off to K & R Swansea with any other info you have in document form.  Sadly you have to enclose cheques for payment and the wait is currently approx 4 weeks.

BE WARNED !!!!   DVLA have a past history of fouling up UK registration / vehicle changes  resulting in anything up to loss of existing registration however the K & R section have got their act together now and the section consists of only a few people who work to the same principles...   I do know how hard this may be to believe   

If all this sounds too onerous, and I understand it may well. I spent months on my research and weeks with K & R at Swansea, Let me have your VIN number from chassis and engine number and I will date them accurately for you.

I did read somewhere that South African beetles didn't have a number stamped on the chassis.Dont know how true it is.

Strange one this... I have seen SA tunnels with vin stamped and others that are not......