I thought I'd better start a build thread since I finally seem to be getting somewhere now..
A quick introduction, bought my first beetle in 1989, the one you see here is my 6th. Previously owned a bay, two splits and a Karmann Ghia convertible, one of the splits has been sold to fund the buggy project leaving the current fleet of a 67 split, a 67 Ghia and a pile of 72 beetle bits..





It's been a few years since I bought a beetle, the £300 knacker doesn't seem to exist anymore so I had to dig deep, this 72 1300 cost £1650 with the delivery. Looks a lot better than it was.







   I imagine most of us have got pictures like this.. hopefully things will get more interesting soon..

It`s a Hi from me   

Great start. Sounds like you are well in control but do post if you need a part or 'get stick'.

Hi and welcome.

Just a note, I'm not sure what your V5C reads but if you need to send it off to get it changed do it before you even drill any additional holes in the floors etc. Do it when the floorpan is completely standard. DVLA have gone a little mad recently regarding what constitutes a standard chassis. I'd suggest getting the floors replaced or repaired then mounting the body and try and get any logbook changes done then.

Yes....  Listen to Dave..... no hole drilled whatsoever.

Yes....  Listen to Dave..... no hole drilled whatsoever.

They recently referred a Formosa kit car (based on a completely standard Triumph Herald chassis) for IVA testing because the builder had simply enlarged the stock body mounting holes to take a size larger bolt. Also the famous case of the EV conversion on the Mini that supposedly needed IVA test because of two holes drilled for cable routing.

They've gone goblin lately, they don't even know let alone follow their own rules. 

Thanks for the advice regarding the V5 changes. I was worried as there are a few changes all in one go, engine size and number, colour and body type. I gather the best I can hope for under body type is 'convertible' .

Take care Dougie.....  Check chassis vin number is exactly the same as on v5c. Presumably the existing v5c has Beetle and saloon on it.

Dvla have been, and continue to ratify the complex mess that their records system became following decades of mish mash incompetence when registering changes.

Obtain a Beetle birth certificate. This will confirm the original model, vin number, engine number and place of manufacture. Keep it safe for future use.

The cliff edge that now exists for people trying to update home built vehicle V5C`s is that there have now been a number of cases where the K & R department, (and this is where the request for change/s ends up in all cases regardless of where the application is sent), whereby the applicants V5C has been cancelled and the applicant notified that a request for a Q plate is required, There is currently only one way to move that forward at that point and that is via iva inspection and re-registration upon a iva pass. (applies to unmodified chassis variants).

Here I am not trying to put you or anyone else off - just simply trying to make you aware that it`s essential to "look before you leap".

Good luck and let us know how things progress for you with the dvla brotherhood.

Thanks for the advice regarding the V5 changes. I was worried as there are a few changes all in one go, engine size and number, colour and body type. I gather the best I can hope for under body type is 'convertible' .

Do you have the V5 in your name? If so send the logbook off now to get engine size and number changed. Put down exact size not just a generic '1600' or whatever. According to their rules you don't need any receipts or engineer reports etc as it's a classic vehicle but sometimes they need reminding of their own rules and a covering letter stating such wouldn't do any harm together with a receipt if you have one.

When you've changed the body fill in a V627/1 stressing 'standard VW' / unmodified and 'standard wheelbase ' at every opportunity. Enclose a few photos, not too many, some of the donor car with number plates showing would help, chassis and engine numbers and a shot of a tape measure showing wheelbase plus some general shots.

Here's a form that sent off a couple of years ago that got changed with no problems but they may want to inspect it, it's just the luck of the draw.

Thanks again, I've already bought the engine that will eventually be going in so I can get the V5C amended for that. At present the only details on the car are 'Volkswagen Saloon'.

Two paths to go down then as I see it. It`s just not possible to say if one is better than the other. Over the years I have come across folk who have made V5C changes, multiple change or singular, whereby one individual has had no issue and had the revised V5C back in a week or so. Then others have had to wait weeks, some being asked for more info, and so on.

For consideration.....

Path 1....  Send off the V5C with a request to change the engine number. Progress with the build and apply again for a change of colour when you are or have rebodied the chassis. Then same again with a request for change to make and model.

Path 2...  Apply for all changes in one go ensuring that you have looked at the form Dave has shown and that it is filled in fully. Important... The section that requires detail of how you disposed of left over bits...   Here simply itemise "items used for build and state that all other parts recycled in correct manner at correct re-cycling centres".  (Form V627/1 available from the .gov site as is the form that gives advise on filling in). (Dave`s form is of an example that was successful so it is your best guide).

My experience with dvla, (should say latest experience which was December last year), and just to give some idea how K & R have helped improve things in my opinion and how they yet have quite some way to go.....

Remember this was an application for re-registration of a vehicle following the successful IVA examination. (IVA is VOSA led not DVLA).

Forms submitted to DVLA...... Now then here is how weird DVLA response to changes vary so much....  IVA Certificate which went to DVLA and is kept by them had Make... Meyers Manx..... Model.... Beach Buggy. Registration application form had.... Make - Meyers Manx. Model - Beach Buggy....  V5C came back... Make - Meyers Manx.  Model - Sports.

It`s a tho the words "beach buggy" has some sort of allergy attached to it.    Yet there are V5C`s with beach buggy on them so the system obviously can accept the two words...

All in all my thoughts are.... get a V5C sorted with what ever they deem suitable as a description and get out there and drive it as much as you can. A piece of paper will go in a drawer out of sight once you have it.   

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Thanks again, I've already bought the engine that will eventually be going in so I can get the V5C amended for that. At present the only details on the car are 'Volkswagen Saloon'.

Is the model section of the V5C blank or does it state eg '1300' or Beetle?

If it does indeed just state VW and Saloon then I'd be inclined not to bother them beyond changing the engine size/number and then at a later date, the colour.

If anyone questions the 'saloon' bit then just say you've left the removable hard top at home.

Can I assume the tax class is already down as 'Historic'?

After cutting out the old floor pans, everything underneath was coated with this thick black gloop. There was a time when people used to underseal their cars with old engine oil, as it wasn't set hard it wasn't too bad to scrape off. A bit of a sticky mess but I now have a clean chassis which needs no repairs.

Did you read my last post?

Thanks again, I've already bought the engine that will eventually be going in so I can get the V5C amended for that. At present the only details on the car are 'Volkswagen Saloon'.

Is the model section of the V5C blank or does it state eg '1300' or Beetle?

If it does indeed just state VW and Saloon then I'd be inclined not to bother them beyond changing the engine size/number and then at a later date, the colour.

If anyone questions the 'saloon' bit then just say you've left the removable hard top at home.

Can I assume the tax class is already down as 'Historic'?

Manxdavid, V5C just shows Volkswagen , model is blank, body type is Saloon. I've sent it off with the new engine number, size and the receipt so that should go through without any issues. It's also down as Historic.