edessex said:

The more I look into this, the more my heart sinks!

I was already starting to plan a stop over at a mate's in Cardiff, so I didn't have to drive there and back in the same day!

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default_user said:

Ed, seriously, don't bid on it. It's obvious that your heart wants it but your head does not. I'm not a salesman with a hidden agenda and I can't tell you anything about what the original builder or DVLA did when registering it. I'm just offering it for sale as it currently stands because I'm out of options.

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Well said Default user.

The head wants it too, but I've had issues with the DVLA over the last couple if years.

I was hoping you'd have something, even a scrap of paper from the DVLA, that could prove it was all legal.

If you were nearer then I'd just go for it anyway, as I could use it for an off road toy if the DVLA won't register properly. But with the transport costs, I have to know it's 100%.

Hopefully someone from my way will buy it, and then change their mind and sell!

Although more likely someone will probably end up just MoTing and driving it, and get into a crash where the insurers won't pay out....

I'd love the Rat. The only changes I'd make are tyres and a winch.

MOT shouldn't be an issue as I'll be reliving my trials driving youth with my nephews.

Well people, the Rat sold on eBay for more than I advertised for here. Perhaps the new owner will register here (if he isn't already) and there will be more posts about it.

I'll keep an eye on the forum in the hope that I'll see it finished and on the road.

Well, it's back up for sale!

Going by the condition, whomever bought it just dumped it outside and left it.

I'm now back struggling with the same dilemma as before... really want it, but I know its not correctly registered and most probably needs a DVLA inspection.

Might be worth buying this month's Complete Kit Car - there's an article in there about how someone got their old Nova kit registration sorted when it just said Volkswagen Beetle on the V5. It can be done. At least it's not registered as a Dutton!

Also, it depends on where it says on the V5 that it's a pickup. If it says Pickup on the model line rather than the bodystyle, then that suggests that it has gone through the "correct" pre SVA way of registering a kit car. I know of other kits that were built pre SVA and correctly (for the time) registered, with the V5 saying the donor car and "SPORTS" as per the Pistonheads link.

@edessex

Looks like a bit of a gamble, the whole thing is a real shed, rotten and full of greenery.

While it may be worth saving historically issues arising from its registration could mean it ends up on a Q plate and loses some of its history. Then you could literally need to replace all the running gear and engine, if they prove to have had it.

At least the kit did away with the pandas rusty door bottoms.

It does look a very sorry state.