Help in UK!

Hi there.

My name is Jonathan and I'm from London in rainy UK. I've got my heart set on a speedster and am thinking about either a JPS or Beck. Has anyone hear imported into the UK and have any experience of the SVA test? I have a really nasty feeling I would have to add ugly side repeaters and jack the front suspension up to get the headlights to the correct height (and drop it down straight after!). I've also heard the bumpers may stick out to much and the rear view mirrors may be non-compliant.

I think this may only be the case with the Beck and not the JPS as it is a new vehicle (new chassis) although I'm not sure. Can anyone clarify this?

Many thanks.

Jonathan; it's actually the other way around. JPS uses complete VW pans. Beck uses new tube frames with VW drivetrains.

Why fight the import hassel and LF hand drive? Despite Euro being strong against the $ suspect by the time you ship and pay VAT you'd be ahead with a Chesil. www.chesil.co.uk/info/frames.htm Used ones are listed at www.speedsters.com/forsale.htm

Jonathan,

All those items you list, and more, have been addressed by the UK kit suppliers/manufacturers to make their cars SVA compliant.

If you're buying new, I don't see any reason why a non-European manufacturer couldn't build to the requirements in the SVA manual, but it would be at your risk (as the test would be done in the UK, thousands of miles from them).

I wouldn't advise buying used and trying to modify the car for SVA after its built.

Simon

(A Chesil Owner)

Hey Jonathan how about thrying to find a used PGO from France. Oh....yeah the steering wheel on the wrong side!!! Simon is right he did a beauty job with his Chesnil. Hope you get one!

If you can clear one with the ministry of transport. Importing from the US, the british pound and dollar might it be interesting to score a nice used one in the states.

Cheers mate

Thanks for this guys.

Sorry for the confusing message, I know the Beck is the tube frame. Both JPS and Beck have confirmed that they make right hand drive.

Ive done my calculations including shipping, 17.5% vat and 10% import duty and it will still be cheaper to get a Beck and will get the benefit of the tube chassis.

My concern is that because it is a tube chassis and not a beetle "pan", the fascist UK department of transport will treat it as a new car (not one 10 years old or more) and so will have to comply with all these stupid regulations.

The only solution I see is that I get adjustable front suspension to raise the headlights, fit crappy side repeaters, remove the bumpers and maybe change the wing mirrors.

I beleive Chesil get round this as they use a VW pan so the car is classed as older than 10 years and doesn't have to comply with SVA regs.

I'll do some more investigation and keep you guys posted.

PS is having a VW pan that much of a disadvantage? Is the flex noticable? The Beck website seems to suggest quite a difference.

Thanks for the comments RE Chesil. One question, from the pictures one the website the hood appears to sit high on the body ala cabriolet. Can you specify a speedster roof that sits below a tonneau leaving a "clean" body line.

Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated.

Jon