Some of you know I own this car for many years, bought back in 1998. Bought as a partially dismantled wreck, basically not worth saving, but complete with glass, P-grille etc. As these are very rare, I couldn't find another one so it became mine.
I've built a new chassis to start with, including the club recommended improvements like turret reinforcement pipes and steel floors. Other modifications are Rack&Pinion, LHD conversion and telescopic rear shocks.
The bodywork required lots and lots of repair, and home made new sections. The new sills I had made by Celia and Ian, as the originals where beyond repair.
From 1999 to half of 2007 I put many many hours in this restoration, ending up with something looking like a nice car again. Mind, doors, interior, engine and box overhaul, paint, wiring etc all still to be done.
I never had this car registered in the Netherlands so far, and someone tipped me to do so before Brexit goes live, as import rules might change.
So 27th of September I went to the Dutch DVLA, and that didn't work out because there was no link between the V5 and the loose engine bay plate and the actual car. Normally the engine bay plate is located on the inner left fender, but on mine there where no holes. I returned home without a registration, and an appointment to come back the 24th of October, with all proof I could collect that this car belonged to those papers. So loaded up the Peerless again, and took with me the old chassis on a trailer.
Luckily I've kept my original rotted chassis all these years and on the pedalbox plate I found the matching holes to the engine bay plate. So went back last Thursday and long story short, I now have an imported legal Peerless with an official engraved chassis number.
Many thanks to Nigel for his support and help on this, it's been vital in this situation!! No question about me being very relieved, pffff.
Now, after 12 years in storage (house rebuild, Lotus rebuilt, kids etc), i'm going to restart the restoration early next year. Now nothing is in the way, i'm really looking forward to this!
Yes finally had some good nights sleep after this.
Anyway, like you say Frank I'm quite far in this restoration. The doors still need doing, these will be a project on their own I think, to make these work ok. I think all steel must be replaced cause its too far gone.
