DVLA renaming - latest farce

[WorldClassAccident]

I sent off all the paper work in the first week in January.

You are no longer allowed to change the manufacturer. After much thought I selected:

BMW
Z300S Barchetta

I get a phone call from them saying the name was wrong because it was too long. Apparently you are only allowed 16 characters for the model name.

I thought quickly counted up the letters and there are only 15. I thought I would point this out to the lovely Welsh lady. She explained that the 16 letters had to include the words Kit Car.

I said that the car wasn't a kit car and that there was nothing on the website saying this was a requirement.

She pointed out that the Tribute invoice I had to provide stated mentioned the word 'Kit'.

I pointed out that it was a body kit - a bit like fitting a spoiler to a car.

She said that the Tribute company was making replica Ferarris so perhaps she should call it the BMW Z300 Ferarri Replica.

I pointed out that that name was more than 16 letters and my car wasn't a replica Ferrari.

She asked what it was.

I explained that it was an homage to sports cars for the 1950s such as the Maserati 300S which is why I had asked to register is as a Z300S Barchetta.

She asked why I wanted the word Barchetta.

I explained it meant little boat in Italian and was used to refer to convertibles.

She said she thought it sounded like that fancy toast with tomatoes and olives (I think she was thinking of bruschetta)

At this point (about 20 minutes on the phone) I asked if she could just do what I had originally asked for while I got back to work. Mistake.

I just got the documentation back and am now the proud owner of a BMW Z300S Replica

[oxford1360]

Which is a shame because "replica" in Italian means...........er.....replica.

Joking aside, it is enough to drive you mad. By them being officious, your document is now actually misleading.

Sigh.

[WorldClassAccident]

I should have stuck with my original idea - scroll to the bottom of the page

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...t=4253&page=11

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

I just got the documentation back and am now the proud owner of a BMW Z300S Replica

Oh dear. As a Welshman I feel I should apologise on behalf of my fellow, and very bureaucratic countrymen.
Especially as the new name is more than 16 characters, and doesn't include 'kit car'.

A problem with numpties is that they think they're right and won't be convinced. It might be helpful to others suffering as you did, when getting nowhere, to make an excuse, hang up, and phone again in a couple of hours when hopefully you'll speak with someone more helpful.

But the name's ok, if factually inaccurate, and I don't understand how DVLA are allowed to keep the original manufacturer's name without BMW objecting.

[Scottie22]

I suppose because what lurks beneath is actually a BMW?

[Paul L]

WCA - I bet your head hurts from banging it against that brick wall.

I hope I have better luck than you when I finally get to that stage.

Cheers, Paul.

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by Scottie22

I suppose because what lurks beneath is actually a BMW?

Personally, I think BMW engineering is excellent and a superb base* for Chris' masterpieces. Rather I was wondering what BMW must feel about their designs being chopped about and potentially misrepresented as something else but still using their brand name.

I'm sure the DVLA naming convention will change again sometime soon once manufacturers realise what's happening.

* except for the front suspension turrets.

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

I just got the documentation back and am now the proud owner of a BMW Z300S Replica

Isn't that a motorbike

[adventuresoftimtim]

Sorry to hear about that WCA, hope you get it sorted! So you're no longer allowed to change the manufacturers name eh.... time to reign in the imagination then...

[Scottie22]

I'll be lucky to get "Triumph XKSS" which right now is the best I can hope for.

[WorldClassAccident]

Phoned again and was told it had to have the words REPLICA or KIT CAR on the registration document.

I explained mine wasn't a kit car.

She agreed and said that was why it was marked as a replica.

I asked what it was a replica of.

She said it was a Replica BMW Z300S.

I asked what that was.

She said that she had no idea but as it was my car I should know!

I am now tempted to get it changed to "BMW This is not a f*cking " just so when they stick the word Replica on the end it is at least accurate

[Paul L]

WCA - You couldn't make this up.

Unfortunately, this is the vision I have of the person on the other end of the phone...

[micky1mo]

That explains why my G-46 , which is actually WCA old car, is now called a RELIANT SAMMIO RIBBLE, body type SPORTS.

[Viatron]

But yours doesn't have the words replica or kit car in the name, send it back immediately!

[Viatron]

[Nike55]

I feel your pain WCA. I was deeply worried about this aspect when my G46 project stalled in Poole, after the body was bonded on this was objective No 2. I thought the DVLA might change the bloody goal posts (things are still shaking out Europe wise) to the point where ALL conversions might have to go down the IVA route.

The biggest delay was after the bloke GJ used in VOSA at Poole left and it took Chris at Tribute Automotive some time getting the new guy up to speed, who then promptly left, Chris had to start again with his replacement.

I can only suggest you speak to a supervisor at VOSA (or whatever they are called this month) or maybe Chris might have an inside track on this...

Best wishes.

[Mitchelkitman]

I think a "BMW Apollo 11 Replica" could be a good name to go for - think i'd aim for that

[Mister Towed]

Having read all of the above I'd go with BMW-DVLA-VOSA Tribute to St Jude the apostle replica (see link below).

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...gs-you-2641266

[Scottie22]

Would that not infringe the 16 character rule? :-)

[y cymro]

What about the 'BMW Bureaucracy'? Looks a bit like Barchetta.