Admin Group
Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New ZealandPosts: 9366
| Posted: 11:27am 20 Dec 2020 |
Those HQ's used to be EVERYWHERE over here in NZ, but they are quite hard to find now.
While not exactly V8, I have been rebuilding a Morris 1300 for the last couple of years, and she is ALMOST ready for her WOF.(Warrent Of Fitness).
In NZ, you have to get a WOF every six-months, which as I understand, is very much the same as the MOT(Ministry Of Transport) test in England. I don't know if in the UK they have to have six-monthly or yearly checks. Would love to know. Someone from the UK please post here.
Our American members might be shocked at this point.
In NZ, Australia(as far as I know - Gizmo?) and England, you have to do periodic WOF's/MOT's to certify that your vehicle is fit for the road and structurally sound. This involves tests on all major systems such as engine-smoke, engine mounts, brakes, tires, all lights, structural integrity(looking for rust), wheel bearings, suspension components, exhaust leaks etc....lots of things.
As far as I know, in America, this is NOT a requirement, only that you register your vehicle for whatever state you live in. Basically, 95% of the awesome hot-rods you see coming out of USA would be ILLEGAL here without a full certification - which is about 10x the price of the standard WOF - and they can still fail it on any number of things they don't like(backed up by regulations).
All those retro-bucket Fords etc - illegal here, cos there is no roll-bar on most of the USA builds - instant fail. Even if they DO have a roll-bar fitted, if not "Structurally correct" - Fail. For example, a roll-bar bolted to the body would fail as it would 'Punch-through' if the car rolled, and so any roll-bar has to be bolted/welded to the chassis. If your car never had a chassis in the first place, then you have to build and fit one for the roll-bar to bolt/weld to - and certify that also. You cannot drive any uncertified vehicle legally on the road, and if you do, you put yourself in line for about $1000 in fines - no current WOF or REG(registration). That's for every offense, so drive it ten times with no street-legal status, and get caught 50% of the time - five grand in fines and counting....
You yanks don't know how lucky you are!