Classic & Vintage Commercials Magazine LEYLAND BEAVER Back Issue

IF you are anything like me (and I don’t
mean short, fat, grey and advancing in
years), you will appreciate the simple
things in life, free from unnecessary
complications. Thus, I take great
enjoyment either looking at, being among
or tinkering around with machinery. I’m
into this classic lark big-time and care not
what bit of kit it is, the whole lot appeals
to me.
What doesn’t appeal to me is legislation.
I do appreciate that there have to be
rules in life and the person who maintains
that rules are there to be broken is a silly
person. Don’t believe me? Then drive the
wrong way round the M25 and see what
happens.
OK, flippancy aside. I fully understand
that a subject as complicated as road
transport is going to attract equally-ascomplicated
regulations and it seems that
the world of classic vehicles gets more
than its fair share of rules.
Over the past few years, there have
been debates – and sometimes decisions
– on the use of cellulose paint, ethanol in
fuel, whether to exempt vehicles made
before 1960 from the MoT test and a good
few other matters. I frequently get asked
questions on exemptions and suchlike
and, quite frankly, can’t answer them with
any certainty. That’s just not my thing.
Luckily, we’ve got an incredibly
Historic Vehicle Clubs, whose experts sift
through, interpret and often fight bits of
legislation that will affect us. That is good
to know.
In the latest FBHVC, there is an update
on the NOVA situation. In case you didn’t
know, the letters stand for Notification of
Vehicle Arrivals, a joint initiative between
HM Revenue and Customs and the Driver
and Vehicle Licensing Agency to combat
fraud on vehicles arriving permanently into
the UK. It has a sound basis, but could
make life tricky for bona fide enthusiasts
bringing vehicles into the country. I do not
totally understand the ins and outs, but
I know somebody who does. The point I
am making here is that we should support
the FBHVC as much as possible – they’re
certainly supporting us.