Triumph World Magazine No.148 TR7V8 is built from scratch Back Issue

There was a surprise buried in this year’s
Budget statement when Chancellor of
the Exchequer, George Osborne, let it
be known he was reintroducing the
rolling exemption for classics from
paying for a tax disc. From now on, classics will
become exempt when they turn 40 years old, which
will hopefully help to save more 1970s cars such as
the Dolomites and TR7 coupés.
Last year we were told explicitly that the rolling
exemption would not be reintroduced, so what
brought about the change of heart? Well, you can
read all about it in this issue’s news pages, but
studies led by the Federation of British Historic
Vehicle Clubs into the importance of the classic car
movement to the UK economy were cited as a major
factor influencing the government.
It never ceases to amaze me how much unpaid
volunteers can achieve, whether in the running of a
club or an umbrella organisation such as the
FBHVC. Most of us have ample opportunity to
express out appreciation of the work put in by our
own club officials, but thanking the FBHVC can be
more difficult. However, there is one way that it can
be done – be sure to get out in your classic on the
FBHVC’s Drive It Day on Sunday 27 April. It
doesn’t matter if you join an organised run or go
solo, every classic on the road will play its part in
reaffirming the joy of classic ownership and showing
the vibrancy of the movement. See you then!
Simon Goldsworthy, Editor