Mat armstrong

[Discendo Discimus]

Terzo123 said:

I like his videos, but the inane laughter does grate a bit.

Oh yeah completely agree, I wish they just built the car in silence, discussed only technical matters with a dead straight face and they should edit out any hint of a smile or inane laughter. Bloody happy people, pfft.

[WPA]

Pistom said:

Let's hope he manages to blag it but if he's following the letter of the law, it looks like it should be on a Q, as should all those LRs with swapped used chassis.

Many don't follow the letter of the law if they can find a way around it.

I don't think it should be a question of trying to blag it, you hope he does it correctly but I cannot see him wanting it on a Q plate.

[robemcdonald]

Pistom said:

Let's hope he manages to blag it but if he's following the letter of the law, it looks like it should be on a Q, as should all those LRs with swapped used chassis.

Many don't follow the letter of the law if they can find a way around it.

I’ve been reading up on this on TVR and Land Rover forums, just as a matter of interest.
The consensus seems to be if the chassis is from the OEM and not previously registered to another vehicle it’s considered to be a replacement part.
From memory I think matts replacement chassis wasn’t registered, so is probably okay from that point of view.
The fact he subsequently modified the chassis would put a question mark over it though.

[Pistom]

robemcdonald said:

I’ve been reading up on this on TVR and Land Rover forums, just as a matter of interest.
The consensus seems to be if the chassis is from the OEM and not previously registered to another vehicle it’s considered to be a replacement part.
From memory I think matts replacement chassis wasn’t registered, so is probably okay from that point of view.
The fact he subsequently modified the chassis would put a question mark over it though.

This is where "the letter of the rule" sucks. Thankfully, the authorities are usually reasonable about these things.

Nobody would benefit from the car going on a Q.

The rule is there to stop people putting chopped cars together and selling them as original so I don't disagree with the rule but what Matt is doing is legitimate in my mind.

Sadly, my mind carries little weight.

If there is any issue, it will be because he has done it in such a publicly visible manner.

I don't know how a car can be built without a VIN so not sure how the tub doesn't have one but the only thing to take away from all of this really are my words - I'm not sure and I don't know.

[WPA]

Pistom said:

I don't know how a car can be built without a VIN so not sure how the tub doesn't have one but the only thing to take away from all of this really are my words - I'm not sure and I don't know.

Replacement tub was from an ex race-car I believe so was never road legal

[Promised Land]

WPA said:

Pistom said:

I don't know how a car can be built without a VIN so not sure how the tub doesn't have one but the only thing to take away from all of this really are my words - I'm not sure and I don't know.

Replacement tub was from an ex race-car I believe so was never road legal

I think you’re correct, could you drive it on trade plates like that?

Ok it’s not legit and if you got pulled over by VOSA or whoever it is now and they checked you’d be in trouble but for just moving it to the garage etc would trade plates allow for that without a VIN?

[was8v]

Pistom said:

The rule is there to stop people putting chopped cars together and selling them as original so I don't disagree with the rule but what Matt is doing is legitimate in my mind.

Thats exactly what this is, a chopped car. The chassis / tub was modified to LHD. As above, should be a Q after an IVA.

However I doubt anyone cares or has the resources to investigate. Not really in the public interest is it.

Although he does hint at an "inspection", surely unless chassis mods declared it doesn't need an IVA as the car is type approved for the UK. He would just need an MOT and certificate of conformity from mclaren surely.

I bet he just sends off the receipt for the car and the Belgian logbook and gets his V5.

Would be good if he covered this in the vid, e.g. did he pay import duty and VAT on the car when he first brought it over?

[InformationSuperHighway]

Pistom said:

the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)

So - if it appears with anything other than a Q - they will have found a "loophole".

Edited by Pistom on Tuesday 30th January 09:27

Edited by Pistom on Tuesday 30th January 09:27

Does it define what a 'new' chassis is? New from factory or just a different one (Like Matt has done).

Maybe the lack of VIN (Do we 100% know this is true) means he can go back to Mclaren, get a VIN put on it.. therefore making it a 'new' chassis and meeting the rules above?

[Ifinishposts]

Discendo Discimus said:

Terzo123 said:

I like his videos, but the inane laughter does grate a bit.

Oh yeah completely agree, I wish they just built the car in silence, discussed only technical matters with a dead straight face and they should edit out any hint of a smile or inane laughter. Bloody happy people, pfft.

I am a right grumpy old so and so, my missus keeps reminding me about it. But...one episode hosted mainly by his dad even had the wife wanting to stop watching, we turned it off, manic laughing from start to finish.

[Pistom]

InformationSuperHighway said:

Does it define what a 'new' chassis is? New from factory or just a different one (Like Matt has done).

Maybe the lack of VIN (Do we 100% know this is true) means he can go back to Mclaren, get a VIN put on it.. therefore making it a 'new' chassis and meeting the rules above?

It's a long time since I've been involved in anything like this and it was only one car but at the time - pretty much everything needed to be receipted as new.

In any case - as has been mentioned elsewhere, I doubt anyone would care, all things considered.

So unless Matt spells out to the authorities what he's done, he'll get away with an age related plate.

[WPA]

Pistom said:

InformationSuperHighway said:

Does it define what a 'new' chassis is? New from factory or just a different one (Like Matt has done).

Maybe the lack of VIN (Do we 100% know this is true) means he can go back to Mclaren, get a VIN put on it.. therefore making it a 'new' chassis and meeting the rules above?

It's a long time since I've been involved in anything like this and it was only one car but at the time - pretty much everything needed to be receipted as new.

In any case - as has been mentioned elsewhere, I doubt anyone would care, all things considered.

So unless Matt spells out to the authorities what he's done, he'll get away with an age related plate.

The fact he converted it to LHD tells you his plans, it was obvious from the start that he was going to put it back on the road.

Still seems strange to me that he has still not imported the car, surely you would do that at the start of the project

[simon_harris]

You can't SVA a car that is in bits

[WestyCarl]

I'm pretty sure he has a plan.

His channel is so popular and the new chassis has been documented I cannot see him trying to fool the DVLA and risking the story coming out and the damage to his Channel.

[littlebasher]

WestyCarl said:

risking the story coming out and the damage to his Channel.

Those gash wheels have done enough damage

[limmy01]

Just out on the mk 2 channel

https://youtu.be/aHtBOwGWgco?si=rfRbzrHXHV_oWzOp

[BMRed]

Another new fan here. Started watching the Ferrari video, which I binged watched.

Above all, I love the relationship with his dad. I was so happy with his dad’s reaction to getting the Ferrari.

[WPA]

mat-fos36 said:

InformationSuperHighway said:

mat-fos36 said:

WPA said:

simon_harris said:

WPA said:

Sorry but your wrong in regards to the M5, it was not the proper tool but something homemade, that car should have been repaired on a proper jig.

I suggest re-watching episode 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It-S0J8wcpo

Still not on a jig is it, the only way to ensure proper alignment would be a repair on a proper jig not just guess, the strut tower could still be out.

Thought id jump in here. The M5 didnt need any jig work. Infact i speak to alot of bodyshops which watch the channel and they say themselves it wouldnt of even touched their jigg. As long as the correct measurements are made and its within tolerance then theres not issue. & its fairly obvious if its out as there would be strut braces or suspension components, even arch lining bolts which wouldnt line up.

Although alot of the jobs ive been doing are my first time ever doing them i still wouldnt want to drive something which wasnt safe. Its funny as sometimes i get alot of comments saying ive done something incorrect or its not safe when in fact we've had the exact repair procedure sent to us from the manufacture which we've followed but im not allowed to share it on the channel as they are not suppose to give it to the public. All part of the fun i guess

Thanks Mat for posting. I’ve been someone who’s been critical in this thread, so I respect that you’ve come to answer us.

One question that’s come up a lot in this thread is how you’ll solve the McLaren tub / registration issue.

Are you able to shed any light on your plan there?

No probs!

So the cars currently going through it all atm. it essentially need an IVA test which a 3rd party company is sorting for me. The Tub doesnt have an identity but theres companies including Mclaren that providing you show the right document will sort the vin out on the tub for you and what ive learnt it actually doesnt even need to be in the oem locations, mine will be in the oem spot though. Mclaren wont stamp the vin into this tub as they didnt provide and fit it but other companies will.

I have to make sure the dash reads in mph not kph, the headlights are the correct beam or a straight one and it has a working fog light and basically pass an MOT test.

After thats complete it will be imported with a UK plate. If theres any issues which there shouldnt be as the cars just been to mclaren for a full inspection before all of this then worst case it will have a Q plate which either way doesnt bother me as ill be keeping the car

Copied over from another thread, sounds straightforward enough to get the Mclaren on the road, I am still unsure on how it works with modifying the tub however.

[Easternlight]

Ifinishposts said:

Discendo Discimus said:

Terzo123 said:

I like his videos, but the inane laughter does grate a bit.

Oh yeah completely agree, I wish they just built the car in silence, discussed only technical matters with a dead straight face and they should edit out any hint of a smile or inane laughter. Bloody happy people, pfft.

I am a right grumpy old so and so, my missus keeps reminding me about it. But...one episode hosted mainly by his dad even had the wife wanting to stop watching, we turned it off, manic laughing from start to finish.

I can just about live with the happiness but I wish he'd give up on the matt raps and big exhausts.
But then I don't really think 62 year olds are his target audience

[i4got]

Easternlight said:

Ifinishposts said:

Discendo Discimus said:

Terzo123 said:

I like his videos, but the inane laughter does grate a bit.

Oh yeah completely agree, I wish they just built the car in silence, discussed only technical matters with a dead straight face and they should edit out any hint of a smile or inane laughter. Bloody happy people, pfft.

I am a right grumpy old so and so, my missus keeps reminding me about it. But...one episode hosted mainly by his dad even had the wife wanting to stop watching, we turned it off, manic laughing from start to finish.

I can just about live with the happiness but I wish he'd give up on the matt raps and big exhausts.
But then I don't really think 62 year olds are his target audience

Im 62 and love the channel. I think 62 year olds are included in his target audience (but maybe not all of them )

[untakenname]

Can't see that red M3 being repairable with that severe rear end damage, thought it was quite funny having the video sponsored by 'Car Vertical' yet nothing coming up on the checks as it's unrecorded damage.