genuine or repro ??? That is the question !

[shaun]

As an engineer and a restorer of military vehicles since 1981 I am fully in favor of repro parts to complete a project (infact i have just made the top Armour that was missing from my current project). And yes engines, transmissions, running grear all get changed while in service. But in all my years in the Road Transport industry, Military and now the museum world the chassis or Hull (lower hull in carriers) has always been "the Vehicle". If you make a new chassis that is a different vehicle to the one you are restoring, Reparing the chassis is one thing but replacment ???? After a massive landrover show near Peterbobrough last year the Police and DVLA were stopping landrovers and checking chassis, Vins and components. When they found rebuilt vehicles on old reg numbers (upgraded to coil spring and desiel engines )they were conficated and crushed (any vehicle manufactured before jan 1973 is road tax exempt ). Having a used a few old spares on a new chassis does not make it a 1942 vehicle etc.

The other thing to take into consideration are "Safety critical" parts. Brakes, steering, tracks etc. do the parts that have been "reproduced" or repaired meet the construction and use standards ? This area is such a mine field (no pun intented) as any bad publicty due to a poorly built vehicle, involved in an accident and then inspected by VOSA could end up with our vehicles becming banned from the road.

With todays technolagy it is possible to re-manufacture anything, as has been proved with WW2 Jeeps. But is a "repro" Jeep the same value or interest as one that has seen service and been places ? to me a major part of the value is in the object history, sitting in behind the armour or in the hull of something that was used in 1940 is part of the thought provoking experence.

Why are my views such, there are so many good restores out there rebuilding real vehicles and then there are the few who are in it for the money or the glory.

I realise this will touch a nerve with people, but you either have a real Jeep / carrier etc or a repro.

TTFN