I suspect it will be significant whatever is changed but you may be right, different classes of "classics" such as resto mod types, wont be historic and will have to be re-classified in terms of current emissions for road use. (ie those with modern running gear etc), tasteful modification like brakes, body kits and L series engine changes may be allowed but not classed as historic under revised rules. Concourse or very close to that level of originality may have a different class and be allowed to remain "historic" due to the heritage and significance of retaining a few good ones.!
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concourse
- 1.
a large open area inside or in front of a public building.
"a station concourse"
- 2.
a crowd or assembly of people.
"a vast concourse of onlookers"
concours
- an exhibition or parade of vintage or classic motor vehicles in which prizes are awarded for those in the best or most original condition.
"condition is what counts: a concours Mark 1 will fetch more than a ropy Mark 2 six years its junior"
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I firmly believe that upgrades for 'safety and security' reasons like brake and suspension kits, strut-braces + harnesses and roll-cages will be tolerated as will 'period' improvements such as triple carbs and injection upon L-series engines. Modern reliabability upgrades and replacing impossible-to-find-new-OEM parts for instance electronic ignition, after-market radiator, tyres, lights etc, etc I also see as being acceptable whilst conforming to a Classic-car MOT.
I strongly doubt that there will be several historic classes - too much bother, energy, specific controls etc. I can see this happening :
Modern cars = V5
30yrs and plus 'historic' cars = VH5 (historic)
Modern and historic closed-circuit-only cars : VC5 (competition)
Successive govts can then apply more and more strict rules upon whatever subject (emissions, noise, parking, city entry, road-tax, licence fees....etc) upon moderns whilst satisfying the Classic business world with the optional V5s.
They won't ban historic vehicules (too much uproad, lobbying and more specifically losing votes) but the ever stricter controls upon them whuilst classed as moderns with a normal V5 will severely limit their use, especially on public roads !
The cars immediately at risk are those performing rallies on public albeit it (in theory) closed roads !
Anybody here thinks that the govt is comfortable allowing Jack with his boosted 250+bhp Ford Escort rattling down country lanes at top speed - maybe the occupants are protected by in-date safety equipment but to spectators and anybody else on the route - it's an Exocet missile......and then these cars need to drive on open roads to the next stages....
Rallying is a great motorsport, every countrys' heritage.....but without the proper lobbying support - its days could be numbered.
..... The industry is too big to be shut down completely.........but you can bet your "bottom Euro" that it will cost us dearly to keep these things on the road!
The legacy of Thatcher - you can have whatever and whenver you like so long as you pay !
Classic cars'll become a rich-mans' toy in a rich-mans' playground - the demand for track-days will explode as will the tarifs.
If nobody here sees what's coming, your tin hats have slipped over yer eyes