plasticbadger

OH, one other detail I forgot that probably applies to many members here... Because I'm using the vehicle privately only I shouldn't need a tacho. The VOSA test inspector had the Tacho Exemption forms at the HGV test centre, I simply filled out the form during the MOT and ta-da, no Tacho required. I've also taxed the truck under the class Private HGV so there should be no questions when using it either.

Thanks, and yesterday I received a nice shinny new V5 in the post, just 7 days after sending off the V55/5. Now all I need is number plates and to inform my insurance company of the registration number.

A little update, which may well be of interest to other parties going through the registration process. I took the truck for a class 7 MOT, but the tester picked up the 6818kg gross weight on the chassis plate, entered it in to the MOT system and go a 'do not proceed' as it is over 3500kg gross. So I had 2 options, 1 down rate the truck to 3500kg gross (perfectly legal to do according to VOSA), or 2 go for an HGV test. I thought I'd investigate option 1, but to do this I needed to weigh the truck to check it was safely under 3500kg light. I took it to the nearest weigh bridge and it weighed in at 3500kg on the dot with no fuel! Option 2 it is then! Next step was to log the truck on the VOSA HGV test system, this involves getting them to raise a plating certificate, however to do this required a VOSA Technical Investigation as the model was not known to them. This conversation and record providing, contact direct with VOSA and Penman all went very smoothly and was sorted in a week! So next step was to book an HGV test with VOSA and find a garage willing to test the truck and give me some support on the tech side. It took about 6 weeks to get the HGV test lined up, then the truck failed. No under run bars, no side protection, brakes insufficient and a few other minors. The most major was the VOSA inspector saying the tyres were not speed rated. So, back to VOSA head office I went with info from Bridgestone proving the ratings of the tyres, then back in for a re-test after a weekend of fabrication on the various protection bars. The truck passed it's second HGV test easily, the VOSA tester was an excellent helpful chap. Now I have completed and sent off the V55/5 and various other documents and I'm waiting to hear back from the DVLA. It's been a long winded process, but I have to say the authorities have all been very helpful, though lacking some understanding of the weird at times.

And here it is on it's way to the test centre, the Defender certainly struggled with the weight!

2 reasons really, firstly the majority of original body was removed before sale, so it would have been a huge job to rebuild it and secondly changing the body has made it a useful vehicle rather than a show piece. True it would of been really cool to have a recreation of the original, but this way I have something to use and enjoy.

Oh, I forgot to say I contacted Penman and got a very swift response. They confirmed the in-service weights and some other details about how and where the base vehicle was purchased. Generally quite helpful, but nothing really to help the registration process.

Well, again a little delay in progress, BUT the Tavern is booked for an MOT on Monday.... I'm playing it safe and trailering the Tavern to and from the MOT (with my Defender :undecided:). I went over the whole vehicle and never could find chassis numbers, so I've stamped the Penman chassis number on the chassis and made a chassis plate for the body using the Chevrolet Type Approval information for weights (using a generic 'VW' type blank plate). I have my form V55/5 ready to go and completed the sections recommended on another thread here, entering N/A on the Type Approval sections, so fingers crossed the MOT will go well and the process with the DVLA will be plain sailing. I'll update next week, as hopefully this will be useful to those of you registering some other more unusual military cast offs.

Good thinking! However, is that necessary when registering more 'normal' ex-MOD vehicles? The venerable Land Rover as an ex-service is very different to the type approved civilian versions for example.

Well, a long time has passed since I started this thread and the Tavern has been mostly sat on the drive collecting cobwebs. However, the time is now close to MOT and registering. There's a few areas I could do with some help with: I have the truck insured on the Penman chassis number, matching chassis number and VIN plate and matching release Form 640 showing build date, date into service, release date etc. I have Form V55/4 from the DVLA and I'm hoping to MOT in the next 3 weeks. HOWEVER! The form V55/4 asks for a lot of info on weight, emissions, type approval etc. Info which I don't have. Weights I can get, but I was going to register it at 3500kg (it weighs under), so do I need to put all the max weights at 3500kg? What about the other type approval stuff, is this covered by the Form 640? Also, does anyone know if I can drive to the MOT with no plates? I presume I need to trailer it? Thanks, PB

Hey Barn, saw you registered on the 3500HD site too. I'm rebuilding one of these Taverns using the cab from a standard Chevy pick up. I plan to keep the bumper, push bars, chequer plate etc to keep the military look as well as painting it Nato Green, but with the chevy cab it will be a practical and usable truck. Maybe not one for the purists, but a fun, functional and interesting vehicle all the same. I've been short on time the last couple of months so haven't dont too much on the project, but I plan to get into it more over the next couple of months and get the two trucks stripped down (the Tavern is now stripped, but the donnor checy needs taking apart), painted and back onto the Tavern chassis. Keep me posted on your plans. Rich

I haven't donw much work on the truck for the last few months, due to gardening and holidays. I'm going to hit it hard in October/November. I have bought a Chevy 3500 ex-ambulance t provide the missing parts for the rebuild. Registration wise the only stumbling block I have is that I will be registering it using the Penman chassis number shown on the 654 form and this isn't shown on the chassis anywhere. I think I have enough supporting documents to just mark this on the chassis, but that's the only question. If you buy from the guy in Doncaster, he doesn't have the 654 form necessary to register. You'll either have to go the full IVA route, or get the Witham Specialist Vehicle receipt from him and try to get them to give you the 654 Form.

Thanks for the help guys, I'm pretty sure it's a 'Chevrolet' as, talking to some experts on the brand from the US, the bowtie emblem on the steering wheel was only used on the Chevrolet version. As Mike says though, Chevrolet is just a trading name of General Motors Corperation, so it's likely that's where the army took the designation from. That link with the photo and specification calls it "Truck Armoured Patrol Mk 2 (APV2) 4x4 6.2LTR Diesel GMC" - which I've seen a couple of places and it is 100% a 6.5LTR. I now have the form 654 and it does show the Penman issued chassis number, so I think I have all the info I need to register, other than the curb weight which as mentioned I can just get at the nearest weigh bridge.

Thanks Andy, that's really helpful. Currently there are no identifying marks on the vehicle at all, other than the reg number on the key. No chassis number that I've found, VIN plate, weight plate etc. I know for a fact that the military reg number is correct as my truck is the actual one that is pictured complete on this website and has a number of body damage areas that match those photos. It also still had the plates on when I first viewed it at Withams. The 6800kg comes from Chevrolet (they're a Chevy, not a GMC by the way!) as the model was only made in one specification. The truck is a '98 model and from the club for this model in the 'states I have axle weights, gross weights etc. so I'll only need the new curb weight for the weight plate. I hope to find the chassis number once the truck is completely stripped, then I can get a VIN plate made.

I know this thread has been 'dead' for a while, but I've only just joined the forum. I have bought and am rebuilding a Tavern from Withams. Firstly to explain the truck - they're based on a 1998 Chevrolet 3500HD chassis cab. The original vechile was a LHD 2WD, I don't know if it was Penham who converted them to 4WD, but they certainly did the RHD conversion. The 4WD conversion uses a fabricated adaptor onto the standard 2WD gearbox and a Borgwarner 4407 transfer case. The front axle replaces the standard drop beam front axle and lifts the front of the truck 4" above standard. The rear axle uses 3" blocks to level the lift. They were offered by Withams as non-runners and it looks difficult to get them running due to the Penham installed immobiliser, but there is an easy way to get them running very quickly. If I told you I'd have to kill you though, so PM me if you're looking to get one running. Witham claim they've sold the last one, but last time I went up there (June) they still had 20 odd standing around. Has anybody been there in the last couple of weeks?

Hi, first topic outside the introductions area here. I have an ex-UK MOD Tavern APV2 that I bought a couple of months ago from Witham SV. I'm rebuilding it to a more civilian spec (RHD standard cab, drop side pick up body, all armour removed). It's getting close to registering it for the road and I need some help/advice please. I hope to have the MOD Form 654 from Witham soon showing the into service details, but I don't have a chassis number on the vehicle. I have my receipts from the purchase etc. also. The way I understand it I need to get the vehicle insured, MOTed and then take ID, money for tax and the Form 654 to the local DVLA office to get it registered using DVLA form V55/5. I have three main questions though: How does the 6800kg GVW effect the process, presumably I need the form VTG1 for the first MOT, but will I need the form VTG10 for a change of body also? Presumably the Form 654 will cover 'evidence of newness' as required by the DVLA, but how do I prove 'evidence of Type Approval' for this US origin vehicle, or will I need an SVA/IVA etc? Finally, should the Form 654 show the chassis number? Thanks, Rich