48 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

Quote:
A message from Greece yesterday evening with both good as bad news.
A very happy new owner tells me he managed to buy the Beach Car I wrote about yesterday. That's the great bit.
However, there is a sting in the tail, as he tells me: "Unfortunately I have bought the car as 'spare parts' and will not be able to register it for road use. Furthermore, this really hurts, in order to take it away from the scrap yard I have to cut the car in half (roof and floor). I am both happy to find it as furious at the system and the Greek laws for having to cut up a rare car."
Now isn't that totally incredible? In fact, it is a great shame as this is such a historically valuable Mini, or derivative. When the car gets cut up in two it might never be the same again.
Link - Scroll down for more:
http://maximummini.blogspot.com/

Edited by mab01uk, 14 December 2010 - 11:40 PM.

[Tommyboy12]

Strategic cutting may mean he is able to save it even if he has to cut it in half. It seems such a shame he wont be able to register it though. Maybe it would be possible to get it moved to a country where he could register it then move it back to Greece. Its alot of effort but would be worth it for such an incredibly rare car.

[Tupers]

It's wouldn't be to hard to weld the roof back on once it's away from prying eyes.




It's still a shame it had to be cut up in the first place though.

[danrock101]

definatly needs putting into a container and exporting!

[Deathrow]

Shopping list:

• Chinook helicopter
• The cover of night
• Spanners/sockets (we might be airlifting it to safety, but lets not forget it's a Mini, you still need spanners!)

Go!

[CLM]

Oh god... that makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it!, why can it only be gotten for spare parts? Why can't one of those "spare parts" be a replacement body shell for another un-named mini? I think the thing being destroyed is a sacralige... it would be like them making someone cut up AOK... It's a historical vehicle....

Ugh...

Chris

Second thought... he needs to go to the scrap yard and find out how much it needs to cost to buy the car outright and not 'as parts' even if it is not to be brought back on the road or requiring export.

Edited by CLM, 15 December 2010 - 05:24 AM.

[miniman_78]

Maybe Heritage Motor Centre Motor Museum or BMH can be contacted and ask for help to preserve the car as a historically valuable Mini??

[Dan]

The point seems to be that as the car is registered as scrapped, it may only be sold as parts rather than a question of money. Just like a scrappage or serious write off over here. And whilst that may be unfortunate it is the law. Bear in mind that rare as it may be, this car is by no means unique. Many were made for marinas, boat clubs and resorts. There was a fully restored example in Mini Mag about 8 years ago. I believe Gaydon already have one and I think I've seen one at Brooklands or somewhere.

[Bungle]

can we have a wip round and buy the scrap yard

[Shifty]

can we have a wipe round and by the scrap yard

To be honest I think that due to state of greek finances at the mo it would be easier(and cheaper) to just buy Greece!!

[Tommyboy12]

With their current economy he may be able to slip the scrapyard owner a few extra bob to not chop it up and remove it in a big box. No one would be any the wiser!

[Asphalt]

Cut carefully, weld - done. Lot's of cars have been scrapped by the scrappage sheme, exported in two parts and rewelded abroad.

What's a shame is that it ended up on the scrap yard in the first place!!

[joakwin]

ship it to the states, i'll weld it back together or i'll have my older brother thats a welding inspector weld it back together

[mab01uk]

I have now found the owners original TMF thread and pictures about this rare Mini Beach Car for those who did not see it before:
http://www.theminifo...x...175094&st=0

Also some extra info on this exciting discovery posted on Mk1 forum:
http://mk1-forum.net....php?f=5&t=1364

Lets hope there is a happy ending to this............although there is little room for common sense in the modern world of Euro laws and the 'jobsworth' bureaucrats who now govern us all.

Edited by mab01uk, 15 December 2010 - 12:58 PM.

[Indetrucks]

can we have a wipe round and by the scrap yard

"buy"
Sorry, had to do it

Yes, save the car! Would be a complete shame if she had to be cut in two.