Thread: Is a reshell legal?

Far as I know as long as the chassis number and engine number dont change it shouldn;t be a problem.
Assuming you are replacing like panels with like, rather than making a Range ROver into a Rolls or something.

It's legal as long as you don't tell anyone or go boasting about it on public fora.





Oops .










Technically, it's a different car so I would say no.
If it was a Land Rover type car with a separate chassis, then probably yes.

Of course it is legal. People do it all the time. As said engine numbers and chassis numbers should match, but engines get replaced also.
There are many, many vehicle rebuilds where new bodies are put on older chassis. We did exactly that to an old FJ cruiser and there was no problem registering it. Many people have done so with RRCs and series vehicles. You are basically only replacing panels anyway.
Of course it may require an inspection. I would have a chat with your local RTA.
I have seen custom jobs that have been approved with completely different bodies on board, but that would be a bit different and require certification.

yep, legal BUT

theres a bit of paperwork to be done and if its a big enough job or parts cross over from different models/year you might need to get it inspected by an engineer.

Originally Posted by CraigE

There are many, many vehicle rebuilds where new bodies are put on older chassis.

Correct, but this is a Mini. There is no chassis so this is where it might get complicated.

I know of several restored cars that have been reshelled with a better body but AFAIK they've never declared this to the authorities when put back on the road. All the numbers have been re-stamped to match the original car so no-one knows otherwise (unless you helped in the resto ).
Check with your local authorities if you have any doubts.

If you can acquire a new body shell that has never been stamped with a number, it's technically a spare part and you can stamp your old number onto it.

However if it comes from another car and you stamp your number, it's technically re-birthing and not legal unless done officially at every step. Be warned they may end up issuing a new VIN which will destroy the identity of the original vehicle altogether.

Providing that all and any body I.D. tags from the existing body were changed onto the new body it should be OK, but remember, if yours is an early 60's type body shell with the small rear lights,then your later body with the late type lights will be the dead give-a-way,but if is a "longnose"then you could get away with it I think, as there are plenty of restoration enthusiasts in the motor transport and police dept that could spot a body swap, BUT if you were only replacing panels, (a lot of work) you could do it sucessfully.

If you are putting panels on the old monoquoce body then that is just repairing the body as the numbers are not changed - that is OK.

If you have to use the new monoquoce with the new numbers then you will have to get all sorts of approvals etc - most likely the answer will be no but maybe.

If you cut out the numbers from the old monoquoce and but them into the new one then that is a no no and illegal - called rebirthing and will be picked up sooner or later - particularly if the cars rego transfers interstate where a rebirthing check is required. Likewise restamping is the same.

I have looked at Jag restoration - my numbers are stamped into the firewall with duplicate tags elsewhere bit the only place the numbers are stamped is on the firewall (a bit like the stamp on a landies spring hanger). On a mini it will most likely also be stamped on the firewall. With the Jag the consensus is that the identity of the car lives in its firewall so as long as that is used the rest of the body can be built around it and you have the same vehicle - even though 90% has been replaced.

Find out where the numbers are stamped in the body and as long as that panel is used (repair it if need be) with the new panels then you have the same car.

Garry