Jackdaw History 1

When we bought the van I'd talked to "Peter the seller" about the van, he did not have much more information on it other than he bought it to do up from an auction.
The van has never been registered it simply looks like a brand new kit body in primer on a hand build frame completely unfinished so no log book.
In the back of the van we found a couple of boxes of bits and pieces, prop shaft, windows, etc, and a box full of paperwork. Most of the stuff didn't seem to relate to the van at all. There is letters and receipts for a gentleman from Lymington, but most of the papers relate to the building of a Merlin kit car.
There was however a log book in his name for a Cortina and a couple of workshop manuals. These bits fitted in with what the hauler had said about the front steering and suspension being from a Cortina so I presumed we were on the right track.

Basic details: - RJY 366T - Cortina GL - First Registered 14/9/78 - 1993cc petrol

The last time it had changed keepers was back in 1991. I know the DVLA are going to make the old log books obsolete so without even checking engine numbers I have registered this vehicle in my name on a new V5C log book, it was easy, I did it over the internet and it cost nothing, I can always scrap it if it does not match. My main reason for trying to establish this vehicle in my name as the donor vehicle is the number plate. I was hoping to get a cherished number for the van when finished and I was worried about being issued with a Q plate. Since doing this I have found that getting a vehicle registered is not as easy as it seems. It all boils down to three basic criteria
1 - All new parts but you have to prove it with receipts etc. you get a brand new number.
No chance the body may be new and the frame unregistered yet which I can get a number for possibly but the rest I don't think so without major work.
2 - Keep registration of donor vehicle. This is based on a points system, the more parts you use the better, ideal if you just change the body say.
This is what I'm aiming for but it all boils down to getting the right numbers in my name.
3 - Mish mash of bits from all over the place with no chassis number. The dreaded Q plate awaits.
More than likely, but we will have to see.
It's a lot more complicated than this a lot more! I have just got a book on the subject so I can look into things in more detail so I will keep you informed.
I will tell you the way my mind is thinking at this moment in time.
If I am the owner of the original car then I can say that most of the original running gear is from this particular car. If I need to change engine numbers or chassis numbers I can alter them on the original car then say they have been used in a whole as the donor vehicle. Don't worry if you don't understand this thinking I don't understand if it will work my self but I am sure it will all come out in the wash.