tr7triumph.com

I understood that changes made to improve safety and efficiency were allowed at any time. I think you might be struggling with fitting a V8 though! supercass

Thanks Guys, this has been very useful reading the comments and the link to the site.
I might still getaway with Ruby being exempt, though I have a few exempt classic's I still get them MoTed every year.
One of my exempt car's MoT expired 4 months ago and it hasn't been used, I won't drive it until it is booked in for its test then it'll be driven straight to the test centre. So I am not too worried with Ruby, it's just having to pay the tax on her.
One interesting fact is that Ruby was 80 numbers off another TR7 I had and that registration date was March 1980 on the V5c. Ruby was first registered in October 1981.
Can you tell approximate build dates off the chassis numbers?

I have an old Glass's Guide to chassis numbers so if you send me the chassis number (PM if you want) I'll have a look.
it will be approx and you'll need a Heritage Cert if you want to be sure of build date
As for MOTing - if you're a reasonably competent then no need for annual checks IMHO

You need the Heritage certificate to prove it tax free if not relying on the registration date.

Not sure about the MOT thing. I think I am 'reasonably competent' having worked on cars for over 50 years but I don't have a lift so inspection of the underside is difficult and some things creep up on you without being noticed, like brake imbalance. It is also useful to get the emissions reading and check how it is running. I have a small CO meter which I use but its accuracy and repeatability is questionable, I have found it running too lean some times in the MOT which is not great. Doing very little mileage I think I may stretch the periods between tests but think it is a good check on the car, just a pity they do not do a cheaper 'cut down' test for historic cars to check the basics only which might encourage more to have it done.

CamGTS wrote:I have an old Glass's Guide to chassis numbers so if you send me the chassis number (PM if you want) I'll have a look.
it will be approx and you'll need a Heritage Cert if you want to be sure of build date
As for MOTing - if you're a reasonably competent then no need for annual checks IMHO

Many thanks that would be great, though it will give me an idea as to when I can start the ball rolling

Ending in 208186 on Ruby Reg date 13 10 81
211546 on the white one Reg date 02 01 82 I think this one will be fairly close to the reg date.

My DHC was registered on 1st August 1981 but the build date on the Heritage Certificate is 29-31st July 1980 so I will be applying for Historic and Tax Free status in April this year.

I’m not too surprised about the year’s difference between build date and registration.

I had 2 weeks in Henlys London wholesale car department in the spring of 1981. They had several unregistered FHC’s, MGB’s and countless Allegros hanging over from 1980 in their stock. They weren’t moving...probably due to poor management.

From this both are pre Jan 81 but there are no records covering your numbers.
Your white one is at least one year older than you think as last 7s were made in Sept 81 for DHC and Oct 81 for FHC. Heritage Cert is the only way to check

CamGTS wrote:From this both are pre Jan 81 but there are no records covering your numbers.
Your white one is at least one year older than you think as last 7s were made in Sept 81 for DHC and Oct 81 for FHC. Heritage Cert is the only way to check

Many thanks for this.
It is amazing how many TR7's must have sat around not sold
I will look into getting a heritage certificate for both cars now. Can they get obtained through Gaydon Motor Heritage Centre?

CamGTS wrote:https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates

Done
£45 and up to 28 days delivery, however when I got my confirmation email it said due to Covid etc, so may take longer to receive.
Many thanks for the link, much appreciated

Lovely, through the letter slot today arrives my Heritage Certificate for Ruby and after I opened it, Build date shows
6 December 1979 ...............Oh Ruby's original colour was Porcelain and not Poseidon Green!
LHD and Detroit the destination dealer
Looks like I made a mistake on the application form and I am 5000 TR7's too early for my build date
I have been in touch with the BMHT and they are going to check my original form, fingers crossed
Still 5000 TR7's between December 6 and mine, how many TR7's were built pre month or year, might still be able to work something out myself with her build date

Received my certificate 2 days ago. The car was registered on 9th March '81 so was pleased to see it had been built on 13th November 1980 so should be tax free. All the spec is just as it is now (although it does not mention the rust but was probably built with it). Just trying to interpret the hoops to go through around April 1st to change it to Historic now, ie do I have to post it off or can the Post Office deal with it? There seems to be views both ways on the TR7 FB page so will try the week before in the PO and then send it off if necessary.

Post Office will process your V10 and send it on electronically to DVLA. You will need to have a current MOT or V112 (declaration of MOT exemption) - or at least that is what my local PO told me. And you can't do it until 1st April

Seems to be some differing opinions, some say the PO is OK if the V5 shows registration at an acceptable date (ie in 1980), but not if the build date is used. Others say the PO can handle it either way. Similar with dates, some say it can be done at the PO in the last week of March and some that it needs to be April. I have dated the V10 for 1st April. May be different PO's with different ideas as it is not really clear anywhere.
I do have an MOT and have done a V112 as well as was advised that it will then be noted for 're-taxing' in future.