The Government has launched a call for evidence to gather views on how classic cars can be preserved for future generations.
Via a government response form, the DVLA and Department for Transport are asking enthusiasts and industry experts to help identify areas of potential change in the classic world.
Motorists can help shape future policy on how to protect motoring icons and make them fit for the modern age.
The call for evidence will run for eight weeks until 4 July 2024.
By answering the Government’s call for evidence, you could help preserve iconic cars such as these four Hilton & Moss restored Aston Martin DB5s
Classic car policy has remained largely the same since the 1980s.
At present the registration process after restoration and upgrades doesn’t take into account how historic vehicles are improved with modern technology.
But now the government wants to change this by inviting interested parties to propose ways to register and protect motoring icons – such as James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, Inspector Morse’s MkII Jaguar and Back to the Future’s DMC DeLorean – and make them fit for the modern age.
The call for evidence will also help the government decide how to prioritise road safety and retain accurate vehicle records.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: ‘The way we restore and protect classic cars has not kept up with the times and evolving technologies, which is why we are calling for industry and enthusiasts to have their say on how to best protect these British classics for decades to come’.
Electrogenic converts classic cars – like this Jaguar E-Type – to 100% electric ‘by creating EV technology to extend the life of beautiful, historic cars and make them fit for the modern world’. Electrogenic have a testing and customer experience centre at Bicester Heritage
The call for evidence will help to make it easier to register classic cars, and for restoration and modifications to be properly taken into account
In future modifications will be properly considered as to how they improve car performance, with particular focus on electric conversions of classic cars.
In recent years, ‘retrofitting’ classic cars with electric powertrains has brought enjoyment to many motorists, with specialist firms including Electrogenic, Electric Classic Cars and Lunaz making headlines with their modern take on historic motors.
Steve Drummond, chief executive of Electrogenic, believes it is an important step that ‘the government recognises the electrification of classic cars is part of the solution.’
‘Carefully developed, sympathetic conversions like ours – which preserve original structure of the car – make a classic car more reliable, better to drive and mean it can run on clean energy, too.’
Goodwood Revival is a huge attraction for motoring enthusiasts every year, with 150,000 visitors of all age groups flocking to the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit to enjoy three days of period dress and historic motor racing
Every September, Revival’s footfall helps to stimulating the local economy and preserve the classic car industry
Ideas on how to future-proof the industry and support heritage jobs are encouraged, as the classic car industry currently employs 113,000 skilled people and is worth £18billion a year.
Preserving historic motors will help to drive tourism to iconic classic car shows, with Goodwood Revival being a noted government example of how classic car events can contribute to the economy, and help local areas thrive.
The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, described the government’s move as ‘providing a platform for people to give their insight into the classic car industry and what it means to them’.
He added: ‘Everything we do at the Revival is centred around sustainability and the preservation of these machines, and as part of that, this September we will become the world’s first historic motorsport event to mandate the use of sustainable fuels in all of the races.’
Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire is a classic car hub – home to more than 45 specialist businesses. The Sunday Scramble is Bicester Heritage’s signature event with each Scramble event attracting up to 10,000 visitors. The last Scramble of the year is happening this October
Sunday Scramble raises money for its charity partner Startermotor, which works to get the next generation of young people driving, maintaining and enjoying historic cars in order to preserve the industry
As well as being important to the economy, the classic car industry showcases British excellence around the world: ‘It’s a sector in which the Britain truly leads the world’, Steve Drummond of Electrogenic affirms.
‘This is a hobby that means so much to people around the country – so clarity on its future is absolutely needed.’
To respond to the call for evidence, you can use the DVLA’s SNAP Survey Ltd tool, email or post your response. Full details on how to respond are found on the DVLA website.
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