Help police have seized my pride and joy

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Lh90tdi

Member
Posts
18
Location
Durham
Hi there I'm new member but have used the site a lot whilst rebuilding my 90 over the last 2 years. So approximately 3 years ago I purchased a 1988 f reg 90 csw which had been used and abused on a farm all its life until the chassis gave in and was going to be scrapped, I fancied doing a full galvanised chassis up rebuild so I started by purchasing a genuine new chassis from a seller on eBay (seller specialises in genuine new chassis and has loads listed for sale). I then removed the engine and gearbox mounts as they were for the later tdci engine and refitted mounts to take the 300tdi and r380 gearbox which I planned to use, I then sent it off to be galvanised as I like the clean look and had planned to keep it for a long time. Over the next year I purchased various parts from eBay, auto jumbles and Land Rover shows throughout the country, including a complete 1999 rolled 90 from a well known online salvage auction which I used the full running gear and rear tub from then sold off the remaining parts I didn't need. I've kept receipts for nearly everything I've bought for it. Anyway to cut a long story short I built it up had it on the road a few months when I was pulled by a traffic car around midnight after a night out which I was happy about as the officer said he was doing a quick check as they were being targeted by thieves, but after I explained I had rebuilt it as I said before and that meant there was no chassis number and he said it looked to new to be a 1988 he decided to seize it!!!!! Now they have had it nearly 2 months and won't tell me what is happening as its under investigation, so can anyone shed any light on the situation as I'm becoming very impatient and the officer in charge has started to ignore my calls!
Now as it was a full restoration I've changed around 90% of the original parts as they were damaged or rotten but for like for like parts from various other vehicles, the only parts that are different from the originals are I fitted a puma bonnet and an early smooth roof with van sides as I didn't want windows.

Can anyone give me any info on what I can do apart from wait for them or what the outcome may be? Thanks
 
Hi there I'm new member but have used the site a lot whilst rebuilding my 90 over the last 2 years. So approximately 3 years ago I purchased a 1988 f reg 90 csw which had been used and abused on a farm all its life until the chassis gave in and was going to be scrapped, I fancied doing a full galvanised chassis up rebuild so I started by purchasing a genuine new chassis from a seller on eBay (seller specialises in genuine new chassis and has loads listed for sale). I then removed the engine and gearbox mounts as they were for the later tdci engine and refitted mounts to take the 300tdi and r380 gearbox which I planned to use, I then sent it off to be galvanised as I like the clean look and had planned to keep it for a long time. Over the next year I purchased various parts from eBay, auto jumbles and Land Rover shows throughout the country, including a complete 1999 rolled 90 from a well known online salvage auction which I used the full running gear and rear tub from then sold off the remaining parts I didn't need. I've kept receipts for nearly everything I've bought for it. Anyway to cut a long story short I built it up had it on the road a few months when I was pulled by a traffic car around midnight after a night out which I was happy about as the officer said he was doing a quick check as they were being targeted by thieves, but after I explained I had rebuilt it as I said before and that meant there was no chassis number and he said it looked to new to be a 1988 he decided to seize it!!!!! Now they have had it nearly 2 months and won't tell me what is happening as its under investigation, so can anyone shed any light on the situation as I'm becoming very impatient and the officer in charge has started to ignore my calls!
Now as it was a full restoration I've changed around 90% of the original parts as they were damaged or rotten but for like for like parts from various other vehicles, the only parts that are different from the originals are I fitted a puma bonnet and an early smooth roof with van sides as I didn't want windows.

Can anyone give me any info on what I can do apart from wait for them or what the outcome may be? Thanks


you might be fecked as the cars identity is attached firmly to the chassis. as the chassis has been bought, it has either no ID or possibly the ID of a different vehicle. As you have replaced the majority of the vehicle, you have no points left to call it the original.

expensive lesson.
 
Hi thanks for your replies I've got a solicitor but I'm not so sure about them as he said it was a very complicated situation, and the parts I have replaced are all like for like and haven't changed over the years, so I thought the points system still counted? I'm new to this so please excuse me if I'm wrong!
 
Hi thanks for your replies I've got a solicitor but I'm not so sure about them as he said it was a very complicated situation, and the parts I have replaced are all like for like and haven't changed over the years, so I thought the points system still counted? I'm new to this so please excuse me if I'm wrong!
do a search on here and look on the dvla web site
 
What registration did you use to get it on the road ?
Did you read up on the points needed to qualify for any registration that you may be the keeper of ?
Were any of the registered vehicles that you bought scrapped ? Did you tell DVLA that you had disposed of them ?
Were any of the registration numbers held on retention by you at any time ?
 
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So I guess it now resides at Sewell's.
iirc there are points attached to parts of the vehicle and you need so many points from original parts to make enough points to keep identity: chassis, engine axles etc.
They had a series 2 coil sprung TDI galv chassis tray back swamp monster in there a while ago. Durham constabulary seem to be on the ball, good news for land rover crime prevention, or not in your case:(
 
Hi thanks for your replies I've got a solicitor but I'm not so sure about them as he said it was a very complicated situation, and the parts I have replaced are all like for like and haven't changed over the years, so I thought the points system still counted? I'm new to this so please excuse me if I'm wrong!
what did solicitor say , if they have no proof parts and original no plate vehicle are stolen the worse that should happen is another registration number
 
My solicitor said they are checking it for suspected stolen parts and the other vehicle I bought was a cat b (I have a friend with a scrap yard so the chassis went back to him once the salvageable parts were removed) I retained the original 1988 F registration, I've got photos of the build and receipts for every part I bought down to the stainless floor screws, I spent a small fortune probably more than it would of cost just to buy one already done but once you start it's hard to stop buying for them! Hopefully it ends well as I can't afford to buy another!
 
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