swapping body to a new chassis?

[51steve]

Hello Everyone

The car we have has good mechanicals, but the body needs work in many areas, (the interior pillars by the wheel well, interior exterior rear fenders, etc). I can find a body relatively rust free, (motor shot) for less money than the repair parts alone. I would rather take the body off of the car we currently own and place the "new" purchased body on it.

Question is- am I allowed to do this in France? I know I could contact the authorities (who?) here in France, but I am short on time, and I am wondering if anyone in France has done this.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[DavidN]

Can't speak off experience, but I see no problem at all.
The VIN is stamped onto the chassis anyway. So the chassis is associated with all the documents you have, not the body.
But don't forget to swap your original oval plate under the hood to your "new" body.
(It's just riveted to the bulkhead.)

 

[51steve]

Thanks for the advice, I need to check with the authorities, otherwise I end up with two parts cars!

 

[pepper]

Just do as DavidN says, if you start talking to authorities then you'll get nowhere or if you do it will prove very expensive!!!!!!!!!

get em swapped over and move the plates around from the bodies, only time people can tell is when people put newer bodies on older chassis, if they are roughly the same era then then no one can tell the difference.

The only time we can (internet nerds like me) tell the difference is when someone puts a newer body with inner door hinges on an older chassis here in the UK to avoid UK yearly Road fund licencing!

 

[51steve]

thanks gentlemen- I'll keep you updated

 

[politeperson]

Yeah.
Don't tell em, just do it.

 

[montenegro]

no you don't need to inform the 'DRIRE' if you change the body but you will need to change over the vin plate on the bulkhead or the ct man will refuse it as not the correct vehicle ! good luck it's a lot of work...

 

[51steve]

Hey Gents,

I bought the parts car. I looked over the body a few times, seems to be in good shape. I'm sure there will be a surprise or two once I lift the body off the chassis, but that is to be expected. I'll be starting the renovation of the car next summer, removing, repairing and painting the donor body next year, and hopefully removing the body and repairing the chassis of my current car the year after. In the meantime, I am separated from my trusty (albeit hard starting when cold) 4L until next spring!

Thanks for the help!

Steve

 

[DavidN]

... In the meantime, I am separated from my trusty (albeit hard starting when cold) 4L until next spring!...

I would never mind to spend the whole winter months in "sweaty Florida"!
Where exactly are you located? I have friends in Clermont and visit FL a lot, even dream of relocating there some day ...

Cheers,

David