A little frustrated that there has been little progress. The van has still not been accepted into the country but I have finally received a bill from NOVA having asked for it three times. I have to pay a 5% VAT on the van, though they are disputing between themselves that there should be no fee, a 5% fee or a 20% fee. One of the problems was that it was shipped over on the wrong commodity code. There is bugger all on their website to do with this so I've been advised to pay the 5% and then rectify it retrospectively- a chap I have spoken to at HRMC has given me a timescale or 6 months of paperwork. I know it must be a tough, demanding job working for The HRMC but if they had an internal communication system I think things may just run a bit smoother .
Registration docs will be sent off again today (last set got sent back because that department couldn't ring the other to see what was going on) and fingers crossed within the next 14 days we will be able to drive her.....to winter storage .
In the meantime we have got a few bits - including the insulation parts. The wheels look amazing but 13inch just aren't going to be practical so I have a few options but will be going, if they fit with a set of Cragar Spoke 15inch wheels from a 1991 Chevy Caprice. They have the same stud pattern but at 15x7 I'm not sure how easy they will fit in. I do have some 5 spoke reveloution alloys from an SD1 which are 14" as a back up.
The wiring is going to be tidied up in the New Year and whilst in storage I may explore the idea of power steering. The place I'm storing it specialise in restoring classic Jags but also have a guy who retro fits ps in classics. Remembering back to previous Commer's, the steering was never too bad, more the turning circle of an oil tanker, but I have issues with my shoulders/ hands/ wrists so it's something to think about if it's easier. With that in mind I'm also looking at maybe putting gas struts into the pop top as it's a bit crude at the minute and definitely a two man job to get up. The frame has rotted in one corner so I will be making up a new one - something I think I may actually be able to do myself
