After serving as President of the club for more than 15 years, John Hawthorn has decided to step down and retire. On behalf of all members, and John's many friends within the club, the committee would like to thank John for his many years of dedicated service to the club, and to wish him well for  the future.

Keith Clarke has taken over the role as President of the club. Keith was previously Vice President, and prior to that, Chairman of the club for 14 years. Keith therefore has many years of experience within the club, and he has been an active member, attending many club events over the years. We wish Keith every success in his new role.

As we approach our 100th Anniversary, we welcome and look forward to this new era in the club's management.

Martin Kemp - Chairman BTSC

Published: 19/08/2025
Following an extended period of lobbying and consultation by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) culminating in the Call for Evidence to which Members responded in record numbers,  the Federation can now share this Registration Policy Update from DVLA.
The Federation is very encouraged by these outcomes, not only with the revised policies but also with a clear change to a more sympathetic and pragmatic approach to the registration difficulties sometimes faced with older vehicles.
We also acknowledge the considerable time and effort Agency staff have obviously devoted to this matter and are grateful that they so carefully listened to our submissions.

OFFICIAL DVLA ANNOUNCEMENT - 20 August 2025 

• DVLA has announced updated policies to modernise the process for notifying DVLA when a vehicle has been repaired, restored and modified.
• Like-for-like repairs and restorations will no longer need to be reported to DVLA, and more modified vehicles - including electric vehicle (EV) conversions - will be able to retain their original identities.
• Changes will take effect from Tuesday 26 August 2025.

DVLA has today (20 August) unveiled a major update to some of its vehicle registration policies, making it significantly easier for enthusiasts to register repaired, restored and modified vehicles. 
The new guidance reflects modern restoration methods and simplifies the registration process, helping classic car owners keep their vehicles on the road while ensuring safety and accurate records. 
These changes follow an extensive call for evidence, which received more than 1,350 responses from classic car owners, motoring clubs and the historic vehicle sector. In response, DVLA is replacing its existing policies on rebuilt and radically altered vehicles with two new sets of guidance that will apply to all vehicles, regardless of age.
Key changes include:

• like-for-like repairs and restorations will no longer require notification to DVLA, providing the vehicle’s appearance is the same as when it was originally manufactured and there are no changes to the log book (V5C)
• vehicles that have been subject to significant structural modifications will be able to keep their original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration number, but the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes. 
• vehicles that have been converted to electric will also be able to retain their original identity, but the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes.

Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood said: “We know how much love, time and effort goes into keeping classic cars – and we’re right behind the community.
“These changes are about cutting red tape and making life easier for enthusiasts, whether you’re restoring a vintage gem or converting it to electric. It’s all about celebrating the UK’s amazing motoring heritage and helping the industry thrive well into the future." 
DVLA Chief Executive, Tim Moss, said: "We recognise the time, passion and care that keepers of classic vehicles invest in keeping their cars on the road. That’s why we’ve worked closely with the community to shape these changes.
“These updated policies support historic vehicle keepers, and the wider industry, with clearer registration processes that reflect modern restoration and modification practices, helping safeguard the UK’s rich and wonderful automotive history. These changes will allow enthusiasts to focus on what they love most: preserving and enjoying these remarkable vehicles."
The new policies will come into effect on Tuesday 26 August 2025 with the full guidance to be published on GOV.UK on the same day, at: www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration
On Tuesday 26 August 2025, DVLA will replace its existing policies on rebuilt and radically altered vehicles with two new sets of guidance:

1. Repaired and restored vehicles  

There will be no requirement to notify DVLA where a vehicle has been repaired or restored back to its original working standard, providing:

• worn-out components or body panels are replaced on a like for like basis 
• the appearance of the vehicle is the same as when it was originally manufactured
• Vehicle log book (V5C) details are not affected.

1. Modified vehicles 

Vehicles that have had significant structural modifications will be able to keep their original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration number, but the registered keeper must notify DVLA of the changes. 
This could include:

• cutting into the chassis monocoque or frame
• changing the vehicle’s appearance or dimensions from the original manufacturer’s specification
• conversions from an internal combustion engine to electric propulsion

These changes are based on engagement with industry and stakeholders along with feedback from a call for evidence which launched on 9 May 2024. DVLA published the summary of the responses to this on 9 December 2024 and the revised guidance will be published on Tuesday 26 August.

Westminster – good news!
Our political engagement has seen a recent uptick, following the recent Shadow Cabinet re-shuffle. Richard Holden MP has been promoted to be Shadow Transport Secretary, and this has been welcomed, thanks to his prior knowledge of the historic vehicle movement.
The move has been welcomed by the FBHVC, which previously worked with him when he was a Transport Minister, in Rishi Sunak's government, holding the ‘roads and local transport’ brief.
Says FBHVC Chairman David Whale: “The most recent re-shuffle of the Conservative Party holds in my opinion some good news with the appointment of the Rt. Hon. Richard Holden MP as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.  
“We worked with Richard when he held the post of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport and found him to be supportive of the historic vehicle movement.
“It is therefore a pleasure to work with him again; he represents the constituents of Basildon and Billericay.”

Clubs engaging with ifndautoparts.com
You’ll recall our recent email on the subject of ifndautoparts.com
David Whale says: “I know that the good folk at ifndautoparts.com have had some positive conversations with several clubs since our recent email went out and that is very encouraging.
“The Scottish Austin Seven Club, for example, have committed to featuring ifndautoparts.com in their newsletter, while the UK DAF Owners Club and members of the Riley and Austin Clubs have expressed interest in working with ifndautoparts.com to get their vehicles listed, enabling members to begin trading parts on the network. 
“If you haven’t thought about getting in touch, then I would highly recommend giving it serious thought, as it is likely to be of benefit for your club, its members and the vehicles we love. The more parts we have in circulation the more we can keep those vehicles roadworthy!”

Match-making now in progress
As well as listing your surplus parts for sale, buyers can also register their interest in parts they are looking for, and get notified when someone puts them on the site.
ifndautoparts.com says that since the last email, they’ve had a steady stream of ‘Match Me’ requests come through over the past few weeks, with people looking for specific parts.
And, it’s quite a list! We had a browse through and they range from someone looking for MG TF seats to Lamborghini Huracán bumpers, MG RV8 rear light clusters and Renault Clio window seals and rubbers.
So, if there’s an elusive part you’re after, simply register on the site and put in your ‘match me’ request.

Stop me a buy one!
Continues David Whale: “Since Mick, Ruby and Layla shared their ifndautoparts.com concept I have been keen to extend the opportunity to other aspects of the ‘Heritage Transport’ agenda!
“Many people who know me, know that that I’m interested in the wider heritage transport agenda and this includes veteran cycles.  
“In the early 1920s Walls Ice Cream started selling ice cream from their depots, a while ago I restored a 1924 tricycle; it was coach-painted by Fraser Clayton of HCVS and Sharon, Chris Spencer’s wife of Jowett fame, who just happens to be a BAFTA & OSCAR winning costumier and made me a Walls tunic.  
“Next we need a Walls Ice Cream cap and I would like to see if ifndautoparts.com can find one for me, it’s the badge (see image) we really need as I have a milliner, Marnie, who can make a cap in my size!”
Can your members help? If so, contact ifndautoparts.com or David (via the Secretary).

Mel Holley
Secretary, Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs Ltd

PO Box 1563
Peterborough
PE1 9AU

Tel: 01708 223111
Email: [email protected]

www.fbhvc.co.uk

The club are pleased to announce that the 2025 BTSC annual rally will be held at Silverstone Farm Campsite in Northamptonshire from Friday the 27th June to Sunday the 29th of June.
A central location in the Midlands, Silverstone Farm Campsite is located in the picturesque Northamptonshire village of Silverstone just 1km from the famous race venue.
The site is popular with F1 and Moto GP enthusiasts and consequently has excellent facilities including ample toilets and showers, electric hook ups and a hardstanding area for camper vans and motorhomes if required.
A well stocked village shop (including an off-licence and camping equipment) and the village pub are literally a 10 minute walk (or 3 minutes by 2 stroke!).
The weekend will include the club's AGM and participants can look forward to ride outs on the many minor roads in the South Northamptonshire, Oxon and Bucks borders.
The rally is open to members and non-members. Members enjoy a significant discount on the camping fees so it is worthwhile becoming a BTSC member just for the rally alone!
Applications for camping at the rally are easily made on-line. Click here for the application form.

The Teapot Run, 27th April 2025
As was announced in the Independent in the November/December 2023 issue, my grandfather Brian Boult, a long-term member of the Club and Vice-President, passed in October 2023. My family and I were very touched by the number of Club members in attendance at his funeral and the messages expressed at this years’ AGM (which, on a side note, was fantastic – in my opinion the best I’ve been to).
I now continue to ride his Francis Barnett and Greeves to weekly runs and Club events. In a sense, it’s my way of continuing his involvement in the Club. Something I’ve been pondering is organising a Club run called the ‘Teapot Run’ in his honour. As many know, my grandad was renowned for his love of tea. I know our Chairman recalls him in France bringing his own teabags. He was also known for bringing his own teapot (tea lovers know the brewing is key). As such, a winner will be selected from those in attendance and a BTSC embellished teapot will be provided as a prize (don’t all go oooo at once!). Said winner does not need to be on a British two-stroke or on a show-room standard machine, though of course a two-stroke is a requirement!
The plan of action is simple. Meet on April 27th for one of the first Club calendared rides of the year, shortly before what would have been his 88th birthday. The rendezvous will be at Wisborough Green, West Sussex. My grandfather hosted the Solent section meetings for 20 years, but before this was heavily involved in the sections in and around the London area. By positioning the start at Wisborough Green, which is roughly midway between these sections, I hope as many members as possible who know him may be tempted to attend. The ride will use the drop-off system – famous for being the most effective yet paradoxically the most prone to failure mode of group riding – and will meander through the West Sussex countryside for approximately 40 miles, ending around the north of Chichester. Even if you cannot ride through illness or lack of desire, it would be fantastic to see you either at the start or end of the ride.
Further details to follow in the next Independent (start time and end location).
Scott Harrison-Jeal

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) is calling on the new Secretary of State for Transport – and the DVLA for which they will be responsible – to work with it to achieve, a “pragmatic and constructive” historic vehicle registration regime.
The DVLA is responsible for vehicle registration and licensing on behalf of the Transport Secretary, having taken over the responsibility from local authorities from 1973.
The FBHVC move follows its submission yesterday to the government’s ‘Call for Evidence’ (CFE) into the DVLA. Unveiled by previous Transport Secretary Mark Harper, in a visit to Bicester Heritage on 9 May, the CFE asks 46 questions about the present system and responses had to be made by 4 July 2024.
The last three years have seen the FBHVC working hard to overcome a range of difficulties being faced by historic vehicle owners with the DVLA concerning vehicle registration.
Extensive dialogue with the DfT and DVLA, has drawn attention to the current challenges and inconsistencies surrounding the historic vehicle community’s interaction with their policies.
Last year, the FBHVC was invited to take part in a formal Cabinet Office review into the DVLA, which saw the Federation submit many pages of evidence covering the extensive issues and problems, now addressed in the CFE.
Representing more than 250,000 historic vehicle enthusiasts, from its 500 affiliated clubs, 50 museums plus individual and trade supporters, the FBHVC says the CFE was “extremely positive and very welcome”.
However, its detailed examination found the CFE to be “less than entirely clear in providing background information for all of the questions it poses.” And, the FBHVC was concerned that respondents, “particularly those who may not deal with historic vehicle registration matters and DVLA on a regular basis, may not fully appreciate the significance.”
To address this and to ensure that members’ views were correctly represented a simplified survey based on the CFE was constructed and circulated by the FBHVC to all its clubs, museums and supporters.
The survey proposed a FBHVC response to each question and requested indication of agreement or otherwise, with a free-text box for comments.
In total 4,485 responses to the survey were received, with 81.2% agreeing in full with the FBHVC’s proposed responses.
Of the rest, the majority were concerned with three main subject areas (kit cars and  conversions, historic & classic vehicles and special treatments, vehicles converted to electric), with each topic attracting responses from 254 to 287 people (7% of the total surveyed).
All comments were assessed by the FBHVC team and, where possible, were incorporated into the formal FBHVC response to the CFE.
Responding to the Government’s call for ideas and suggestions to improve the system, the FBHVC says it “would like to see, and is willing to work with the DVLA to achieve, a pragmatic and constructive registration regime” that:

• Actively seeks to find ways in which a genuine but problematic historic vehicle can be registered as such whilst seeking to exclude the non-genuine
• Is open to accepting judgement decisions rather than a systemised yes/no approach
• Is open to seeking and accepting advice from external sources
• Recognises that historic vehicles are by definition old and that components unavoidably degrade over time with use, damage, corrosion etc
• Recognises that the supply of original parts is constantly diminishing and that as a result the repair of parts and use of more recently manufactured parts is unavoidable and does not necessarily diminish the historic status of the vehicle.
• Recognises that the motor industry has changed out of all recognition and that the continuance of a manufacturer name does not necessarily refer to the same company.

Also calling for the DVLA to set up independent advisory groups, the FBHVC is clear about the role clubs should play in the future.
“Specialist clubs have considerable knowledge and attempts should be made to utilise this” it says.
“FBHVC can and is prepared to provide a co-ordinating and guiding function. The current V765 or Reconstructed Classic schemes could provide a procedural template for club involvement.”
To read the full FBHVC response visit: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/consultations
The next issue of HISTORIC the FBHVC magazine (sent to all members) will have a special article explaining how the response was formulated.
For online version with links to previous DVLA review news go to: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/fbhvc-calls-for-pragmatic-and-constructive-historic-vehicle-registration-regime
 

Kind regards

Mel Holley
Secretary, Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs Ltd

PO Box 1563
Peterborough
PE1 9AU

Tel: 01708 223111
Email: [email protected]
Registered in England, Company No. 3842316. VAT Reg. No. 636 7886 83

National ‘Drive it Day’/‘Ride it Day’ is the annual opportunity to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping heritage on UK roads.
It sees clubs schedule regional and local events throughout the country on Sunday 21 April 2024
Importantly, it also raises funds for the NSPCC’s Childline. We use yesterday’s vehicles to support today’s children.
Fundraising is an integrated part of ‘Drive it Day’, in which our movement comes together to contribute to a section of society that needs huge help and support – vulnerable children.
This money is raised by the purchase by drivers and riders of a fundraising ‘Drive it Day’ rally plaque. It’s an easy way for drivers and riders to show their support, and donate vital funds.
Last year, we raised a record £51,000 and we’d like to beat that in 2024!
A variety of rally plaques, for bikes and cars, (or just make a donation) are available now at www.driveitday.co.uk

In the January / February edition of The Independent a discussion has been opened by Bill Drummond (Vice President) on the image of the club and the possibility of updating the club name to better represent the changing 2 Stroke scene. (See page 13 January / February 2024.)
Bill has invited feedback on his article so if you have any views or opinions on the future direction of the club please contact him directly by e-mail [email protected] or by phone on 01483 272765.

Alongside this discussion we are also conducting a Two-Stroke Ownership Survey to gather information on the habits of two-stroke owners and how the club might better cater for them. The survey is open to both members and non-members. The on-line form can be found on the web site here. Two Stroke Ownership Survey 2024

This is your chance to contribute your thoughts on the direction the club should be going in.
We would welcome your input!