the_wolf

the_wolf

Well-Known Member
Bit of a strange question for y'all. I've recently changed from a hard top to a truck cab but still have my forward facing seat in the rear. It's got a lap belt and still works and all but my mate (who doesn't know or do landys btw) reckons that it would be illegal for someone to sit in it and I would get pulled. Now my reckoning is that its no different to a convertible really and I shouldn't see why it can't be used. He said that there's no roll over protection in a crash but wouldn't that then be the case with soft tops as well? And dare I say it hard tops, it is only ally after all.

So, can I use it and he's talking out his arse or am I genuinely breaking the law?
 
I'm pretty sure it would be perfectly legal, but bear in mind I am basing that on the grand total of no actual real knowledge of the subject:eek::eek::D:D;);)
 
Well that's what I'm thinking, can't see his logic behind it considering that he has a convertible and in my mind its no different really
 
It will be in this weather but I've got a gentleman holding an ifor williams back for me so anyone sitting there might be cold but at least they'll be relatively dry lol.

I would be interested on anyone else's thoughts on this though as I bet an uninformed copper might very well pull me and I'd rather know for definite if its ok to use or not
 
Easiest thing to do is go down to local police station and ask.

It's a reasonable enough question, then at least if they say it's OK you've got some backup should another policeman take offence
 
That's certainly an idea, even better if I could get something in writing. Like I said it very rarely gets used but I'd like to think I could use it if need be
 
wHEN i HAD MY dISCO "CONVERTED BY THE LOCAL FIRE BRIGADE" INTO A CONVERTABLE, THE LOCAL PLOD SAID THEY WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO IT BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT A ROOF, BUT WOULD PULL ME 'COZ THE FIRE BRIGADE HAD CUT THRU THE SEAT BELTS.

Ooops - sorry about shouting :(.
 
There shouldn't be a problem I'd have thought, however it is highly likely a copper would pull you just; 1.out of interest and 2. To tell you that it isn't safe.

By law convertibles from new need "roll over protection bars"- which are fitted as a legal requirement set by VOSA and all over worldly bodies, so that if the roof is down and you roll over the car isn't resting on your head (or your unhappy passenger) when a roll is detected they deploy faster than an airbag.
The first ROPB you saw would be the fixed bar fitted to such Rover 200series convertibles.

I'm not sure about the legalities of modifying / retro fitting soft tops: this may help
Rebuilds and the law - by Glencoyne 4x4 (Thetford)

You shouldn't have a problem, however be prepared to get pulled over now and then.
If you do it with a smile you should have no ill dealings and if you do a good job they might even be impressed ;-)
 
I drove around all summer in my 90 with the softtop, door tops and all hoops removed leaving just windscreen and roll bar and had nil issues. Even with a copper behind me, he did wind his window down at the lights though to tell me that he thought my sticker was lying until i got to a hill. He and his partner had a right laugh, he said it looked like fun.

I have a sticker that says ' you think this is slow then wait till I get to a hill'
 
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