General - Response from TAC (Technical Advisory Committee)

Just this last week I had the official word from the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee).

Unfortunately the response to my application to be able to run two body styles on the one chassis platform has been declined.

There were three main reasons;

1. A body style must be noted on the registration and on the certification documentation but there is no provision for noting two styles of body for either of these, i.e. the system does not cater for this.
2. There are a number of components that would be specific to each body such as door latches and hinges, glass, wipers, eye level brake light, other lights (tail lights and brake lights), seat belts and seat belt mounts, seats and seat mounts. These all form part of checks formed as part of the cert process and of the Warrant of Fitness process. Obviously if one warrant is obtained then these components would not have been checked on the other body for condition, specification and safety. In addition to this there are two key elements, the steering column and the brake pedal that would be affected when the body changed over and these needed to be safe but there is no provision for a check to occur of these components after changing the body.
3. Last but not least it sets a really ugly precedence that could be interpreted with more radical changes by others if this one were allowed.

I totally get it and as you know from my last blog I was kind of thinking the same thing. The only thing that could change it for me would be if mass produced cars started coming out with such an option, which could happen. I have heard that Smart Cars are looking at a body that can be switched between coupe, sedan and ute.  If these existed now in NZ, I would possibly have had a better case.

So in short, the coupe it is! That burning desire to have a Tudor as well will just have to go on hold for a while. That said its nice to be able to progress without having to worry about making things fit for a changing body style. A whole lot easier!