Free MOT history check, all you need is the registration number and previous MOT cert or V5 - http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/s ... Dispatcher - this is really useful because it shows not just where the car has been MOT'd since VOSA went digital and put computers in - some interesting reasons for MOT failure in the past and things to look out for if you are buying a car, or if you don't know a lot about its history previous to you owning it. Not such a problem with Jowetts, but a useful resource nonetheless.
Second useful thing is perhaps much more useful to Jowett owners, and is basically a Freedom of Information request from the DVLA. Now they have huuuuuge amounts of information in their big old filing cabinets and computers, and if they could only organise themselves we could get our grubby mitts on it. Now, because there is a significant amount of work involved in digging out all the info the DVLA has on previous owners etc, there is a £5 charge for this. But not big peanuts is it, for some potentially very useful information.
Link to a forum showing you what you need to do: http://www.capripower.co.uk/forum/index ... #entry1378
This is the form you need with a sample of what to write:
Just bear in mind they want to know why you want to know - just popping on there "I own a 1950s car and would like as much history of the car as possible to preserve information for the future of the marque" should be plenty. Not sure on the rules for doing this for someone else's car, might be better to get it done for your own car or get the car owner to sign it.
For any overseas members, if you would like me to get the forms at the local Post Office and make a request on your behalf, I am sure this will be possible somehow, I am happy to help and I can forward the details received from them to you. Note that this request will only work for cars which have at some point been registered in the UK, other countries may not have the same system, or the same legislation allowing the public access to this info - if nothing else worth getting it now while you can if you don't have this kind of info already, you never know what the government might decide is suddenly a threat to national security...
Just occurred to me following a few requests from some members with "does anybody know this car" requests, this might help fill in some blanks.
Jack.