Incorrect DVLA model designation for my Norton

... a similar problem. Apparently the model on the V5C can only be from a list supplied by the manufacturer - Dominators being a model name produced by the current owners of the marque.

The type, variant and version on my V5C are left blank. With regard to insurance, Peter James are very happy to insure it (with agreed value) as an ES2.

None of my 1974 and earlier V5c's mention a model or variant, just the CC's and that includes a V5c for a BSA Victor Special with an age related plate first registered in 2008. I just went on Bennetts insurance website to generate a quote for a few of my bikes and fail to get it right on any. My B44 Shooting Star comes back as a C15, my Norton Interstate comes back as a Roadster, my 1969 VS comes back as 249-500cc 2008 BSA with a list of possible models to pick from none of which are Victor Special. That suggests the insurance companies are picking off on the model but if there's nothing there they use random other fields. I insure with Peter James, they insure the bike based on my description, maybe worth a call.  I take it there is no mention of ES2 or Dominator on your V5c, which suggests the insurance database has forgotten there was an ES2 and takes any Norton of 500cc for 1949 as a Dominator.

A previous owner of my ES2 completely rebuilt it in 1987. It was duly fitted with a much later engine, forks, front brake and fuel tank. This was too much for the DVLA to handle at the time and they decided to re-classify it as a newbuilt. Thereby resulting in a logbook with a first registration date of 1987 and fun and games with the insurance companies when they went over to computerised records.

Eventually, during a quiet moment in the first 'lockdown',  I was able to speak with a real person at the DVLA and sort out much of the muddle.

.. something odd about the askmid database - when I had a 1931 Sunbeam it appeared on there as something I'd never heard of although correctly recorded by the insurer (PJ again). But I'm not aware that the actual insurance companies use the database for anything.

I’m also pretty sure it’s the insurance database that’s at fault not DVLA (although they are far from perfect). I worked at a the Exeter VRO for a number of years and am happy to help anyone with registration queries.

Philips comment about his date of registration reflects DVLA policy at the time, rebuilt bikes from various parts were scored on a points system and could get an age related mark, or keep the original but in their view it was being re registered so got a current date of registration. The same applied to imports. The rules have changed over the years.

dan