Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 4: 1927 Chevrolet Capitol race replica at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle was built as a 1920s race replica for an event in 2026; the engine, brakes and clutch have been rebuilt; and import duties have been paid, with paperwork available for road registration.
What to check on any Chevrolet Capitol Series AA or 1920s race replica
- Find the chassis plate and engine number and photograph both. Owners' club advice explains that the engine block carries a small casting date code near the distributor (month, day and final year digit), which helps confirm a 1927 block.
- Ask whether the car has ever been registered in the UK. If it has a V5C, check that the chassis number and description match what is in front of you, including body type.
- For an import, ask for the NOVA confirmation. HMRC must be told about an imported vehicle within 14 days of arrival, and DVLA will not register it until that is done. Foreign titles or registration documents are normally kept by DVLA as dating evidence.
- Since August 2025 DVLA has used new policies for repaired, restored, modified and rebuilt vehicles. Like-for-like restoration no longer needs reporting, and a structurally modified vehicle normally keeps its original identity, but the keeper must notify DVLA using form V627/3 and the V5C will carry a "Modified" note.
- DVLA defines a structural modification as cutting into the chassis or frame so that its appearance or dimensions change; shortening or lengthening a chassis falls into this category. Many speedster and race replicas use a shortened frame, so ask directly.
- MOT status matters. DVLA's leaflet says a vehicle over 40 years old needs an MOT before a modification is submitted, and the MOT exemption for historic vehicles does not apply to a car whose chassis, axles, steering or engine have been substantially changed in the last 30 years. A recently built replica should be expected to need testing.
Full Chevrolet Capitol Series AA or 1920s race replica buyer's guide
Checks for this car
- It is a replica, so assess the quality of the build rather than originality.
- Ask what registration is possible and what paperwork exists.
- Check the brakes and steering carefully.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- What road registration can it have, and what paperwork supports it?
- Who built the replica, and what records of the build exist?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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