ICONIC classic cars will be “killed off” and become “museum artefacts” amid new ULEZ rule changes, heartbroken owners claim.
The expansion into all London boroughs has sparked outrage among motorists who will be pushed into debt, forced to relocate or rely on public transport.
PAHarley Davidson owner, Trevor Manlow, from West London, predicts classics such as his Dyna Wide Glide will become ‘museum artefacts’[/caption]
PAPaul Robins, 60, claimed he would have to quit his job and go on unemployment benefits without his cars[/caption]
Their only other option is waving goodbye to their pride and joy – vintage cars.
Fuming drivers from across the city have slammed the low emission zone daily £12.50 charges – and refuse to give up their iconic motors.
Harley Davidson owner, Trevor Manlow, from West London, predicts classics such as his Dyna Wide Glide will become “museum artefacts” as Ulez kills off the iconic bikes.
The 53-year-old told PA, as reported by The Mail: “It makes me angry, kids see these cars and bikes on the street and at shows and smile, they love it.
“However, the Ulez expansion is going to kill this as fewer people will be taking them out.
“I’ll still ride my bike, I’ll just refuse to pay the charge and I’ll take it to a garage to make it Ulez compliant at the first opportunity.”
Another frustrated motorist, Paul Robins, from Kent, had to go through a “ridiculous fight” with TfL to keep his vehicles on the road.
He branded the new charges “the death of the modern classic car”.
The 60-year-old claimed he would have to quit his job and sign up to unemployment benefits if he had to pay £12.50 daily for his three motors.
The plumber proudly owns a mid-2000 Alpina B10 3.3 litre, a mid-2000 BMW 530i Touring and a mid-2002 Honda CBR600 motorbike.
He said: “The thing that really annoys me is it was so much of a fight, they reject (the compliancy application) for nonsensical reasons.”
Meanwhile, Paul Tucker, confessed he would be forced to borrow money, or take out loans to cover the cost of a Ulez compliant car.
The 52-year-old from Northolt, West London, has travelled through the city in his beloved 1998 Peugeot 106 Rally for over a decade.
“I feel targeted, it’s just another money-making scheme and if the mayor was serious he’d issue a complete ban,” he said.
“I need a car to get to work and I can’t afford one outright so I’m going to have to take out a loan to buy one.
“I’m going to be in debt because of Ulez.”
The bodyfitter claimed “a lot of people” will “suffer” at the hands of this new policy.
One elderly resident has admitted he will be ditching his 1999 Volvo V70 and use his family for lifts.
I’m going to be in debt because of Ulez.”
Paul Tucker
Peter McGeough, 80, explained a new car is out of the question.
The retired aircraft engineer from Greenford, West London, said: “The support scheme just isn’t enough and as this is my only vehicle I’m going to have to depend on my family to help with my day-to-day jobs like my food shopping, going to the doctors – as I just have no other way of getting there. I am so wound up at the whole situation.”
Elsewhere, Jay McDonald, has forked out an eye-watering £25,000 on his 986 Mark 3 Ford Capri.
But the classic beauty doesn’t comply with Ulez standards.
The 45-year-old, from Hayes, West London, said: “These modern classics are the same as those from my childhood that my parents and my relatives drove and it’s nostalgic and we’ll see cars like this on the roads less and less.”
DESPERATE MEASURES
One man is even considering moving house after the expansion.
Richard Moore, owns a limited edition 1996 Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4×4 – and there are only around 30 in the country.
The motorway communication engineer from Hainault, Greater London said: “This car is a big part of my life, this scheme is going to destroy the classic car scene.”
Another heartbroken driver, 24-year-old Nicholas Stone, is sad to see his parents selling their car – which is older than him.
The 1998 Mazda Demio has transported the family for more than two decades.
The student said: “It really is a shame we’re having to sell it, the car is older than me after my family bought it for over £10,000 and now we’re selling it for less than £500.”
Plus, another classic vehicle owner, James Stoddart, claimed: “I’m going to have to restrict how often I take this car out now, which I know will kill off modern classic cars not just for me but for thousands of car enthusiasts.”
This comes as fellow car lover, Karl Amos, believes he will have to put his 1985 Classic Mini on the market.
This car is a big part of my life, this scheme is going to destroy the classic car scene.”
Richard Moore
The 23-year-old from Hillingdon, West London, said: “When I first built this car from the ground up, I said I’d be buried in it and I’d never thought I’d ever have to consider parting with it, it’s left me heartbroken.”
Christina Calderato, TfL’s director of strategy and policy, said: “Vehicles that are classified by the Government as classic cars with a historic vehicle tax class are exempt from the Ulez.
“The Ulez charge is set at a rate to discourage frequent use of non-compliant vehicles but does make occasional journeys possible.
“Any net revenues raised by the Ulez are reinvested into running and improving London’s transport network, such as expanding bus routes in outer London.
“The mayor has committed to expanding the bus network in outer London, announcing the Superloop and millions of additional kilometres to public transport services.
“This supports one of the aims of the Ulez, which is to encourage people to make more sustainable travel choices.”
PAPaul Tucker, 52, has owned his classic for 15 years[/caption]
PANicholas Stone, 24, is sad to see the family car scrapped[/caption]
PAJay McDonald, 45, has spent a whopping £25,000 on his classic car[/caption]