Registering the three-wheeler

It's 1947 and I ride/drive into the Adelaide registration office, sitting on a 4 foot square of plywood (and a house cushion) bolted on to the chassis of a three wheeled contraption that I have constructed from a prewar Norton 16H engine and gearbox, with a similar vintage Ariel rear mudguard and wheel, and Vincent type rear suspension made from frame remains of a Royal Enfield! Front suspension was Morgan style, with Ford T model front wheel hubs, sliding up and down on 12 inch long king pins. The steering box, also epicyclic Ford T, but the unit was relocated at the front of the plywood footboard and a spring spoke Brit sports steering wheel mounted on the extended steering column – which at this point in time was completely unsupported at the wheel, except by the hands on the steering wheel!

I park at the curb and rise off the plywood floor fully nine inches off the ground, and walk into the rego clerk at his counter.

'I want to change my registration please.'
'Why?'
'It was regoed as a combination (sidecar/outfit) and now I have used the Norton engine to power a three wheeled car that I have built!'
'Three wheels? But it had three wheels before didn't it!'
'Yes, but it's all different now!'
'But it still has three wheels? You have your old papers?'
'Yes, here they are.'
Read, read.... 'Does your car have a windscreen?'
'No.'
'Come back when you have a windscreen and we will issue you with a car sticker to replace your motorcycle disc.'
'Don't you want to check the vehicle? (proudly).'
'Nope – next please!'

I walk out and push my way through the knot (what happened to knots of people?) of bystanders checking out my curiosity, kick the Norton in the guts, (it always started first kick!) sit on my loose cushion, push the steering column gear lever down one click, (the future year 2000 sequential technology here) and drive off!

Later it has a steel body and fold down 'rag top', and is professionally sprayed iridescent dark green, and is my head turning (now BSA A7 twin powered) pride and joy. Even had the cops pull me over one day, (Ariel square 4 and sidecar – no cars or solo cops then.) 'What have I done officer?' 'Nothing – some of our mates told us about this thing, and we just had to stop you and check it out!'
What happened to the joys of simple living?