Bitsa
British collector slang (from 'bits of this and that') for a car assembled from parts of various vehicles – the opposite of a matching-numbers car.
Bitsa (also spelled 'bitza') is British collector slang, derived from 'bits of this and bits of that'. It describes a car that has not survived in its original factory configuration but has been assembled from components of various vehicles or sources – chassis, engine, body and fittings of different origins.
The range is wide: from a carelessly thrown-together heap of parts to a carefully built car made of period-correct original components – in the pre-war world the kinder word for the latter is a 'special'. Bitsas are common among pre-war cars in particular, because over the decades parts were swapped, bodies renewed and cars rebuilt from leftover stock. When buying, knowing the history precisely is what matters: a bitsa is not a flaw as long as it is honestly offered as one.
The bitsa is thus the opposite of a matching-numbers car, whose major components still carry factory numbers that belong together. Its market value is accordingly much lower – and identity can become delicate when only a small number-bearing part remains from the original car. For regularity and touring events, on the other hand, bitsas are usually perfectly eligible; concours d'élégance and competitions that judge originality or require a FIVA ID-Card or an HTP are stricter.
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Related terms
Pre-war vehicle
Vehicle from the era before the Second World War, usually up to the 1939 model year. The term is not officially defined; the cut-off varies by source.
Interchangeable plate
A Swiss licence plate used alternately on several vehicles – only one of which may be driven at a time. For veteran vehicles, more than two are allowed.
Special
A deliberately and skilfully built one-off, usually created for sporting purposes from period components – the kinder sibling of the bitsa, especially in the pre-war world.