Just found this thread, and have spent all evening (between kids, food and watching highlights of England beat the Aussies) reading all 421 posts.
Big amounts of respect Mr Monkey Boy for the way you have fought this, the research you have done, and the way you have conducted yourself through all this. Not only does it give us all a bit of confidence that we needn't be brow beaten into submission by the, at times, ignorant authorities, but it's also brought this subject, which could affect most of us who love our cars, well and truly front and centre.
Great result in the end. Thoroughly deserved. Well done that man!!