For many, the sight of classic cars trundling along country roads in summer is as quintessentially British as strawberries and cream.

But there are real concerns this could soon go up in smoke, if the latest plan to improve air quality comes to fruition.

The Government's Road Vehicles Improving Air Quality and Safety consultation is proposing kit cars would need to meet strict new emission laws.

(Image: Richard Stapley)

Classic cars - vehicles over 40 years old - would be exempt, but owners of replica vehicles wishing to place an old engine into a new shell, for example, would likely be forced off the road, which is the crux of the concerns.

East Yorkshire MP, Sir Greg Knight, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, raised concerns with the roads minister Jesse Norman MP on Monday.

He said: "Classic cars are part of the rich tapestry of recreational pursuits enjoyed in this country by many people. I would want to encourage it, not force people off the road.

"I put this down to civil servants not appreciating the fact that when people buy replica classic cars they want it to sound and drive like the original.

"If you're buying a replica E-type, for example, you're not going to want to put a Nissan engine in it, are you? A lot of these cars are built by small businesses scattered around the country."

Sir Greg, though supportive of efforts to improve air quality, accuses civil servants of using "a hammer to crack a nut".

"When you consider the number of cars on our roads, the effect on air pollution by kit cars will be negligible," he said. "It is a niche specialist hobby."

Car rallies are popular in the East Riding, with owners taking advantage of the county's miles of country roads. Shows are often held at stately homes, such as Sewerby Hall.

Richard Stapley, a classic car owner and former Hull City Council worker, spelled out the concerns of many enthusiasts.

He said: "If you find an old car in a barn and want to bring it back to life, you have to mix various parts - old and new.

"Such vehicles have to get what's known as Single Vehicle Approval, which is basically a super MOT. That's to ensure the vehicle has been put together properly and it's safe. Fine. No one I know has a problem with that.

(Image: Richard Stapley)

"But what the government is proposing now is that vehicles, unless they are true classics or 'survivors', as I like to call them, must meet current emissions laws.

"For hobby guys like myself, there is simply no way you're going to get an engine built in the 70s, or earlier, through these tests.

"I'm 65. I've been building these cars since I was 20. This ruling, if it comes in, will make honest, decent people into outlaws."

John Francis, who lives near Beverley, is a classic car owner, and accuses the Government of being heavy-handed in its approach. He drew analogies to the country's smoking ban introduced in 2007.

Mr Francis said: "I'm not a smoker but look what the ban has done to the pub industry. The sensible option would have been for the Government to state every premises needs to have a smoking room, with a good ventilation system that protects customers.

(Image: Hull Daily Mail)

"People are genuinely concerned at what the Government is suggesting. If these proposals are implemented, it will kill a multi-million pound industry, including part suppliers, craftsmen, magazines and car shows.

"I would be very interested to hear people's views on this."

Mr Francis also pointed out many classic car shows, most of which allow kit cars, raise money for local charities.

The Department for Transport declined to comment, but the Mail understands it is carefully considering responses to the consultation, which has now ended, ahead of making a decision.

The Hull Daily Mail has recently launched a free app which features all the latest news, sport and what’s on information. You can download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store, or get the Android version from Google Play.