Yeti

I got a copy of the "improvement" list from my mechanic today. Of course first on the list are the bumpers. They have also added a parking brake indicator light on the dash. Evidently, having the lever digging into my right leg is not enough. They also want reflex reflectors placed on the front and rear. Interestingly, there is no mention of fuel pump strap or making turn signals more visible. I'll probably address those out of my own concern.

Yes, it appears that the mechanic and I made several mistakes. My biggest was choosing him because I knew him and he was close. His specialty is doing hot rods. I was too naïve to realize how different they are. He probably asked too many questions at the state. I am certainly going to learn a lot through the process!

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I have followed up on several today and seem to be heading in the right direction. Thanks

I can pretty much live with the changes that they say I need to make. I even agree with many of them. But a little bit of me dies each time I think about bumpers on the car. I don't know what it would mean to my insurance if they disappeared afterwards if something happened. But my guess is that it would not be good. Plus I also spoke to a regular inspection mechanic that said several times a year the state comes in and recalls a car to check such things. I found the regulation about the bumpers. How do you read this? § 175.209. Chassis. (a) Condition of chassis. All items of a chassis shall be in safe operating condition as described in this subchapter and Subchapters E—H and J. (b) Bumpers. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers securely attached to the chassis, except when the original body configuration provided by a recognized manufacturer did not include bumpers in the design of the vehicle. Vehicles registered as street rods are exempt from the requirements regarding bumpers. (1) Some part of the main horizontal bumper of a passenger vehicle and all street rods, if so equipped, shall fall within 12-20 inches above ground level. (2) Some part of the horizontal bumper of a truck shall fall within 16-30 inches above ground level.

Thanks guys. I feel a bit more encouraged. I study things closer after work.

As many of you know, I bought a Birkin this summer from Colorado. I admit I did only a minimal amount of research about bringing it to Pennsylvania. But I was able to have my mechanic confirm with the state that they have titled them before. The process seemed to be reasonable and I ever so naively jumped in with both feet. My son and I flew out and drove it back using the seller's plates. As as per suggested on the forum, I tried to use the Colorado title to just get it changed to a Pennsylvania title. That was a non starter with PennDot. They kindly explained the enhanced inspection process that the car would need to go through. Oh good, a nice easy, quick transparent process I can go through... Ha A month a go I completed the enhanced inspection at one of the few approved places. The biggest issue was that I needed to replace the pitted and cracked (very small) windshield. After the car passed, I put all the paperwork together including photos of the car and dropped it off at PennDot. I was told by one person I should get the title in 1 to 2 week. Another one said it would be about 3. I got a little antsy yesterday when it approached a month and I had heard nothing. It was suggested to me on the forum that I call them. At 9:15 this morning I found a message on my phone from the mechanic. He said that the state was going to be at their shop at 10 am to inspect the car. I was a bit surprised since I never knew this was in the realm of possibilities, let alone only having a 45 minute warning. I hustled the untitled, unregistered, unplated and unprepared car the 5 miles to the shop. I was introduced to two very large but pleasant Quality Assurance Officers. They proceed to explain how they were going to check this very long list of items on the car. When they were finished they were going to give it to their boss. He would make the decision as th whether it would pass. It became apparent very quickly it would not. I will need to wait for the official report but I did get a partial list of issues. 1. Front turn signals not visible from side 2. Back up light not bright enough 3. No defroster (has no heater) 4. No washer fluid sprayers 5. No secondary strap on external fuel pump 6. No brake fluid pressure indicator light 7. Exposed exhaust system 8. Wiring too close to steering column 9. No safety etching on windshield 10. No bumpers 11. No cup holders (just kidding) I have to wait for the final report to get the whole list. This is just some of the stuff they chose to share, and what the mechanic or I heard. Some of it is certainly reasonable and stuff I planned to do anyway. The three that really annoy me are the defroster, washer sprayer and the bumpers. They were not amused about my question of when they were going to require them on Harley's. I will admit that overall they were very decent about the whole. I understand they were only doing their job and did not make the rules. As I started this post off with, be careful what you wish for...

That is one thing and probably one of the easiest.

Short story: car failed safety inspection. Long story to follow tonight.

I dropped it off at PennDot directly and have no tracking number. I'll look for a number to call. I'm going to see if they cashed my check.

I am still waiting. My one to two weeks I was told at PennDot has been four tomorrow. I seem to have no way to follow up on the process!:banghead::banghead::banghead:

Great video. What organization ran the event?

It was rejected at Harrisburg. I was given a list of enhanced inspection stations and the form to have filled out. They said once that was done it should take 1 to 2 weeks for them to process the paperwork.

Yes, didn't fly.

I have now passed the enhanced inspection. All I needed was new windshield glass. I'll take the paperwork to PennDot next week. I was told it takes one to two weeks for them to process it. I'm hoping they just send me plate at that point. I'll have to ask. Thanks for the help.

I really am happy with the car. It has a few things I plan change. But I think that is the nature of the beast. My biggest regret with the trip is that I did not take the advice to make it longer. I would have liked to take more time and smelled the roses...

Home! 1787 miles. 3.5 days, my co-pilot was a trooper! The car ran great. I'll try and add some pictures tomorrow.

Another 500 mile day. We found bed bugs in Barry, IL hotel this morning. Hopefully we left them all there. Car ran great. I really enjoyed the Sunday morning drive, cool with nice open roads. But when we got to Indiana, the roads were so rough that I'm surprised that we didn't leave any car parts behind. I'm finding the drivers the further east we go are more aggressive and less respectful. Last day tomorrow, it should be interesting on the PA turnpike!

500+ miles today. Staying in Barry IL tonight. Light rain in the morning and a near perfect afternoon and evening.

Hello. A long first day. We flew into Denver at about 2 am this morning after 3 hours of delays. Got to the hotel about 3. Jeff picked us up from the hotel and took us back to his place. He graciously donated things for the trip and helped us pack all the extras to ship back to PA. After taking us to the UPS store, he and his wife saw us off. I can not thank him enough for his time and help. He is an asset to the community. My only regret is that we were not able to stop up and see Skip. We were on the road late and I was not yet comfortable with the car enough to run cross city traffic. Sorry. We are in Norton, Kansas tonight. Not quite as far as I hoped. The car ran quite well. We have the top and the doors on. I provide the AC with my elbow by opening the door a crack. It did rain a bit but not enough to be a problem. Our biggest scare was just missing a large buck about 10 miles west of Norton. That sealed the deal on stopping for the night. That is probably enough rambling for tonight. Going to try and get an early start for tomorrow. Scott

Thank you every one for your input. We are flying out to Denver tomorrow night to start our adventure. We'll try and check in along the way.

How does having the top on and the doors change the equation?

I have seen several people mention helmets. I guess being a bit naïve, why a helmet? What kind of helmet?

Thanks again for the input. I am taking it all to heart. I have put ear protection on the list. I am wondering if I should also get an in car communication system like I've used on the track for DE? I was thinking something that we could talk to each other plus stream some music. I'm also planning on renewing my AAA if the Hagerty program doesn't cover what I might need. As for the distance covered each day, I like the idea of go big the first day and then taper down. We'll see. I've told my son to try and find things to see along the way to help set the goals. At this point it seems as if US70 is the quickest route but that does not mean it is the best. As for the car itself, I will not have seen it before hand. But I believe that it has been in good hands all of its life. It has been with MightyMike (as he points out above) and others from the 7 community here. I know things can go wrong but believe that it has been in loving hands long enough that the kinks have been worked out. You got to have faith in something....

I appreciate the comments and suggestions. Keep them coming please. I do have a little wiggle room on the amount of time for the trip. He can miss some school but work is a little tougher for me.

My wife thinks I have completely lost my mind. I look at it as the ultimate bonding experience with my newly minted teenager. The Background: I sold my Exige back in 2009. The boys were starting to do more activities outside of the home and I did not have the time to spend at the track (it is not a coincidence that it rhymes with crack). Earlier this year an indoor go-cart track opened and I was hooked again. My older son started running about 2 months ago and is also now obsessed. I started looking around for a bigger fix. I found it in the form of a 2001 Birkin S3. The Plan: Pack light. Fly to Denver with son. Meet with the gentleman selling car. Pack car. Mail that which does not fit. Head east. See a few sites. Get back to PA in time for work and school. simple.