NVP66S Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I loaded up my car in Mojave and trailered it to Midland, TX, a 1200 trip. The Pontiac Vibe GT was not really up to the task and I might have to replace the clutch. Other than that, an uneventful trip. You might notice the plywood ramplets under the rear wheels. Those are bolted to the trailer deck so that the oil sump doesn't hit the trailing edge of the trailer deck. While getting the title & registration for the Pontiac, I asked the nice lady at the Tax Office what was the possibility of getting temporary tags for the Custom Replica I was putting through the process. "Oh, I can do that" was her response. Just add $25. :hurray: So I got the car down off the trailer and am getting my first drives. Wow, just wow. Makes my Miata seem like a Suburban. A few minor squawks but nothing major (OK, I was dumb not securely fastening the carpets down, and the idle speed is too low). Definitely an audience participation ride. Edited July 23, 2014 by NVP66S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Congrats! I can see by that smile you are one happy man. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Dan, Congradulations of a job well done . . . and your 1200 mi tow! :hurray: You're an inspiration to many, and I have certainly enjoyed following your build thread. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Beautiful build. And, if loose carpet is your big problem, you have nailed the build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Beautiful build. And, if loose carpet is your big problem, you have nailed the build. Thanks. So far, it's been 2 radiator hoses that needed the clamps to be tightened, and the steering wheel is about 10 degrees off center. But it tracks well. The idle needs to be set a bit higher. .... all small stuff so far. Of course, it rained when I first got the temp tags, but that didn't even slow me down. :hurray: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Congratulations Dan! And of course now that the build is done, you can begin your journey down the slippery slope of modifications -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Awesome Build and great to hear that your registration was a cake walk. :cheers: Now stop posting and go drive it!!! :jester: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randychase Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Great news, enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Congrats! Beautiful build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Awesome Build and great to hear that your registration was a cake walk. :cheers: Now stop posting and go drive it!!! :jester: Tom Not registered yet. It's a process and the next hurdle is to get an ASE certified master technician to fill out some State paperwork after safety inspection. The problem is that all the auto shops in Midland are booked up busy and it might take 4 days. I'm driving on 30-day temp plates. The police signed it off this morning stating no stolen parts found, and telling the Title and Registration District Office to assign a new VIN. The magic words in Texas are Assembled, Custom, Replica of a 1962 Lotus, and this tells the ASE technician to inspect for 1962 safety features. Keeping my fingers crossed. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Still getting forms filled out. Today was the ASE Certified Master Mechanic inspection. That hung up for several extra hours as he wanted a definitive answer to the question: "Did a 1962 Lotus need to have DOT etched in the headlight and tail light lenses?" We eventually got a "No" from a TXDOT person in Austin. I'm dealing with multiple state and county agencies and the mechanic, and I have to say that everyone is being courteous and helpful. This is a new thing for most of them and they are going slowly to touch all the bases. I got a new assigned VIN today and tomorrow will stamp it into the chassis. The fee for all this? $2.00 I'm gonna like Texas. AND IN THE MEANTIME. I HAVE 30-DAY TEMP TAGS. YEAH!! I think I've figured it out. It's not a car. It's a recumbent motorcycle with extra stability at the cost of ground clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Awesome..let the grins begin...another Westie on the road.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Update: I got through the multi-step title, inspection, tax paying, and registration process in TX. Some of it was a new experience for me. I'm not used to Gummint employees saying "how can I help you?" and they actually MEAN it. The last stop was the county tax office who also issue plates. I showed my build log and was ready to explain all the purchases (2 paqges in a spreadsheet) and the answer I got was that they were only interested in my title to the drivetrain donor car and that was fully up to date in taxes and fees. Normally, they would have issued plates on the spot, but 'custom vehicle' requires special plates and they will be mailed to me at my Midland address. Trailered it back to Mojave and spent a day roaming around the windmills. Now I'm thinkin' it's more like a street legal kart than a recumbent motorcycle. Doesn't lean around corners. I need to tie the seat belt ends better. They flail and beat me about the face while grinning. Photos to follow in a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Why did you register the car in Tx? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Why did you register the car in Tx? The company I work for is moving to TX, and I am moving to TX. This is a months-long event and I changed my personal legal status (drivers license) from CA to TX already. I figured I should register the car in the State I'm moving to rather than the State I'm moving from. I plan to trailer it back to TX in a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Dan, When do you oficially become a Texan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 Dan, When do you oficially become a Texan? Officially I am a Texan. My drivers license says so. Or were you asking a different question? I just assumed that's how you spell the word 'official' in Arkansas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Oficailly--that's what happens when you 'fat finger' the key board. When are you going to 'officially' start taking up space in the great state of Texas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 Oficailly--that's what happens when you 'fat finger' the key board. When are you going to 'officially' start taking up space in the great state of Texas? PM sent. My employer doesn't allow day-job related stuff going to the www. We bought a building lot 18 months ago thinking we'd move by now, and have a apartment in town until the new house gets built. Of course the ap't has the requisite 2-car garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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