First try at a handbrake cover...my next one will be better. I hope.
@Impala posted:Are you using a VW pan and title? If you are I believe you don’t need to do any inspections in Florida.
Only "inspection" would be by FL tax office (i.e. DMV in FL) is of the VIN to match title and speedo miles.
@WOLFGANG posted:Only "inspection" would be by FL tax office (i.e. DMV in FL) is of the VIN to match title and speedo miles.
Exactly; as per Troy’s suggestion mine was titled in FL as the donor, which is a ‘68 Bug. I could’ve titled it as a ‘57 Porsche 356 Speedster but that would just make possible registration in certain states a headache. My car did get inspected at a title service for the VIN and miles on the odometer. When I meant inspection was a yearly inspection in which emissions and everything else get tested. By registering the car as a special build you can potentially open a can of worms.
Wolfgang was right...the only "inspection" was checking the VIN number and the official weight slip. I am now legal as a 2020 built-from-parts car. The "donor car" that came with the kit was sold as scrap in 1990 and had no title.
When I installed the canvas top, it was unacceptably lumpy. When Covid subsides, I will take it to a specialist to tighten up and then I will be "done."
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Congratulations!
Those of us who've also built their cars know that this was a lot of work, now behind you. Now it's time to get out there and really enjoy all of your hard work!
Well Done!!
Great that the paperwork is over with. The car looks amazing and you’ve done a killer job.
@Gordon Nichols posted:Congratulations!
Those of us who've also built their cars know that this was a lot of work, now behind you. Now it's time to get out there and really enjoy all of your hard work!
Well Done!!
It's only 40 hours. Says so in the CMC manual.
I'm new to all this...it took me 42!
Thanks everyone for the advice along the way!
I still need to do something about a bad second gear, and my crushable steering column...and so the fun never ends....
Due to the concerns on here, I, too, just pulled my front wheel and Closely checked the crush cage, just to make sure it is OK (it is). Just one of those things to Put on your list to check every spring For the season.
Honestly, visually checking the crush cage is not enough. You can't see metal fatigue.
If I had one on my car, I'd replace it or sleeve it and weld the crap out of the sleeve.
Yeah, after witnessing Mike’s failure the rule should be “absolutely NO crush cages!”
@Lane Anderson posted:Yeah, after witnessing Mike’s failure the rule should be “absolutely NO crush cages!”
@MikelB is a very thorough, very meticulous man. He inspected his crush-cage before coming to the mountains to play. It failed catastrophically.
The crush-cage is meant to keep the column from impaling the driver in a crash. I've got a double u-joint steering arrangement (which is safer), but I've always liked the look and simplicity of the old-school VW columns and turn signals.
We all pick our poison. It's been repeated this 1000 times on this site, but these cars are not safe. Thinking otherwise is foolish.
I'd rather risk the column killing me in a crash than losing all steering without warning. Your mileage may vary.
" I've got a double u-joint steering arrangement (which is safer)..."
Stan: Just curious - is this what you have?
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@Bob: IM S6 posted:Stan: Just curious - is this what you have?
Yep.
If memory serves, older GM steering shafts had a sliding assembly for impalement protection. I wish I still had a pick-n-pay near me, I could probably score one.
@Bob: IM S6 posted:
Is that a rack and pinion setup?
@Eric (McGruff) posted:If memory serves, older GM steering shafts had a sliding assembly for impalement protection. I wish I still had a pick-n-pay near me, I could probably score one.
Yes they did, any machine shop can easily fabricate a male female sliding column shaft using your existing column the issue is if, they would do it considering the ever looming liability issue.
FYI, the picture that Bob posted is the IM install of an Ididit column, with a U joint going to a center tube welded to the frame that ties it into the rack and pinion. It is a great set up but the guts of the signal light is a bit antiquated, it is a 1988 GM style so it is a solid click for signal light use. It works well, but if they could redesign it, it could house a more modern set up and be made into a smaller hub... Concessions concessions
Great job IM.
It's a 911 set up, rack and pinion.
Wouldn't you think that for whatever car you drive (Speedster or Spyder) and whatever steering column you have (Straight, crush cage or double-U-Joints), if you take on enough frontal impact to affect any of the above, the gas tank right above your feet and knees will likely rupture?
As Stan said, "It's been repeated this 1000 times on this site, but these cars are not safe. Thinking otherwise is foolish."