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Post by buildercg on May 27, 2017 4:17:52 GMT
Got the side panels installed, locked down the battery, installed the center tail light, installed mirrors, cut the hole for the speedo cable (it wasn't so bad after, had to modify the cable clip to fit the wall but was easy with a dremel), main body work back on. I'm literally waiting for paint to dry so I can install the fenders. That should be done tomorrow.
After that I need to make a new dash cover as I ruined the one that came with the car trying to make it fit. I'll make a new one from sheet metal this weekend. Next week I'll order a DOT windshield and the car will be as ready as it can get to start the state inspection process.
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Post by buildercg on May 29, 2017 3:57:16 GMT
After a year and a half of work, the Exocet left the garage tonight for the first time under it's own power.
I still have a few things to address but I'm feeling really good right now.
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Post by calibuild on May 29, 2017 5:04:21 GMT
Woooo congrat's on the progress. What method did you use for the fenders?
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Post by buildercg on May 29, 2017 13:43:16 GMT
Woooo congrat's on the progress. What method did you use for the fenders? Thanks. Good timing on the question, as I just added my fenders yesterday. I used 1/2" P-clips attached with 1/4" grade 8 stainless steel bolts and with a rubber grommet. My grommets were a little small for the bolts I used so I had to drill the rubber to make them fit. Good thing is they are very tight as a result. Per gwnwar's advice, I will drill a P-clip on each mount and secure with a cotter pin. I also have stainless steel washers that I'm probably going to add to the top "just in case".   I used a big name brand rubberized paint from a big box store on the fender mounts. This stuff was supposed to be very good at absorbing damage but it doesn't stick to bare metal (even though instructions say it should). I DO NOT recommend and I will need to remove everything and find a different solution (probably go back to automotive spray paint). |
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Post by buildercg on May 29, 2017 13:57:16 GMT
After a year and a half of work, the Exocet left the garage tonight for the first time under it's own power. I still have a few things to address but I'm feeling really good right now. Adding obligatory pics.    |
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Post by gwnwar on May 29, 2017 20:32:08 GMT
Looking good like the 3rd brake lamp setup..
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Post by buildercg on Jun 5, 2017 21:33:57 GMT
Started my registration journey last week by trying (and failing) to setup my police inspection (required here in MA). The police require a form and proof of payment from the RMV, which I was successful at this afternoon. Now, I'll start calling the police every day until I can get my inspection appointment. Wish me luck.
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Post by buildercg on Jun 6, 2017 0:38:17 GMT
Woooo congrat's on the progress. What method did you use for the fenders? Thanks. Good timing on the question, as I just added my fenders yesterday. I used 1/2" P-clips attached with 1/4" grade 8 stainless steel bolts and with a rubber grommet. My grommets were a little small for the bolts I used so I had to drill the rubber to make them fit. Good thing is they are very tight as a result. Per gwnwar's advice, I will drill a P-clip on each mount and secure with a cotter pin. I also have stainless steel washers that I'm probably going to add to the top "just in case". Over the weekend I revised my fender install. The through holes in the fender are almost the size of the screw head and I was worried that the forces on the fender could pull the screw through the fender. I had purchased flat washers for this but didn't install them. This is now rectified. I also drilled through the steel mounts and added cotter pins to prevent the fenders from coming off the ends. Finally, I wired the outer p-clips to cotter pins as an extra measure of security. The rubber grommets flatten out a bit on both sides under this configuration, which prevents metal from touching the fender.    There is enough clearance that the tires don't touch anything. |
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Post by buildercg on Jun 6, 2017 0:46:23 GMT
I've also been working to obtain a windshield from a local glass company. They have a piece of DOT safety glass with the correct markings. I provided both paper and lexan templates. I'm hoping to pick it up tomorrow.  I may need windshield wipers to get the car registered (the law is not 100% clear here in MA). Therefore I'm having them cut holes in the glass so that I can use 12V marine style electric wipers which attach via a hole in the window. One thing I learned is that the glass cannot have any pressure on it or it will crack, therefore I'll add metal standoffs in the holes they are cutting should the wipers be needed. I also learned that I shouldn't DYI a hole in this style glass - even with a diamond bit - as the likelihood of cracking is extremely high. |
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Post by buildercg on Jun 6, 2017 16:35:18 GMT
Started my registration journey last week by trying (and failing) to setup my police inspection (required here in MA). The police require a form and proof of payment from the RMV, which I was successful at this afternoon. Now, I'll start calling the police every day until I can get my inspection appointment. Wish me luck. Success at the RMV yesterday has been followed by success getting my state police inspection arranged. The officer I spoke with, who'll do the inspection, talked me through the process and answered all of my questions. I rented a U-Haul to tow the car and my appointment is Thursday morning. |
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Post by buildercg on Jun 8, 2017 17:44:37 GMT
The past 24 hours have been hectic as I button up the car for my police inspection. It was worth it as I received my MA vin without any problems a couple hours ago. I'm currently sitting (im)patiently at the RMV so I can obtain title, registration, and tags.
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Post by buildercg on Jun 8, 2017 20:36:29 GMT
I just spent 3 hours at the local RMV and walked away empty handed. No title. They cannot put zero for doors and after I showed a picture (to prove there were no doors because I was asked if there were little ones) they said "you can't register that thing". So now I'm maybe supposed to get a phone call from a different DOT department tomorrow morning. I asked what the next steps were or if there was a website I could go look at and was told that I'm in a gray area and that no, there's nothing on Mass.gov which covers this type of vehicle.
I will keep my fingers crossed that tomorrow's phone call happens and gives me a clear set of steps to follow.
On the flip side, should I be able to title the car, Grundy's insurance gave me a very reasonable quote.
A few problems I ran into:
1. Not having insurance (even though you cannot get insurance in MA without a title first). I had to opt for a Title ONLY application.
2. Not having a bill-of-sale for the Exocet with the original purchase date. Flyin Miata was able to provide me a duplicate invoice with a note in the description which included the correct date.
3. Not paying MA sales tax on the Exocet frame in the year I purchased the frame. In MA, you're supposed to claim use-tax for out of state purchases within the year on your state taxes. I knew, though, that I'd have to pay tax once the car was done, so I waited until the Exo was finished for the frame and a few of the other parts I bought with the frame. Apparently that was a mistake. Fortunately, I did claim practically everything else I've purchased in the appropriate years since.
Pretty bummed right now. It's supposed to be a great weekend and there's no way I can drive the car at this time.
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Post by gwnwar on Jun 9, 2017 16:02:30 GMT
Guess you will just need to get a piece of 1x3 wood painted black with a hinge up front and secure it to top of frame and a latch. call it a door. Just a small door.. How about a piece of 2" PVC pipe mounted to the top rail with loose clamps to roll in.
Definition of door it moves to allow entrance. A 2foot x3" piece of black plexie with loose clamps to rotate in. Get the tags then $hit can the door.. If ever stopped tell the cop Jeeps have door that are removable.. I only use mine in the winter like a Jeep..
Take a pix of doors installed closed and open..
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Post by buildercg on Jun 9, 2017 16:33:27 GMT
Guess you will just need to get a piece of 1x3 wood painted black with a hinge up front and secure it to top of frame and a latch. call it a door. Just a small door.. How about a piece of 2" PVC pipe mounted to the top rail with loose clamps to roll in. Definition of door it moves to allow entrance. A 2foot x3" piece of black plexie with loose clamps to rotate in. Get the tags then $hit can the door.. If ever stopped tell the cop Jeeps have door that are removable.. I only use mine in the winter like a Jeep.. Take a pix of doors installed closed and open.. That's a good idea. I had a phone call with both the head on Inspection Management and with head of DEP a little while ago. DEP says that there are no reasons to stop title snd registration process, though i must install a charcoal canister and all associated parts. I need to now call head of IM back (he told me i had to talk to DEP) and see if I can proceed with title now that that I have assurance that there are no blocking emissions issues. A ray of hope. |
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Post by buildercg on Jun 12, 2017 20:50:30 GMT
Head of IM called me back earlier this afternoon and told me exactly how to proceed with registration. I'll add the details to the DMV/RMV section for anyone else in MA trying to go though the process.
The call led me back to the RMV and this time I left with a receipt for my title.
Now on to insurance (papers signed and submitted to Grundy's along with pictures of the car and proof of title) and registration.
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