After tennis and went to the registration office to get a 3-day registration which allows you to take the car for inspection/registration/emissions testing etc. (and nothing else). I got there just after 9:00, and . . . they were closed, until 10:00. Bother. So I went home - stopping off at the hardware store on the way home to say hello and pick up a few large washers to put under the passenger side seat bolts to spread the load (Westfield still haven't sent them). Fitted them when I got home. I went back to the office later after they were open - the 3-day registration is simply a matter of handing over $6 to the charming lady there (really, so much nicer going through an independent agent rather than the DMV - you have to pay "convenience" fees, and in this case they really are - very convenient, no wait and service with a smile). So this was the result:
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| Ready to go to see the inspector |
So a few final checks to ensure nothing was loose (especially the wheels, as one started to come off the Healey on my way to the inspection a year ago), grab my helmet and it's off we go. First stop the gas station, where I am stopped by a young man who said he just had to ask what it was. Turned out he was a photographer and he asked if he could take some pictures sometime - once I get the Gulf livery done (and the replacement body panels) I will take Mr. Westfield to see him.
On the subject of the body panels, I bonded some glassfibre to the underside of the bonnet where the cracks were to strengthen them. The cracks still show, but now the bonnet is solid and does not flex - gives a much better finish line with the nosecone.
I arrived at the inspection station around 1:50, and was immediately asked by someone if it was a Lotus. This car definitely attracts a lot of attention. Added my name to the list and was told the wait should only be half an hour or so. At 2:40 the inspector called me over and we got started. Fortunately, he was very helpful and it was a completely different experience I had had with the Healey with another inspector (which had filled me with some trepidation for Mr. Westfield).
The inspection process in Arizona is relatively straightforward - they just want to check the bills of sale (for the kit and the engine) and examine the serial numbers to ensure that nothing is stolen.
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| In the inspection station. Turn your head and cough please |
The serial number provided by Westfield isn't recognized by the system here so they assign an Arizona VIN number, which is attached to the chassis (and must not be tampered with). No real mechanical inspection needed (the inspector gave it the once over, I think more because he liked the look of it) and that was it - about a 20 minute process followed by some paperwork. After I explained what it was and showed him some pictures (which he said wasn't necessary), he agreed to title it as a replica of a 1960 Lotus 7. The title also shows it as a "Special Construction" which is Arizona speak for a kit car.
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A 1960 Lotus.
Not sure why they think Lotus made mobile homes though |
As it is titled as a 1960, the registration cost is only $10 a year and it is exempt from emissions testing (I think all special construction vehicles may be exempt, but I figured this route was the safest). I also believe that as a replica, I won't have a legal issue regarding the lack of a windshield and wipers, which are normally required - I think they were optional on the Lotus Seven. End result:
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| Finally, we can go for a spin legally! |
Legal!
That view reminds me, I still have to fit the diffuser. Job 1 for tomorrow, or the next day.
The drive back was a lot of fun. What a car, and I haven't really pushed it yet.
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