What now?

[pgermond]

After months of appointments, gallons of Malox, and many anxious moments and sleepless nights.... I am legal :D:D:D:D:D

After inspections by the CHP, smog referee, and the brake and lamp certifications station I checked the last box on my visit to DMV this morning and wrote a big fat check for CA fees/taxes.

The fruits of my labors (and worries) have been rewarded [^][:P][^]

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/pgermond/20 WASZAT a.JPG

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[excelguru]

[u]Great News!!!!</u>

I mailed in my form last week for my personalized plate (somehow "576 PCU" just didn't light my fire). There's no telling how long it will take to know if I got what I wanted. I suppose you guys have to submit 3 or more "wishes" the same way we do? Mine are "MYDREAM", "16AGAIN", and "XL GURU" in that order. Of course, only the forum guys will truly understand the last one...

edit - Oh by the way, the answer to "what now?" is DRIVE!!!!!

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/owner-429c-1.phtml)

[clayfoushee]

Phil,

Congrats.....I know what a big deal that is in CA for a Cobrahttp://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/clayfoushee/Cobraplate.jpg

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[bittentoo]

Congrats! Sure is a great feeling:D It sure is a nightmare to get it all done in sunny Ca.

It took me all of one day to get the inspection and registration in Tx.

Now get out and drive that sucker[}:)]

[Brent]

Great!!!!

I am glad Indiana makes it so easy to register a vehicle. A sheriff came to the house for the inspection and then one quick trip to the liscense branch and it was over.

ps. Get your Webers yet????

Brent

[pgermond]

Thanks for the congrats :D

Keith - California DMV has a web site and you can try various options for plates. Once you find what you want and it isn't taken, it's a simple click and enter a credit card number. It's the only part of the process that was painless!

Brent - Not yet [:P]

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Mike Geddes]

Phil...Hope you don't mind me asking this, but what was the value of
'the big fat cheque for fee's and taxes' to the DMV.
The reason I ask, is that I continue to read notes on the forum relative to the arduous task of getting a 'speciality vechile'
registered in parts of the US and particulary in your neck of the woods...California. ( should I call them Horror stories.?)

Wether by luck or design , our system here in Canada is quite simplistic.
Taxes are paid on the "PARTS" when the pallet kit enters Canada, not
on the value of the finished car.....and then the entry tax is only the Federal portion....Customs can not collect Provincial (State) taxes.
Smog or Emmissions testing is not required in Canada for KIT cars..
Yes they use the term KIT....but who cares at that point.
The Canadian DMV figure that 'KIT ' car owners take greater care of the running of their cars than the general public driving the mass
produced cars.
Road Legal....Basic standard stuff ( the cost of the safety check is
Federal set at $39.75 Cdn.)...a standing test...no road test required.
Brake shoe thickness, wipers, no holes in the floor, all lights working, hazard flashers not required,emergency brake...any type.
and believe it or not they want to see sun visors.
Seat belts are mandatory.
So, my total cost to initially register my Cobra was $39.75 for the test, $28.00 for new plates and $54.00 for the first years tag.
I had paid $600.00 taxes a year previous when I brought the 'KIT'
thru Canadian customs.
Mike


Mike Geddes

[pgermond]

Mike,

I should have moved to Canada to register the car! No I don’t mind you asking….. Because I purchased most everything out of state and/or over the Internet California, did not receive any sales tax on those purchases (7.5%). DMV requires a statement of construction (including receipts) for all major components, i.e. frame, body, motor, transmission, tires/wheels, plus any miscellaneous. That amount came to just under $40,000 (US). It didn’t include a lot of extras (paint for one thing); I only gave them what they asked for.

There was no charge for the CHP assignment or smog check. The brake and lamp certification was $127.00 (US)

The “WASZAT” plate was $71 (US) with an annual fee (I don’t recall how much it is – but I couldn’t pass up the palm trees and sunshine)

Total out-the-door cost or registration fees and taxes - $3,100 (US) (approx 7.75% of what I claimed). That's pretty brutal, but it is what it is and the process is complete [^]


Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[dmiller]

although i'm not nearly done( 7 weeks plus), i did receive my authorization to go to state police and get the first of two inspections. the cost so far is 8.5% of the bill of sale , (fortunally didn't include my engine, tranny, and other stuff, just what i initially got for Weavers). tax plus misc fees and stuff the bill is apprx $2200. i know that these monies are going for a good cause, so i don't mind paying them, only wish i could do more.

i am attempting now to get an appoiintment with local state troopers for the first physical inspection.

i did drive it today, with the papers from state authorizing me to proceed to inspection, if pulled, my answer was going to be "road testing" prior to inspection. wasn't pulled, but a state trooper on the highway assiting a stranded motorist followed me with his eyes until i was out of sight.

what a thrill to drive! didn't hammer it, but can feel the potential. and watching the eyes of other drivers as we pass is worth the cost of admission.

doug

[pgermond]

Doug,

Good luck and be patient... it will all come together. My DMV out-the-door fees/taxes was $3,100 (approx 7.75%), here in California. I didn't mind writing the check either..... well worth the excitment and pleasure of driving legally [^]

Remember.... keep the greasy side down and the shinny side up ;)

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[dmiller]

phil,

in an earlier thread you mentioned finding an oil leak when the pan was dusty, that is an old pilot, aircraft mechanics trick, dust the suspected area with talcum powder, then look for the leak.

doug

[pgermond]

Doug, Thanks - Whatever it's called it worked.... and I'll use it again if another leak appears [8D]

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[excelguru]

Ouch$$$. You guys need to move to SC. :D

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/owner-429c-1.phtml)

[pgermond]

SC = southern california :D[8D]:D

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Brent]

Bored and ready for May!!

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/Brent/DSCN0644.JPG

Brent