Newbie saying hello

Welcome to the madness!

"Birds of a feather ...."  Purchased mine in Nov '89 in VA, now retired to FL!  Wonder if the Empi solid or louvered (maybe not louvered) stainless steel engine surround will satisfy the steel firewall requirement.  CMC/FF just have a fiberglass "firewall"/partition in the rear (same for front).  I don't think others with CMC/FF, VS, JPS or IM's have had problems with not having a steel firewall in CT but maybe some new CT requirement.  It is very difficult to build a car outside in FL --- more so in frigid winters of CT.  VW bug donor cars are becoming increasingly difficult to come by.  Check SAMBA or local Craigslist.  Be sure one you get has a matching/valid title and check pan for severe NE rust.  

majorkahuna posted:

Welcome to the madness!

 

Thanks for the welcome.

Funny, that is what we all say when they someone is new to the BMW 850 board.  It's a labor of love (and I am ready for it).

The two main things I see in the CT are "proof of valid purchase of all main components" and the gas tank.  Not sure what proof I have of the kit itself, so I will have to do some searching for old docs.  For the gas tank it says it must be vented to the outside (not sure if in the hood counts) and if in the trunk, must have a firewall between the tank and passenger compartment.  Not sure if the hood counts as the trunk on these cars.  The other pain in the butt is having to lug it over an hour and a half away on a trailer to have it inspected.

Here's a link to CT requirements if your interested in the read.  http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/R-157.pdf

Although gas tank is in the front trunk, the bottom is completely open to the outside so would guess you are good to go there.  I thought the part of bumper's "capable of transferring impact to the frame" was comical for plastic bumpers.  If you bought body new it came with a FL Certificate of Origin (COO) which looks like a car title.  Many just go with the VW chassis # (VIN) and it's title.

Hey, Pablo!   Fortunately for you, there is a large and really cool vintage VW club in Connecticut.  Lots of people more or less local to you who can offer help and parts.  Bugcity.com up in Bristol will become your best friends.  

Lots of seasonal shows all over southern New England, too.  I hang out with the 356 guys down around Lyme and Saybrook sometimes during the summer.

I’m way up near Worcester, MA but will keep an eye peeled for a decent donor car to mate with your wide body - We could also get it delivered for gas and Pizza.  You don’t see a ton of them come up, but they’re still around.  You’ll also find this site to be a terrific source of info and help as you get going on your build.  A couple of other guys are building their cars in New England now, too.

Don’t sweat the CT regs.  Other people have gotten their cars inspected and registered in CT and you can, too.  One step at a time.

Gordon

Thanks again for the welcomes.  Gordon, please keep an eye out for a donor in the area.  I actually saw one a couple of weeks ago, but really didn't have a place to put it and it sold a few days later. (that's the second thing I missed). 

I already try attend every local show I can with my BMW and looking forward to bringing the speedster to one (another thing that got my motor running (pun intended) to get this started).  Cars and Coffee in New Canaan has a huge show (over 1000 cars) and Greenwich CT and Yorktown NY are nice as well.  I also try to Bimmerstock in Glen Cove NY every year and FCP Euro in Milford started one that has grown pretty quickly.  (here's a shot of my BMW if anyone is interested).  I started my driving days with VW.  Had a 2 bugs and 2 Ghias.  That was decades ago, but time to get back into them.

Is that an 850 or an 840?  I love 'em both!

Lane Anderson posted:

Is that an 850 or an 840?  I love 'em both!

It's and 91 850i (first year made).  Sadly an automatic, but still fun.  It's all original, and currently has 57k on it.  I've owned it for 17 years now.  Was my daily for the first year and a half, then became just a toy.  Working on this has given me more then enough confidence to take on the kit project.

Good luck with your build, Pablo. I bought an unbuilt Spyder kit out of CT last spring and could put you in touch with the seller, who had a couple other projects in his shop at the time. He might could help you track down a donor, and/or navigate the registration process when you're all done.