What do you think?

I'm new here. What do you guys think about this? I've never owned a Speedster, but I've done some research. This seems like a pretty good deal. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Adam

It might help if I added the link:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4523748379&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Mine is set up the same way. 912 w/5 speed. I have discs all the way around though. I like mine. The engine tone is excellent!

The engine has to be a 69 as that was the last year for the 912. Other than that you better ensure the paperwork is straight.

What about the paperwork wouldn't be "straight?" The owner said it's currently registered in North Carolina as a VW. Also, I'm guessing it's going to need a lot of the moulding and misc. chrome pieces. I think I'm going to Carlisle in May, would those parts be available there?

Adam,

There will be three, maybe four, of the best Speedster/Cabriolet manufacturers at Carlisle who may not have those parts there but can certainly get them for you. They'll also have examples of their cars.

Ref: What about the paperwork wouldn't be "straight?" Some states won't allow it to be simply registered as the donor VW chassis -- they require the fiberglass body company's Certificate of Origin too. I'm sure this is so they can assess a greater value to it than say a '69 bug. Some require application of id plates for registering it too. I riveted the OEM bug serial number plate next to the CMC body plate to the area inside the front hood. I also plan to apply the serial number plate that was visible thru the bug windshield.

I guess I'll have to look into that. Thanks for your help. Anyone run into problems with this in Pennsylvania?

Most states require these cars be registered as special built vehicles. In order to do this you need the title and paperwork from the donor car and a statement of origin from the maker as well as all reciepts for other items purchased in the process.

If you buy a completed car and don't have all the info then you can go two routes. 1) get a reciept (noterized) for all the major components from the seller, buy a old bug and all the s/n plates for it and take that in and then register it as if you built it. 2) the other way involves suing for ownership which involves newspaper ads etc... then a judge will award ownership and you can use this as proof of ownership.

Now, that said, many states overlook registering them as VW's, but this is getting tougher to do. CA has busted several folks for it in recent years. Other states are also begining to crack down.

I work at a law firm. I think taking the route of suing for ownership may not be that hard. We'll see what it's got when I pick up the car on Saturday.

Here is the response I got from the Massachusetts RMV. I guess for reference only....

Dear Mr. Parsons:

Before you can apply for a title on this kit and specialty car, you must
apply for a Massachusetts Assigned VIN and have your vehicle inspected.
Once you have a Massachusetts Assigned VIN, bring a copy of the VIN
Assignment form (TV-29), Certificate of Origin or Certificate of Title
for the parts used, bill of sales and/or receipts for the parts from the
seller, a completed RMV-1 from your insurance agent, and the $50.00
title fee, 5% sales tax and applicable registration fees to a full
service RMV branch.

To obtain a Massachusetts Assigned VIN and inspection, please contact
the Auto Theft Department at (617)351-9060 Monday through Friday from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.

Thank you for using www.mass.gov/rmv and have a nice day.
Denise


-----Original Message-----
From: jspbtown@aol.com [mailto:jspbtown@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday January 20, 2005 8:32 PM
To: Registry, Feedback (RMV)
Subject: Titles & Salvage


Customer's Name: Jeffrey Parsons
Transaction ID Number:
Daytime Phone #:
License #:
Registration #:
Title #:
Web Browser: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; AOL 9.0; Windows
98)
I purchased a kit car which was manufactured in 1991. The car was never
assembled. It is based on the chassis on a 1959 Volkswagon Beetle. I
have the MSO for the body, and the bill of sale from the owner of the
chassis. What is the process for me titling this vehicle? It is now
complete. What information/documents do I need?

Adam ,

I am also in Pa and have built and titles many kit cars in a couple of different methods including Penn Dot MV 426

Email me, I am sure that I can be of some help


Alan

As I understand it (and I'm sure Alan does, too), there's a BIG difference in registering a kit car in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is much tougher, so I would listen to Alan first........

Having said that, I first registered my CMC, based on a 1969 VW pan, in Massachusetts. What I was told at that time (2002) was to complete a Massachusetts DMV RMV-1 form (which describes the vehicle including the VIN), get insurance for it and have your insurance company stamp the RMV-1 showing that it's insured, then take the RMV-1, along with your bill of sale and any prior registration information (there was no existing title on this particular car), to the DMV and process all the paperwork.

My donor car was a 1969 Red VW Beetle sedan. I wanted to register it as a 1969, White, VW convertible. I filled out the RMV-1 as a white convertible and told the DMV person that I had changed the body and painted it.

"Whomp!" She stamped the RMV-1, did the rest of the paperwork, gave me my registration and plates, told me my new title would arrive in the mail (it did, two weeks later, as a 1969 white VW convertible) and sent me on my way, a happy Speedster driver.

A year later, I transferred the registration to Rhode Island. Took in my current registration and Mass. title, filled out a transfer registration application, gave them everything and "Whomp!" got stamped again, with a new Rhode Island registration - no questions asked.

Same thing down here in South Carolina - no problem registering it here, and they have NO vehicle inspection here, either!!

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" in Beaufort

Here in Pennsylvania, one assembles the car then completes a 4 page MV 426 that asks various questions as to where the parts originated from, donor vehicle (if any) title in your name , requires any receipts for same of Bill of Sale / MSO.
Photos of all sides, engine and interior are required to be attached to the MV 426.
Car then gets inspected by a local garage that is state licensed to do standard vehicle inspections. A cold case of Coors Lite presented to the mechanic can make this task go a bit easier.

Put a stamp on the MV 426 and off it goes to PennDot where it sits idle for 29 out of 30 days where it is finally reviewed.
PennDot then issues a Special Construction Vin plate and a title, After receipt of same, you then go to the local DMV Messenger Service after taking your hard earned cash will issue a tag and registration. You then have 10 days in which have to the car once again inspected . Another case of chilled Coors lite again helps at this time

___________________________________________________________________

New Jersey is a bit different, build the car, fill out similar paper work , send it off to Trenton NJ and wait for them to schedule a State DMV Engineer to come out to your home, yes your home ! The guy arrives and slips on a set of overalls and go over the car like an DEA agent . They look for wiring routing, workmanship, fuel line routing , brakes and DOT markings on tail light lenses. etc.
Upon getting the "A-OK" nod, you once again wait on a state issued title to be sent to you.

With a few builds under my belt, I got to know one of the engineers on a first name bases. I had completed a 1929 Benz replica and had gotten a deposit on it but no title.
I called down to his office, he suggested that if I could trailer the car down to his office the following morning ( huh? I think!) he would "look at it"....He did a 60 second inspection while the car was still on the trailer and parked in city bus stop.

Title was issued on the spot...total time in the bus stop, 25 minutes !

Alan,
Thanks for the info. Sorry I didn't call you. I didn't get home from school until late, and didn't get the email until right now.
But thanks again!

Adam ,

Any questions still call any evening .....
Glad to help you out Alan