Another California registration adventure

[nkb]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, here's what you do.... I'm guessing you're in your 70's, or darn close to it, so you really don't have a lot of time to screw around waiting and doing it the correct way for a new car. So, the solution is to throw money at the problem. Buy a used CSX/ERA/KMS, in whatever condition it's in, so long as it's titled properly there in CA, and then ship the car to either the elves at ERA, or the guys at Kirkham, and just throw enough money at them that they make the car exactly what you want. If you wait around for the bureaucrats to sort all of this crap out you're likely to get sick or die before you can enjoy your car. Anyway, that's my advice... just throw a shi*load of money at it and you'll end up with what you want.

This would perhaps be a "solution" except it doesn't take into account another major goal in procuring a "Cobra Kit": Doing the assembly myself. I don't really need another "iconic" car nor even another one also with exhilarating performance. I have those.

I wanted the satisfaction of specifying and assembling the car myself (something I have the tools and expertise to accomplish). The "journey" is part of the motivation, not just the turnkey car.

I suppose I could buy a used California licensed car and then work on that. But, it is likely to have had most of the major aspects (e.g. drivetrain) already addressed relegating one to working on lesser items.

A further motivation, besides my own selfish satisfaction, is that my grandchildren are interested in cars and would enjoy wrenching on a kit with me. During Covid, I conducted Zoom classes with them on "Automotive Engineering and Physics" to an eager audience. Be nice to continue this with a more hands-on aspect.

These kids will be inheriting the car collection, so it would be good if they have some understanding what it is about. And they already have the car "bug".

Other options are to buy a "project" classic car and restore that. Having done that before it can easily extend into a many year project. And as noted, I ain't getting any younger. But, that may still make sense.

We'll see. I'll monitor the registration issue here and also consider other options. To be continued.