Passed the dreaded Maryland Safety Inspection!

[patpur]

I am one happy camper this evening. In Maryland all kit cars now have to have a safety inspection. I bought mine from a dealer so they were responsible for having the inspection done so I can get my tags. Basically all your turn signals, brake lights etc have to work as they should. I was worried they'd get me on my headlights which have the Lucas style blue dots, they passed. Apparently they grumbled about no wipers but we convinced them the car wont be going anywhere in the rain anyway. So I'm good to go, tags soon and since there are no inspection issues wheels get ordered tomorrow!

[riptide motorsport]

Congratulations one of the most difficult parts of the build!!!

[Waiting4Kids2Bgone]

Congrats! I really need to get out and see some of the many MD cars around me. Good luck with the tags and getting on the road.

[Presto51]

HOOAH!!!! You Get A Big Whole Slice of Rasin Pie.:D

When Are You Going To Show it Off? Love to see it

BTW You know the rules no pictures/video

[patpur]

Here you go.......... New wheels ordered today from Team III. Soon as I get them and get them on more pics!

[WAYNES WORLD]

Congraats from another Marylander! I can't wait to get my inspection.
Wayne

[Jeff Mulliken]

Another month or so and I'll be facing those boys.....any particular advice?

Jeff

[Greg Gurewitz]

Another month or so and I'll be facing those boys.....any particular advice?

Jeff

I believe it was Hunter Thompson that said, "I hate to advocate drugs or liquor, violence, insanity to anyone..." It's funny when I went through this process in MD, this quote popped in my head a few times! I bought my car titled from another state and MD didn't like how they did it...of course they seemed to make it up as we went along. I was convinced when done...I better love my car forever because I'm not doing this again! I wish you the best of luck :)

Patpur...awesome pics...beautiful car. I can't wait to catch-up with you soon. You've connected to an awesome roadster world in this area!

[patpur]

Anything safety wise on your car has to be in good working condition. My car has no wipers so they just x'ed through that. Its also important your brake lights, turn signals and headlights work. Its a rather large check list. Jeff I'll see if I can get a copy of the print out. Flemings has it now so they can finish up the tags which I should have in the next few days. I really thought they'd get me on my headlights. They are Lucas flat lense, blue dot headlights but for some reason they didn't have a problem with them. I had my "First 40 Years of Cobra" hardback book ready to show they came with those headlights but it wasn't needed. All I know is I'm glad I passed, worried for two weeks about it.

[psudmb326]

Thanks for creating this post! This was the last thing I was wondering about before seriously thinking about ordering a kit. Who performs the inspection? Is it similar to bringing a car in from out of state?

My apologies for the entry level questions... i've spent every spare moment in the past few weeks mulling this all over and reading the factory five website. Wife says I should pull the trigger and order a kit. Any advice? Should I go to the build class first?

[patpur]

The Maryland Safety inspection from what I understand is mandatory for all kit cars in order to get the car tags. (I got my tags today!!!!)
It is done by the Md. State Police at all regular (not express) DMV loactions......Gaithersburg, Frederick etc. There is a checklist and they go over every safety item on the list. Basically if you have a safety item on the car it has to work. My car didn't come with wipers so they forgave that, scratched through it. You do have to have basic safety items on the car, emergency flashers, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts etc. They also check brakes, steering.
Should you build a kit? I was about 59 years old when the Cobra bug bit me hard. I ordered the build book which is probably the best $9 I ever spent (downloaded and saved to my computer) After spending about 3 months reviewing that I changed my mind from building to buying a completed car. I shopped Cobra Country and the Cobra page on Cars.com. Lots of Cobras to consider in every price range. One problem though.......I couldn't see the car up close, touch it, drive it before I could commit to it. The only one close was a two and a half hour drive from here. I called on it and was told it was tied up in bankruptcy, I'd be the first call when they could actually sell it. Well I never got the call and they sold the car. So I started looking locally. I got to drive 3 Cobra's, decided on the one I wanted, and was lucky enough to get a nice Factory 5 that was ready to drive this spring. The people I bought it from also took my Crossfire in trade and gave me way more than I would have asked for if had I sold it. I guess what I'm getting at here is you have to do what you think works for you. Do you have the chops, time, space, patience to build one or do you want some instant gratification. I'll be 61 in 2 months and I feel like a 16 year old again. Had I tried to build one I doubt I'd have the kit yet. I will tell you that even as a used Factory 5 owner they are great cars, great customer service and you can get parts for them. Order on Monday and you have the parts by mid week. The build class? Why not? It can only help you with your build should you decide to go that route. I wish I was 10 years younger, something I definitely would have done. Good luck with your decision.
By the way the white wheels in the picture will be going bye bye shortly, fully polished Team III 17's are on order.

[Glory Bound]

Congrats Pat! You should think about coming out to a Capital Driving Club autocross. There are a few of us FFRs builder/owners that have been frequenting these events. There is one this weekend at Prince Georges Stadium in Bowie. It will be my second one with CDC (third total).

[William Wallace]

Pat, Any chance I can talk to get a few more specifics - I am trying to deal with this right now - in Maryland. I have all the safety equipment, even purchased a hand operated windshield wiper. Where exactly did you go for the inspection? I got the VIN and the title from the Maryland DMV in Glen Burnie. But now I am not entirely sure where to go for the inspection. I really want to go to someone who has has a clue, if possible. Thanks.

[pjdavis]

William - where are you located in MD?

PJ

[WIS89]

With all due respect, if the wife says to go ahead and pull the trigger, what exactly is holding you back? Dude (respectively), get on the phone ASAP!!!

But to answer your question, there's no reason not to order the kit, then go to the build class, then get the car delivered. There is no reason you must attend the build class before placing an order.

I would recommend putting together an overall build plan from which you can place your order, and focus your attention during the build school; also a good way to make sure pertinent questions get asked.

P.S. Does your wife have any sisters? (just kidding). Congratulations and good luck!!

Regards,

Steve



Thanks for creating this post! This was the last thing I was wondering about before seriously thinking about ordering a kit. Who performs the inspection? Is it similar to bringing a car in from out of state?

My apologies for the entry level questions... i've spent every spare moment in the past few weeks mulling this all over and reading the factory five website. Wife says I should pull the trigger and order a kit. Any advice? Should I go to the build class first?

[BLTFRDTUF]

Congratulations Pat

[CraigS]

These guys have been used by several FFR owners w/ good results.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.com/auto_italia-sp-2506/

[azbruin]

I feel for you. Here in Arizona, they didn't even look at anything except comparing the numbers on the chassis and Certificate of origin. Cost me $40 for the inspection and two year registration. I had my plates and was out of there in 15 minutes! I actually had hoped they would look it over in case I made some significant safety error.