Star Mobile 1 Build

Just received ALL docs ready to take to Tax Office this week...hopefully final step in Titling/Registration process.

Docs required...
- Application for Texas Title and/or Registration Form (130-U)
- Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
- Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (VTR-61)
- Photo(s) of Completed Vehicle
- Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (VTR-68a)
- Bill of Sale (Kit and Motor)
- ASE Safety Inspection and Application for Custom/Street Rod Plates
- Copy of ASE Certificate
- Certified Weight Certificate

Too bad your so far away from Galveston, I would have liked to drop in and see your car if possible. Out here on business, maybe next time!!!

Was hoping to take in a Cars and Coffee in this area but they all look shut down for now.

Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (VTR-68a)

I can't find this form... I may be screwed as I bougt my engine/trans off craigslist.... Dammit :mad:

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Originally Posted by TxMike64

Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (VTR-68a)

I can't find this form... I may be screwed as I bougt my engine/trans off craigslist.... Dammit :mad:

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This form would be provided by the Officer that completes the Inspection. You will find samples online, but it is only available by them and is only good for 30 business days after the inspection, so you would want the inspection to take place close to the time when you are ready to register.

Was just advised today that I will be required to pay 6.25% on total kit price for tax purposes. Not completely surprised by this, but a little frustrating as I had been previously told (by the same office) that since the vehicle was assembled, the next buyer would pay the taxes due. Of course FFR's final invoice doesn't help as it states tax exempt (for out of state) :(. Oh well, to tax office tomorrow!

Well it's official...Star Mobile One is street legal (and taxed :mad:). I can only speak of my experience (since so much of the registration process seems to be subjective or based off interpretation), but I was taxed on my total sales order from FFR...all options and even shipping. Knowing what I know now, I think the better approach would have been to purchase the entire kit, but buy as two separate orders and only submit the stage 1 order, but I am not going to whine too much as other than that surprise everything else went to the letter. Thanks to all that helped pave the road ahead of me!

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Huge congrats! I filled out my paperwork this am. Hopefully it’s easier. It is supposed
to be.

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Originally Posted by JOP33

Well it's official...Star Mobile One is street legal (and taxed :mad:). I can only speak of my experience (since so much of the registration process seems to be subjective or based off interpretation), but I was taxed on my total sales order from FFR...all options and even shipping. Knowing what I know now, I think the better approach would have been to purchase the entire kit, but buy as two separate orders and only submit the stage 1 order, but I am not going to whine too much as other than that surprise everything else went to the letter. Thanks to all that helped pave the road ahead of me!

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Congratulations Jamie!!!
That is some good information as I bought my kit in two stages also. I’m quite sure the locals at our tax office will be like a calf looking at a new gate when I get there. lol

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Originally Posted by HVACMAN

.... will be like a calf looking at a new gate ...

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:D That's the kind of thing you'll hear fro a True Texan! And I fully understand! Ha!

Woohoo!!!! Congrats - we expect some driving videos now with you going past the appropriate stadium and some tailgate party shots!
Happy for ya, Steve

Enjoy

must be a little bitter sweet as I am sure there was much enjoyment doing the project. The sunshine should be coming now so get out and drive.

Yeah, getting the car back late in the season with cooler weather coming in was truly never in the plan, but most of my plans don't go the same way I envision them!

They concluded I had already paid taxes on the components purchased. I did have all invoices showing tax paid

Bit of an update...
I have plates and title in hand on the 33, so all is official! Thanks to all that have helped throughout this process! :D

BTW, February is a great month!
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For the last few weeks, the car has been back at 121 R & R getting some final touch up done. I had kept the car back in November to essentially get it legal (inspection & titling) knowing it would be back in the shop for the final details...nothing mechanical just touch-ups. I should have picked it up today actually, but weather slowed things a day or two this week on some clear, then a last minute trip for work came up Friday for early this week, so Thursday it will be coming home and WRP (Bill) has agreed to help me get it back to the house (Thanks). This will actually work out well as Autorama is in two weeks in Dallas, so I will have almost a full week to get things prepared. BTW, anyone local that makes it to the show PLEASE stop by and visit!

Don't know that I mentioned this but, just in the 350 miles I have put on the car over the holidays, I was seeing some peppering on the fenders. Enough that I began researching some options (Ceramic Coating, Invisible Bra, Race Tape, etc). I have heard extremely GOOD things regarding Ceramic Coating. Everyone I have talked to speaks highly of it for keeping the car paint safe from bugs and keeping a near perfect sheen on the car - it's big downfall is it doesn't stop chips (also painters tend to hate it because of the work required to remove for warranty, touch-up). Race Tape is more of a temporary fix, but it is cost effective. Most of you are probably more familiar with this product than I as tends to be used on cars during racing and then removed after the fact. As mentioned cost effective and great if you have some small areas to protect (such as fenders). Finally, is the invisible bra. I have heard some awesome things about these products as well. They are extremely durable and now days are even self healing if you set them out in the sun or heat with a heat gun. With the exception of the Race Tape, all of these items tend to be a bit pricey, however if you think about what they are protecting it doesn't take long to do the justification. I am going to try out the race tape and see how it performs, but I think the Invisible Bra is probably going to be the long term answer. I am not planning on putting anything on the car though until after the first show at Autorama. One thing I want to mention, which I didn't know until doing a bit of research (and must admit I have only heard this from two of the installers of the IB), they told me that many Auto Shows will disqualify you for having a Paint Protection Film on your vehicle. I don't know if they meant like a Best Paint award or just in general but I also heard from just as many installers that they had never heard of such (at least as it deals with Clear PPF), they said a wrap, yes.

Finally, as a early Birthday present my wife actually had a custom puzzle of the 33 made! Over the course of several years, we have both enjoyed putting the old Hot Rod series puzzles together. Once finished, I hodge podge them and hang them in the shop on the wall. This is an awesome puzzle, great quality and 2000 pieces!
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Very cool gift!

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the next phase of driving and showing it off .

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Originally Posted by donshapansky

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the next phase of driving and showing it off .

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Thanks Don...it all started with your inspiration!

Dallas Autorama is less than a week a way! Any local (or any builders for that matter) that can make it out to the show, please stop by and see me. I would love to meet as many of you as I possibly can and discuss your builds. So many of you have influenced and inspired my build! I also plan on posting videos and pics throughout the show.

See ya'll there!

So yesterday I rolled SM1 into its first car show...the 2020 Dallas Autorama. Several first for me to begin with, first build, first car show (as a participant) and first time pulling a trailer :eek:. I am happy to report all went well in all three areas :D. The show will start today "officially", so I am hoping for a good experience. My older brother taught me something a long time ago that I have carried with me through life..."I go in with low expectations and come out thoroughly impressed". It is interesting, as I am detailing the car to hear some of the comments though - and actually pretty funny. The one I love the best is, "He must be on Jerry's payroll"! ;).

Anyway here are just a few pics and a couple of links to the Roll In & Positioning vids...

Me and the car...
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Awaiting a classification...
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Some other amazing cars...
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Rear view of car...
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Show display...
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Roll In vid...
https://youtu.be/OEq6q-MC_Yc

Positioning vid...
https://youtu.be/_9P5hc6E4qk

First, trailers are for movies.


Second, I didn’t see any burnouts.


Third, All in good fun, the car is amazing and you should be proud!!!!

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Originally Posted by sethmark

First, trailers are for movies.


Second, I didn’t see any burnouts.


Third, All in good fun, the car is amazing and you should be proud!!!!

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LOL! I will be driving it home...still probably no burnouts though!

Thanks!

I do have to say, I saw something I had never seen before yesterday at the show - and maybe it is because it is my first time participating. I saw a car drive in that the owner had apparently detailed his tires at the house and then wrapped them in Plastic Wrap for the roll in! Part of me thought, wow that's taking it a little too far and then once I got in the show and spent the next hour and a half cleaning off all the crap from driving a 1/4 of a mile in...I got it!

When we lived in Naples, I had a neighbor with an insane car collection. And he drove everything. He gave me a piece of advice that I hold dear. He said you have to wet the car to wash it.

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Originally Posted by sethmark

When we lived in Naples, I had a neighbor with an insane car collection. And he drove everything. He gave me a piece of advice that I hold dear. He said you have to wet the car to wash it.

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Having a car you don't drive is like having a pistol you don't shoot and I've only had one of those. It was a limited edition 1 of 250 Para Ordinance 1911 stainless Officers model. The temptation was so great I sold it. Cars were made for driving and pistols for shooting, and both are a lot of fun.

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Originally Posted by JOP33

LOL! I will be driving it home...still probably no burnouts though!

Thanks!

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Was great meeting you at Autorama. The car looks awesome and definitely 1 of the top cars there. Hope to see you for cars and cigars up in Frisco in the future.

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Originally Posted by a217085

Was great meeting you at Autorama. The car looks awesome and definitely 1 of the top cars there. Hope to see you for cars and cigars up in Frisco in the future.

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The pleasure was mine. Sorry I didn’t get to talk more. Who knew showing cars was such time consuming job!:D

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Originally Posted by JOP33

The pleasure was mine. Sorry I didn’t get to talk more. Who knew showing cars was such time consuming job!:D

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Haha, no worries. Was cool to see the line of folks checking SM1 out. The display was really cool too.

Will post pics and more info tomorrow, but I won second place in my class. Extremely happy with the results.

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First place taken by this amazing car...
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Congratulations. What class/category did they put you in
-Steve

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Originally Posted by Straversi

Congratulations. What class/category did they put you in
-Steve

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Altered Street Rod Roadster (???) - Don't really know how they (promoters of the Autorama) exactly come up with the classes. I listened to a seasoned participant explaining it and after 15 minutes in I lost interest!

As promised here are a few more pics...

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Each of these guys played an integral role in my build...

Don - I visited his shop and saw his car prior to making the decision to move forward with purchasing the kit
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Bill - Has been an inspiration throughout my entire build process and also helped me connect with this next guy
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Kory - Runs 121 Rod & Restoration, that finished all the mods, paint prep & paint
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Thanks to ALL of them and those of you that have helped along the way that I have YET to meet in person!

Congratulations on making your dream a reality. I’m not a Cowboy fan but if they win a Super Bowl I’ll smile, knowing that Jerry will to want to be in your car for the parade. Of course, you are going to have to quickly convert it to a roadster. No way Jerry’s ego fits in that car with a roof overhead. Enjoy the ride. How bout dem Cowboys!
-Steve

Funny you should say that Steve...Over the last few weeks, I have been in contact with a Texas Rod publication - Busted Knuckle Rod & Truck Magazine (Bill Price sent them my way, thanks WRP ;)). At the show this last weekend we discussed further and firmed up a shooting for issue 12. They just needed me to come up with a location for the shoot. On Monday morning I randomly reached out to The Star in Frisco (Cowboys HQ) asking to see if they might allow me to bring the vehicle out there for a magazine shoot. On Wednesday, they confirmed that they were circling the request internally and assuming they could get all approved wanted to know dates and times and if the magazine would be providing their own photographer. Late yesterday they said they were running down a few last open issues and should have an answer to me next week!

Now the fan in me thinks - this is absolutely awesome! :cool:

However the cynical, home-grown, Texas-boy in me thinks - oh that should give them just enough time to get the lawyers involved :mad:

I guess either way I will be on their radar!

As a follow up to my last post...both statements were true! The Star has formally approved my request and will grant me access to the South Side of their plaza for a photo shoot pending the photographer signing a Location Release that basically allows him to maintain the rights to the photos and assure the Star that we will not hold them responsible for damage to my car or his equipment! Still very cool! Just have to lock in the date and time so they can have security assist us. Will be shooting in the area shown below...

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Excellent, what a great venue. look forward to seeing the pics
Steve

Getting ready for Caffeine & Classics this morning! Not sure there’s room for caffeine though Attachment 123356

Jamie that car is Leroy Brown. Don’t need the stuff!!!!

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Originally Posted by sethmark

Jamie that car is Leroy Brown. Don’t need the stuff!!!!

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My car may be Leroy Brown...but me and my back are Archie Bunker, I needs them chairs (or at least one)!

Here are a couple Dash Cam videos. Not the best quality, but I only invested $35, just to see if I would actually use one...will upgrade if I end up using it quite a bit.

https://youtu.be/afFSkK-KstM

https://youtu.be/7bKe9jBplec