COCKPIT MOLDING

I started the cockpit molding today. This starts with a piece of 1/2" clear tubing slit and slipped over the edge of the fiberglass. Next is some foam pipe insulation (the smallest they had). I remove about 1/3 of the foam lengthwise so it wraps around better and is not so bulky.

The leather stitching left a little pocket at the outer edge and I shoved a 3/32" brass rod into the pocket. I think that finished it off nicely. Lastly I got a spool on 2.5mm round rawhide and drilled holes and punched the leather and laced it all up. It was quite difficult coming around the corner.
the piece for the other side will butt up in the center and a short rawhide piece will tie it together. The outer end will be finished off by trimming and folding the leather over and glueing a round patch on the end.

Down the body side I bent an alum. angle from flat sheet and bent the angle into a curve. That will be easy to cover.

REGISTRATION-TITLE

Now I can take all my documents to the DMV and see if I can get a title. This process has been a real pain. Florida and most states, I believe, are requiring the same documentation so that all states use the same universal system. They want a "Manufacturers Certificate of Origin" or an original invoice from the manufacturer. JZR does not issue an MCO and I didn't have an invoice.

I wrote Zeimba and asked for a copy of the invoice which he sent but DMV refused to accept it because it was a photocopy. I wrote Zeimba again and sent him a blank MCO form to fill in and sign which he graciously did. That covered that part. Then since the kit had been sold twice before coming to me plus the US dealer I had to have a bill of sale from each sale. I was finally to get all of those so I'm ready to go. I'll post results soon, I hope.

Update. The DMV refused to accept the MCO document that they told me would be OK. I don't know what to do now.

INTERIOR

I finally got the seats covered. I ordered a hide and took it, the foam and plywood bottoms to the trim shop. He did it in 2 days. Leather is sooo nice to sit on. It's cool in summer and warm in winter. Rain is my only issue. I still need to make the carpet and cover the sides of the tunnel and body sides.

EXHAUST BRACKETS

Awhile back I had made wraparound brackets to hold the exhaust and thought these will be great. Then someone suggested that the pipe has to move as it heats up and so it does. I modified the brackets so that the pipe can move and it looks like it moves about 1/8". The bracket is 48" back from the bend.

PROGRESS REPORT

I now have a "certificate of Origin" signed by Zeimba, bills of sale from the 2 previous owners and an invoice from Todd to the first owner. The Fl. DMV has given me verbal OK for my paperwork!!!!

I'm now working on the interior. I picked up the seat foam today and it feels really comfy. I've ordered some samples of leather hides and they should be here soon. I've lined up a Trim shop to do the roll and pleat seat covers so now it's just a matter of time for this build to all come together. Here is the seat foam. I'll do a bit of trimming for the final fit.

NIGHT DRIVE

The wife and I went for our first night drive. Headlights were great; fun experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw69ic5yf4g&list=UU8tZ0SiUMaImDmtUxQOvtAA&index=1

PAINT FINISHED finally

I call it a 5 foot paint job. Get any closer than 5 feet and you will see the sanding scratches and other little flaws. I'll accept it as OK for my first paint job. Sometime down the road I'll probably repaint it.

Now the fun part starts: instal all the shinny bits and crank it up again!!!