(5 years later) Man - I'm so dejected right now I don't know what to do

[440]

I was going to hold off on posting this till I heard back from the California DMV but it's eating at me.

I'm an American Citizen who has been living in Australia since 2008. Anyways, I bought a 71 Chevelle back in 04 with a Salvaged title which the paperwork was never completed. The hold up on completion of a title was a VIN Verification and a Brake and Light inspection.

To make a long story short I'm trying to ship my car to Aus which requires a title. I called the DMV on numerous occasions to make sure all my eggs were in line before flying to the US to retrieve my car. The paperwork was filled out incorrectly at the DMV on their behalf in the first place with the wrong VIN. When I spoke to so and so at the DMV and asked about these two issues (VIN Check and Brake and Light) I'm advised the VIN Verification is required and due to the fact the vehicle is being exported all I need to fill out is a statement of fact and that should suffice. So, after flying to the US I get the CHP to come out and verify the VIN, all is good and he hands me the paperwork.

I take the CHP verified paperwork into the local DMV office with my statement of fact and the import approval papers for said vehicle. I am advised I need a brake and light certificate, that there is no way to issue a title without it, contrary to what I was advised on the phone. The car is still in pieces for which I have all the parts in plastic tubs waiting re-assembly.

Nobody is going to put their name on the line and sign a certificate for the sake of my word. The car is due to be collected on the 17th of July and I don't have time to get the brakes and lights set up etc.. I leave the US on the 22nd of July, so if there is no way to title it I'll have to sell it quickly, cut my losses and lose big time... It feels like losing a child.

Sorry for ranting on but I'm just gutted, hopefully speaking to someone at the DMV will resolve some issue.

Just got off the phone and although they (supervisor) understood my situation said there was nothing she could do and referred me to Sacramento which will likely result in the same answer.

[440]

More..

[Ghoste]

Try Jeffrey Puentes at 916 480 2700.  He is in Cali and his business is fixing titles so maybe he can help?

[Dino]

Do you know anyone in a state that does not require a title but a bill of sale?  If so can the car be shipped with just a bill of sale?  If we had more time you could 'sell' it to me and I could register it in Michigan, they have no clue what inspection means here.  I hope you get it all sorted out.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I'd make a post about this over on Moparts.com

There's a guy on there (don't remember what he calls himself)

that exports cars to Austrailia all the time. I'll bet he knows what to do.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

Good luck I can't imagine how you feel 

[440]

Ghoste - Thanks for that, I'll give him a try if I can't work something out with the DMV tomorrow.

Dino - I've thought about it but I just can't afford it. I don't have a spare 3K+ to send it across at a later date.

Daytona R/T SE - Thanks, Hopefully he knows of some way around it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

RIDELIKEHELL - Yeah, it's sad. I've held onto it for 8 years, spend a good chunk of coin on it, and paid storage on it for 4, just to lose it? It really hits hard.

[moparguy01]

Your looking for Ozhemi on moparts. He seems to be a real nice guy.

[Rolling_Thunder]

The CA DMV is all kinds of F-ed up...    I needed a VIN verification on my 69 Road Runner and they said I needed to bring it to the DMV or take it to the CHP and have them do it...   well it was in pieces as well. They said it needed to be a complete car...         So I assembled and engine, trans, threw it in and trailered it over there and didn't leave until someone looked at it.

I have never had to have any of my cars brake light inspected. I would just put a battery in the floor, run some wiring and hook up the headlights and the tail lights...     wire in a brake switch and trailer it to get inspected. Hook up the battery and turn the switch on - turning on the lights, then the brake lights triggered by the momentary switch - then just wire it through the turn signal switch in your column.   A pain in the ass for sure but if that shows the lights work...   that's all you need to keep your car.

Best of luck!

[stripedelete]

What rolling thunder said.

I'm not sure your signals even have to go through the column.  Why can't they just be a two toggles the glued to the dash?

I bet it'll get your ticket punched.   

[440]

They want to have the brakes tested to make sure the car is safe to drive, it's apparently to ensure any issues or damage to the brakes is fixed before the car gets titled. Hence "Brake and Light." The front brakes are brand new although not everything is installed on the car. I told them I can take photos of the new parts, power booster, master cylinder, calipers, proportioning valve etc.

Sorry, not good enough for them. You've got to be kidding me, the car is never going to be used on a public road here in the US. Hell it was only going to be in the US long enough for the DMV to issue and mail a title to the shipper.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Your looking for Ozhemi on moparts. He seems to be a real nice guy.

[440]

Anyone have contact details for him as I don't have a Moparts account? Thanks.

[charger Downunder]

So how do they bring in the rusty buckets in pieces to Australia.

[moparguy01]

Sorry, but when italk with him it's through moparts pm. It is free to register though.

[440]

They (AUS) don't care what you bring in as long as you have the proper import approvals for it, they usually require a title and/or proof of purchase like a bill of sale. Shipping companies on this end (US) wont ship vehicles without clean titles because it's a US customs requirement, not sure what they do for US states that don't require titles.

[Darkman]

Just wondering how do they go with importing from US states that don't do titles?

I will see if I can get an answer for you about what AUS customs needs

[FLG]

I sent Jeff (Ozhemi) an email with the link to this thread in it...hopefully he can point you in the right direction. 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Could also try to contact Dale Schmidtchen at EDI  -  He does exports from the US to AUS all the time - awesome guy as well -  he might be able to help you

Dale@edicustoms.com.au

[FLG]

Im sorry to be the bearer of bad news...but heres what Jeff said and not to add insult to injury...but you really should have made sure everything was taken care of before going through with all this. It really sucks, hopefully you can work something out...



Frank,

Unfortunately it sounds like he is kinda screwed. He left it until the very last minute, even though he knew he would need a title years ago from the sounds of it. And with the way the DMV is now, you can no longer file for "title only" like you used to be able too (as I have heard at least) and since his car is indeed a salvage title he'll need to get the brakes and lights working, along with paying all back fees as well to get a title.

As he mentioned, the car can not be exported without a title.

I see another potential problem he will run into... Australia does not allow modified vehicles to be imported any more. His aftermarket front suspension components would be considered modified (I can not see what else might have been changed on the car?)  If they were not noticed when he applies for an import approval or when it get inspected in Oz upon arrival he might be ok though..

Speaking of that, he does not say anything about having the Australian import approval, which he will need as well (aside from the CA title to get it out of the US in the first place) it should be gotten before the car leaves the US technically as well. (some people take a gamble and apply for one at the time of shipping the car, but if there is any hicups with it, they can refuse entry to the car and it will have to be sent back upon arrival in Oz.


Jeff

[440]

That's exactly what I seem to be up against    I have the Import Approvals from Australia, VIN verification from the CHP, all fees and penalties paid etc, everything is ready to go except... The only thing holding up the show is the Brake and Light check. Everything else has gone smoothly except this. I tried to tee everything up before leaving Aus but apparently I was misinformed by the DMV.

The local DMV office tried to file for a "Title Only" but said it only applies to cars which have fallen off the record, there is a record of mine so it doesn't apply.

When I bought the car 8 years ago I didn't plan on moving to Australia. Even then in those 8 years it sounds like I couldn't have obtained the title for it anyways as it still needed the brake and light check. I'm not here long enough to rig up the brakes and lights amongst other things I have to do to ship my other vehicle and household goods. I have no idea what shop rates are in the Bay Area even if I paid someone to rig it up enough to satisfy them as all my tools are packed away. I'm guessing $80hr.ish ? For a fully set up shop it is probably a good days work.

What to do  

Spend money I don't have to keep it?

Sell it and lose everything I have in it?

Fingers crossed the title section of the DMV headquarters at Sacramento can make an exemption. I'm not holding my breath however.

[FLG]

Im going to post this on another forum (BMW) that i go to...maybe someone on there has a DMV connect or some more insight and could help....worth a shot 

[SRT-440]

I'd go to a junk yard and find wiring, master cylinder, pedal and put a battery in it and get the brakes working...even if it's a hack job using walmart tools...seems like it wouldn't be that hard to atleast get them working...even if u strap trailer tail lights to the bumper...good luck...DMV no matter what state u live in suks.

[Indygenerallee]

This may sound stupid but what if you use that spray on plastic coating that peels off and spray everything in black? Might fool them into thinking if everything is one color and rough looking that it's stock?? 

[stripedelete]

Wow, I completely missed the salvage title part.   I find it hard to believe they are only asking for lights and brakes.

I went through the process in Ohio and I thought they were going to take a kidney.   

[440]

Well, there is no way around it. The first shop I went to was $110hr   and some of it would be done by this guy, something else by another guy. So I went down the road to a local fab shop which is a one stop shop, it has a reputation for needing to bring your banker along with you every time you visit. The guy was really cool and they should be able to get everything done, as a bonus they were cheaper at 95hr. It's a good days work if everything goes smoothly.

[Dino]

95/hr in CA?  That's not bad.   Woah, never thought I'd say that!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll work out.   

[440]

I about choked when I heard 110hr... When I left they were around $75hr....   

[440]

Well, the car is off at the shop now. Fingers crossed they can get it sorted in time...

[bakerhillpins]

UGH...  I hope all goes well.      The country is going to hell in a handbag and this BS is just one example. 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I about choked when I heard 110hr... When I left they were around $75hr....   

Sorry to hear everything is so expensive. Although if you need to buy time, you might "sell" your car for, say, $100 to someone to whom you also pay a nominal rent for a garage spot, and then once everything is sorted "buy" it back and ship it. Of course, you'd need someone you trust.

[440]

The guys at the shop where I sent the car are actually really nice and understand my situation. I was a bit taken back actually. They have always "appeared" on the outside to be a snooty shop that charges top dollar (bring your check book) and if it's not a big dollar car they don't want to know about it.

They ended up being cheaper then Joe Smith from the corner service center, they build some killer rides, and the guy rings me a couple of times a day to update progress like stuff he's ordered or what they've done. My car isn't a big dollar car but it's pretty nice. I hate paying someone to do the work I can do but I don't really have a choice, and they seem to be doing a good job, going to the extra detail of things like putting dielectric grease on the connectors, they removed the resistor wire for the HEI and re-wrapped the harness like original. They worked out the wheel/caliper clearance issues, I had to buy new calipers though and send my new ones back for cores They also drilled out and replaced the booster studs....

They say it should be tested and ready Tue afternoon given there aren't any issues with the front brake lines, its gone smoother than I thought so far which is good. $760 for a fulls day work isn't too bad I guess, I just hope there aren't any hidden charges... Anything over 1K and I'd boo hoo a bit. At least I was fortunate to get it done on such short notice, most shops wont work on and almost finish your car the same day you drop it off.      

I highly recommend them so far....



On the flatbed on the way to the shop at 8:00 this morning

[Fred]

I'm truly glad it's all working out for you mate.  What a relief for you. 

[440]

I'm truly glad it's all working out for you mate.  What a relief for you.  

Thanks Fred, I was stressing out big time. I literally had 5 days to sort it out or stood a good chance of losing a car I've had for 8 years. I really had grave concerns for it, maybe the shop owner saw it in my face. I have no idea what Chevelles go for these days but I'd only get a partial amount back of what I've put into it, especially being a project.

I'm still not happy about handing over roughly 1K but it is what it is.... At least I'll be able to keep it, that's the main thing.

[Bob T]

Good news 440, caught a lucky break just in time

[440]

The car was finished last evening and I was able to collect it today. Thankfully it passed and I got the certificates for it. The bill was a bit of a shock at 19hr's but only charged for 17hr's + parts    What can you do, at least it's resolved and was completed in less than a week.

The DMV was another 2 hour matter this morning but she's all done. She's got new plates and registration sticker now so technically she can be driven on public roads now. Title will be mailed to me and the car should be collected tomorrow.

[Dino]

The car was finished last evening and I was able to collect it today. Thankfully it passed and I got the certificates for it. The bill was a bit of a shock at 19hr's but only charged for 17hr's + parts    What can you do, at least it's resolved and was completed in less than a week.

The DMV was another 2 hour matter this morning but she's all done. She's got new plates and registration sticker now so technically she can be driven on public roads now. Title will be mailed to me and the car should be collected tomorrow.

That is quite the bill but I'm sure it would've hurt you much more to lose the car so I'm glad you got it sorted out.   

[440]

Yeah, I was expecting maybe a $1500 bill but it wasn't meant to be. It needed about $350 in parts. Financially I would have been better off to sell it at the start of the whole ordeal but at least I still have it and can slowly make progress on it from here on out.

The bright side is since they wired the engine bay, checked the wiring, moded the harness to HEI, I can technically start her after 8 years of sitting. Maybe it was kick I needed to continue along.   

[Dino]

Yeah, I was expecting maybe a $1500 bill but it wasn't meant to be. It needed about $350 in parts. Financially I would have been better off to sell it at the start of the whole ordeal but at least I still have it and can slowly make progress on it from here on out.

The bright side is since they wired the engine bay, checked the wiring, moded the harness to HEI, I can technically start her after 8 years of sitting. Maybe it was kick I needed to continue along.   

And that kick as we say is priceless!  There'd be more classics on the road if that kick happened more often.  Forget about what you have in the car and focus on what you can get out of it, a whole lotta fun!  Love those Chevelles and wouldn't mind having one.

[Fred]

A happy ending. 

[440]

It gets even better actually, the gods must be smiling down on me.

Yesterday I happened to pick up these NOS babies pretty cheap and was over the moon. I've been trying to find a set of Vectors ever since I've arrived to ship with my stuff, but had given up. Bummed nonetheless, at least I had the caps so I was still happy, and they are harder to come across than the rims.

At any rate, upon trying to stick a few leftover automotive items into the Chevelle for transport, I pop the trunk and what is staring me right in the face? A set of 4 Vectors    I sort of stood there staring for a minute in disbelief. I must have stuck them in there 4+ years ago and forgot they were there. I tried to take a picture but my camera was dead. I have to take photos of the car tomorrow prior to transport in case of any damages so I'll snap one then.    

[resq302]

There ya have it!  Take care of your baby and your baby will take care of you!

[Fred]

It gets even better actually, the gods must be smiling down on me.

Yesterday I happened to pick up these NOS babies pretty cheap and was over the moon. I've been trying to find a set of Vectors ever since I've arrived to ship with my stuff, but had given up. Bummed nonetheless, at least I had the caps so I was still happy, and they are harder to come across than the rims.

At any rate, upon trying to stick a few leftover automotive items into the Chevelle for transport, I pop the trunk and what is staring me right in the face? A set of 4 Vectors    I sort of stood there staring for a minute in disbelief. I must have stuck them in there 4+ years ago and forgot they were there. I tried to take a picture but my camera was dead. I have to take photos of the car tomorrow prior to transport in case of any damages so I'll snap one then.    

I'd like to find that $1ooo.oo note I stuck away somewhere and forgot about. 

[FLG]

It gets even better actually, the gods must be smiling down on me.

Yesterday I happened to pick up these NOS babies pretty cheap and was over the moon. I've been trying to find a set of Vectors ever since I've arrived to ship with my stuff, but had given up. Bummed nonetheless, at least I had the caps so I was still happy, and they are harder to come across than the rims.

At any rate, upon trying to stick a few leftover automotive items into the Chevelle for transport, I pop the trunk and what is staring me right in the face? A set of 4 Vectors    I sort of stood there staring for a minute in disbelief. I must have stuck them in there 4+ years ago and forgot they were there. I tried to take a picture but my camera was dead. I have to take photos of the car tomorrow prior to transport in case of any damages so I'll snap one then.    

I'd like to find that $1ooo.oo note I stuck away somewhere and forgot about.  

Fred,

Maybe its another Australian thing, but WTF is a 1,ooo.oo note? We use 0's over here in the states, not o's     

BTW do you guys actually drink that Fosters crap? Or is it just marketing making us think so?

[Fred]

It gets even better actually, the gods must be smiling down on me.

Yesterday I happened to pick up these NOS babies pretty cheap and was over the moon. I've been trying to find a set of Vectors ever since I've arrived to ship with my stuff, but had given up. Bummed nonetheless, at least I had the caps so I was still happy, and they are harder to come across than the rims.

At any rate, upon trying to stick a few leftover automotive items into the Chevelle for transport, I pop the trunk and what is staring me right in the face? A set of 4 Vectors    I sort of stood there staring for a minute in disbelief. I must have stuck them in there 4+ years ago and forgot they were there. I tried to take a picture but my camera was dead. I have to take photos of the car tomorrow prior to transport in case of any damages so I'll snap one then.    

I'd like to find that $1ooo.oo note I stuck away somewhere and forgot about.  

Fred,

Maybe its another Australian thing, but WTF is a 1,ooo.oo note? We use 0's over here in the states, not o's      

BTW do you guys actually drink that Fosters crap? Or is it just marketing making us think so?

ha ha!! ............round is round, it's the number in front of the 0's that's important  
And as for that Fosters crap.........we don't actually drink that here..........we just ship it off to you guys! ENJOY  

[440]

This is the surprise I found when I popped the trunk     I'm still shocked I forgot they were there. Unfortunately I still need 1 vector as one of these is a uni-lug  , but I can keep that one as a spare for either the Chevelle or Charger. One Vector is fully restored but I can't figure out why for the life of me I would only restore 1 out of 4.  

[440]

Well, after 5 years from being shipped out here I've finally looked under the hood, and for the first time in 13+ years I've seen lights. I bought it in 04 without engine and trans and nothing else in the engine bay.

I will try to fire it up pretty soon but unfortunately I never planned to move to Australia so I didn't get or care about a few crucial parts that I needed. They are readily available in the US but impossible to find here and shipping really puts a brake on things.

Since we are moving soon I thought I'd get it going so it's easy to move around under its own power, might have to Jerry-rig something from the junk yard just to get it going.

Still, it's pretty exciting considering.... Just gotta squirt some oil in the cylinders and turn it over, find a radiator, radiator hoses, power steering hoses, trans lines and she's ready to fire.

[JR]

What crucial parts do you need? If they're mechanical ones, you should be able to find something suitable from something over there. The Holden/Opel restoration crowd is as massive there as Chevy guys are here, right?

Holden built millions of RWD, small block Chevy powered cars over there, there has to be at least  some interchangeability with the American stuff I would think.

Just curious, what kind of work do you do? How'd you end up in Australia?

[440]

The main thing is a radiator, trans lines, power steering lines and a fuel tank. Most of it can be improvised but I need to make Chevy/Holden contacts. I haven't seen many GM A body cars here, I've rung American car part suppliers here but they only do chassis parts.

PWR has made a few and can make one for around $2,000  

My background is manufacturing but that's dead here so I work a retail job. I got married and thought I'd give it a go in Australia for a few years and been here ever since.

[JR]

Make what for 2k?

A radiator?!?

Or a fuel tank?

If you just need the car functional for a while, I'd fabricate my own hoses and lines out of AN hose, find a close enough radiator from a comparable sized Holden with the outlets on the correct size, and source a used fuel cell for now.

You could always bolt on the correct parts later?

[440]

That was the idea, find a radiator out of a junk yard and other bits and pieces just to get it going for now, but if I can find the right parts and only have to do it once I'd rather do that.

Yeah, PWR make radiators and said a custom one for a Chevelle will run about $2k. There are also cheap chinese alloy radiators on ebay for $255 which is dirt cheap and have a better chance of fitting ok, if it lasts 2 - 3 years it may just be worth it, lol.

[JR]

I have to say, that's what I'd do. A running car will be much easier to work on and deal with, as opposed to a 4000lb brick you have to push everywhere.

You can always swap out for the correct parts later.

Just curious, what's it like driving an American muscle car in Aussieland? How do they like your rides?

[Fred]

Well, after 5 years from being shipped out here I've finally looked under the hood, and for the first time in 13+ years I've seen lights. I bought it in 04 without engine and trans and nothing else in the engine bay.

I will try to fire it up pretty soon but unfortunately I never planned to move to Australia so I didn't get or care about a few crucial parts that I needed. They are readily available in the US but impossible to find here and shipping really puts a brake on things.

Since we are moving soon I thought I'd get it going so it's easy to move around under its own power, might have to Jerry-rig something from the junk yard just to get it going.

Still, it's pretty exciting considering.... Just gotta squirt some oil in the cylinders and turn it over, find a radiator, radiator hoses, power steering hoses, trans lines and she's ready to fire.

Whoopie! 

[440]

Just curious, what's it like driving an American muscle car in Aussieland? How do they like your rides?

Australia has a massive car culture but it is quite a bit different to America. There are TONS of cars around but you don't tend to see them very much, only really when there is a show or cruise on.

Australia is also extremely strict on cars and modifications, sort of like California and smog. While there is no emissions testing they frown and poo poo if you have a modified car. You can get modifications engineered so they're legal but basically anything that alters a car from original is illegal unless ADR approved (Australian Design Rules). The "hoon" laws are pretty tough here.

[440]

I dug out my old B&M ratchet shifter and cleaned it up a bit which came up pretty good considering. I pulled all the crap out of the front seat to make room to install the shifter and had an "oh shit" moment when I found out there was no gas pedal in the car. Luckily to my relief while digging for parts I found all the bits - the rod, pedal, pin, spring, special cable retaining bushing etc.

Next week I will order one of those chinese alloy radiators which will be the biggest expense of getting it going. I measured it up and it looks like it should fit pretty good. They are about half the price of a normal OEM style radiator. It turns out my work colleague bought one for his RX-7 and it's not too bad actually, been on the car for about 3 years trouble free so far.

There wasn't a power steering pump on the car but I managed to find an early Saginaw steering pump (keyed double pulley) which wasn't the one I had on the car. I may try to find a later model one (press on single pulley) in the wreckers since I can't find mine. Luckily I also found the power steering brackets to mount the pump.

My buddy in the states is going to collect a few parts like radiator hoses and such to save on shipping. Trying to order one or two things here at a time is a joke.

Getting closer......  

[Fred]

Just curious, what's it like driving an American muscle car in Aussieland? How do they like your rides?

Australia has a massive car culture but it is quite a bit different to America. There are TONS of cars around but you don't tend to see them very much, only really when there is a show or cruise on.

Australia is also extremely strict on cars and modifications, sort of like California and smog. While there is no emissions testing they frown and poo poo if you have a modified car. You can get modifications engineered so they're legal but basically anything that alters a car from original is illegal unless ADR approved (Australian Design Rules). The "hoon" laws are pretty tough here.

Saw about 50 or so Holdens while out cruising today. Must be a gathering somewhere.
Actually we see lots of cars out and about on a Sunday. I guess it's the day for cruising.

[440]

I was going through some older photos and found some of when I originally bought the car. This is from the previous owners garage when we went to look at it.

Last one is right after I installed the Global West conversion in 2005.

[440]

My ebay radiator came and it actually looks pretty good, apparently they fail and leak where the tubes join at the edge of the core.

Radiator is mounted in the car, shifter is installed and adjusted. My Saginaw pump had a dent/tear in the reservoir so I flattened it out and will braze the hole up. I cut the double pulley down to a single and will put a rebuild kit through the pump while it's apart.

The motor turns over and cranks with the key but I'd still like to prime the galleries through the pressure port in the block before I turn it over too much.

[440]

Nearly ready to fire the old girl up. I changed the oil and filter, found #1, ran the plug wires, polished up a few bits, cleaned the coil, re-oiled the air filter, replaced a flat tire with one just to roll around on. I finally brazed up the hole in the steering pump reservoir, put a seal kit through it, painted the pump and brackets and mounted it up.

She cranks and has spark, no reason it wont fire once I get all the bits to button it up.

Still waiting on an oil cooler to arrive since I don't trust the radiator, also waiting on a water and volt gauge, trans lines and radiator/power steering hoses.

And I seem to have misplaced the oil dip stick so I'll need one of those too.   

[BDF]

Nice car & way to persevere! 
                       

[440]

Thanks, it has been a real journey with this car. Sort of just forgotten about and neglected for many years, so I'm just happy to see it so close to being able to drive it.

Aside from all the bolt on stuff that I put on it's a surprisingly clean and original car. Even though it's only a base model Malibu it's a shame to drill holes in it and things like rolling the guards (which I haven't done yet)

[chapel40]

Cool thread!! So if I understand it is in Australia now, correct?

[440]

Cool thread!! So if I understand it is in Australia now, correct?

Thanks, yes it is halfway around the world. lol

[440]

Much to the complaints of my wallet I finally got some instrumentation because of course, you need this stuff to drive around the block every so often. Man s#!t is expensive over here!! The tach is overkill but since we just bought a house I splurged out for it since there will be no extra car money for quite some time to come.

Good thing I read up about these tachs again as I almost bought a fake. Pretty crappy if you ask me because they are nearly identical and if you didn't know wouldn't even question it.

Still waiting on some parts from the USA and just gotta bend up some tranny lines and we're good to go.

[440]

Gauges all in, after much back and forth I decided to mount them exactly like my old car. One of my pet peeves  are tachs that are hose clamped to the column.

[Fred]

What a buzz!   

[440]

The story continues...... My pickup truck didn't fit on the trailer so the Chevelle was next in line to get sent to our new house, unfortunately I didn't get it started in time so it was winched on. Luckily it was pretty easy and painless to load.

[Harper]

good looking car (and thats coming from a FORD/MOPAR man lol
Good luck hope all works out with it for ya.

[440]

Thanks, it gets harder and harder to move when you collect more and more crap, lol. I wasn't really a fan of the 71 at first but it has grown on me. I probably like the front of the 70 the best but the rear bumper of the 71 the most. I've always wanted to put 70 headlight bezels on the 71.

It will be better in the long run when the garage is set up and we finally move in.