Finally street legal, best of all the sun's still shining and the roads are clear of snow!

I checked the Transport Authorities home  page several times last weekend but nothing showed up until finally Monday the car had been registered. The plates then turned up on Wednesday. I called up and sorted the "enthusiast insurance" which was very reasonable at 1800:- a year. Then "activated" the car which means I have to pay road tax. Road tax is dependent on Co2 emissions which on this car is 140 g/km which is quite low for the type and age of engine.

Took me a few minutes to attach the rear plate and off I went for my first legal spin! Drove to work Thursday and tried flooring it a few times - well I had to didn't I? The sound fits the car perfectly but it backfires which also sound pretty cool too but perhaps something I can get rid of with a good tune up. In fact between 5 and 6k revs it coughs quite badly so a tune up is definitely on the cards. Drove to Stockholm in the evening for an Indian with the lads. On the way back home the clutch stopped responding so had to struggle home in 3rd. I'll take a look tomorrow to see what's happened. Hopefully it only needs bleeding.

The mini number plate attached nicely to the underside of the nose cone with a couple of bolts. The rear slipped into the holder that I'd bolted on earlier.

To finally be out on the open road after all the uncertainties of the last two months is incredible. I was asked by James who is also building a GKD with the same engine (http://www.mylegend.im/) if I'd do it again. Simple answer; It's been such a fantastic experience I'd do the whole thing again tomorrow! Luckily enough I have loads of jobs to do on the car before the spring, like heating, windscreen wipers, carpets, soft top, storage space, a few more dials etc. etc. etc. I'm not sure how long the weather will hold but once the snow comes the jobs start. Plenty to help me escape from the Swedish winter!


UPDATE: Took a look at the clutch this morning and it was something very simple. When I first attached the clutch cylinder to the pedal the bolt had to be shortened slightly. I used and angle grinder and left the nyloc nut on as a guide for the thread. I made the mistake of reusing it as the heat had melted the nylon and it simply had come undone!

Even the bolt holding the clutch pedal to the pedal box is a bit short!

Close but not quite a cigar!

Not sure where the time is going but it's definitely not hanging around and the temperature is sinking quite quickly. But now to the good news!

I got a letter on Monday giving me details for paying in the charge for the exemption and once the payment was received probably Tuesday it took until Thursday for me to receive the exemption approval.. 

Then came the re-test which was this afternoon at my house and that was also a pass, both  the lights and seatbelts were okay! Now it’s only a case of getting registration plates. I was very much hoping that I’d at least get to know the registration number today but alas the computer system at the transport authority was down so Dekra couldn't register the paperwork. Once registered it then takes 2 or 3 working days for the plates to arrive in the post. Pity as the weather looks great for the weekend! 

It’s all going to be fixed by next weekend, I know it!

It is an amateur build - kind of!

I received a long awaited phone call from the Transport authority today. I must say I was very nervous, not knowing what to expect. First I was told that my appeal had failed,they agreed with Dekra!

BUT I was told that under the circumstances they would make an exception, sorry I mean an exemption! (one can apply for this if one can't, for various reasons comply totally with the rules - costs 1,200:- ) Once I get the letter, hopefully Monday, I can get the re-test booked and after that, registration plates and hit the road! 

What a great way to start the weekend!

No news yet!

I ordered new safety belts from CBS in Kent for around £65 including post and they are now installed. CBS or Car Builders Solutions is a great place in Staplehurst, Kent close to where I grew up. They offer any type of kit car accessories, the type of things an amateur can't make or weld themselves, like lights, seat belts, brake fluid bottles etc.

The belts were very simple to install in fact, luckily enough all the mounting points were in the right places. They don't look quite so good as the Sabelts and are not as safe but that's not such a big deal is it!  

The Sabelts were very easy to get in and out of in an emergency but now the buckles on the new belts are quite difficult to get to in such a confined space.

I took the car up to my local garage so the lights could be checked out. The mirrored test system showed they were slightly too low and slightly too far apart. The guy fixed it for me for free, (thanks Shlemon) so that is the second point crossed of the things-to-do list.

Funnily enough when both jobs were done I called DEKRA and asked them if they could book a re-test as the question of amateur build could be handled separately. I was given a blunt "NO". This is probably because they don't believe the car should pass as an amateur build so why waste their time doing a re-test! 

I'm still waiting and hoping, occasionally going for a quick spin around the block. It's a real shame as summer is nearly over and I may not fulfil the plan I had before starting the build "... so it's ready when the sun's shining and the roads are clear of snow!"