A trip to the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles.

- or - What do I need to do to make la Bala street legal?

Arizona DMV locations have an office for vehicle inspections that is separate from the usual license and registration area. This is good news, because the main building is always packed and the wait is usually counted in hours. The inspection area was completely empty and I was able to talk immediately with a live human. The first thing I did was tell the person behind the counter about my little project. I asked what the best course of action would be to be able to register the car for street use. The answer was the same as I got the last time I was there close to one year ago, so I think that I will stick with the plan as outlined by the local authorities. Since we are starting with an engine and other running gear from a 1985 Toyota MR2 the car technically becomes a reconstructed vehicle and dune buggy type, even though it will (hopefully) not see any offroad use!

Note to all my Locost (Lotus 7 replica) building friends: As far as I can determine, in Arizona the only difference between registering la Bala and a Locost is that there is a special license plate for cars and reproductions over 25 years of age. If the original car didn't have a windshield or wipers, then they are not required on the reproduction. Otherwise all other issues noted here are pertinent.

What we now know: La Bala will be registered as a Reconstructed Vehicle/Dune Buggy Type. Here is the Arizona definition of a Reconstructed Vehicle. See Item 41.

I was also given one photocopied sheet of paper with 15 requirements that need to be met before scheduling a "Level 3" inspection.

Equipment Requirements for Dune Buggy Types and Specially Reconstructed Vehicles

  1. Horn (ARS 28-954)
  2. Mirrors (ARS 28-956)
  3. Windshield (ARS 28-957.01, 28-959)
  4. Windshield Wiper (ARS 28-957)
  5. Two Headlamps (ARS 28-924)
  6. Tail Light (ARS 28-925)
  7. White License Plate Light (ARS 28-925C)
  8. Reflectors (ARS 28-926)
  9. Signal Lamps (ARS 28-939)
  10. Brake Systems (ARS 28-952)
  11. Muffler (ARS 28-955)
  12. Fuel Tank Caps (ARS 28-965)
  13. Emission Equipment (ARS 28-955C)
  14. Mud Flaps or Splash Guards (ARS 28-958.01) - (This one apparently does not apply to cars...)
  15. For the parts used in the construction of the vehicle:
    • Bills of sale
    • dismantle permits! This one caught me off guard. I had no idea this required a permit...
    • hardware receipts
    • invoices
    • any other documentation pertaining to the construction of the vehicle. (Will my website count as documentation?)

This list of can be found on pages 9 and 10 of the AZ DMV Vehicle Inspections Equipment Requirements (08/02/01). All of the title 28 Arizona Revised Statutes can be found here.

Additional Requirements (not on sheet, but I would be crazy not to implement):

28-909 . Vehicle restraints required

 

The one item that I didn't catch until now was the requirement of a Dismantle Certificate of Title for the Donor Car. I will make sure that I aquire this certificate before I begin dismantling. ;-)