What to Do: Race Car, or Scrap Metal?

So I typed out this exhaustive wordy post but I decided to summarize.

What kind of racing can a person do with a 50 year old station wagon body swapped onto a modern-ish chassis?

I can't get Uncle Ben titled without a VIN inspection done. I can't do that until it's running and driving. (It's an out of state car, and the paperwork I have is useless. The aforementioned inspection is required for a bonded title.)

I'm afraid to put all the work into the wagon only to find out I can't get a bonded title either.

So in a worse case scenario, is there somewhere I could put this thing and have it competitive without having to spend an ass load of cash?

Where would something like that go in autocross?

Or should I cut my losses, part everything out and start over? (I'd actually make a few bucks more than I have invested)

Yes, this is the summarized version.

If it's got some semblance of ground clearance and is durable enough, it might have rallycross potential if nothing else.

Why can't you tow it to the inspection prior to cutting? Or have you cut already. I regularly tow non running incomplete stuff for out of state inspections here in ohio

What kind of wagon are we talking about?

American? CAM sounds like your autox class...

Ps, please don't drop "50 year old station wagon body swapped onto a modern ish chassis" without details again.

Crackers, does the import chassis have a Texas title ? Have you gone to TX.gov (dmv)?

Patrick wrote: Why can't you tow it to the inspection prior to cutting? Or have you cut already. I regularly tow non running incomplete stuff for out of state inspections here in ohio

All I've cut so far are the bolts for the front bumper. I was juuust about to take the grinder/sawzall to it when I thought, "Maybe I should check to make sure I don't have any title issues before I do anything irreversible."

TXDot specifically requires the car to be fully operational.

In reply to Robbie:

Unfortunately Photobucket struck again, but here's the build thread.

irish44j and Robbie:

It's a 68 Rambler American wagon, going onto a Lexus SC300. I'm keeping all the Lexus chassis/drivetrain.

I started a build thread for Uncle Ben but it's a victim of Photogate.

Have you called TXdot? They told me the last time I was there that there was no longer a VIN inspection requirement for out of state cars. I titled my last 2 cars from outside Texas with no issues and the second one no title or inspection. (it was from a state that no longer does titles over a certain age) I was surprised honestly how easy both of those dealings went.

759NRNG wrote: Crackers, does the import chassis have a Texas title ? Have you gone to TX.gov (dmv)?

No title for either. The Lexus was a no title parts car.

DMV was about as helpful as nipples on a breastplate.

I was going to RallyX it, but RallyX events are too sparse locally for a dedicated car. (Unless I'm unaware of more events.) Also, I think 106" wheelbase might a bit long for a competitive RallyX car. I really don't know though.

Ground clearance hasn't been determined yet. I'll decide on ride height according to end use.

In reply to bmw88rider:

It's only required as part of the bonded title nonsense.

In reply to Crackers:

106" wheelbase isn't too bad at all. Not all that much longer than the typical Subarus and such, just a few extra inches. Don't send it totally sideways between cones and you'll fit on the course just fine.

Issa kit car. You made all of it from scratch.at least that's what id tell them. Or play extremely dirty pool and title it in a state that gives no berkeleys and then retitle it in Texas. At least that way you'd have one to start on.

what cars vin are you using???? I would start by running that vin and make sure it is clean.

mndsm wrote: Issa kit car. You made all of it from scratch.at least that's what id tell them. Or play extremely dirty pool and title it in a state that gives no berkeleys and then retitle it in Texas. At least that way you'd have one to start on.

Seconding this. Somewhere in the daily GRM / Garage Journal trawls, I came across titling a vehicle through Vermont. Based on the age of the vehicle, they don't give a berkeley about anything but the VIN and a check.

Tub it and go straight line racing?

Read through the whole build thread. Good read, even without the pictures, although I wish I could have seen that e-brake handle.

After all that work, surely there's a way to get it titled!

Love ramblers, and currently dd my sixth wagon (and I tend to keep my cars for at least a decade). Hopefully gets finished, and I can see a picture.

I'm thinking nitrous, then drag.

I have no issues with playing dirty. Me thinks I need more information on how to make that happen.

Dean, I don't want to do this unless it I can keep a pre emissions VIN. Someday I want to go back to CA and if I have this that long, I don't want to have to abandon it because of emissions mumbo jumbo.

I'm not worried about the VIN. I have the title for it, but it's not filled out correctly and was rejected.

Like I said. Nipples on a breastplate.

floatingdoc wrote: Read through the whole build thread. Good read, even without the pictures, although I wish I could have seen that e-brake handle. After all that work, surely there's a way to get it titled! Love ramblers, and currently dd my sixth wagon (and I tend to keep my cars for at least a decade). Hopefully gets finished, and I can see a picture.

I'll go back and fix pictures if I don't sell it off.

Crackers wrote: irish44j and Robbie: It's a 68 Rambler American wagon, going onto a Lexus SC300. I'm keeping all the Lexus chassis/drivetrain. I started a build thread for Uncle Ben but it's a victim of Photogate.

FYI there's a hack for Photosuckit if you use Chrome browser. Look it up. I use Chrome, and I can see all of your pics, in the thread

Here in Ontario there is a court of last resort that involves a notary public. Hot Rod friends have used this to tittle rotted hulks that they pulled out of creeks and farms. Essentially a "I have no paper but I declare I did not steal this wreck" Maybe a self made sales slip if required and no-one is going to question it.