Texas Manx Club

by **CoryN** » 14 Thu May, 2009 1:58 pm

What is your advice on wipers. I've got normal plates, so I'll have to pass inspection.

I have the two holes in the hood, but have no hardware whatsoever.

Do I go with a hand operated wiper on the windsheild, or do I go with an entire wiper assembly out of a bug. If a bug - any particular year or anything. Or go with an aftermarket item like at www.itsasnapwireandcable.com

by **Jack Duncan** » 14 Thu May, 2009 2:17 pm

Cory, I used the cable drive system out of an MG or Triumph. They are the same. Very simple to install. Just fabricate the mounting brack under the hood and hook up the wires. To look at the system, it is self explanitory. You can shorten it very easily, since the cable will be too long. You'll have to cut and flare some new tubing pieces, that's all.

by **jspbtown** » 14 Thu May, 2009 3:56 pm

Cory,
I would go VW. Depending on how much room you have under there this is what you need:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=742819

There are two styles. This style only had 1 or 2 years that were 12 volt. Many were 6 volts. You obviously want a 12 volt one. If you have lots of room you can go with a later and cheaper style. Lots on ebay and the Samba.

You can use a standard toggle switch and relay and get a single speed (thats all you need) and auto park out of them.

Just be sure to measure the distance between holes. There was some variation. Measure your distance and just confirm the shaft spacing with a seller.

by **Don** » 14 Thu May, 2009 4:48 pm

I used a later style VW motor that I got on Ebay for $25 and it works great. I bolted it right through the holes in the hood, no other brackets or support. I used a 2 position headlight switch from the auto parts store (about $5) for two speeds.

by **GregR** » 14 Thu May, 2009 7:03 pm

I used the assembly out of my '73 donor and shortened the arms slightly. Also used short blades from an early T1

by **David Head** » 15 Fri May, 2009 8:24 am

I don't have any wipers. I hardly ever drive in the rain. My buggy has antique car plates, So I am exempt from inspection.

by **Ken** » 15 Fri May, 2009 12:59 pm

David Head wrote:I don't have any wipers. I hardly ever drive in the rain. My buggy has antique car plates, So I am exempt from inspection.

Nice, so whats the criteria and procedure for getting antique plates?

by **Aquabuggy** » 15 Fri May, 2009 2:01 pm

Ken, Here's a link to Txdot Antique plates. I wouldn't run them to many restrictions.

http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASA ... 10&pltid=1

by **Don** » 15 Fri May, 2009 3:18 pm

For those with antique plates; any trouble from the law when your just out cruising?

by **CajunBuggy** » 15 Fri May, 2009 4:29 pm

I spoke with Tax assessors office and they state that antique plates mean that you may only drive to an from parades and events (like the blast) but that no, you can not just cruise around. I decided to go the legal route and go with standard plates.

just food for thought...I bolted on a bug set of wipers, no modifications and just connected two speeds. Not a big deal at all.

Matt

by **Vee Dub Nut** » 15 Fri May, 2009 4:33 pm

FYI.. antique tags are illegal for kit cars

Its already a grey area for us registering these buggies as VW Beetles. To be perfectly legit, buggies should have a builders title. Taking that a step further and running Antique plates is just begging for trouble IMO.

I have read some VERY clear instructions that Antique plates are for vehicles manufactured before a certain date and are in restored back to original condition. Although a lot more lax in Texas, some states even frown against customized cars using antique plates.

I run antique plates on my '67 sedan, but wouldn't risk it with the buggy.

Antique restritctions are:
Using the vehicle for parades or club events
And an allowance for occasional use on roads for maintenance reasons

Just my $0.02

by **blackthree4me** » 16 Sat May, 2009 4:15 pm

I run antique plates on mine
it says I have to have an original chassie ,motor and body
all 3 of mine are original 1967 parts it didnet say they had to match the serial #

I have been running them for some time now and pretty much drive every weekend where ever I want with no problems
your right as texas is pretty lax
as a matter of fact mine is an 8 year plate
I dont dive it during the week too much
I have never been pulled over YET :lol:

most of the times get a nod or a thumbs up 8-)

I try not to look at the COPS EVER :lol:

its all comon sence realy, if you act like an idiot expect to get pulled over.

also on basic Classic inspections you can just do away with the holes all together if you are doing your own glass work
say it never came with wipers and they will pass it
mine had a hole so it had to have wipers :cry:

now back to the wipers
a stock late model 12V system should fit under the dash with a stock spedo no problem
got one if ya need it
where you run into poblems is too many gauges in that area
the wiring and such gets in the way
I didnot find that out untill it was too late
let us know how it goes

by **Bill K** » 17 Sun May, 2009 9:58 pm

Steve,
Your experience with antique tags is pretty much like mine. I don't drive like an idiot, and mostly get nods from lawmen (Plus having a bald head helps I think

). However, a word to the wise: Always look at the cops. A Highway Patrol friend of mine said that is something that always raises their suspicions : Someone who won't look at them.

I'm still curious though:

For those running antique tags: Have you ever been stopped and questioned about that?

For those with or without antique tags: Have you ever been stopped and questioned about what kind of title you have?

by **Jack Duncan** » 17 Sun May, 2009 11:12 pm

My answer to both of those questions is no, but I was stopped by the chief of police. He just wanted to see my 27 "T" and said nothing about my antique plates. It was a hot rod, not an antique. :roll:

by **Keith Wenzel** » 18 Mon May, 2009 6:47 am

Having spent the last 30 years as a police officer, I can offer this insight. Unless you are doing something unusual, most officers are more interested in what you have built than how it complies with the laws. However, if you bring attention in some crazy way, they may have to get out the law book and see how many rules you are breaking. With thousands of laws on the books, knowing the particulars of antique vehicles is at the bottom of an officers list.
I have antique plates and never get stopped. I donâ€™t have the bald head advantage like Bill (yet), but still havenâ€™t had an issue. Rightfully so, every time I drive the buggy it is a test drive to see what is about to be broken. That story should hold up in court any day!

by **Bill K** » 18 Mon May, 2009 11:41 am

Same here Keith. After all, it's an antique vehicle that doesn't get driven much and it has a fickle engine, so to keep it running right, I have to drive it periodically just to keep it in good running condition.

by **DannyT** » 18 Mon May, 2009 12:01 pm

I have my rail with classic car plates. They based it on the year on the title. Cost is about the same but without the driving restrictions. With the classic plate I can drive anywhere,anytime.

by **Ken** » 18 Mon May, 2009 12:09 pm

OK, antique don't not require safety inspection. So does classic registration require annual or periodical safety inspections?

Great thread, maybe slightly hi-jacked? :roll:

by **CoryN** » 18 Mon May, 2009 12:17 pm

Hijack away - I got my answer.

I went with standard plates, I figure outside of the annual inspection, I got no worries. If it can't pass inspection, I'm not sure I want to be driving it anyways

by **Ken** » 18 Mon May, 2009 12:24 pm

CoryN wrote:If it can't pass inspection, I'm not sure I want to be driving it anyways

Not a bad point...

by **Bill K** » 18 Mon May, 2009 12:59 pm

Does the Classic plate get you out of inspections?

by **Aquabuggy** » 18 Mon May, 2009 3:24 pm

Bill K wrote:Does the Classic plate get you out of inspections?

This part sounds like inspections would be required of a vehicle registered as a classic "fully registered like any other vehicle"

From TxDOT's web site
Classic license plates are issued to cars that are 25 or more years old. Unlike antiques, which cannot be used for regular transportation or carry advertising, classic license plates require a vehicle to be fully registered like any other vehicle, allowing it to be operated on any roadway. A specialty plate fee of $15 is charged in addition to the regular registration fee [pdf, 1 page, 943kb] and other applicable fees.

and this is what it says about antique plates

Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a collectorâ€™s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance.

Antique plates are issued for five-year periods. The registration fee for the five-year period is $50.30 ($10 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1921 and subsequent years and $40.30 ($8 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1920 and prior years. Fees are reduced $10/$8 for each year of the period that has elapsed at the time the application is filed.

by **DannyT** » 18 Mon May, 2009 4:19 pm

It does have to be inspected. Lucky for me, the guy that owns the inspection station I use is a buggy owner too. He wont put a sticker on an unsafe buggy. When I first went to him,it took three trips to get it done but all the issues were minor and took no time to correct.

by **Vee Dub Nut** » 18 Mon May, 2009 5:10 pm

I guess I'm surprised that the antique plate folks haven't gotten hassled about it. I run them on my Beetle but didn't want to take the chance on the buggy when ever I get to that point. Like I said, I've read some info (not that I can find it anymore) that stated that antique plates were for cars that were restored back to original condition which lead me to believe that running them on a buggy would be a bending the rules pretty good. I already use that clause about driving for maintenance reasons on my '67 pretty good, and would think that if you were trying to talk your way out of a ticket, you would be hard pressed if you were in a buggy and just out riding around.

Maybe I'll just roll the dice and give it a shot. Can't beat the prices and not having to do the yearly inspection :lol:

by **freightshaker** » 18 Mon May, 2009 5:45 pm

I got mine registered today 8-)

I sent the other half to take care of it and the lady behind the counter ASKED HER if we wanted to get "classic" plates. :shock:

...The the other half procedes to tell her it is a dune buggy "would it qualify" . :roll:

Well I'm sitting here killing time waiting on my CLASSIC plates..... 8-)

....She said, Like was said earlier if it is using the VW frame and engine it was good to go. ;-)

by **CoryN** » 18 Mon May, 2009 5:55 pm

Yes - they asked me also what kind of plates I wanted to get. I was just happy to finally get it registered, so I went with normal plates. I may get vanity plates when I get it done.

by **freightshaker** » 18 Mon May, 2009 6:06 pm

What all you have left to do Cory....If I can help let me know

by **CoryN** » 18 Mon May, 2009 7:26 pm

I've got to figure out what I screwed up on my paint, I can't get it to buff back shiney. Then I need to bolt down the body and wire it up.

by **Bill K** » 18 Mon May, 2009 8:00 pm

Too much to do before the weekend. If you start rushing you may mess up a beautiful car. Just have it ready for the ROUNDUP.

Bring yourself to the show and some photos. We'll see if you can enter your car for judging with photos only. :lol:

by **freightshaker** » 18 Mon May, 2009 10:57 pm

I will be off Wednesday and Thursday and then Sunday if there is anything I can do to help let me know...BTW I wired my glass buggy and Bo's rail.....As far as the paint did you let it sit out in the sun and fully cure????Just because it is dry and feels dry, it might not be fully cured and hardened...This cold damp weather will take it longer to cure unless you used a hotter reducer......Just a thought..

by **blackthree4me** » 20 Wed May, 2009 12:36 pm

great post yall
this is what make us have a great place to hang out
kudos to everyone who post.

by **Vee Dub Nut** » 20 Wed May, 2009 12:38 pm

blackthree4me wrote:great post yall
this is what make us have a great place to hang out
kudos to everyone who post.

+1

Someday I hope I can get mine registered.. long way to go until then :roll:

by **jordanj** » 20 Wed May, 2009 5:06 pm

so basically all i would need to make my rail street legal would be lights,blinkers and mirrors?i would get it inspected without a windshield.And how would i register it?

by **DannyT** » 20 Wed May, 2009 5:33 pm

I never brought up the subject that it was a rail at the DMV. I simply presented them with the proof of insurance, title(says 1966 Bug),and the inspection paperwork. So my rail is registered as a '66 Bug, go figure!

I am lucky that the inspection station I use is owned by a rail owner so the inspection process,even after three trips,was rather painless. I basically had to install a manual emergency brake(line lock will NOT pass),real headlights(mine had off road lights),and a high beam/low beam indicator lamp(blue, on when high). I already had blinkers so I didnt have to wire those up. You will have to have a liscence plate lamp on the rear too.

by **GregR** » 20 Wed May, 2009 5:58 pm

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/veh_class_list.asp?class=Passenger+Car&classsubmit=Go

what's inspected and what is required are not necessarily the same

http://www.fastlaws.com/index.php?id=txtnchapter547

by **Patrick** » 24 Sun May, 2009 1:27 pm

A friend got stopped just driving his Classic Truck down the road with Antique Plates. He was out just cruising one sunny day. The veteran police officer told him he had no stickers on his windows.

He said you don't have to have the car inspected when you have Antique plates. The police officer did not buy that and gave him a ticket.

A couple of days later the police officer came by his house and told him he was sorry as he was wrong and told him he did not have a ticket anymore. Course this was in a smaller town around where I live. I don't think a big city cop in Dallas or Houston would come by your house later to say he was sorry, but you never know.

I like buying plates that have the year on them and run Antique or Classic tags.

by **Patrick** » 24 Sun May, 2009 1:31 pm

See my other post about registering a kit car. You can run any kit car without a windshield. As my friend who registered his rail had no windshield. He had a pair of goggles that he carried with him and that will help you get by without having a windshield. You have to make sure you wear them at all times.

by **Patrick** » 24 Sun May, 2009 1:43 pm

Having a year plate would be best. That way when you buy a plate that has a year on it you can register it as a Classic or Antique.

When you register it with a yeared plate you will get a small tag in the mail that you bolt to your lic plate on your car. They are tiny and you won't have that ugly looking Antique plate on your car anymore.

Antique plates (Going to shows, parades only) I consider when your driving your car your showing people your car. So it's a show.

Ocassional Drives. You have to keep the car tip top so it won't just sit in the garage and go down hill. (You only have to run one plate on the back).

Classic Plates you have to get the car inspected, but you can drive at any time.

by **Ken** » 24 Sun May, 2009 1:44 pm

In Texas a windshield is not an inspected. But if you do have a windshield, wipers, are an inspected item.

Texas Manx Club

Wipers and discussion of Tag Types

Wipers and discussion of Tag Types

Antique plates

Antique Plates

Registration --- without a windsheild

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