Texas has state inspections, but the cool thing is that since they are classics, they are pretty much exempt from the inspections.

 

Slightly shocked!

This means that potentially you could have a car with rusted subframe, leaking shocks, broken springs, sticking brake calliper, worn steering......
Legally on a public road????

That seems silly to me.

 

Yup, in the Great State of California you could but the most worn out pos in the country on the road but the damn thing better run clean or else!!

 

In spite of all the criticism of how things are becoming LIKE Europe over here lately.....we are still more "FREE" here that you are in the "nanny states" of Europe..... at least as it pertains to this issue anyway.

Here we have laws that always deal with what worries you for the idea of a CRAP BOX in the lane next to you or coming at you and running into you.

If I register a car with problems as extreme as .... " rusted subframe, leaking shocks, broken springs, sticking brake calliper, worn steering....." and then hit you.......I'm in pretty big trouble.

Criminal negligence charges are probably coming my way.......and that's near DEFINITELY coming my way if anyone is actually hurt.

Then the Civil penalties........ you only have to imagine what a merely modestly good lawyer could do in a law suit against me if I"m this irresponsible and you get hurt as a result of my negligence here.


So........ while I may be able to LEGALLY put a POS on the road......it'd be a damned stupid idea to do so.

You may not realize it but you just hit on the difference between how Americans have traditionally valued freedom from over-regulation and excessive requirements on any individual vs a more socialist minded society where the collective good always seem to trump individual freedom.

 

I doubt it......it looks like a "parts car" at best to me.

The value of a finished and restored '75 probably can't come close to what would be required to save this car. It's a wreck.

Some Corvettes........really have driven their last worth-while miles already and this one appears to be one of 'em.

 

We're exempt from the emissions part of the inspection in TX, but we still have to pass safety. Safety is pretty basic, mostly lights, horn, seat belts and wipers. However, safety inspection in TX also includes a visual inspection of emissions parts (although very few inspectors know enough to do it).

But then we have special registration options for old cars like "Historic" and "Antique" where we don't need to do annual inspections at all.

 

Thanks for the post...I really could have used some of those parts on my build.

 

Guess you havent been behind an 86 Toyota on the interstate with smoke coming out of it tail pipe doing a top speed of 45 mph.

 

Thinking back, I did know that the State of Texas does have required safety inspections. I am unsure of the severities due to any failed portion of the inspections but I have always agreed that the inspections are an excellent idea. I have seen many vehicles on the road in California that by no means would pass any form of close visual inspection (let alone a physical inspection). Brake lights, an occasional turn indicator (most not), stuff some petro in it and you’re good to go. I’m glad to hear that Texas is a little more “lenient” towards the classics but one would tend to think the elder the vehicle and pending the owner the more “issues” it may tend to develop. Huh, Texas, nice place, might explain why so many So Cal folk are loading their wagons and heading your way, green lights, blue skies and open roads…..Sweet!

California emission standards require any post 1975 model vehicles to pass a biyearly emission test (not required in all counties). Several years ago I elected to purchase a 1977 C-3, meaning that every two years I get the pleasure of reinstalling the Ca-legal emission exhaust system. Being as my car was originally sold as a federal vehicle my systems are minor and excluding the cat exhaust system the equipment stays in place (no air injection). However, I do know that when the Ca legal exhaust system is installed on the car it definitely sucks the life out of a new 350/290 crate motor. I couldn’t imagine having to deal with the choice of reinstalling a complete emission system every two years or living with what is sadly a very under powered American made muscle car. Living in Southern California I do completely understand the reasoning and purpose behind the emission systems. Whether or not it is an illusion, since the late 1970’s to current day it does appear that the local air quality has improved considerably (specifically the L.A. basin). After all, as I always have said “never trust the air that you can’t see”.

 

 

I wonder if there's a civil penalty for reality shows scripting events and 'plussing' the story line. Maybe call it "factbendagence.'

I enjoyed that video, but the thought kept hitting me - for a POS like that '75 was alleged to be, those dudes had little if any road problems. So, I'm moved to conclude that 'Vette' was 'prepped.' In other words, the interior may look like hell, but the important reliability stuff was handled - without any mention of it in the narrative. It's TV.

I worked on some early reality shows, and they were anything but. Just sayin'.

YMMV.

 

I must be living under a rock. I've never heard of the roadkill series. I have to admit, I did get a few laughs out of this one. I'll have to check out past and future episodes!

 

You need to watch the one about the Charger (the 45 minute one). It is hilarious!

 

I've been tagging along with these two on every episode of Roadkill, not one of their adventures have let me down yet. They are the real deal and with Hot Rod Magazine backing them up it leads for some awesome adventures, check out the Cheap Truck Challenge episode.

 

I saw them at PRI at Indy. They swapped engines in their Camaro over the 3 days of the show before driving it home. If you have LOTS of time you can watch the taped feed of the whole thing. (3 videos 8 hours each!)

 

That must have been awesome to be there in person, what a couple of characters. I tuned in off and on throughout the swap then watched the edited episode afterwards. It wouldn't surprise me to see these two guys have a show of their own in the future.

 

David and Mike are definitely some characters! I hang out with them every year at Drag Week and it is never a dull moment!

 

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'd really like to get to the NCM while the hole is still open and see the cars that came out of it on display. I was there just a few weeks before it happened and I'm anxious to see it in person.