Tony had his Birkin inspected earlier today. I didn't make it in time for the inspection, but was there for the 'debrief'. It went well, barring a few hiccups.
The bumper requirement, for the front at least, is very real and solidly embedded in Nova Scotia regulation. Tony had fabbed up a neat nerf bar for the nose but it wouldn't meet the full width requirement in the regulations. The inspector said that the one time he missed it on a car the Registrar picked it up on the (required) photographs and bounced the inspection.
There were a few minor bits that surfaced: the inspector requires Grade 8 bolts (or metric 8.8 ) on suspension bits and won't allow nylocks there either. Tony has a few switches to label, a clutch pedal start safety switch (in lieu of a neutral switch for an automatic) to install, and has to have the shift pattern shown on the gear lever or nearby
. Regulations again.
It was useful and enjoyable to meet David Hoar. I had corresponded with him, and talked over the phone, but got a better impression of the individual in person. He clearly takes his role as the professional engineer in the process seriously, but is equally a car guy who enjoys interacting with custom and kit car and motorcycle builders. He apparently does these inspections for all three Maritime provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick (where he lives) and Prince Edward Island. He commented that Nova Scotia had the best process for one-offs of the three provinces, and that NS benefitted from having a engineer as the current registrar.
His fee for the inspection and his (PE stamped) letter to the province (Nov 2011) was $204 plus HST (15% in Nova Scvotia). Both Tony and I roll our eyes at this: there is no way that we would charge this little for this much professional service. I am a long way from inspection, but the service includes review and comment on my progress reports during construction.
One of his comments to me, with a smile on his face was "So when do I get to see
your car?
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Warren
Isuzu Pickup/SR20DE, +401 COLD frame
Build Log:
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=11601