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HELP!!Building a coffin hot rod!

8K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  malc 
#1 ·
Ok before i get myself into a mess, if i build a coffin two seater hot rod, can i get a builders title and drive it on the street?i live in indiana. im thinkin about building it out of box tubing and using a 85 chrysler fifth ave for the rear end motor trans and disc brakes. just a rat, nothing to sell on barret jackson. any ideas or info? :)
 
#5 ·
Nightfire said:
Check this out
http://forum.olskoolrodz.com/showthread.php?t=31265
Make sure to use some kind of panel or piece of an old car with a VIN number on it, you'll need it to register.


Mike
I read some of the post about that car. Seems like Rhode Island will title anything. I wonder if it would be worth the effort to get my title there, as a last resort of course. :mwink:
 
#6 ·
As Henry noted, check INDIANA'S rules...not Rhode Island's, because Indiana's cops couldn't give a flying fig what Rhode Island has for rules.

My guess is that in Indiana your coffin rod would come under a "handbuilt" classification (at least if you do it legally) and in many states that is the most difficult category of all to title a car. Often it requires that the car meet all safety and emissions laws for the year the car was COMPLETED. Coffin...Lexus...Camray, doesn't matter. If you build the car in 2007 you have to meet the rules in effect for 2007.

But check with your DMV.
 
#14 ·
She builds a coffin car

Hello,
Saw an old post from yrs ago and curious if you are still building a coffin hotrod?
I am almost done with mine. Its a 2 seater side by side. It has taken 2 + yrs to build and was a huge challenge.
The original steel casket was cut and section with numerous modifications and resembles a toe pincher coffin with the engine in the middle.
If you haven't already started, be ready for major headaches. There is a resaon nobody does 2 seaters because it is very difficult! Trust me, I know, after doing all the cutting, grinding, body work, and shaping, and painting, it is not for the faint of heart.
I am less than 2 wks away from showing it for 1st time ever, and will not give away all my secrets, but you can post me with any questions.
Good luck with your project.
Raven
 
#15 ·
My 2 seater Coffin car

Hi, Just saw your post from many yrs ago, and don't know if you are still building a coffin hotrod or not?
anyways, i can tell you its no easy task making it a 2 seater. My hubby and I are nearly ready for our 1st show after 2+ yrs of hard work. We started with a standard metal casket, cut it up and sectioned in some metal to widen for 2 seat side by side. Shape resembles a toe pincher coffin. that was easy part, actually not! We welded the lid to the lower section. the casket was separated with 2/3 back of engine, and 1/3 front of engine.
Then, since welds didn't align perfect, as is the case with a used coffin, beacuse we had to custom bend sheet metal to match contours of casket, it was still way off, so I had used a combo of wood, fiberglass, kevlar, and bondo to even out profile. Huge pain!!!
The dash panel was also custom handmade.
This is not anything like the Dragula car., and it is totally unique! As far as I know, no one has ever built one like this before. The car will be making it public debut at the Rat City Ruckus car show in Las Vegas on March 30, 2013. Across from the Stratosphere Casino 11 am-6pm
good luck with your project,
Raven
 
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