Project Learning Curve V2 - 1993 Miata

I like your bottle jack straightening method.  very GRM-ish.

Is the horn required for the inspection ?

Somehow, I had not seen your updates until tonight.  Thanks for the shout outs on the advice.  Here comes some more...

Review this Ohio Hyw Patrol pamphlet that is quick to point out that the Inspection is not to determine safety or quality of workmanship.  The #1  function and maybe only reason of the inspection is to prove that you did not steal the replacement parts.  

In my case, if I replace a major part, like a bumper cover, I need a proper receipt from a proper business complete with the VIN number the car came from.  All junkyards know what you need if you tell them this part is for a rebuild Inspection.  If you buy that part via private party then you need a self made receipt, with VIN, that must be notarized.   

These receipts are only needed for major parts.  A headlight/taillight is not a major parts.  My lesson there was that I bought a headlight via Amazon only to find out two things on inspection day.  First, I found that an Amazon receipt is not good enough because it did not list the whole name and contact info of the seller who was a private business selling via Amazon.  Secondly, that was okay because a headlight does not require a receipt.  

In your case, the trunk lid and the bumper cover will be major parts.  You will need to prove that these are not stolen.  I think you will need a title for that second car in your name and bring that title with you.  These Mazda parts have vin tags stickers on the panels.  If you don't have a title you might get away with a private party bill of sale but it will have to be notorized

So, lets say that:

• Miata #1 is VIN ending in 123
• Miata #2 is VIN ending in 456

You then have proof that you are the rightful owner of 123 & 456.   BUT...

If the trunk lid on VIN 123 car was once replaced, it might actually show the vin sticker of 789.  You have no proof that you own 789.  Check this in advance and get the notarized title from the purchase of 123 to also include the mention of parts from 789...or, buy a different trunk lid and get a good receipt from a real business.  Lets say that is a legitimately purchased blue lid.  Go to inspection wearing the legal blue lid and then after inspection convert back to the questionable red lid.  Sell off the blue lid when done with it.  

The inspection appt is only 15 minutes so they are not going to remove your airbag to prove its origin but you should have a receipt with you or state that it is from the parts car that you own.  

The brochure has an 800 number for questions.  It may be wise to call about converting two cars into one.  I have no direct experience with that maneuver.  

As for the finish panel.  The car would be more attractive with a finish panel but it should pass the inspection without. 

In reply to Indy-Guy :

I think I did see somewhere A horn is required, under the Ohio code that was mentioned in the brochure  that John references below. 

In reply to John Welsh :

Good to hear on the finish panel. I will wait to decide if I want to get one of those or not later on. 

I called the 1-800 number on the pamphlet right when I got the salvage Miata, they said that yes I would need the title in my name for the parts car, and bring it to the inspection. Which I have and that I have to list all the parts, not just the major parts and have documentation for them all. 

I didn’t realize the parts them selves have vin stickers on them, I will need to double check to make sure that matches. 

Any idea what happens if that sticker is gone?

Thanks for the good advice John, this is my first rodeo so I want to make sure it goes smoothly once I actually schedule the inspection.

The other thing I wondered about is that the rear parcel shelf was cut for either a different roll bar or for harness mounts , do you think that will be an issue? Should I pull the carpet off the other car to put on there?

I am working on trying to get the horn to work, neither the salvage car or parts car have a clockspring. 

 Can I just the clockspring off eBay, or do I need to get a whole new unit with the turn signal stalk and the wiper/cruise control stalk? I see both types on eBay.