NOS Hub Caps

There are 3 less early NOS T3 hub caps in the world as they were just placed on the car. It took me twenty years to find them. Finding the 4th has been illusive.

It is just amazing how flawless they are. The convex shape, with the scratch less chrome, perfectly reflects images almost like a fish-eye camera lens.

One detail that I appreciate is the reverse side of the cap. One can see the "machining scars" necessary to create it.

The Seals Leak

Washed the car for the first time today. I was watching very carefully where the hose water wound up with all the brand new installed seals

The interior, for the most part, had a few drops on the inside movable windows.

The front spare tire area had a major amount of water in it even with the new hood drainage hose installed. I am not sure I will be able to fix this.

Front Fresh Air Vent Trim

I have had this set of aftermarket front trim for many years. Decided to install it. It has its drawbacks but because of the rarity I think people should see it.

Here is the article on type34.org

Made It To the Top Of Mount Rose

Drove to see if I could get the T34 out of the Tahoe basin via the high Mount Rose pass.

No problems! The car cruised up the steep grade in 3rd gear with no overheating or engine breathing issues.

Flaps and Plates

Been waiting to get those T3 mud flaps on the car for a couple of weeks. It wasn't as easy as I thought to install them.

I do have genuine T34 flaps but the rubber appeared to be on the fragile side. Instead of mounting them on the car I decided to preserve them for possible future duplication.

My Nevada license plates, with the Lake Tahoe theme, arrived! If you can't read them click on the picture.

First Real Drive in 26 Years

Checked the oil, tire pressure, and gas and took off through the sunny pine tree countryside of Lake Tahoe. I wasn't sure I was going to make it back without a tow or flatbed.

I had forgotten how well the T34 handles on tight turns. Tahoe has many highways with sharp corners and I was able to have some fun being aggressive with them.

After 20 minutes the car seemed to be begging to be put into the final 4th gear for the cruising it seems to be designed for. On one stretch of the highway I was able to do so. The vehicle seemed to give a sigh a satisfaction that it was back on the road as the RPMs dropped.

I made a mental checklist of things that need fixing. Among the items is some needed engine tuning. There wasn't much power going up steep hills but it was adequate on the more level roads.

After 40 miles I pulled into the garage and immediately re-torqued my lug nuts. I remembered Andy's accident where his wheel fell off and didn't want to repeat it.

What a fun day!

DMV - Denied

Tried to get a titled today at the Nevada DMV. The pink slip for the T34 is long gone, probably thrown away during a house remodel.

They didn't like my proof of ownership I had EVEN THOUGH IT IS WHAT THEY WANTED ME TO GET LAST WEEK.

The supervisor then asked me to supply proof that I have owned pictures of this car for many years.

This was actually kind of a fun project. I had my daughter help me recreate a pose I did about ten years ago. The old photo is at the top with the car dissembled and the bottom photo is the car assembled. The car didn't age but I sure did! I hope the supervisor sees my growing older as proof.

As other proof of owner ship I was able to find my VW birth certificate from the factory. It is a letter addressed to me from Wolfsburg with my chassis number and vehicle description.

I should be good to go.

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Update - The birth certificate from Wolfsburg did the trick! The supervisor of the supervisor had to give the document an OK and signed off on giving me official title to my T34. Whew!
Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone.