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Finally got the IM today but I have issues.

Scro - Chris Schofield Central MassScro - Chris Schofield Central Mass
Got the car delivered today. I bought the IM owned by Dave Dowling in Hawaii. The car is fantastic. It was just as Dave represented. It runs awesome and looks great. I registered the car on Thursday. No problems. They told me during my advance trips to register the car as a 1996 Replica of a 1958 Porsche. So I did and that was fine. I was still concerned about the whole inspection sticker thing. I brought it to a guy I knew. He said no problem. Called him a few hours later and he said he couldn't get a sticker because of the way it was registered. He said that due to the car being a 1996 it should have had a OBD. Because it didnt, he had no place to plug his computer thing into. So he was dead ended because of this. I reread Gordon nichols instructions when I got home and realized that I should have called back the state police to tell them I was going to get my sticker and they would have called the station to tell them to exempt it because it was replicating a 1958. Good news, I did not get a rejection... Bad news, I am not sure that the State Police will make this call for me and do the exemption. I know of two or three other guys in MA that own IM's and they got em through. I am hoping I didnt pay several thousand dollars for a lawn ornament. If so, I will have to ebay the car... It is a blast to drive, but I only have a few days left to get the sticker before I cant drive it anymore.... This blows.. IF any MA guys or anyone else see this post and want to give any feedback, I am looking for any guidance or assurance on how this can be resolved. Thanks

2013 1959 Intermeccanica(Convertible D)

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Scro - Chris Schofield Central MassScro - Chris Schofield Central Mass
Got the car delivered today. I bought the IM owned by Dave Dowling in Hawaii. The car is fantastic. It was just as Dave represented. It runs awesome and looks great. I registered the car on Thursday. No problems. They told me during my advance trips to register the car as a 1996 Replica of a 1958 Porsche. So I did and that was fine. I was still concerned about the whole inspection sticker thing. I brought it to a guy I knew. He said no problem. Called him a few hours later and he said he couldn't get a sticker because of the way it was registered. He said that due to the car being a 1996 it should have had a OBD. Because it didnt, he had no place to plug his computer thing into. So he was dead ended because of this. I reread Gordon nichols instructions when I got home and realized that I should have called back the state police to tell them I was going to get my sticker and they would have called the station to tell them to exempt it because it was replicating a 1958. Good news, I did not get a rejection... Bad news, I am not sure that the State Police will make this call for me and do the exemption. I know of two or three other guys in MA that own IM's and they got em through. I am hoping I didnt pay several thousand dollars for a lawn ornament. If so, I will have to ebay the car... It is a blast to drive, but I only have a few days left to get the sticker before I cant drive it anymore.... This blows.. IF any MA guys or anyone else see this post and want to give any feedback, I am looking for any guidance or assurance on how this can be resolved. Thanks
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
Yes, having someone "official" tell the inspection guys that it's OK to waive the emissions test is crucial. Otherwise, if they waive it when they shouldn't, they lose their inspection license and a big wad of revenue.

While Massachusetts is trying hard to get in line with the SEMA recommendations on specialty car registrations (and, believe me, there are a few people who would prefer that there never be another car older than 2000 on Massachusetts roads) the legislature has had a few false starts and that makes everyone in the process more than a little hazy on what's supposed to be happening.

I wrote my article at the request of Henry at IM, but that was a year ago and things are continually changing. It wouldn't hurt to either check out the Factory Five Forum on this topic:

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50)

Or give them a call at Factory Five Racing
Phone: (508) 291-3443

Fax: (508) 291-3883

Tell them what you're doing and they should be able to help - they're going through this all the time in every state and should know what the current process is that works best.

Call or email me and we'll hook up this weekend.


gn
FM Former Member
Gordon,

What is your Speedster registered and titled as? A kit car, replica, hand built, or a VW Beetle?

If it's a VW, then I know about that procedure and masquerade, if it's registered/titled/insured/inspected as a kit car replicating a certain year but built during a different calendar year I need some serious help.

A buddy is building a reverse trike that is NOW going to be VW powered and pretty much replicate the early three wheel Morgans and the like. Because of the side by side seating possibility it will have to be registered as an automobile, only tandem seating will qualify it as a motorcycle Massachusetts.

Got any HARD info on how the registration/titling/inspection process might go forward on a hand built or replica? How you went about it? I know about the receipts and donor car business, and the State Police inspection BS. If you went through this with your car, I could SURE use your info/insight ! ! !

Thanks ! ! !

T
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
TC:

Can't help you with this.

Mine was registered in Mass. as a white, 1969 VW convertible, which was transferred to Rhode Island and accepted as is (after the local police inspected it and signed it off as such) and then transferred to South Carolina (same deal, only no one down there bothered to inspect it for anything - but then, they don't inspect ANY cars in South Carolina!!)

gn
FM Former Member
In NY they register "kit" cars by the year it's first registered in the state & as a custom. Mine was built in 2008, but registered here for the first time in 2010. So it's a 2010 Custom. As a custom the inspection guys are allowed to override the emission requirements. I did the same with my cobra a few years ago. Call or visit the Factory Five guys, they're in Mass & will be able to help you out.
Scro - Chris Schofield Central MassScro - Chris Schofield Central Mass
I am working through this. I definitely should not have listened to the DMV when they told me because it was previously registered that I should just use the old reg and title and register it as a 1996 replica of a 1958 porsche.

The 1996 is throwing it off. I spoke with some folks in Chatham Ma and they told me to call the Motorist Acceptance Center. This also was a big mistake.

I am now driving on a REJECTION sticker for 60 days while I figure it out. I will follow up so others don't make the same mistake I did. I am running out of options and may have to sell the car if I can't work it out.

It will be so unfortunate if I have to get rid of the car because I absolutely love driving it. Took the wife out for dinner in it last night and she loved it as well. I have owned some big old caddies that she couldnt stand.

I actually find myself getting out to drive this car most weekend days from like 6 am till 8:30 am because I can't wait to drive it...I find nothing better than just cruising in it... I'll follow up. Thanks
guru39guru39
Having read all of the comments, I would suggest that SEMA may not lobby States where the laws are already favorable to street rodders or specialty/kit car owners or mimic the SEMA language. The present GA laws would appear to allow for anything that SEMA allows but I must admit that the SEMA language may be more straight-forward and clear.

The difficulty for some would seem to remain that just because a State is not a SEMA State does not necessarily mean that the laws are unfavorable.
El FrazooEl Frazoo Supporting Member
Not having the VW VIN is a real stumbling block, I'd say. There has to be a way.

In MD, if you have the old VIN then the car is a VW. If old enough, then it is an historic. Under that label, if it is as-is, or restored as new, then it gets an "Historic" plate; if it is "substantially modified" then it gets a "Street Rod" plate. Both are cheap, and do NOT require an inspection -- which fact astonishes me, but there it is.

Not sure what MD does for purpose-built cars, not modifications of old running gear. I think in this case there is a category, and you need to have an inspection. Getting hung up because it does not have a computer plug is bizarre to say the least. It will be a royal pain in the ass, but do not give up. Pester them until you find the way.
FM Former Member
Chris,

I don't know if this will work there, but here on Maui, I hired a company that registers all the new cars that the car dealers bring in. The guy that hepled me retired from the DMV and knew all ins and outs.But mine was registered as a 2010 Street Rod Replica and all I needed was a very cursory safety inspection. You may not have that Street Rod category to work with in MA. But if you have any car delaer friends, ask them how they register the cars they sell.
Al GalloAl Gallo
Chris, I feel your pain. Dealing with the Ma.DMV is a horor show. I have a VW ID# and it was a breeze to get on the road, much to my surprise. My title says 1955 Porsche Replica. Only safety inspection required. While reserching info on a boat trailer I found a form on line that is a title correction form that you can print out. For $25 you can correct mistakes on your title. I don't know if it will work in your case but it might be worth a try. The DMV agent was the person who decided what the title and reg. should read.

I don't think I will ever sell my car, change plates or anything that will bring attention to it. If I need a better car I will make this one better. I wish you luck. Rattle my cage if you get to the Cape.
FM Former Member
"The DMV agent was the person who decided what the title and reg. should read."


Isn't THAT the truth ! ! ! !

One of my Karman Ghias is titled as a Kargi Kargi, the other as a ConvtA ConvtB, the bus is a Windva and the body style is listed as Other.

No mention on ANY of the titles of Volkswagen or even Karman Ghia, I figure that they would be PERFECT for kit cars or hand made cars since they're entirely vague, but have valid VINs listed.

When you finally sort this all out, PLEASE list the steps that you went through for the rest of us, OK?

Thanks and luck,

T
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