How to register a Replica Vehicle in Massachusetts

As the "Reader's Digest" version, the way we get around the emissions testing of a non-compliant engine is to buy a pre-1974 car of equal or greater engine displacement (and a few other requisits), get it crushed at an approved salvage yard to provide a "crush title", then apply that crush title from the older car to the newer car through the state DMV/RMV, making it emissions test exempt forever (in Massachusetts).

Unfortunately, I can't make this stuff up.....    Around here, it's the law.  

This is real....Once upon a time in NJ ( where else) I recall someone....... taping together 2 large leaf bags in the trunk of a car and rigging a temp Y into said trunk bag for a "short emissions test".......Passed!

wut??

The "Reader's  Digest", now there is a part of Americana that is gone. Life was good.

Art posted:

The "Reader's  Digest", now there is a part of Americana that is gone. Life was good.

I started receiving Reader's Digest from my grandfather about 30 years ago every Christmas. When he passed away maybe 25 years ago, my Uncle (his son) continued to provide the subscription. Best bathroom reader there is imo 

I read all that, Gordon.

All I can say is, "wow".

The process up here can be as convoluted, although we don't have to destroy an old car in order to get our replica licensed. 

http://www.canadianrodder.com/.../fyi/registering.htm

I've found it fairly easy to get my three Intermeccanicas registered, and there is no emissions testing for a 'kit car'.

Our Ministry of Transportation does provide a detailed list to follow (see link above), but you really need to find a knowledgeable licence clerk if you want an easy go.  Unfortunately, owners of replica Cobras have real difficulty getting their cars registered and insured.

As for insurance, you will be hard pressed to get a standard insurance company to insure your replica.  I only know of one person who has done that, but he did not get stated value.

As ridiculous as the MA regulations appear, I think a lot of jurisdictions will be moving in that direction (but I can't fathom the 'crushed' car part).  Yes, it does get an old polluter off the road, but it is still an extreme way (and costly) to get your new replica registered.

Getting a form 19A is what is truly needed but then if your willing to ship your car to the builder the repair process should be the same unless it is a complete wreck which could bring some issues but in any case "Jesus take the wheel" One would be flying rather than driving after that  

Stan et al;  When I first read the passed law (the process of which which TheTango has brilliantly condensed to its essence) I could not believe it.  It was NOTHING like what we thought they were going to pass.....Nothing.   This was a total end-around to everyone who worked on getting the SEMA legislation in Mass. and a major slap-in-the-face to us, too.

The crush car thing was buried way down in there.  It was very hard to find and understand (they're allowing WHAT?!?) and offered (it appears) as a loophole so that the state could point to it as an escape when the ACLU or someone else yelled foul.  That hasn't yet happened but I suspect that it's only a matter of time.  No one I've shown this to in the hobby can believe it either and it explains why we don't have many ground-up-built custom motorcycles around, too.  And it's not like there are a lot of Replicas running around - My guess would be 100-150 per year state-wide.

So much for living in a "Liberal" state, huh?

Yes, hard to imagine. But bare in mind all the other ridiculous things we do like laws about the direction that cows can travel in the streets, not feeding your servants lobster more than three times a week, and soft balls (sorry -that was much later) and other stuff that makes you scratch your head.  

I'd say that some poor SOB trying to quietly drive his pride and joy after countless hours of work is a perfect target for this state. You humbly approach some gum-chewing twit only to be schooled. 

Oh yea.... Bring it!

In some States it's illegal to "...display your genitals while J-walking with a nun". 

MusbJim posted:

In some States it's illegal to "...display your genitals while J-walking with a nun". 

There go my plans for this weekend!!

MusbJim posted:

In some States it's illegal to "...display your genitals while J-walking with a nun". 

You mean I would have to wear long pants, instead of Bermuda shorts?

My wife doesn't like me to display my genitals while riding the mower in shorts. She is afraid her mother will see them.

Yes, it was no joke... twice as hard as Cali. But on the road now! Thank you!

Ok, Michael, you've made my morning!

@ALB, one time when I was mowing my wife ran out into the yard to look at my crotch to make sure everything was concealed.

It bothered me that she felt the need to do this. So that her trip wouldn't be in vain I did display my genitals for her. That really pissed her off.

What makes this even more funny is, for those of you that haven't met Mike face to face, his extremely dry delivery.  I can see her looking back at him with a look of horror while he has a slight smirk on his face.

That's how it was Lane.

Hey Everyone, doc author here  

The end cost to me was months of anxiety and frustration, and about $3000 for the crush car, towing, documentation prep, RMV fees, etc.  Like I said at the end of the document, had I known about the "crush" car cost I would have negotiated that into the purchase price of the vehicle.

The most FRUSTRATING part oft his process was dealing with the Mass RMV.  They do not have the expertise on dealing with our vehicles and I doubt they will ever have someone on staff at the RMV who does have the information a replica/kit-car purchase requires.  I vented to Gordon in a private message about changing the title and how frustrating that process was.

The best part of this?  The people at the Mass MAC are *really* knowledgeable employees who explained the process to me in detail, answered all my questions, and were forthcoming with answers to all my dumb questions

If you have any questions, requests for clarification, or comments please reach out to me.

How Bizarre…I registered my car [previously registered as a 1955 Porsche Spyder in New York State and Arizona]…in CT…it took all of 15 minutes…nice man…liked my car

I took the precaution to go to a DMV (limited office)…since I knew that they could not do any sort of mechanical check.

Massive-2-shits…nice place…I remember being in a client’s car (Mass plates)…from NH with some purchased alcohol in the car. Stopped by the Mass State Police who had received a “tip” from their man at the NH alcohol store.

 As I told the police person…it’s ALL MINES…showed my CT license and that was that…on our way !

 ReV

A friend with a Spyder (Becks I think) finally got frustrated with the Ma DMV and sold his car.  They gave him a temporary registration and told him he would need to pass emissions tests in one year.  

Al;

Tell your friend to call VW,   they'll help with passing smog.

Art

Ugh that sucks Al   TBH, I came close to putting my car on the market because of the sense of helplessness when dealing with the RMV but luckily had people like Gordon encouraging me as I went along through the process.

I really hope that no one else ends up in the situation that I was in when dealing with the RMV.  Like it says in the document I wrote, people might be better off contacting the MAC *before* they purchase a vehicle to get an idea of what they have to do.

You guys make me more and more glad that I live in the Wild Wild West, er, South.

It was supposed to be easy here in Massachusetts, but as I've said a number of times, someone torpedoed the process at the very end and THIS is what we're left with.  I've tried to follow the money trail on this, but it seems illusive.  Someone benefitted from this screwy legislation, and I hope to find out who that is and make it public.

Gordon Nichols posted:

It was supposed to be easy here in Massachusetts, but as I've said a number of times, someone torpedoed the process at the very end and THIS is what we're left with.  I've tried to follow the money trail on this, but it seems illusive.  Someone benefitted from this screwy legislation, and I hope to find out who that is and make it public.

Find out who owns all of the pre-1974 cars that are being sold as "CRUSH CARS" and you will find the likely culprit.

I offered Arizona destination/vacation spot for registration lol. 

Yeah, I know.......But then we have to contend with the local snoops who casually "drop by" and chat you up to see if you have the car in state just long enough so that Mass. plate/registration law applies and they can hit you for the registration fees, taxes and so forth to keep it here.  It's always something, isn't it?

At least, Daniel, you can point prospective customers to Prarit's well written process and say: THIS is what you have to do to get legally registered in Massachusetts.  But if you follow his process, you can get it legally registered.

We don't call ourselves "Massholes" for nuthin!

I live in the Peoples Republic of Cape Cod....which is a whole other kettle of fish.

Not cod.  It was surprisingly easy to register here 9 years ago, but I would probably have a hard time doing it today.  I think I may have to keep my car forever and stay under the radar.

Yeah, Kind-of like a Northern version of the "Conch Republic" you guys visit in Key West every winter.

You just need a Northern version of the "Coral Reefers Band".  Maybe Aerosmith?

Bringing this thread back from the dead to say that I currently have a car for sale which meets the "crush car" requirements. I ended up not needing it to register my car. See https://boston.craigslist.org/...onza/6722388728.html.

CL Link is not working

Let's see if this works. Link to CL ad:

link to CL ad

Jeff:

Let them know over here:

http://www.corvair.org/chapters/chapter017/

The Massachusetts Corvair club - Let’s save another car from the crusher!

That's a great buy - buy it and flip it for 3x that. The 2 door looks so much nicer than a 4 door.  I'd be on it if it was the more stylish 1965!

Jeff:  We should get together.  I'm over in Grafton, near Worcester.  Used to work for EMC and got to Franklin a lot.

Gordon,

I did let someone know at the MA Corvair Club - thanks.

Get together - I assume you're saying for a drive? Getting kinda chilly :-). What are you driving?

CMC Speedster with a Gas Heater.  

Great time of year to do a ride to the Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, CT.   Mostly take RT 16 from Bellingham across to Webster and beyond to RT 169 south.  I do more driving this time of year than in the summer!  I’ll pm you contact info.