New Jersey Registration

Maybe someone can give me a little guidance here. Next week my JPS speedster is being delivered to me here in NJ from out of state. It is 3 years old with around 7K miles on it. I have been able to get insurance coverage with Grundy Worldwide out of Pennsylvania and the coverage has no mileage limitation. That's right NONE! The premium is only $385.00 with $500K of liability. It does have use restrictions but not one for mileage. Here is my question. Since I don't have a mileage limitation I see no reason to have the car registered as a classic with QQ plates as it normally would be. The good thing about the QQ plates is there is no inspection other than the mileage (I think). If this car is registered as a regular car will it pass inspection? It is listed as a 1973 VW on the title. We know it is not a '73 VW. WHAT DO I DO????
Thanks.
Steven

Actually Steven it is a VW Bug in a Porsche disguise but if it's pan based that's what it is. At least here my Speedster is registered as a '68 VW Bug at the DOT. I'm sure one of our NJ members will chime in and help you out.

I suggest that you check this site's registry and contact the people that live in NJ and own JPS or Vintage Speedsters.

I'm a former resident of NJ and owned many a replica hence have encountered the DMV hassles.
NJDMV will not reconize the speedster with the '73 VW title, yes you can walk into the local DMV, flip the '73 title and drive but the problem comes into play for inspection and or getting stopped .
The correct method to the madness, you would have to go through the speciality construction titling process in NJ as if you had just assembled the car which as I recall requires getting the car to one of two special inspection locations in NJ for a very detailed inspection process. One of the main issues with them is the speedster tail lights will not pass due to no SAE stamp on the lenses ...(picky crap)
Plan B' would be if you know someone in a local garage that is willing to inspect it as the '73 VW slack on a sticker and go but you still run the risk of a vehicle road side stop.
NJ QQ tags restricts the mileage but only requires a drive to an Inspection Station where they do not subject the car to a safety inspection and only verfiy that the odometer works .
email direct with any add'l Q's ~Alan drclock at pa.net

Alan, it appears that this is a used vehicle; possible previously registered in another state. If this is the case, does it still get subjected to the initial safety inspection at Morristown or Asbury Park prior to actual registration?

With your suggestion that it be registered as a QQ, would you consider registering it as a '73 VW?

I initially went thru the process of registering my Austin Healey replica as a dailey driver. Passed the initial safety inspection, had a letter from MV stating that because I had a scratch built or aftermarket frame, I could use legally use a motor manufactured before emmissions rules. The car was registered as a 2002 Sebring. My next problem occured when I went to a local MV inspection station after finally registering the car. The operator at the location couldnt override the emmissions requirements that came up on the computer for a 2002 vehicle. I failed and had it redone at a local service station.

Since then I have registered it as a "special interest" vehicle; similar to a QQ. It cost an extra $10 a year for this, but does away with detailed inspections.

NJ, Pa, and others do not recognize special construction titles from other states and are subject to going through the horse and pony show for safety inspection at Morristown or Asbury Park, NJ.
The mentioned QQ historic/classic tag still is a problem for inspection because the car is not in it's original factory configuration.
Once this speedster goes thru the special construction process, I would suggest that it be registered as a special interest vehicle and just pay the $10 inspection fee to cover the odometer verification.

Steven , get hooked up with NJ Replicar Club they are a good source of info and great hunch to hang with. NJRC informally meets the 2nd Wed of each month in Pine Brook.

I live in NJ and bought my speedster from Deleware. I too have coverage from Grundy and all I did was transfer the title and my QQ plates. I had an older car before and tranfered the plates from that one. I remember initally getting the plates was a bit of a hassle, but well worth it to me.

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I will contact the NJ Replicar Club. I am sure they will have the answers I need. I will post the information I got as I am sure it will be helpful to someone else. Thanks again.

One more equestion regarding New Jersey and the QQ license and inspection if anyone knows.
I understand that with the QQ plates there is no regular inspection and the only check is to drive the car around the inspection station to make sure the odometer works. But it is my understanding that the State still has the mileage limitation of 3,000 miles. Question: Do the Jersey inspection people actually enforce the mileage limitation? And if they do, how do they do it? If all you are doing is driving around the block, do they somehow keep track of the mileage from the last non-inspection inspection? Again, I ask all this since i have no mileage limitation with the insurance coverage I will be getting. Thanks all.

QQ limited inspection only requires an odometer function, you pull into the inspection station where your odometer is recorded .
You then leave and come back the inspector verifies that odometer reading is higher. Annual 3,000 mile limit. A two year triangular sticker is applied to the windshield.
Most speedo cables are threaded and tend to work loose from vibration falling off on longer trips.

Steven, I don't even have an odometer. The Maryland MVA doesn't care; they've never actually seen my car. If the NJ people don't record what your odo reads now, they won't likely ever have another chance. Are you inspection exempt on future renewals?

Alan that you for the technical assistance on the unreliability of odometer cables. I think you solved my problems. I will keep you posted. My baby is arriving in a box on tuesday and I will down at DMV Tuesday. Am I a bad person because the only other "expectancy" I can recall with this much anticipation were my baby sons?

Steven, you're right in time with the rest of us, I think. Naturally, we'll want to see pictures!

I've had my Sebring thru "Specialty Vehicle" inspection (just check the odometer function), and I believe they enter the milage reading into their computer record file. This way, if you have exceded the 3000 miles they are aware of it. I don't know what the penalty is.
Although the inspection sticker is for 2 years, the registration has to be renewed EVERY year. There isn't any multi year Specialty registration.

Alan... you mentioned the non DOT tail light lenses. How have you or others gotten around this?

"you mentioned the non DOT tail light lenses. How have you or others gotten around this? "

In Massachusetts, things can be difficult or easy as pie, depending on which inspection station you end up at.

Genuine SWF lenses and chromed SWF surrounds will get you right through.

The gift of gab helps, I don't know of any speedster lenses that have the DOT - SAE embossed stamp on them. I recall someone years back having to temporally use aftermarket trailer tail lights clamped to the bumper with a large hose clamp, not pretty but was functional after inspection they were removed ....such nonsense.

TC...In case I have to go this route, what does SWF stand for, and do you have an internet site that I can find them on? If not, a supplier that I could contact?

SWF is the german equivalent of DELCO in US for electrics. SWF stands for Spezial Werkzeugfrik Feuerbach. You can get them from Klasse356 (in Allentown PA so fairly local) or one of the other 356 parts vendors. They should fit with the repro chrome trim rings. If they don't have the DOT code stamped they have the Gernam TUV one which is equivalent. Believe they are stamped with both. Do they only look at rear or do the front turn signals also have to be DOT approved? I'm using clear glass LUCAS (Austin Healey 3000) front turn signals with an amber bulb - which are DOT approved.

My NJDMV inspection experiences required SAE / DOT on all lenses....
I'm sure you can go on line for current requirments.

Scheisse! Make that "Spezial Werkzeugfabrik Feuerbach"