Thinking about buying a HotRod in NJ

I'll toss in my .02 on a recent title issue:

I bought a fleabay 73 charger SE as a parts car.

When done with it ( I SHOULD have taken the rear end and gas tank! ) I sold it to a young man in Carolina.

Title read 73 caravan. Obviously, caravan wasn't made until the 80 s. But it was an Illinois title.

So what's a Georgia guy to do?

I took the title and bill of sale to the local DMV. They overlooked the bill of sale saying CHARGER. Perfect!

Soon as my new title came in, I brought it to DMV, and told them THEY made a mistake; showed them the bill of sale. I got the correct title in a couple weeks. No charge.

The moral of the story: sometimes you have to work the system against itself.

Do your research before you buy something questionable, the red tape can strangle you.

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

That being said, I'm not moving to New Jersey. ;)

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There was a reason why we did not move back for a fourth time last year :D . Snow and the cold were at the top of the list, taxes second. No regrets at all


Bill S.

I just went through the licensing process here in Missouri, a lot of times rod builders buy a open title, sign there name and fill in a purchase price and take it to the inspection station and tell them this is the title & VIN # of the car, they (local mechanic doing the inspection) fills out the inspection slip and you turn it all into the local license bureau and get a title in your name, very easy but....
I Had a friend who did this and sold the car at auction (very high $$) it went out of state (the main problem with doing this) as the state it went to required that states Highway Patrol to inspect the car and verify the VIN tag, they find an original title with original VIN on the title and no factory VIN tag on the car, these guys are pro's so the look alike VIN pop riveted to the cowl doesn't work as they see car VIN plates all day long (the manufacturer or assigned state used & uses special rivets) and they can tell the car isn't original (lets be real here, it's glass and has a new frame) so anyway the state seized the car from the new buyer who was registering it, called my friend told him the money must be refunded and his car is seized by their state as its not an original car which its titled as. To make a long story after hiring a lawyer and refunding the money he had to start over.
Many problems are only seen when the car goes out of state as thats when it actually gets its VIN verified, remember the Department of Revenue never see's a car when its transferred in your own state (States I know of)
Anyway thats why I went through our states licensing procedure for a replica (SEMA Law) takes longer but you can sell it. If you buy a car out of state and must have it inspected and VIN verified your rolling dice if its licensed as an original car and its not especially if your state requires the HP to do the verifing...Best of Luck Matthyj

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Originally Posted by Matthyj

I just went through the licensing process here in Missouri, thats why I went through our states licensing procedure for a replica (SEMA Law) takes longer but you can sell it. If you buy a car out of state and must have it inspected and VIN verified your rolling dice if its licensed as an original car and its not especially if your state requires the HP to do the verifing...Best of Luck Matthyj

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Ditto, same here. I did the same and after the State Police did their inspections, (2 separate visits, first for paperwork and second for the actual car) the car had to go to a state contractor for proof of roadworthiness. It passed both easily, but the contractor - after inspecting the car - said I probably added 10K to the value of the car with the clean title. He then outlined the process that was being put into place, needless to say, "playing with old cars" is a thing of the past in Mass.

This is why I am adamant when anyone asks the process to title and register a hot rod, it isn't always crystal clear. So I always tell them to go to their nearest DMV and get the real info. Routinely the internet is wrong, when I looked at the data on the listing for the 50 states, it wasn't even close to reality for what it takes in MA.

Guys,

Bill S. lived in New Jersey, and knows the rules there from top to bottom. I am confident that he gave correct advice for registering the car 66vette originally inquired about in NJ.

However, we all understand that very few people keep cars forever. If he ever tries to sell this car outside the state of New Jersey, it may be really difficult - perhaps impossible. Finally, it is my opinion that the car in question MAY be improperly registered in Wisconsin, as it exactly fits the category of "Replica Vehicle" as defined in WI Statutes, and no other category.

I'm not saying buy or don't buy, or it won't transfer to NJ - just adding info and saying "buyer beware."

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Thais is why I am adamant when anyone asks the process to title and register a hot rod, it isn't always crystal clear. So I always tell them to go to their nearest DMV and get the real info. Routinely the internet is wrong, when I looked at the data on the listing for the 50 states, it wasn't even close to reality for what it takes in MA.

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Here in Missouri everything was incorrect online, and the Department of Revenue even sent incorrect info, here the vehicle is inspected by the patrol and the DOR simply processes the paperwork and take the money, the DOR paperwork stated the vehicle inspection must be notarized and the HP said that's incorrect. It would be much easier if one branch handled everything saving mutiple trips to the patrol & state capitol and 2 months worth of "limbo". It wasn't hard, just hard to find out what to do! Like Henry Rifle mentioned this all manifests usually when you try to sell it out of state, or your lowering your resale by limiting possible sales, Lord help you if its incorrectly registered and got stolen and your trying to recover it! The HP put a VIN tag that says "State assigned VIN" tag on my door jamb by the striker after all was done, doesn't resemble a factory tag at all, the title (thanks to our state having the SEMA law) and it is registred as a 1937 Ford and goes by all laws pertaining to original '37's (no seat belts, bumpers etc) under body style I believe it says "Replica" but for all legal reasons its a '37 with our state. Best of Luck Matthyj

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Originally Posted by 34_40

This is why I am adamant when anyone asks the process to title and register a hot rod, it isn't always crystal clear. So I always tell them to go to their nearest DMV and get the real info. Routinely the internet is wrong, when I looked at the data on the listing for the 50 states, it wasn't even close to reality for what it takes in MA.

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What's even worse is when people at DMV don't have a clue. To register my '34 in VA, I couldn't get clarification how to register/title, even with a Manufacturers' Certificate of Origin for my Gibbon roller. The only way I got it done was to send a registered letter to the Governor of Virginia outlining my situation and ask him to refer someone at DMV HQ to get back to me. Within a week, I got a phone call from one of the Governor's aides, who referred me to one of the top dogs at DMV. Once that happened, it was easy - except for the State cop who attached my VIN plate. He completely misinformed me about the inspection process. Of course, I ignored him because I had the real info from DMV HQ in hand to show to the inspection station. In VA, the car was titled as a '34 Ford, with a "Replica" remark.

When I moved to Texas, called TEX DOT headquarters to find out how to transfer my VA replica title to Texas. He referred me to a site with the proper forms and told me exactly how to fill them out and where to send them. Even with that, I had to take an email from TEX DOT to the inspection station to explain what they needed to do. In TX, the car is titled as an ASVE (ASsembled VEhicle), with a "Replica: 1934 Ford remark.

To avoid any complication with a traffic officer if I happen to get stopped because I don't have an inspection sticker on my windshield - and don't need one, I carry a copy of an email from TEX DOT explaining why.

The purpose of this post is not to give advice about how to register a car in any particular state, but to reinforce what has been said more here more than once: Don't guess, don't trust the web, don't rely on what others have done. Go to the horse's mouth.

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Guys,

Bill S. lived in New Jersey, and knows the rules there from top to bottom. I am confident that he gave correct advice for registering the car 66vette originally inquired about in NJ.

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Yes, I have lived in NJ and do know the process for kit cars, hot rods, and scratch builds for the state of NJ inside and out. A few other states as well.....The OP is in NJ, and NJ is the advice I have given. Other states (I know most but not all multi state registrations that deal with kit cars) are similar in nature, many however are not. Many states are working on adopting the SEMA rules and regulations when it comes to kit cars and hot rods, and it takes a lot of enthusiasts writing to their DMV/MVS legislative bodies to make that happen.

Bill S.

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Guys,

Bill S. lived in New Jersey, and knows the rules there from top to bottom. I am confident that he gave correct advice for registering the car 66vette originally inquired about in NJ.

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Yes, I have lived in NJ and do know the process for kit cars, hot rods, and scratch builds for the state of NJ inside and out. A few other states as well.....The OP is in NJ, and NJ is the advice I have given. Other states are similar in nature, many however are not. Many states are working on adopting the SEMA rules and regulations when it comes to kit cars and hot rods, and it takes a lot of enthusiasts writing to their DMV/MVS legislative bodies to make that happen.

Bill S.

I didn't say this , BUT I did near about a guy who got a fellow (out of state) car club member to use his mailing address for registration requirements . End of the day he drives his Hot Rod in NJ with out of state ( but legally reg. ) plates . Considering how few miles one puts on a street / hot rod , some would say it worth the little white lie .

"........ Considering how few miles one puts on a street / hot rod , some would say it worth the little white lie ......"


Yup clear up until the time he gets caught.

I've seen guys do that here in Az only it's usually for emissions. There are only a handful of areas in AZ that require emissions testing (Tucson and Phoenix area). Some people get a friend or relative in a non-smog county to let them use their address for registration (I've heard of some go so far as to rent a mail box in another county for this purpose) in order to get out of the emissions testing.

Some get away with it for a long time, other not so much. Cops can tell at a glance of the license plate if the vehicle is registered in a county that requires a smog check or not (the colors of the background and printing are reversed between the 2). When you get pulled over, you are asked for license, registration and insurance. Big red flag when you're registered in a smog exempt county and the address don't match. It can get real ugly and real expensive real quick.

Any traffic stop where the state for the plates, drivers license address. and insurance address don't match made by a cop with no sense of humor is not going to be pretty regardless of the state.

Funny thing is the guys who get caught with the "little white lie" are the ones that cry the loudest.


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That is going on over on the west coast right now big time. All those people trying to skate emissions laws. I'll just be glad our state isn't to that point. Yet.

Having owned a car previously brought into NJ by the seller, I can't speak to that part, but I can tell you that an antique vehicle is your best choice. It flies under the radar of most NJ vehicle law with respect to inspection (not required) and registration (one-time fee). Considering that NJ is "the land of laws", it amazed me to learn that. I owned the car in NJ from 1992 to 2014 when I moved to PA and am now trying to figure out how to title the car in PA, having put it into storage for two and one-half years, but that's another issue.

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Originally Posted by Dorsey

Having owned a car previously brought into NJ by the seller, I can't speak to that part, but I can tell you that an antique vehicle is your best choice. It flies under the radar of most NJ vehicle law with respect to inspection (not required) and registration (one-time fee). Considering that NJ is "the land of laws", it amazed me to learn that. I owned the car in NJ from 1992 to 2014 when I moved to PA and am now trying to figure out how to title the car in PA, having put it into storage for two and one-half years, but that's another issue.

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Each state has their own interpretations, but here in KS an "antique" has to be original through and through, other than some allowance for safety issues. For example, converting to hydraulic brakes vs mechanical is seen as an acceptable modification, but upgrading the driveline is not. We also have a "street rod" designation, which allows for the obvious changes in power train, wheels & tires, suspension, stance, etc, but the kicker is that it has to be OEM steel, matching body & chassis for the starting point. Anything else falls into the Assembled Specialty Equipment Vehicle classification, and is titled by year first registration, and taxed based on the documented dollars spent for the build.

It pays to research and understand the rules for your specific state, then follow them to the letter. The horror stories are becoming much more common, with cars registered improperly in one state being turned away when a new owner in another state tries to register them at home.

One of the interesting things about America is that there 50 states, each doing things differently. Not being an attorney, I am only relating a personal experience that began when I sought to legally register this vehicle in NJ in 1992. Apparently, KS is fussier now than NJ was at that time, and I'm learning that things are slightly different in PA, and have found that in the end, it's always better to follow the law. My biggest challenge is figuring out how to register the car in PA without fenders. Posies's facility (if he's still in business) used to be about ten minutes from where I now live, so I might get some information from him, but that's another story.

Back to the main thread - when I bought the car pictured in my avatar in NJ, I took the clear title and three photos (front, rear, and 3/4 views) to the DMV in Trenton (state capital), where I showed them to the agency representatives. All they cared about was the year on the title, and all the police care about is what Trenton says. It may be different now, but that's how it was for me for the 22 years I owned and drove the car in that state, including cruise nights, car shows, parades, and around town. Because it's an antique, I only needed one license plate, another NJ surprise.

Speaking of the police, I was often pulled over, but only out of curiosity. The first (and often only) question was: "what kind of car is this?" Yes, very annoying to be stopped like that on the way to work or the hardware store (you can't say "no"), but after showing my credentials (that matched the historic "QQ" license plate), I was soon on my way after reiterating my short "elevator speech" about it being a '29 hiboy roadster rebuilt by my wife and I. As soon as I got into the engine and running gear details, their eyes glazed over and the conversation ended.

One thing that even a vehicle such as this must have is valid insurance. At the time, that cost about a tenth what I was paying for my other two "normal" cars.