Thinking about purchasing a hotrod from someone in Wisconsin, but not sure if it is street legal in NJ. I hate to buy it and find out it's not legal to drive in NJ.
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Thinking about purchasing a hotrod from someone in Wisconsin, but not sure if it is street legal in NJ. I hate to buy it and find out it's not legal to drive in NJ.
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How is the car titled in Wisconsin?Quote:
Originally Posted by 66vette
If a "vintage" (over 25 year old) title year is shown, then you can either register with "QQ" (Historic), or "Street Rod" CLICK HERE for the NJ MVS webpage that outlines each one.
Just keep in mind that in 2010 NJMVS revamped their guidelines for each of the above mentioned registration exemptions CLICK HERE to see the newer guidelines.
Hope you find this helpful.
Bill S.
PS: I have 30 acres of land near Lake Owassa (Franklin Township), know anyone interested, let me know :D
Also, you cannot direct link to anything in your email account, this is why this post does not show up.Quote:
Originally Posted by 66vette
I'd be very cautious about buying a vehicle that someone else built. I've never done it and never will, because I've seen more than my share of junk during my 55+ years in this hobby.
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66vette, I'd go visit your NJ DMV and pose the question to them regarding any inspections or special requirements that you can expect, bringing in a car previously registered in another state. Like Bill pointed out I would think it might make a difference how it's registered now in Wisconsin, but I also know that if it's registered as a vintage car now, but it's not truly vintage (fiberglass reproduction, or even Brookville steel on repro rails) and you bring it into Kansas chances are it will be re-registered as an assembled vehicle in the year of construction, or 2015 if you cannot show the construction information to their satisfaction. It will then be taxed as a newer vehicle. Your DMV will decide the rules you'll play by, IMO.
And I'll also offer a part of my experience. Do NOT trust what any website says! I printed what I found on the internet and referred to that when talking with the DMV, the person behind the counter could care less what was found on THEIR website!
They said it was wrong and knew it was wrong, then I found out the real deal!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rspears
NJ is not Kansas and is a "reciprocal" state. By that, I mean they will take the other states title at face value, just as long as the words "assembled vehicle" or "kit" are not branded on the other states title. If either is, then they will flag it, and you'll have to go through the "kit car" process. Not difficult to do (and the car is emissions exempt at that point for life) , but a pain as the OP will have to trailer the car down to the Asbury Park (since Morristown is permanently closed after 11 feet of Hurricane Sandy sewage/flood waters) specialty inspection station for it's initial safety inspection.
However, once the OP responds to how the current title reads, we can then guide him further.
Bill S.
PS: NJ no longer has annual safety inspections, just emissions inspections so that they do not lose their Federal funding. Yet has a program in place for scratch built, never titled, highly modified vehicles (hot rods, race cars, lifted vehicles, etc).
I've uploaded a picture and the specs on my photo gallery.
Posted pictures in my gallery
My past 5 cars were cars previously built by others all were great drivers... My current one well was built in 1932Quote:
Originally Posted by techinspector1
Very nice looking hot rod---If NJ won't title it ---move!!!!!!!!!!Its already titled in Wisconsin!!!!!!!
Yeah, I love it thats why I don't want to give up on it. I bought my 66 Vette from the same lad, he's a good guy and very trustworthy. Everything he owns is top notch.
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The VIN is from a 1934 Ford that is long gone and was recreated with the aftermarket parts.
Oh, my. Where to begin . . .
When information keeps trickling in in bits and pieces, people speculate.
If the title is based on a "VIN is from a 1934 Ford that is long gone," then, there is a high probability that someone falsified an official document, which is either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the state. That very process resulted in Boyd Coddington getting slapped down a few years ago.
I agree with Bill NJ may accept the title at face value, but you have not given enough information. What does the title say? EVERYTHING, not just the VIN. Year, Make, Chassis Type, Body Style and any supplementary notes.
Do NOT try any of the title manipulations that DaveS53 recommended. Repeat. Falsification of official documents can have severe consequences, including confiscation of the automobile.
Do NOT depend on legal advice (including mine) you receive on this - or any other website. Go check it out with the NJ DMV, or prepare yourself for a huge shitstorm.
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All I'm doing is trying to find out what options I have when and if I purchase this vehicle. Like you said, I guess the best thing to do is go to the DMV with a photocopy and pictures of the car and ask them in person what my options and/or obstacles would be.
Deny all you want. I can read, as can most people on this site. You clearly outlined an illegal process. I will agree that you didn't use the word "recommend."Quote:
Originally Posted by daveS53
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You may know how it works where you live, but that is NOT the process where I live! I said it once earlier in this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveS53
And I was glad to see the O.P. was going to do as I suggested, go to the authority and get the real information firsthand. And record the name of the person you speak to if you can, so you might be able to return to that same person later.
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And the pot is calling the kettle colors! All I suggest / recommend is to go to the authority and get the real story instead of asking people on the internet, who do not live there, what he needs to do to get his out of state car titled/registered.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveS53
I fired no pistol, took no aim. I just learned a hard lesson firsthand, and wanted to pass on some of what I learned.
We all have had experiences, some good and some bad. And through this medium we share those. No need for angst, I wish the O.P. well in his quest for that beautiful car. NJ isn't that far from MA.. maybe we'll run into each other some day?!?
Final point, then I'm done. Dave, since you haven't seen the full title information, you have nothing but guesses on "how it happened in the state where it was titled." All you did is give a a short list about how it could have happened - speculation based on the "bits and pieces" of information we were seeing. THE answer 66vette needed to see was "Get the full title information, a description/photos of the car and check it with NJ DMV." Everything else is just salad dressing.
Post the following from the title:
Year
Make
Model
Full VIN is not required at this time..
Also, for those that don't know, unlike other states, NJ does not require a pre-title inspection of the car before they issue a NJ title.
I'll leave it at that for now and await the information requested above.
Bill S.
PS: If a title is altered in any way, shape, or form, NJ will reject that title and make you go back to the seller to have it re-issued by the state in which it came from. You cannot under any circumstances makes changes to a title...Not ever when it comes to NJ.
Year-1934
Make-Ford
Body Style-2DR Sedan
Chassis Type-AUTO
Newton office (closest I know of to you) will take it at face value. You can then fill out the paperwork for the specialty plates (I suggest Hot Rod) and go from there.Quote:
Originally Posted by 66vette
Bill S.
PS: To qualify for those plates you need to join a local or national Hot Rod club. I suggest a stop at the Chatterbox (RT 206) on a night they have one of their car cruises and ask around for which local clubs are around.
Bill,
Thanks for stepping in and ending the speculation. As an alternative, how about joining the National Street Rod Association?
BTW, I've lived in six states, and none of them were anywhere near that easy to license a street rod. That being said, I'm not moving to New Jersey. ;)
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.
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 allQuote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rifle
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matthyj
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."
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 MatthyjQuote:
Originally Posted by 34_40
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by 34_40
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rifle
Bill S.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rifle
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 .