[SSS]

There are two issues with insuring, registering, and inspecting a "replicar". One, there aren't very many of them, so if they are not meeting modern emissions and safety standards, it's not a big problem. I predict the Cobra replica industry will grow by an order of magnitude this decade, so this might change. The insurance dilemma will come to a head too. Two, the whole point is to make a replica, which includes replicating the safety and emissions features of the original. If the government decides to force replicas to meet modern safety and emissions standards, they will basically be turning the replica industry into a "pseudo" replica industry. Hopefully that won't happen, but if our hobby grows enough, we might be forced to change.

As for inspecting a Cobra replica, I've heard many horror stories of confusion or outright hasseling by the shops. I haven't gone through the process yet, but the rules are simple. My insurance card says "1966 Shelby Cobra Roadster". I insured it through State Farm, and I made it clear to them it was a replica of a 1966 Cobra, being built right now. They still defined it as a '66 Shelby. I assume the reasoning for this is to prevent confusion over titling and inspection. Also, the MCO should state the year replicated. I think the key is to not give the inspector any more information than they need. I will show them the insurance card. If they give me trouble, I'll show them the MCO. If they still give me trouble, I'll go find someone that won't give me trouble. They're supposed to inspect the car by the year it replicates. That's the current law. The alternative would be to give them the DPS phone number, but I wouldn't use a shop that doesn't know the rules.

As for classifying a replica as an antique, I think it's perfectly legal, but as others have mentioned, it becomes a special-use-only vehicle. I want to drive my car to work sometimes, and if I had an accident there I'd be in big trouble with antique tags. I considered insuring my car that way, and figured that no one would be able to prove what I was doing if I had an accident, but this is a slippery slope. I ended up paying $700 more per year to have a regular policy (liability only) with no limitations. I don't have to worry about mileage or whether I'm using the car differently than I'm supposed to.

As for front license plates, I drove two Corvettes from 1997 to 2001 with no front plate, and got pulled over one time. So, a rate of one warning every 4 years I think is tolerable. No front plate for me!