Registering a Cobra Replica in MA

[Karman]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

I think you need to really research what it takes to get the car titled and registered in Massachusetts before taking a leap. It's just not very easy for a "kit car". One of the reasons I drive a V8 swapped Healey was because I was fearful I couldn't get a Daytona Coupe registered and didn't want to have a $60k garage queen that I couldn't take out on the road. The biggest problem seems to be with emissions. A later build is going to need emissions controls. There is a procedure to buy an older car and have it crushed to meet these requirements. You can see a bit about it here: https://www.speedsterowners.com/file...on_process.pdf I haven't kept up with all the latest requirements so can't advise you step by step. My only caution is really do all the research and talk to those who have done the process in exactly the same circumstance you are considering. Cobras are meant to be driven, not just polished in your garage because you can't meet the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rules to get them on the road.

Thank you, Rick, for the great advice! What an inhibitive process. It’s difficult to find people who have gone through the MA process post 2011. Are people salvaging the engine block from these crush cars? No guarantee that the block is not cracked... AND they have to be registered within 5 years, which means they could be a small fortune for a pre-1974 car.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Karman

Thank you, Rick, for the great advice! What an inhibitive process. It’s difficult to find people who have gone through the MA process post 2011. Are people salvaging the engine block from these crush cars? No guarantee that the block is not cracked... AND they have to be registered within 5 years, which means they could be a small fortune for a pre-1974 car.

No,

They are not buying a car to use the engine, they are purchasing a qualifying car to scrap for credit. We recently had a customer purchase a 72 Caddy with a 502 engine to allow his Roush 427 IR Windsor to be registered. The scraped car must be of equal or greater displacement.

[Karman]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

No,

They are not buying a car to use the engine, they are purchasing a qualifying car to scrap for credit. We recently had a customer purchase a 72 Caddy with a 502 engine to allow his Roush 427 IR Windsor to be registered. The scraped car must be of equal or greater displacement.

Wow, sounds crazy and wasteful to buy 2 cars to register 1 kit car, and use its emissions exemption, then scrapping the jalopy. Oh boy, this is going to get real complicated as you’re at the mercy of a potentially unknowledgeable MAC inspector, especially when it comes to kit cars. Ha, what will happen if I put race numbers and decals on the car.��

[jjh]

Karman I use Hagerty insurance. They did seem hesitant to insure my car when I called. They asked right away for photos and details of the build. About 5 minutes after I e-mailed the information and pictures they called back and said they would gladly insure it for $65k.

That was over 7 years ago. Maybe Hagerty is a little more accepting of replicas now.

[Karman]

Originally Posted by jjh

Karman I use Hagerty insurance. They did seem hesitant to insure my car when I called. They asked right away for photos and details of the build. About 5 minutes after I e-mailed the information and pictures they called back and said they would gladly insure it for $65k.

That was over 7 years ago. Maybe Hagerty is a little more accepting of replicas now.

Thank you, jjh! Sounds like Hagerty is the way to go. However, I think replicas might be a dying industry if they phase out fossil fuel.
It’s going to be a big nightmare - I just wish there were more people I could talk to who have recently registered a carburated engine without sensors, catalytics, etc.

[jjh]

Karman I wouldn't be too concerned about fossil fuels being phased out anytime soon. We only go this way once so if you can make your desire for a Cobra replica happen I would say go for it...life is just too short.