Registration Help in PA

[Goose]

Hello,

My wife gave the green light and I have finally placed my order for a new Superformance Cobra (color and SPF# TBD) due in late August. I am going to try to get to Dynamic Motorsports this week for a test drive; not that it will change my decision. This may seem backwards but after seeing Superformance vehicles for the first time at Carlisle, 2002 and having been taken for a ride in one at the show, I was sold on this being the Cobra for me.

I can't believe that it is actually going to happen and I have more decisions to finalize before delivery, but thought that some of them may depend upon PA registration requirements. So, I've started researching the PA registration procedures.

First, it looks like I will have to register as a Specially Constructed vehicle. Secondly, it seems that the inspection requirements indicate the need for front and rear bumpers as well as heat shields on the side pipes, neither of which I planned to install on this vehicle.

Can anyone who has been through the process in PA provide any insight into these issues and/or any other pitfalls that I may encounter along the way?

Thank you.

[Bob Putnam]

My archives.

[NeedAntiVenom]

Gus,

I'm getting ready for it too.

You'll need:

bumpers
heater
defroster
backup lights
four way flashers
heat shields
form MV-426B
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms...ms/mv-426B.pdf
Pictures from front, side, back, etc.
All receipts
PA has an emissions exemption for cars driven under 5K/year

The car is inspected twice, first time to get a VIN via MV426, second time to get a sticker.

Best of luck,
Jim

[Goose]

Bob and Jim,
Thank you very much for the information. It looks like I'll have to add a few items to my order.

Jim,

Good Luck to you, too!

When reading some of the DOT information, it did seem that I would require two inspections. Can I drive the vehicle to the first inspection with a temporary registration? I remember reading something about the vehicle not being driven on the highway at that point in the process. I think it was in one of the bulletins for the inspection stations.

I'm glad to hear about the emissions exemption.


Again, thanks.

[klayfish]

Goose,
Congratulations on your Cobra order. Glad to have another Cobra coming to PA.

I didn't know that a heater was part of the requirement for inspection. The bumpers are no big deal, just the little ones that come with the car should do fine. You should be able to get the car with a temporary registration. As long as you have proof the car is registered and insured, you can get inspection.

The emissions exemption should kick in after one year if you put less than 5000 miles on the car.

If you are around, why don't you come on out to Valley Forge Park on Saturday, June 7th and join us for the first annual Cobra Revolution. Should be around 25-30 Cobras there if the weather is good, including several SPFs. If you can make it, please send your registration into me asap. You can get it at www.legendarycobra.com and follow link to Cobra Revolution.

Congrats.

Steve

[edwhite7]

I have had two cars inspected in Pa. The only item that I had in the above list were the bumpers and the heater which I have never been asked to turn on. I do not have backup lights, flashers or heat shields. I don't believe that they are required if they were not part of the origional car. If I were you I would shop around.

[edwhite7]

Once you get the car registered and inspected you might check your title for misprints. If you have a misprint Harrisburg has a form (can't remember the number) that can be used to correct the title. I noticed that the year on mine was incorrect and for 15 bucks I had it corrected to 1964. A side benifit of all this is that a 1964 car is emissions exempt.

[cobish]

Goose,
I have SP 748 and it is registered as a classic, classic plates,
the tiltle reads 1965 ford convertible.
Four pictures, front, back, L side, R side, top and side currtains up.
I have side pipes, no heat shields.
I have had several sake bites from the pipes.
I always warn, watch the pipes after motor shutdown.
Temp of pipes get as high as 450 to 550 deg f.
Nasty burn on legs.
Welcome to SP owners.

[George Snyder]

Goose,
I just got my registration back for my Backdraft. I don't know about all the requirements listed. I do not have a heater or defroster and do remember they were on the form. I already had the bumperetts and heat shields. I also have no backup lights or flashers, but I do have a third brake light(small piece of mind). I guess the best answer is it really seems to be up to the inspection mechanics discression.
I do not think you will be able to drive the car until the registration is completed, about 4 weeks max. I tried to push mine thru as a 1965 Backdraft Racer as stated on the title from them. Ten weeks later it was rejected and sent back to be redone as specially constructed. I appealed to them, but was unsuccessful. In the appeal I showed them that mine, like Superformance were not truely Kit Cars, as they were only sold fully assemblied from the factory. They didn't know that the car came without a drive either. They would not even use the Vin # from the manufacture as I requested. I already had a tag and temp. registration, so i could drive it until it expired.
You will need two inspections. One for the application and then another when you receive your title from Harrisburg.

All in all pretty simple and painless compared to many other States.
Emissions? I thought you were exempt being outside the five counties around Philly?
Good luck,
bud

[Goose]

Again, thanks to all for the helpful responses and welcoming remarks.

From your experiences, it does sound like it is up to the mechanic performing the inspection. I spoke with Dynamic Motorsports last evening and it sounds like I should be able to take care of any issues that may arise during the registration process; overall, it doesn't sound too bad.

My wife prefers the look of the bumpers, so I may wind up with them anyway. I'll have a chance to view the heat shields when I arrive at Dynamic; I like the idea (snake bites do not look pleasant), but havn't seen any shields that I like, yet.

Regarding the emissions, Hbg area does not currently require it, but there have been talks about it coming our way. At this point, it doesn't seem that I'll exceed 5000 miles/yr, so I should be covered from that aspect as well.

Steve,
I checked out the Legendary Cobra site and the Valley Forge get together sounds like fun. I have to check my racing schedule and home calendar before committing. I would like to meet more owners in the area and it's nice to see that an active group such as yours is available. Do you have regular cruises/gatherings such as this event? I'm hoping to be on the road for the fall foliage...any plans around that time?

Best regards,
Gus

[klayfish]

Gus,
No, at this time, there is no formal local Cobra club or events organized, but perhaps the Cobra Revolution could be the start of one. I'd love to organize another event towards the fall. Last year, I put together a fundraising autox (well, the event was already planned by my SCCA group, but we joined in) and we had 13 Cobras show up. I'm hoping to do it again this fall. Maybe we can make some other cruises too.

Hope to see you at the Revolution.

Steve

[Jack Zupan]

I just got my registration this month for my Suprformance. I started out trying to register as a standard 2002 vehicle but the state came back and said it had to be done as a specialty/reconstructed vehicle. This requires that a licensed mechanic go through the items in the booklet, MV-426 and sign off. Not really a big deal as it's basically an inspection with the goal of showing that the car is street worthy. There is a line for heat shields on open exhaust pipes however.

There is no requirement for flashers or backup lights or heaters as I recall.

The only issue is that it took nearly four months to complete as the state is really slow and of course I tried a different route to start. However I had a temporary license that was good for three months so I could drive the car when weather permitted. I would suggest that you give some consideration to the agent you choose. It would help if they have done this type of registration before and a good agent can help a lot.

Jack Z.
SPF 1278

[NeedAntiVenom]

I had the same problems that most every has had - finding out exactly what is needed. Everyone had their own laundry list of things it needed or didn't.

Some the requirements vary depending how it is titled. It is different for a 65 title vs. a current specially constructed, and additionally the discretion of the mechanic and how he interprets the forms. I looked into using an out of state title service - but after looking over the forms came to the conclusion very quickly that its fraud. You 1) are asserting that the vehicle was manufactured in a year it wasn't and 2) fabricating a VIN number.

I looked up all the DMV codes, and got hold of the individual at the DMV who approves specially constructed and also the one who handles emmisions exemptions to get all the requirements.

Best Regards,

Jim