Registering a Cobra in Connecticut

[mrmustang]

After viewing the car on Saturday, exclaiming that it "far exceeds his expectations" (in front of witnesses no less), the high bidder on my auction is coming back down on Wednesday with his "Cobra expert" to review 2421K. I would like to have information on what needs to be done with the car to get it registered (as a collectible/historic as it is here in NJ right now) in the state of Connecticut (IE: windshield wipers, back up lights, etc). It is my feeling that he has gotten cold feet, so I want to have all of my own ducks in a row when he gets here. The car is titled in NJ as a 1965 Ford 2dr convertible if that is helpful. I thank all of you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

Bill S
aka:mrmustang


PS: If Mr Ragoon is reading this (the owner of a Lonestar car with a 460 in CT), feel free to email me your phone number, as I hear your Bob's Cobra expert who is coming down to see the car on Wednesday.................

[jamvan]

Bill:

Your best bet would be to call Peter P. at ERA. He should be able to give you the complete story on CT titling and registration.

jim

[Cobra20646]

There's also state by state titling info on the ERA web site..... don't know how up to date or accurate it is, but may be a source of info Bill.

[Pete Wolff]

Upon being presented at any CT. DMV for inspection your Cobra will immediately be identified as a "composite vehicle". As such the vehicle ,according to CT law , will have to be towed to Weathersfield CT for and inspection and assignment of a CT vehicle ID number. This is done by appointment only and will require receipts for the major drivetrain components. For the complete checklist of requirements go to connecticut.dmv.org then click on vehicle registration ,inspections and then composite vehicles. CT DMV will not recognise the NJ title

[Bob In Ct]

Bill:
Three years ago I bought a Cobra registered in NY as a 1965. Getting it registered here in Connecticut was an experience beyond belief. Unless things have changed since then (and they may have) I would recommend your buyer be prepared for the worst.

Probably the best thing to do is call the clowns at Connecticut DMV and see how they will handle the car. They may just consider it a used car and it won't even have to go in for inspection, if not get ready with the flatbed.

Good Luck,

Bob

[Pete Wolff]

As it is being brought in from out of state inspection will be mandatory. Bob is right....it can be a painfull experience .

[Don]

Obtain from the CT DMV the document refrrred to as " Composite Motor Vehicles R-157 " and " Application for Inspection of Composite Motor Vehicke R-95"

Approach the registration procedure and
inspection, both documents referenced, with 100% compliance, nothing less. All paperwork must be complete including a Bill Of Sale for the major driveline parts such as engine, transmission and rear end. The Anti-Theft unit of the CT DMV will verify the VIN to make sure the number is not from an auto that was reported as stolen.

I had a legal Bill Of Sale, prior registration and Title, conveyed to me by the seller with all documents notarized, from the state of Wisconsin and matching 1966 Ford VIN, CT DMV would not accept. Had to register as a Composite. Interesting that the documents were OK for payment of the Sales Tax, no questions asked.

Vehicle must be trailered to the DMV, temp and dealer plates cannot be used. Heat shields were required on the side exhaust.

It is possible, as many have proved, just takes a strong desire to succeed and perseverance.

[MrMagoo]

I just went through this Jan-Feb of 2004.

As others here have indicated, the process is both difficult, yet attainable. 100% Compliance, as has been noted, is the standard.

In particular, I had problems with engine/tranny receipts and ground clearance.

Receipts for the engine and tranny MUST include the VIN of the donor cars. The engine must definitely have the last 8 chars of the VIN stamped on it somewhere. The tranny they might let you slide on as long as they have the donor vin and that car had that type of transmission as an available option.

Ground clearance must be at least 4". I raised my Venom 427's adjustable suspension to the max, inflated my tires to 60 psi, and I still was way short.

I ended up changing the fox body dual sump oil pan to a canton racing "T" style one, and got the clearance resolved.

**** IMPORTANT ****
If the car is registered in New Jersey, MAINTAIN THAT REGI! That way, he can drive the car in, and as long as they dont declare it unroadworthy, he wont have to flatbed it, even if it requires a reinspection!!!!

The inspectors are "good guys" trying to do their jobs. They dont "want you to fail". If you have a good attitude, they will assist you in any reasonable way. I found them to be courteous, professional, and reasonable.

[mrmustang]

The buyer could not maintain the registration, as it was my "Custom" plates that were on the car(plus, NJ does not allow the transferal of registration from one person to the next). Regardless, he is well on his way to driving the car already........


Thanks again for the input...


Bill S.

[fastd]

Has anyone tried to register going the other way, i.e. previously registered in CT, trying to get new registration in New Jersey. If a car is registered as a 2005 in CT - won't it be a problem getting registered as a 1965 in Jersey? Emissions nightmare?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by fastd

Has anyone tried to register going the other way, i.e. previously registered in CT, trying to get new registration in New Jersey. If a car is registered as a 2005 in CT - won't it be a problem getting registered as a 1965 in Jersey? Emissions nightmare?

No, if a car is already titled and registered as a 2005 in CT it will be titled in NJ as a 2005 in NJ. Emissions nightmare, not really these days.


Bill S.

[joe g]

IT is now possible to just drive in, no appoinmnet needed. Jay and brian at Vintage are experts at Vintage are experts at it. ASK THEm
joeg