PA Specially Constructed Vehicle Inspection and Registration
 

I just went through PA Specially Constructed Vehicle Registration in one week.

I know there are always lots of questions around this subject. Actually, it was quite painless, just takes some prep work and planning. PM me if you have any specific questions and I will do my best to answer.

Congrats. Where in PA are you located? I understand certain parts are much easier than others.

From my understanding, the process is the same in the whole state.

It comes down to this:

1) The car will need side pipe heat shields (if you have side pipes)
2) Backup light
3) 4 way flashers
4) Two outside rear view mirrors
5) Seat belts
6) Bumpers (quick jacks are ok)
7) MSO (certificate of origin)
8) Proof of Insurance
9) All Receipts for kit, parts purchased, engine, everything you spent money on to show the state that nothing is stolen (and to pay them the tax, yes you will have to pay the tax on the total value of the vehicle, less the parts you already paid PA tax on. It's not worth trying to hide things to save a couple bucks, just be honest and follow the rules, it will work smoothly)
10) Description of how it was built and equipped
11) No pusher fans, unless you have a grill

(if any of the items on this list does not meet your tastes, PM me)

Plus all the normal stuff, like working lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc, but most Cobras already have that stuff.

Here is the official procedure:
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/Specially_Constructed_Vehicle.pdf

You then take your car to an enhanced inspection station:
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms...edstations.pdf

I would pick 4-6 stations near you and call them on the phone (not on Monday or Friday to be courteous) and ask them lots of questions. Go with the guy is has the answers or gets the answers for you. If they don't have time for you, move on to the next guy on the list. You can choose any of these stations, even if outside your area. But you can't drive your car there, it must be towed there and back. Or you can try to sneak, but know the risk is getting it impounded, if you're pulled over.

In the spring time it can take up to 8 weeks to get a response. In the late summer / fall, it can be much faster, 7-10 days.

You cannot drive the car until the state approves your application. The application gets filled out by the inspection station. They will also take 4 pictures of your car, front, back, both sides.

Here is the form:
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms...ms/mv-426B.pdf

You'll also need the MV1, but that one cannot be downloaded.

If you follow these "simple" rules, you should not be an issue for most Cobras. Other hot rods can be more complicated when there are no fenders, hood, gas fills in the trunk, etc. . . .

The title will not show a year, it just says "SP Constr" meaning Specially Constructed.

Let me know if you have any questions. I am no expert, but I will attempt to help based on my experience.

pusherfans........are there specific regulations in PA for emissions testing with replicas/kit cars ? If so, any thoughts ?

.........thanks

I believe specially contructed vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. In my case, it was never brough up and no issues.

I'm in Western PA and I am building my engine from an old block on up. Do you know if I would have to show all of the receipts for the engine parts?

Thanks,
Pete

Yes, I would show all of the receipts for the block and parts used to rebuild.

I've run the Pa process a few times, all they want is tax, save EVERY reciept. do everything by the book and it's a breeze, try and trick them, and it'll turn into a bag of worms. Here's a tip for you, get your local state rep to take your paperwork in for you, they get things thu faster.

thanks for all this info, I hope to be going for registration in a few months.
PM Sent.

thanks, karl

I was under the impression that the backup lights were not needed if the car replicated a car that did not originally have them. Thanks for posting, I will need to re-read the rules. I also did not know about the 2 side mirrors.

m-a

one backup light is needed. somewhere in the back, can be below the bumper

Depends on where you take it and how close they look. Some shops look for ways to make you write a bigger check. Since the shop that offers the enhanced vehicle inspection will also make the necessary changes. A few customers needed defrosters, some needed backup lights, some did not need anything.

Again, depends on where you go and how they handle it.

But all of them are exempt from emissions.

I suppose it also depends who in PennDOT is looking at the pictures of your car. I wanted to be safe and as a result, things went smoothly and no rejects and it was done in about one week. So go the extra mile and be safe, as the alternative can delay things.

what about the two side mirrors? Is that also dependent upon where you go for the enhanced inspection?

I just followed the rules that I read and it states that you must have side mirrors on both sides. Keep in mind if the mechanic lets it go and passes, the state can still reject it. ..

PM me your email address and I can email you all the documents I have on this. It's a lot of reading. my first post is the bullet points of what you need. it came from the documents mentioned above.

pm sent...thanks

m-a

My understanding in PA, the mechanic performing the inspection and signing the documents has to place their license number on the documents, any irregularities etc subject the mechanic to loss or suspension of the license, which is needed to maintain employment.

Correct, the inspection mechanic is on the hook for a car that you built. Lots of cats won't put their a$$e$ on the line. So when you complain about the mechanic telling you need something fixed or put on your car, he's on the hook, not you.

other items
 

what about a defroster?

I was told: no HVAC and no top, so not necessary