Cobra Registration - Arizona

vegan2 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 02:44 PM

I'm looking at a Cobra that is registered in California as a 1965 car. Does that mean that Arizona will automatically accept the car as a 1965 and does anyone know what the impact is, e.g. cost of registration (versus a newer "year") and whether or not antique status is available and preferred?

Another way of wording this: is there a real advantage, registration (or any other cost issue) cost wise, to looking at Cobra's with an early year registration? I suspect that there is at least in some states, based on the way some of the for sale ads are written, but I'm not sure.

Any input would be appreciated.

mikiec · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:02 PM

It should be registered and titled as a 65.

Tell us more about the car? Is it here in the state?

Mike

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 09:23 PM

I like to know the NAME of the car on the title. Is it a 65 "Ford"? And just what the heck IS a "1965 Ford" anyway? Oh wait, it's a 65 Ford 2 door? LOL,,,,,I'm still fuzzy on that.

Ernie

vegan2 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikiec

It should be registered and titled as a 65.

Tell us more about the car? Is it here in the state?

Mike

ERA - 428 cubic inch FE engine - medium rise manifold with Holley 800 double pumper. The engine is stock except for a high rise long duration cam. The transmission is a Ford 4-speed close ratio "Top Loader" with heavy spline. The rear end is a Jag IRS with rare 2.88 gear ratio (Canadian 2+2 E Jag). Has real pin-drive Halibrand magnesium Cobra wheels and mounted Goodyear Eagle 50-series tires. It's in California.

I realize, if I buy the Cobra it will be registered as a 65, but is there any advantage to that?

vegan2 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Excaliber

I like to know the NAME of the car on the title. Is it a 65 "Ford"? And just what the heck IS a "1965 Ford" anyway? Oh wait, it's a 65 Ford 2 door? LOL,,,,,I'm still fuzzy on that.

Ernie

I don't know at this point, but I will by Saturday. You make have an excellent point that I need to pin down, but regardless of the name, I'm wondering about the fact that 1965 (Something) is stated as the year, so what's the impact?

mikiec · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 09:01 AM

The major advantage to having your car registered as a 65 is that it does not have to go through emissions inspection. Tags will be very cheap. about $12.00.

Good luck on the car.

Mike

vegan2 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikiec

[/b]

Mike:

Thanks for the input.

What does the flag that you post represent?

bwana50 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 01:32 PM

When I moved my residence to AZ, they were mainly checking just to ensure the car actually matches the paperwork. So, if it's a '65 now, they should register it as a '65.

There should be an advantage in that AZ MVD bases part of the registration fees on age of the car, and the cost depreciates over time. For a '65, I think you're at the minimum cost level.

mikiec · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 02:12 PM

vegan2

The flag represents the heritage of my mother's ancestors and the culture that I was brought up in.

GREEK...

Mike

vegan2 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bwana50

When I moved my residence to AZ, they were mainly checking just to ensure the car actually matches the paperwork. So, if it's a '65 now, they should register it as a '65.

There should be an advantage in that AZ MVD bases part of the registration fees on age of the car, and the cost depreciates over time. For a '65, I think you're at the minimum cost level.

That's great news. I do wonder why some Cobra owners are able to register the car as a 60's car, versus the year it was built with some Cobra's registered, it appears, the year built. Maybe it's a state-by-state issue.

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 10:10 AM

I understand in Calif some people have been able to register the car based on the year of the motor. Other "rumors" have it as based on the year the car represents. It does seem to vary even within state.

Registered as a 65 is really GOOD in a number of ways. The insurance company needs to understand exactly WHAT they are insuring by the way. If the car is totaled, how much you think a 65 "Ford" is "worth" in THEIR book?

Now in Hawaii a 1965 "Ford" with no other details COULD be a red flag. The DMV would likely want to SEE the car, they will know in an instant something is wrong with this picture. It's doubtful they would accept it as a "65". It's "crap shoot" over here how it might go with DMV.

Ernie

vegan2 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Excaliber

It's "crap shoot" over here how it might go with DMV.

Ernie

That is interesting. I'm thinking that if anyone is able to register a "new" Cobra as a 60's car, that's an automated plus and a plus down the line when or if it goes up for sale. The registration year goes all over the map. I'm hoping that Arizona accepts California's data, if I decide to buy the Cobra this weekend.

I even feel that it may be interesting to try an have an antique designation on the Cobra, but I'm not sure if that is the way to go.

chopper · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 02:37 PM

When I moved to AZ from Pennsylvania three years ago, the PA title listed the car as a 1991 "Specially Constructed Vehicle." I talked with the friendly folks at the AZ MVD office, and they told me to bring it in with all of the current paperwork, and that the car would be registered as the year of the car it replicated. In other words, since it's a replica of a 1966 Cobra, it would be registered as a 1966 Cobra. There was a little confusion between the actual folks doing the inspections outside, and the paperwork ladies inside, apparently caused by the fact that their list of available choices for cars didn't display any reference for a "Cobra." The lady kept checking her computer screen and asking me "What is it again?" She even called the central MVD office for about five minutes. She finally came back and asked me "Are there any major parts from any common car?" I told her the engine was from a 1966 Ford (it is), so that set the year. When the final title came back, it was listed as a 1966 Cobra.

As stated earlier, the primary advantage is that, if it's listed as anything prior to 1968, you're exempt from having to comply with the emissions tests. Not all of AZ requires emissions checks, but Maricopa and Pinal counties do, and that encompasses about 80% of the population in AZ. Also, in AZ, the registration fee is tied to the age of the car, with newer cars being assessed at a fairly heavy rate. If I recall correctly, I think I paid something like $42 for the first year registration fee on the Cobra, and about $600 for the (then new) Saturn station wagon.

vegan2 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopper
As stated earlier, the primary advantage is that, if it's listed as anything prior to 1968, you're exempt from having to comply with the emissions tests. Not all of AZ requires emissions checks, but Maricopa and Pinal counties do, and that encompasses about 80% of the population in AZ. Also, in AZ, the registration fee is tied to the age of the car, with newer cars being assessed at a fairly heavy rate. If I recall correctly, I think I paid something like $42 for the first year registration fee on the Cobra, and about $600 for the (then new) Saturn station wagon.

Wow, that's great input. Did you go with special plates, like a Historic plate (25 years or older) or does that push the envelope?

So, it appears that the ADOT is not all that interested in a Bill of Sale or the price paid, only the original price as a new car and how many years old it is at the time of registration, correct? That seems a little strange, as I'm from California, and (I recall) the bill of sale amount is used to determine the initial registration cost, not that I'm complaining. It seems that if you get an extraordinary deal on a new car, registration cost may not be aligned with the good deal.

chopper · #15 (**permalink**) 03-11-2003, 10:41 PM

Some of the guys have historic plates: I have vanity plates reading 150PLUS.

Also, I didn't mean to mislead you on the taxes. The REGISTRATION FEE is pretty low on most of these cars if they are registered as pre-1968. However, according to AZ law, you must either pay AZ state sales tax or present documentation proving that you paid sales tax in the previous state. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I do remember them telling me that, unless I could show proof of having paid the PA sales tax, I would be taxed at (this is an approximate number) 6% of an amount equal to 150% of the claimed value of the car. Fortunately, I had all of my papers and was able to show that I had paid PA sales tax of an amount approximately equal to the assessed AZ sales tax, so I was exempted from paying the sales tax. I did have to pay the title and registration fees. The same went for my other two cars. According to my files, the entire tab for the Cobra was about $36 for the title and first year's registration.

I can guarantee that the inspectors will be interested in your bill of sale and related paperwork. The inspection you will undergo is not an emmision or safety inspection; it's to ensure that the car is what you say it is and that it wasn't built of illegal or stolen parts. I'm not an attorney but I should think that a valid bill of sale and title from California should suffice for that. Any lawyers in the crowd care to comment?

vegan2 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-12-2003, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chopper

However, according to AZ law, you must either pay AZ state sales tax or present documentation proving that you paid sales tax in the previous state.

Thanks for the additional input. I will have to go through the sales tax routine, so the bill of sale will be important. The 150% of the claimed value of the car policy sounds kind of cold, but welcome to Arizona.

I'm off to California on Saturday to check out the Cobra.