Got the PM, thanks, I will give him a shout. you said you know of a few? Got any more leads?
Thanks...Dave

David,

Did you see this one at BlackHorsegarage ?

That's a real looker!

Too funny, i just got home from checking it out. a salesman down there emailed me yesterday after he saw this thread!
i am checking 2 more out tomorrow.

David.... go talk to Peter P. about ERA-722. It's titled in MD as a 1966 ERA. It can easily be titled in CT as same. If Peter P. tells you things that interest you please let me know.

All the best,
Frank

Frank, as I have explained before, bringing in a car from out of state will require you to go thru a giant hassle with MVD. It can be done, but you will go thru the exact same inspection as building your own cobra from scratch, with a new CT #, and it will be registered as a 2010 and at new car tax rate...NO THANKS!
but, thank you anyway...Dave

Did you speak to Peter before you came to this black and white conclusion?

You're quite welcome. Good luck.

It's true that in order to register a kit is a bit of a PITA, but it's not impossible. It will take a day out of your life, but not an arm or a leg. ;) If you don't want to do it yourself, we can do the dirty work for you (for a fee, of course).

And things seemed to have changed in the last year. I got this e-mail just a couple of days ago.

__________________________________________________ ______________

<
This is Don ******, the owner of the 427 SC #690. (*****'s friend)

I wanted to share something with you that may make it easier for you to sell a Kit.
You may or may not be aware that the law for titling so-called composites has changed in CT effective in October of 2009. You can now register a new kit in CT with a certificate of origin as the year it most closely resembles.
A 1934 Ford kit would be 1934, and a 427 Replica would be 1966.

This saves the consumer a lot of $ on property taxes. (The max assessment on a car with antique plates is; $500.00, or ½ mil in your town.
But; you may not be aware that I worked with the State composite motor vehicle division to register my previously owned replica as an antique with Early American marker plates!
Since the car was in transition of owners, and required a transfer, I lobbied for many months to use the new law for a car previously LABELED a 2007 composite to be titled as a 1966 Composite.

To my knowledge; my car was the precedent for this. (The people I worked with left me with the impression mine was the first) I had them call the Waterbury Branch of the DMV once we worked out the details. Then I walked in with a title which said “2007 Composite”, and walked out with a registration form that said 1966 Composite.

I won’t get a title, but the car can be sold using the registration as any other antique vehicle.

Sorry; for the long e-mail, but I wanted you to know of the changes that may help you and the hobbyist.

Don *****>>

Thanks for posting that Bob. It's always good to be informed.

Here's another data point that may help you decide. I bought my ERA from the first owner in Mass. When I took it to the CT DMV in April 2008, I was expecting the worst ( a rigorous inspection in which I would fail at least one thing). I showed the inspector all the paperwork, which included the Mass inspection, and showed him the Mass ID plate riveted to the frame. He verified on the computer that the Mass VIN was valid, and told me I didn't need an inspection. He told me to get a refund on the inspection fee, and go get my plates. The car is titled in CT as a 2001 composite with the Mass VIN. I was surprised and relieved, but didn't stick around to ask any questions. Not sure where or if this is written down in the DMV procedures.......

Ok, let me say this. When I purchased my present Cobra 4 years ago, I checked with everyone including DMV extensively. that is why I bought a CT registered car!
It was so easy, I walked into MVD with my paperwork with my (excellent)sales price on the bill of sale, 20 minutes later I walked out with plates in my hand, sales tax paid on the price on the bill of sale, no questions, no hassles, no inspections, no VIN verification, nothing, and that is what I want again!
One and a half years ago when I first started really seriously thinking I wanted an ERA , I again talked to DMV and I talked to Peter on the phone and when I went there and toured the ERA facility.
It is great that you can now actually register as the year it represents, but I have also heard that there is still some present tax confusion, obligations and complications inside of the registering process when bringing in a car out of state even though you can register it as the year it represents, there is a whole other twist for the sales tax you will owe on it. Also, you STILL have the total new composite vehicle inspection that I have just heard to many nightmares about and I want no part of it.
I am very happy you breezed thru MVD as you said, that was not supposed to happen at all, you definitely did something right that day...lol. You totally lucked out!
I also don't know if it is still like this, but they would tax you on the bill of sale price if the car was older than 7 years , otherwise they would go to the book value. Ever since I first owned it, my town has also taxed me on the bill of sale price that was on my paperwork at the time I registered it.
I am wondering if I could change the registration to a 1967 instead of a 1993, then I could get historic plates now instead of waiting 8 more years. That would be a real nice break on the town taxes! I may call MVD on that question next week. I will also ask them about this whole discussion we are having and post back with the results.
Hope everyone is having a great Holiday...Dave

changing date
 

Dave, I asked about changing my date and they said once it was registered, it stayed with that date. I asked about turning in the registration and getting a new one and they said no, the date would remain the original date - 2009 in my case. Merry Christmas.

I passed along my DMV experience trying to help out. But, I'd rather you not say that some guy on CC says he got through without an inspection. I just did what the inspector told me, and I don't want to raise any new questions. Just ask them what the current process is for out of state registrations. I also had to pay the taxes on the bill of sale amount, and also pay a hefty personal property tax every year in CT. I have decided to just accept that, rather than go back to the DMV ......

Pete, not to worry. I would never ever do that!!! Don't give it another thought!
Dave

Some of the below might be dated and repetitive/mentioned in other posts, please correct if there is recent experience that differs.

As of a few years ago there were approx 315 Composites, kit cars of all types, actively registered in CT, going back to the first year CT started using the designation Composite. Due to the low number of registrations, variety of DMV clerical staff, inspectors involved , personnel turnover, etc., etc., there may or may not be experienced personnel , or different interpretations, with the inspection/registration of Composites. The make name of Composite remains the same as only the Model year change was included in the Oct 2009 DMV Bill, interpreted by the DMV as only for new registrations after that date. Model year registration is not paperwork retroactive for the same owner desiring to change to the earlier model year.

If I recall the changes in the DMV Bill correctly, Composite internal CT transfers or out of state transfers as compared to newly manufactured, are not specifically defined nor mentioned, hence subject to DMV interpretations.

The sales tax , whether production or kit cars, is based upon the Bill of Sale amount. Have previously registered vehicles, not Composites, older than 10, 15 etc. years, sales tax was always based upon the Bill of Sale. Have heard, not substantiated, there is an internal audit which compares the Bill Of Sale amount to the lower range of published prices for recent ( ? ) production cars. I believe there now is consistency in CT with all Tax Assessors using the same source ( ? ) for establishing the property tax assessment, identical for all types of Composites, due to the wide range in values, types, etc., model year registered now being the variable. Is it a " new " vehicle with an old model year date ? Again , this is for the property Tax assessment, not the Sales Tax.

The historical plate will be issued upon application for vehicles 20 years old, previously was 25. A town " might " assign the maximum $500 assessment, 20 years and older, if requested to the Tax Assessor, without the formality of having the Historical plate

Previously, prior to Oct 2009, I had a legal ( not a Title company ) out of state Title/registration for a kit car using 1966 model year, that was not accepted, had to follow the entire Composite approach to inspection/registration. The DMV Anti-Theft unit had verified the VIN as legitimate. Current CT DMV policy is not to issue a Title for any vehicle with a model year of 1981 or earlier, no appeals or exceptions, just verified a few weeks ago at the Enfield DMV office.

The make name, Composite, or a non-production make name which implies a kit car/replica defines the inspection/registration process to be followed, not the Model year.

While the inspection/paperwork process is challenging, having all the detail paperwork in order and adhering to the Composite inspection requirements, does ease the process.

Mentioned recently in another Thread, there have been DMV web site updates on Composites with an effective date of 1-1-2010. Current procedures may or may not be the same as previously experienced. The DMV document regarding Composites, R-157, was last update on 12-1-2004, yet previously used by the DMV as the information source regarding Composites. Not aware of a current DMV web site that consolidates all Composite inspection/registration requirements.

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/R-157.pdf

The 4Cs, CT Council of Car Clubs, mentions there have been successful Model year registrations, no details/specifics, and not necessarily a Cobra kit car.

Again, if there is current experience which differs from the above, please comment.

Excellent post Don, thanks.
Also,very interesting about the historical plates after 20 years instead of 25. i will definitely ask the tax assessor in 2 years about the 500.00 assessment without the historical plates. My car is registered as a 1993.
Dave

Took a trip to DMV yesterday, and got totally stonewalled, they knew less than me...lol. They new nothing about registering as the model year it represents, let alone changing my reg!
I asked also about buying a currently CT registered 2001 cobra and when I transfer it into my name with a new registration could I now change it to a 66. Again, they had no idea, and I was talking to a manager! She gave me the phone # for the title division 860 263 5710. I tried to call them and got involved in a stupid telephone loop that did not give me the option I needed! Oh well, it is New Year eve and I think i will give up for this year!
On a good note...I check with my assessor and she said no problem getting the new assessment without going to a historical plate. I will just have to fill out one piece of paper. So in 2013 I will definitely be doing this if I still have my car!
Does anybody know if historical plate are cheaper every two years than regular plates?
Happy New Year Everybody,
Dave

You should try the DMV.

Ha Ha, Ok Jay, I just corrected my post:D
I never was a good speller.

Trust me, I've been there enough I know how to spell it ;)

If it's worth adding here, just took a car through on Thursday. The initial steps of paying for the inspection and filling out the paperwork had it as a 1965. One of the inspectors even put 65 as the model year on the VIN form. However when I came back from paying for the VIN ($50) the second inspector crossed out the year entries and changed everything to 2010. He commented the office would process as 1965 but they would not honor that in the inspection lane...

If the car is built right and has the markings and equipment they are looking for the actual inspection process takes 1/2 a day of your life, if even that.

If the car is poorly constructed, missing required equipment, you don't have all your documentation and paperwork, then it probably is a total nightmare as it should be.