I can't stand Ma. As my car nears completion I now facing the real possibility I may

JoeT · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2010, 07:35 PM

I have this problem as well. My car HAD a 1965 Florida title and when I bought it and brought it to Mass I could have paid sales tax on an original '65 427 CSX (state wanted $17,000+ in sales tax) It's now titled as a 2005

My block is from a 1984 Ford truck (Crate engine from the engine factory) so "in theory" I only have to comply with 1984 emissions. Should be easy enough, right? Wrong! The date code on my trans is 2005 (a tremec 3650). In 1984, ford didn't have a truck with a 5 speed, so guess what. . . I don't pass.

Oh, and my rear end isn't from a '84 truck, and the gear ratios aren't the same as what what offered in an '84 truck, so guess what. . . I don't pass.

So here are my options as the rules are currently written. I can

1. keep my paperweight in the garage and listen to my wife complain about the pretty car that we can't drive

2. Pull the motor/trans/rear and rebuild my car with a donor motor/trans/rear and look at the pretty paperweight with 2000 miles on it, perhaps selling it t a huge loss

3. sell the car to someone out of state, because I can't sell it here, and it's value has decreased, because the state changed the title from 1965 to a 2005 so my market is smaller

4. Drive with this

and everytime you're out risk a ticket/tow/arrest

The law changed in October 2008, cars that were already in the state at that time were grandfathered BUT they can't sell them, because the grandfathering doesn't transfer to a new owner. So, a new owner would be in the same situation as me

Those of you that have suggested registering the car in another state, we have this awesome website in this state

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21760.pdf

It's a whistle-blower form, so that the old lady who lives next door/ or the guy down the street that's pissed at your kids can turn you in for not paying your excise tax in the state. They get money for turning you in!!! awesome isn't it?

Don · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2010, 08:32 PM

Registering in one state and permanently garaging in another state equals high risk. Besides the sales tax, towns/cities want the annual property tax.

With the high visibility of a Cobra going by, the out of state plates really stand out., specially if it's a 2 plate state and only one attached, probable cause for a traffic stop.

Consequences of a traffic stop or worse an accident, after the license address and registration addresses do not match. Enforcement is well aware of everyone having a residence in another state ( smile )

lloyds1 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

Registering in one state and permanently garaging in another state equals high risk. Besides the sales tax, towns/cities want the annual property tax.

With the high visibility of a Cobra going by, the out of state plates really stand out., specially if it's a 2 plate state and only one attached, probable cause for a traffic stop.

Consequences of a traffic stop or worse an accident, after the license address and registration addresses do not match. Enforcement is well aware of everyone having a residence in another state ( smile )

Yeah, but what is the high risk? What can the officer actually do? Worst case is they ask (tell) you to get it registered.........

RodKnock · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2010, 04:05 PM

Chris could have the shortest Kirkham ownership since rsimones.

I would follow Chas' advice. Find whatever you need out there in salvage land, then maybe keep the 482 and install it, once you register your Kirkham with the salvage FE engine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

vanoochka · #5 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I would follow Chas' advice. Find whatever you need out there in salvage land, then maybe keep the 482 and install it, once you register your Kirkham with the salvage FE engine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Seems like the cost to this approach is like the proverbial "two pounds on an elephant" and the years of joy you will have from driving your Kirkham would have to offset the hassle by a factor with a lot of commas in it.

Don · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010, 08:08 AM

" So what happens with all the older people that maintain 2 residences and come here for the spring/summer months and then go back in the winter?
Are they re-registering everytime they move? I don't think so. "

There is a major difference in having a permanent address in one state and visiting a state on a temporary basis, one or the other has to be the permanent, not both. As an example, believe FL for the Homestead Exemption requires FL to be the permanent address. Does the driver's license address match the registration address and the names are the same. Legally, can't have two driver licenses from different states

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

[i]There is a major difference in having a permanent address in one state and visiting a state on a temporary basis, one or the other has to be the permanent, not both. ... Legally, can't have two driver licenses from different states

There's always the option of having an out-of-state corporation hold title to your car. That might avoid the messy "dual-residency issue."

RedBarchetta · #8 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010, 08:19 AM

I've been watching this entire thread and have tried to put myself in the OP's shoes. Given the investment plus the emotional value in putting together one's dream car, and add in the fact of limited driving and, for the most part, driving sane enough not to attract too much attention, I'd personally be more apt to finding a way. What I mean by that is breaking the local laws (to a point). At the end of the day, what could be the absolute worst thing that could happen? I would think a car impound and a trip to the judge to get it back (plus a hefty bonus to said constable).

To enjoy one's freedoms, sometimes you have take calculated risks. A VT plate or whatever is far better than just sitting on one's hands figuring out what to do (or not). Meanwhile, keep searching for the vintage block and once you have one together (and barely running), get it re-registered in MA, pull it out and replace with the real one. Sure it's a total hassle, and it won't be cheap, but you could also be dead tomorrow. Drive the freakin' car and enjoy life (while you still can).

My $0.02.

-Dean

Don · #9 (**permalink**) 03-26-2010, 08:48 AM

In CT, there is , or was at one time, a provision that after " X " ( might have been $600/700++ ) verified/documented dollars are spent for emissions compliance , tested every 2 years, then an exemption is granted for the 2 year time period. Does MA have a similar provision ? Not sure whether it applied only to registered vehicles or also to new registrations.

Dean, agree on doing something to enjoy ones dream, but would not want to have the Cobra moved to an outdoor impound yard exposed to the elements, closeness of other vehicles, etc waiting for a judge to release the vehicle.