MA - 1 Year Window for Crate Engines - New Law

[Cashburn]

Well I guess you can't ask for everything ? The good news is that MA passed a new law that alteast makes the survival of replica cars in that state possible. The downside is they have inserted language that puts them on a course that NY and NJ have been attempting to correct for sometime.

Basically if you are considering a build or purchase of a replica car and you intend to install a new crate engine such as a Ford Racing or Roush or anything on an aftermarket block you better do it between April 2011 and April 2012.

Why? Because after April 2012 you will find yourself in the land of confusion that NJ and NY owners currently face in proving what year the engine block actually is and where it came from and finally what equipment it "should" have on it.

I supposed the concept is to bank on Ford Racing offering an E-Rod type package like GM. That's fine and all but now your options get narrow and I've learned the hard way, counting on Ford Racing to deliver anything completely in a timely fashion is not good way to set your watch. Not to say it isn't great when it does appear though.

It's funny, everyone thinks CA is the toughest ... in reality their system for dealing with these cars is quite nice. You address them as the year the body style mimics and set the standards to that. Of course they have a much wider driving season so the control factor is to limit the number of new regs a year ... in the Northeast the climate imposes this limit for us

It appears the enthusiasts in MA have ongoing discussions with RMV etc. in making this transition ... hope they can get a handle on it.