Connecticut: Registration, Inspection & Emissions

[Cashburn]

Though we are working on setups to meet the new January 2007 requirements... the best thing for CT residents that are pondering a Cobra purchase would be to do it before then to grandfather themselves in at the easier standard.

The process in the state has also made the purchase of a used and already titled Cobra from another state of no benefit since you cannot avoid the inspection. This is one thing many people find out later.

In other words... buy now and buy new from us BTW we actually had a pleasant inspection experience yesterday ... it is possible.

[Don]

Jay's comment on registering an out of state Cobra or any replica/composite, i learned the hard way when attempting to use the out of state paperwork for registering a pre-owned Cobra.

However, all the original out of state paperwork including a single Bill of Sale which did not include the drive train etc., was more than acceptable for payment of the Sales Tax, no questions ( smile )

A number of weeks ago I asked CT Emissions to define the specfic 2007 emissions measurments for pre-tesing Composite tuning, but after numerous follow-up, they have not responded.

[philminotti]

Don,

The way that emissions statement reads, I'm afraid that I'll never be able to have a Cobra, big block or otherwise. It's a real shame. I just bought my own engine stand. I was planning on building a 427. I'm really, really sad.

phil

[Don]

Phil:

I sent another follow-up to DMV Emissions, if/when I receive a reply, I will post.

Don


Date: August 13, 2006 9:51:55 AM EDT
To: Dan Jalbert <Dan.Jalbert@dmvct.org>
Subject: Fwd: New 2007 Emissions Standards for Composite/Kit/Replica Cars ?

Hi Dan:

Dan, have the actual emissions measurement numbers been published for the 2007 Composite standard. A number of individuals are in the process of building or will be starting within the near future. I did contact Emissions directly, but did not receive a reply.

My assumption, the year of the engine block will not be taken into consideration for the emissions test ? Correct or ?

Thanks again for the assistance

Regards

Don

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Jalbert, Dan" <Dan.Jalbert@dmvct.org>
Date: May 5, 2006 3:18:40 PM EDT

Subject: RE: New 2007 Emissions Standards for Composite/Kit Cars ?

Hi Don

We are still waiting for the final outpoints and when I receive them, I will forward that info to you.
As for the web site they are informing people building composites of upcoming changes.

Dan

[Bob In Ct]

It's good to see the State of Connecticut EPA is so concerned with emissions from these cars. It's too bad they're not at all concerned with the tons of emissions from paint, boats, race cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers, 2-cycle trimmers, chain saws, leaf blowers and the like.

Obviously someone at DMV has a bug up their butt regarding reproduction cars. Eventually they will all be registered out of state.

Maybe the EPA should consider carbon dioxide a pollutant (which it is) and get all these Hummers off the road.

Bob

[Lowell W]

I posted the following reply to a similar thread in 2003 and can't help but feel again the same anger and frustration towards the CT MVD which prompted me to post then.

We lived in CT for a total of about 11 years altogether on two separate occasions and it sure seems to me that being an A$$HOLE with an axe to grind is almost a prerequisite for working at the CT MVD. Correction: being a stupid A$$HOLE with an axe to grind. An A$$HOLE of normal intelligence with an axe to grind wouldn't use a freakin' extension cord and a tape measure to check ground clearance! I'm sure the guy who told you it was less than 4" didn't actually know how much under 4" 3-7/8" really is. We did run into a few considerate people at the CT MVD from time to time, but, for the most part, it seems the people who really want to flex their $6/hr worth of authority go to work for the MVD or some other branch of state government.

Conversely, every time we moved back here to IL, I was surprised at how smooth, even pleasant the MVD experience could be, to the point of being told, "Here, Honey, just stand over here at the counter and fill this out, then give it back to me," by the lady with the long red fingernails. Yeah, they did lose my paperwork for three months in Springfield, but the local office took care of me in the meantime, and the inspectors were great when THEY CAME OUT TO THE HOUSE TO INSPECT THE CAR!!!

How sad that residents of one state are forced to provide the entertainment for a bunch of angry, insolent, arrogant, envious pr!cks with chips on their shoulders when those of other states are treated with courtesy and respect.

OK...I'm finished venting. Thanks!

Lowell

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Well I guess I'm next in line...my ERA should be complete within the next few months and I'll get my turn with the CT DMV. I'll post my experience with Wethersfield...just gotta make sure I get it there before January!

[Don]

Reply I received this morning from Dan Jalbert <Dan.Jalbert@dmvct.org>. I do not know what is meant by the exempt comment. Jay, any thoughts ?


Don:

I have not been ignoring your request for composite standards however as you can see by the email below , DMV is still working to get the new cut points as lenient as possible,As for the engine,this is not taken into consideration,just the year of completion of the vehicle, Also just so you know composite vehicles are exempt for the first four years after they are built, and catalytic converters will not be required.

You can check back in a couple of months are if I get the word on a change I will email you with it, as well as CTEMISSIONS

Dan

Dan:

Currently these have not been sorted out to our satisfaction. There is a DEP Regulation indicating that the limits will be 220 ppm HC and 1.2% CO for 2006 and newer Composites. We are trying to get DEP to change the regulation so the 2007 and newer composites will be 300 ppm HC and 1.6% CO but have not received a response back to our request for the change.

Harry

[philminotti]

Don-

I want to thank you for all the time you have put into trying to clarify the regs in this ridiculous state!

I think I'm just going to build by motor and deal with the ramifications later...
When in doubt, bury your head in the sand!!

phil

[Don]

Bob in CT:

It would be interesting to know the number of vehicles registered as Composites by year for the past years, since day 1. Bob or anyone, is there a way to obtain the data, only an annual total by year which would not include any personal info ? Then compared to all other means for generating emissions.

With the CT weather, maybe 5 to 7 months of driving,and limited weekly usage ,the miles driven by Composite owners must be an extremely small portion of all miles driven within the state. A guess would be less than 00.1 %

[Don]

Phil, glad to assist, having the Cobra Registration Forum has allowed for an easier method to consolidate everyone's input, including those that have recent experience as mine is dated back to 2000. Just knowing what the regulations are is a head start.

Progress is being made on publishing the 2007 emissions standards for Composites, see below:

From: Dan.Jalbert@dmvct.org
Subject: RE: Composite Emissions Standards
Date: August 15, 2006 10:41:27 AM EDT

Cc: PublicRelations@ctemissions.com

Don

Composite regulations are specified by DEP , the regulation number is 22A-174 , when the new Composite regs come out DMV will notify CTEMISSIONS and you as well

Dan

[Vince Calenda]

Does anyone know the nystate requirements?

[Bob In Ct]

Vince:
Put a thread under "Long Island Cobras". Somebody there should know.

Bob

[Don]

Regarding a CT registered Composite sold to a CT resident:

Questions to the DMV:

*** If a Connecticut registered Composite with a CT DMV VIN is sold
to another party in CT, does the Composite have to be inspected again ?

*** If the answer is yes to the above, new inspection is at
Wethersfield or at a local DMV office ?

*** Does the age of the Composite influence the inspection
requirement , more than or less than 10 years old ?

Reply from the DMV

" Yes the vehicle will have to be inspected, please contact our Inspections Unit at 860-263-5448 "

Guess only, if the inspection is done with the previous owner's plates just prior to the sale, would eliminate the need to trailer the vehicle to Wethersfield ?

[Bob In Ct]

Do you really think the DMV will allow you to go through inspection without the flatbed? Why makie it easy or reasonable?

Bob

[Don]

I wanted to verify the answer on CT owner to CT purchase of a Composite, received via e-mail. Spoke with Inspector Larry Merill @ the number below. He stated that a new inspection is NOT needed. The intrastate sale/purchase of a Composite is handled like any other auto, no difference. The Composite must have a CT DMV issued VIN

Copy of the e-mail:

"From: DMV.PhoneCenter@dmvct.org
Subject: RE: Composite Registration: CT existing owner to new CT owner
Date: August 30, 2006 10:46:21 AM EDT

Yes the vehicle will have to be inspected, please contact our Inspections Unit at 860-263-5448 "

Bob, now the trailer wil not be needed

[Cobrabill]

"Note: Starting January 1, 2007 newly completed composite vehicles will need to have an engine that will meet new composite vehicle emissions standards. The standards that will be in effect are equivalent to the two-speed idle standards for 1980 and newer passenger cars and light trucks or 1988 and newer engines from trucks in the 8501 to 10,000 lb. GVWR range. Composite vehicles classified as 2006 model year and older will continue to be subject to existing standards which are approximately equivalent to the two-speed idle standards at a level somewhere between that for 1968 and 1973 vehicles."

Here it comes-the beginning of the outlawing of our cars.


It figures Ct would have something to do with it.

[Bob In Ct]

Don:
Which is it, do we need an inspection or not?

My other concern is that you're giving the DMV ideas.

Bob

[Don]

Two different answers from two different DMV sources, might want to give more credibility to the Inspectors reply. Your guess is as good as mine. The Inspector mentioned having the CT DMV issued VIN is the determining factor.

It is important that anyone contemplating a purchase within the state knows the rules, i.e. no surprises. Highly doubt an inquiry gives the DMV any ideas, seems up to this point they have done fine by themselves. How else would the rules for inspection be obtained ?

[Cashburn]

I would imagine a sale of a CT VIN'ed car in state would be a simple transfer. The action that triggers the inspection for a car brought into the state is the VIN verification (necessary for any vehicle purchased out of state and registered here).

I do not doubt that DMV centers further from the Weathersfield core could potentially overlook this process though.