Registering in NY

dmorse · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 06:13 AM

Thanks Jim. Sorry to hear about your wife having health problems. I am more than willing to post my progress (or lack thereof). I will give you a call before stopping and if it is not convenient I will just call again at a later date. I don't plan on driving it until April or later anyways. I would rather take my time and do it right the first time since I have quite a bit of time.

My car left Florida yesterday afternoon so it will be here soon depending on how much sleep the driver needs. I will take pictures when I go to sign for it and attempt to post them here (I will have to do some research to see how to post them first). In the meantime you can check out what I have at
vintage-motorsports.com. Look under Photo Gallery, BDR #632. The lighting is very poor so the pictures don't have high quality. Actually, each picture makes the color look different so I am anxious to actually see it to see what it will look like. A "Quick" ride would be fantastic. Thanks again.

dmorse · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 06:16 AM

Steve: Tom Noonan's phone number is (518) 474-5282, then 4. He is one of the good guys.

Don Morse

JCoop · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 06:45 AM

I was going to jump in and post the links that answer your questions but Jim beat me to it. Don't worry, it should be fine.

As an update, I had concerns about the NYS inspection when it came due. The inspection station was not familiar with "custom" registrations but when he punched in the VIN, although the requirement was indeed a dyno and sniff test, the required standards were verrrry liberal. My SPF was wayyy below the requirement and passed quite easily.

Good luck!

Jim, hope you're not driving today. You'll have to go backwards in reverse all the way!

STEVE-O · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Jim,Don, Ray,
Thanks for the posts as well as the informative links!
I have read over the info in my packet from the DMV and it looks like the first step is to take the 4 pictures (sides, back and front) and mail in the form with the requested part numbers to Technical Services. They will get back to me with an appointment time for inspection.
Additionally a form needs to be filled out and sent to Field Investigation requesting a VIN along with $25. Sounds like this can be sent after the car passes the inspection or it can be sent at the same time as the request for inspection. The issue being that if the car doesnt pass inspection, the $25 is lost BUT, if it does pass inspection, the time to get the VIN is decreased. If the VIN form has been submitted, maybe the VIN is assigned right at the inspection?
I'm going to send in both forms at the same time since 1) the guy who assembled the engine and trans has already gotten thru 4 other SPF cars and he seems to know the routine. The inspectors are also familiar with his work and the SPF car. This is a BIG plus!
2) Hopefully it passes and I get my VIN right away... The sooner I can get the car registered and one the road the better!!

Don, whats the state of your car? Have all the parts arrived at the assembly shop? How did you decide to go with BDR?
The other question I have is related to insurance. Anyone have suggestions as to companies? Should I be looking for 'agreed value' in the policy and how is that determined? Does the car need to be appraised or is selling price good enough?

Is there still a cruise night on Saturdays in the Horseheads area? Is it Arnot mall?

Hope to get down there in the summer.
Thanks for any info.
Steve

dmorse · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 07:49 PM

Hi Steve. You were correct about the pictures - actually, it's the first or second thing on the list. I believe you can send both forms in at the same time but, like you say, you could lose the $25. I was told that if you do sent them in at the same time to put a note on them that the other was sent. It makes things move faster if both are done at the same time from my understanding.

All my parts we could think of are at the shop and we are awaiting the arrival of the rolling chassis that is somewhere between here and Fla. It is expected tomorrow or Sat. I went with BDR as I thought it was the best value for what I had to spend. I went to their shop in Boynton Beach last spring and also checked out different models at the Carlisle show last spring. The guy doing my drive train also thought highly of the BDR. He had built a FFR previously and he thought the BDR was quite impressive. The SPF are certainly very nice but I would have had quite a bit more in one than I will have in the BDR. The friend doing the drive train is also saving me quite a bit.

I got insurance today from Robbin Terry. He is with Midwest Classic Insurance. I would highly recommend him as he is knowledgable and had the patience needed to get me through the process. His email address is robbin@midwestclassicins.com. His phone number is (888) 271-4000. If you call him tell him I recommended him as I think highly of him. He wrote the policy at agreed value (you want this if you want to get the insured valued for a total loss as they will depreciate if you use stated value) and wrote it at about $7,000 more than I will have in the car because I wanted to have it at replacement value (with the recent price increases at BDR and an expected increase at Ford Performance, and if I would have to pay a regular shop for the drive train, it would cost me about $7K more at this point). He did not require an appraisal but I did send him an email with the Bill of Sale for the rolling chassis, engine, and tranny. An added bonus was that my current insurer (Allstate) wanted more than double to write the insurance, and at stated value. He wrote the policy with the VIN given by BDR but I told him NY will probably assign their own VIN when I register it. He didn't have a problem with this.

There was a cruise night Sat. at the Wal-Mart parking lot. This is at the Consumer Square Mall, a short distance from the Arnot Mall. They also have cruise nights now and then at Eldridge Park on Fri. nights. I will attend when the weather allows so I do hope to see you there. Wal-Mart is opeing a new Super Store at the former A&P plant. This is also only a short distance from the Arnot Mall. The manager at the old Wal-Mart welcomed the cars so I hope he will also welcome them after they move in March.

There was a thread back in Nov. about possibly getting a rally going for upstate Cobras. Perhaps at one of the casinos or elsewhere. I hope somebody gets this started again as I think it would be awesome to get serveral Cobras going down the road together. Drop me or Jim a line if you are headed this way and we can hook up. My email address is dmorse1@stny.rr.com. I don't know Jim's address but you can apparently contact him through CC somehow - I am still learning about this site.

Good luck on your registration. Keep me posted.

Jim Kellogg · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 08:02 PM

Steve,
Good idea taking care of both forms at the same time. My VIN was assigned after it was inspected (same time/same people).

My SPF is insured by Allstate (along with my other vehicles and home) with an 'agreed value'. Full coverage (comp/collision) with no limitations. My agent had to look at the vehicle. She likes it

I had looked into having Allstate insure the car back in 2001, and they weren't interested at that time. After a couple of years (no accidents or tickets with the Cobra) they were OK with it.

Remember, your registration will probably show the vehicle as a "2008 Custom". This makes the insurance/inspection deal pretty simple.

As far as I know, the cruises will continue in Horseheads for 2008. I don't know if they will continue at Wal-Mart, or move to the nearby Arnot Mall. Wal-Mart is moving up the street to become a Super Wal-Mart (largest in NY State, from what I hear). I only hit it a couple of times a year. Let me know if/when you will be coming down!!!

If you haven't done so, be sure to join SCOF also (Superformance Cobra Owner's Forum). They have lots of events every year - cruises, track events, ect, and another great group of people (many are also here on CC).

Enjoy. And be careful!
Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

STEVE-O · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorse

Steve: Tom Noonan's phone number is (518) 474-5282, then 4. He is one of the good guys.

Don Morse

Don, I have been in contact with Cathy at NYS DMV in Albany. I spoke to her today after faxing additional paperwork last week and it sounded like she still had a question about the paperwork, but I had not heard from her regarding any additional issues.
Dont know how busy Albany is or if this is typical of the process.
Should I be contacting Tom? Would he be able to expidite the process? Does he work in Field Investigation or TEchnical Services?
Thanks

dmorse · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 04:05 PM

Hi Steve. I think Tom works in Technical Services but I am not sure. It would seem that since you are working with Cathy you should continue to work with her. I imagine getting somebody else involved would only slow things down. Everybody I have talked to at DMV has been helpful. I certainly don't have an "IN" with Tom or anyone else. I just mentioned Tom's name because he was the gentleman I originally talked to and he was very helpful.

What kind of issues are you having? I have my COO, bills of sale, etc. and will be sending copies of them when the time comes. All my forms are complete except I need to put the backup light number on the form once it is installed. I also need the weight certificate but the guy hauling my car from the shop to my home told me he would stop along the way and get it weighed for me. It is my understanding this is all they need as far as paperwork goes (plus their forms of curse) but if they need more I would certainly appreciate knowing this up front. I am still several weels away from submitting my data.

JCoop · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 08:36 AM

Actually, I don't believe you need the weight certificate for the inspection. In fact, when I got my appointment slip and attempted to hand everything to the inspection folks in Babylon, they said emphatically: "Just the appointment slip PLEASE!"
You'll need the weight certificate when you go to the DMV to get the registration done, and after the VIN number has been assigned and affixed to your car.

dmorse · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 03:22 PM

You are correct. I don't need the weight certificate for the inspection. However, I do have to send a copy to the Techinal Services Bureau - Number 3 on the application. I don't imagine they will schedule the inspection if I don't send the weight certificate as required. I also need the certificate again when the car is registered. Guess the various departments don't talk to each other - sounds like my place of employment.

STEVE-O · #11 (**permalink**) 03-29-2008, 06:32 AM

Got my inspection appt last week and yesterday the driver and I trailered my car to the inspection station here in Rochester. Thankfully the roads had cleared after a nightly 6" snowfall!
After the car was driven in the state garage we went in to the waiting room and waited approx 1/2 hour for the inspection to be completed. The guy inspecting the car was relatively young and came out to jokingly comment " what a nice car, I think I have to drive it as part of the inspection" . We chatted a little while about the replica cars available, cost of original cobras, how long to build one etc..
Seemed to be more out of ihis nterest as opposed to checking validity of the car.
Nothing was said about non padded visors, exhaust noise or heat shields.
My VIN number was assigned so another step is completed in the process.
Insurance and registration are next.
Hopefully my timing is right for approaching nice weather!

767Jockey · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEVE-O

Don, I have been in contact with Cathy at NYS DMV in Albany. I spoke to her today after faxing additional paperwork last week and it sounded like she still had a question about the paperwork, but I had not heard from her regarding any additional issues.
Dont know how busy Albany is or if this is typical of the process.
Should I be contacting Tom? Would he be able to expidite the process? Does he work in Field Investigation or TEchnical Services?
Thanks

AVOID CATHY AT ALL COSTS !!!! SHE'S A NIGHTMARE.

Jim Kellogg · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:42 PM

Great news, Don!!!
Be sure to let me know when you go for the DMV inspection. If possible, I will try and meet you there for moral support, if you would like

767... Been there done that

A word of warning to anyone using the custom registration process in NY...

Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

dmorse · #14 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 05:02 PM

Thanks, Jim, but I don't anticipate any problems. From what Tom and Mark told me they are mainly checking for stolen parts and I have all my invoices and all the parts are new from either Ford or Keystone with appropriate serial numbers. When I got home I found my inspection notice in the mail. They are doing it on the 17th at 9:30. I had hoped it would be sooner but I take what they give me. It really wasn't that long after I sent the paperwork for the inspection to be scheduled so the process has been smooth so far. That, of course, makes me nervous. As noted previously, I can fax the approval to Mark to speed up the registration process. Anyone know how long it might take for the registration paperwork once it hits Albany?

Jim, I will be in touch ASAP to schedule my NYS inspection and wheel alignment. As soon as I can get it registered.

STEVE-O · #15 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorse

Thanks, Jim, but I don't anticipate any problems. From what Tom and Mark told me they are mainly checking for stolen parts and I have all my invoices and all the parts are new from either Ford or Keystone with appropriate serial numbers. When I got home I found my inspection notice in the mail. They are doing it on the 17th at 9:30. I had hoped it would be sooner but I take what they give me. It really wasn't that long after I sent the paperwork for the inspection to be scheduled so the process has been smooth so far. That, of course, makes me nervous. As noted previously, I can fax the approval to Mark to speed up the registration process. Anyone know how long it might take for the registration paperwork once it hits Albany?

Jim, I will be in touch ASAP to schedule my NYS inspection and wheel alignment. As soon as I can get it registered.

Don, After the inspection paperwork is faxed in, I recall it taking about a week to get the proper stamped form back. With that, you then need to get the regular NY safety inspection and then to DMV to get plates.
I believe they mentioned padded dash and sun visors with mine but I dont think they checked for them at that first inspection so I dont know why they insist on the pics.