[Jim Holden]

NYS nonsense can be done:

Backup Light: The ERA wiring harness has a wire in the harness for a backup light. A simple aluminum plate bolted to the rear bumper with a cheap white light (that can be removed later) and a switch connected to a hot wire on the dash takes care of that item. (PS: If you are anywhere near me, I'll loan you mine).

Dash vent fan: If you don't want to go to the expense of putting in an ERA heater, etc. a simple small 12 volt fan plumbed into the vent tubes under the dash should take care of that.

Rear tail and stop lights: The good folks in Albany know that the rectangular lights used by most replica Cobra manufacturers are not DOT rated. Your choice with ERA is either to make permanent change to the round rear lights as used by the later original cars, or fabricate a removable single DOT multifunction light.

Drive Train receipts: I always was sure to get an invoice from my motor builder for the engine and I always purchased a new trans, either Richmond Gear or Tremec, so I had receipts for those.

My experience was that once I satisfied the good folks in Albany with pictures of the car (and again they know that rectangular taillights are not DOT approved), receipts, copy of MSO, certificate of weight, etc., they would authorize the local DMV inspection location to affix the yellow "CUSTOM" vin number. I may have been just lucky, but the local DMV inspection station took one cursory look at the car and said park it over against the wall. They did not put it up on a lift They then called Albany to confirm that I was there and put the vin number on.

...and that was that.