[ram_g]

Sam is correct, however the statement that the specific location was a "good one" for this issue caused me to dig deeper. In fact it looks like Comal County, in which New Braunfels is located, is not currently an EPA "non attainment" area so no emissions testing is required. So if that we're true, Howard could follow the process to title a non-replica assembled vehicle and simply get a safety inspection every year. Keep in mind that airbags etc. are not part of the inspection program, so the car ought to pass.

BUT - there is a catch! To wit, EPA's designations can and do vary! Specifically in the case of Comal County, a brief google search shows that it used to require emissions testing until recently, and I even found a webpage that stated that the air quality was trending in the wrong direction hence it might go into non-attainment status again.

So the bottom line is that registration without the replica status (and hence Custom Vehicle plates) seems like a risky thing to do. You might be fine but you're entirely reliant on an annual basis on factors entirely outside your control. Not where I would want to be...