[Don]

Following comments are from my experience in the summer of 2000, may or may not have been changes since then. Jay @ Vintage Motorsports and anyone else that has registerted a Kit Car in CT , from your experiences , especially recent, any changes. corrections, additions etc., etc.,

"It is possible to register a kit car in CT, or as CT refers to them,Composite, but research on the requirements , preparation of the car, and having the proper paperwork will greatly ease the process. :

*** Emissions, from the CT DMV:

The Emissions requirements for all composite vehicles are still the same, the emissions test is a two speed idle test with cutpoints at 800 PPMs HCs and 4% CO
All composite vehicles are tested based on the year the vehicle was inspected and registered, Not the year of the engine, if a Composite vehicle fails and the owner makes an attempt to get the vehicle to pass and still fails, the DMV will verify the age of the engine and if the engine is from pre emissions era.the DMV could issue a Diagnostic waiver.the Diagnostic waiver is good for 2 years.
I hope this helps and if you would like to call me if you think of any other questions

Dan Jalbert
DMV Emissions Div
PH # 203-805-6230

Vehicle will need emissions testing every two years until 25 years old from year of 1st CT registration.

*** Obtain from the DMV publication R-157 Composite Motor Vehicles, approach the topics with 100% compliance, anything less, the risk is not passing the inspection. I confirmed as of March 2006, that R-157 is still current

*** As a check list before the inspection, I obtained a copy of the Inspection Form from the DMV

*** You will need separate Bills of Sale for the engine, transmission and rear end in addition to the Cobra.....mandatory, used to establish the items are not stolen. I had the documents notarized as an additional precaution

*** CT does not allow temp plates for Composites/KitCars, must be trailered for inspection.

*** The Anti-Theft unit of DMV will research any out of state VIN for previously registered vehicles

*** I used heat shields for the side exhaust, dB level was not questioned and I did not have baffles. Testing is in an enclosed building. Only comment from the inspector was, the exhaust is loud. Another Cobra ahead of me did not pass due to the absence of heat shields for the side pipes.

*** Insurance one source, in addition to others, for Agreed Value and Liability insurance:

Michael Smith
NorthEast Classic Auto Insurance
PO Box 287
Monroe CT 06468
800-866-6440
203-459-9789

Track time is not allowed.

*** The year of the vehicle will be the year 1st registered in CT with the name of Composite. The Anti-Theft unit applies a new VIN tag that will start with CT XXXXXXX : Name of Cobra will be as an example: 2006 Composite

*** A single Bill of Sale will be accepted for payment of the CT sales tax.

*** Back in 2000, the only site for inspections was in Wethersfield at the main DMV office, by appointment only. I was asked where the trailer was in the parking lot.

*** Underside is inspected using a drive on lift.

*** Brake Test, accelerate with hands off the steering wheel and then hard application of the brakes, looking for a pull to one side

*** Handbrake test in gear, some inspectors ask for first gear and watch which gear is being selected

*** Since registering, I added a front license plate bracket. Over the past few years, a number of tickets issued for " No front license plate " While I would have preferred the Cobra w/o the front license plate, one less reason for a traffic stop, i.e. probable cause, which then could start other complications.

*** I was asked if the Cobra was home built or by a professional. Since the Cobra was not home built , the subject was dropped. I do not know if a home built receives additional inspections and/or scrutiny

*** CT may or may not accept an out of state registration of a Composite/Kit Car as a Ford or Cobra. My Cobra was legally registered with a State prepared Title in another state as a Ford with the actual VIN from a 1966 Ford and a Title Company had not been used, all the paperwork was legal for that state. Once DMV recognized the vehicle as a kit car, could not use the out of state documents for registration but had to go the Composite route. Value of paying extra for a pre-owned Cobra with a registration/title of 1966 year of vehicle is negated as the CT documents will read the current year and name of auto as Composite.

NOTE: Update as of May 3rd from the replies in this Thread and other comments:

*** " When you arrive you must go to the cashier and pay for the inspection. Once you pass inspection you must go inside again and wait in line to pay the cashier for the VIN fee. Expect the entire process to take a minimum of 3 hours while you are there, I have experienced 6 hour times as well."

*** An alignment meter, toe in and toe out, is the first step in the inspection process

*** An unknown is the specific DMV regulation regarding dB level, a meter may or may not be used. Reading might be taken within the enclosed inspection building which will only make the side pipes sound louder, traps might help. The max dB " might " be 80, but the unknown is the RPM and distance for measuring.

*** Retests w/o additional inspection fees most be completed within 30 days of the first inspection

*** Establishing a friendly rapport and understanding with the Inspector might be a plus for the discretionary inspection items, remember they, the Inspectors, did not write the regulations.

*** A Composite, same as any other auto in CT, can be registered for estate planning purposes, in a revocable Trust using the owners name as the owner of the Trust

*** " The vehicle will also require a new emissions test performed at an emissions testing station. Some vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. To determine if your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing, please refer to the listing of exempt vehicles."

NOTE: Update as of May 4th:

" 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."

*** CT DMV web site for Composites

Composite Vehicles

A composite motor vehicle is defined by statute as "Any motor vehicle, composed or assembled from several parts of other motor vehicles, or the identification and body contours of which are so altered that the vehicle no longer bears the characteristics of any specific make of motor vehicle. Any vehicle not assembled by a manufacturer licensed as such in the State of Connecticut is classified as a composite motor vehicle."

Before a composite vehicle can be registered, the following requirements must be met:
Vehicle must pass a composite vehicle inspection. All composite inspections are done at the Wethersfield Office inspection lane by appointment only. Please contact the DMV Phone Center to schedule an appointment.

Note: Composite motor vehicles must be transported on a flat bed trailer or car carrier to the inspection site (not to be driven or towed; no wheel of the vehicle may touch the ground) except if validly registered in another state or if the owner is a licensed dealer or repairer.

The vehicle will also require a new emissions test performed at an emissions testing station. Some vehicles are exempt from emissions testing. To determine if your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing, please refer to the listing of exempt vehicles.

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.

Bring the Certificate of Titles of all vehicles used for major component parts or one Title, plus receipts, for the parts of the other vehicles used. If the parts are from used vehicles, make sure the receipts specify the vehicle identification number (VIN). No Title is needed for non-major component parts (examples of major parts are: engine, cowls, transmission, frame, doors, trunk lid, front and rear fenders and quarter panels).

An Application for Inspection of Composite Motor Vehicle (form R-95) must be completed and be accompanied by two photographs of the vehicle as well as supporting documents showing proof of ownership. An Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (form H-13) must also be completed.

At the time of inspection a VIN will be assigned by the Inspector. The year assigned to the vehicle will be the year in which the vehicle was built. On your registration and title documents, the make will be specified as "Composite."
The current inspection fee is $88 and a fee of $50 is charged for the assignment of a VIN.

Note: No appointment is necessary for a re-inspection, however, the re-inspection must still be performed at the Wethersfield Office inspection lane.

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