registration and emissions

I need the advice of some experts here. I have been checking into registration of a FFR Cobra in Georgia. A packet is in the mail from the profesisonal and talented, NOT, DMV. I spoke to the clowns at Georgia's Clean Air Force also. They state that they no longer offer waivers for kit cars.
1) How do I get a car registered? Can it be registered as a '65

2) How do I get around the emissions? Hince my question above.

P.S. Bud thanks for the insight on the Tri-State body. That is my choice. Fat is where it's at for fenders. No offense but perkey is for a totally different subject.

[svobud]

ok .. I'm no expert, but here's the word on the street.

If you title it. You will be required to list it as the year it was completed. 2004 Cobra. You will also have to meet emission standards in the 13 counties (if you live in one). GA Clean Air Force dude told me I only had to meet the pre-OBDII standards .. which are idle and 2500rpm test and visual inspection of CATs. No rollers etc.

If you walk in to the tag office and register it with your MSO .. then you don't have meet emissions. GA has a code that exempts cars over 'so old' from having or needing a title. Nothing more than a Bill of Sale is necessary to register the car. The MSO says "65 Roadster" on it.

Titles Unlimited in Alabama .. do a search. Ask some people who have used them. If you're staying in Georgia with the car .. not a big deal. If you're moving to California (home of the fruits and nuts) or thinking about selling the car in the future (ie: to someone in CA)... then it could be a big problem.

[excelguru]

Bud is right. There's a way to skin that cat. (California doesn't allow the skinning of cats due to pressure from PETA.)

Just use the MSO and make sure (at all costs!!!) that your registration, or title if you choose to get one, says 1965 on it instead of 2004. As long as the MSO says 1965, then it's legal. After that, things are easy.

[pgermond]

Hey Keith,

You can skin a cat, er snake, out here in CA, you just have to be real LOW profile Mine is just about complete

Thanks for the insight. I found out about titles unlimited on the ERA sight. I called them before I posted this string. I got a lady that told me they don't do kit cars. I may try again with less information provided.

I am thinking about going the MSO in Alabama with a friends address. I bought my 94 Mustang convertible there and titled it there to clear the salvage and odometer reading error. I got a Alabama title then transfered to Ga. Clean title.

[Mike Hausner]

You might try US TITLE SERVICE here in New York. Phone: 585-342-5769. They are going to do my CR Cobra

[pgermond]

Topless -

If you are going to get "creative" with your registration, I don't think I would advertise the fact on an Internet forum. Also, Titles Unlimited is in deep-doo-doo over their registration process with out-of-state Cobras. You might do a search on TU on this forum and the Internet to read some of the horror stories.

Just a thought.

[kajun]

Go to the tag office with a notarize bill of sale and insurance card.
Make sure the bill of sale is for a 1965 Shelby Cobra.
Do not bring your MSO. (you do not need a title and will not get one for a car that old in georgia)
Ask for a antique plate. (you can change it later)
Say as little as possilble.
If they ask you any kit or replica questions, act dumb and say I don't know.
Pay them $20.00 and your on your way.

I saw this done once.

Thanks guys. kajun I can see that working. pgermond you know we're a little slow in the south. By the way I enjoyed that little golf course you guys call Pebble Beach last June.

[DavidH]

Well I tried today up in Cherokee County to register the car. They pulled out the three page Kit car process which states it will be registered in the year built. OOOUUUCCCHHH!!! Plus it will take DMV approx. 6 weeks after they get the paperwork to come and inspect the car and I assume when they are done I will have to get an emmissions test in order to get a tag. That won't work because I built the car carbed and no CATS. I may never get to drive this thing in Georgia...

[mzhun]

I went through this same bull$hit two months ago. Do what kajun saild, walk in with a bill of sale for a 65 Cobra and ask for a tag...nothing else.

[pgermond]

I just completed (yesterday) the registration process under SB100 here in California. It took almost 3-months, but after the CHP assignment, smog referee, brake/lamp certification, and a BIG FAT check to the state - I have a legally registered 1965 Ford Cobra (specially constructed) smogged as a 1960.

I never imagined it could be any more difficult than in CA

[FattyBri]

Thats not good news David. Did you just bring in your Factory Five certificate of origin?

[DavidH]

Brian
I had the MSO, insurance card, filled out DMV form off the internet,etc. They pulled up a procedure for kit cars and it is very specific that it can only be registered as the year it was built. It has to pass a DMV inspection that takes up to six weeks to schedule and after that it will require an emmissions test. WHo knows what standard they will use.

I may try to move to a new county this week...Like in South Georgia near Brunswick somewhere that has clean air and no emmissions problems...

Yea I got the package from the state also, oh my gosh. They quite giving emission wavers in Ga. also. So now even hot rods are in jepordy unless you use a stock frame. I am going down the dumb and happy method. If that does not work I am going to use a friends address in Alabama.

Try not going to the court house and go to the annex building on hwy 5 and try the bill of sale method. I bet it will work there. Keep me informed.

I'm scared now to build a $30,00 car I can't drive. I will have to go postal.