Registration/Inspection in Massachusetts

[dsmith74]

Hey All,

First time on this forum, great site...lots of beautiful cars.
Anyways, my dad is going to be taking ownership of a 63 replica in the coming weeks, so I have a few questions about registration/inspection.
The car is going to be titled and have it's VIN done in Ohio, and it's never been registered before in any state, it's a new car.
While investingating what we're going to need to do, I found out about the new MA inspection regulations and I almost threw up, I'm sure you're all familiar:

Session Laws: CHAPTER 311 of the Acts of 2010

SECTION 3:

"Specially constructed vehicles and replica vehicles, as so defined, registered after April 30, 2012 shall be subject to emission control requirements based on the model year and configuration of the engine installed in the specially constructed or replica vehicle."

SEMA site: http://www.bipac.net/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_MA.pdf

Exemptions:

"5. Specially constructed and replica vehicles until April 30, 2012, at which time they will be tested based
on the model year of the engine installed"

This essentially means that because my dad hadn't taken ownership and registered the car prior to April 30th, there was no way he could apply for an emissions exemption, and there was no way he'd be able to ever register it. I was completely bummed, I couldn't believe this was happening...this is my dad's dream car, and it would never hit the road.
I did some digging, called the engine builder, and found out that the 302 that was installed in the car is from 85-95, meaning it's pre 96 and therefore isn't OBDII. This made me feel better...since anything prior to 98 in MA doesn't require emissions testing. Going by the above regulations, this means that my dad's car is going to be emissions tested based on the model year of the engine installed, and, since this engine is a pre 1998 engine...it won't have emissions testing done. Am I correct in my assumption and understanding of the new law?

If so, I have two questions for anyone "in the know", or anyone that has experience with the same, so that we can get our ducks in a row before my dad takes ownership of the car:

1) Once the title transfer has been done, and we are able to get the plates etc..., what needs to be done via the RMV or MAC to get this information, regarding the model year of the engine, associated with our VIN so that when we go for inspection, the station knows that emissions testing isn't required?

2) When we go for inspection, what is this going to entail, basic safety check etc...? Anything else we should be aware of or prepared for?

Any other help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much, -Dave

[Cobra Ray]

Dave,
You may want to visit the "other" Cobra forum for your answers.(ffcars.com)
There has been muchdiscussion about this particular subject in the "Northeast" section of that site.
Good luck, as the new rules are pretty stringent.
Ray

[Don]

Check the CC Registration Forum for MA Threads

Registration Forum - Club Cobra

Example:

Massachusetts Registration/Inspection

[Cashburn]

You will just have to wait for the new procedure to be defined. For now MA has no clear path to registration.

[emm427]

Dave , I live in Mass. and it was not easy last year. Nobody knew then how it was to be. Now that April has come and gone it will be harder. Call a local MAC, some are willing to help by answering your questions. RMV guide lines will have you chasing your tail. PM me if you want and I'll let you know the !*&%#@! I went though, however I don't know how it will work now that April has passed. Good Luck Tim

[dsmith74]

Hey Guys,

Thanks, I really appreciate you responding...
Yeah, it's very confusing, the current guidelines are vague and make it sound like if I have a block/transmission from say an 88 mustang, then the car will need to A) pass normal safety inspection and B) not have emissions testing done (pre 96), but, a visual inspection is required etc... Just not sure about he whole title transfer to MA., registration etc...I'll call the MAC re: that tomorrow, hopefully they'll point me in the right direction. I'd love to get my dads car on the road before late fall, but that sounds like it'll be a challenge.

Cobra Ray: Yeah, I've been searching those forum threads as well, I'll post a thread there as well to see if anyone else has some good info.

Thanks again guys, -Dave

[JoeT]

I don't know what part of Mass you're in...but the guy at the MAC center in Northboro (or maybe it's Shrewsbury) is reaaly a good guy and if he doesn't know the answer he'll find out for you

Mike Shanahan a call 508.845.1839
he is at the MAC center he can help answer your question.

I had an issue with my car (pre "new laws" which is now "old laws") and Mike was pretty helpful...not helpful enough that I could get it "legally, 100%" on the road, but he informed me on what hoops needed to be jumped through

[dsmith74]

Hey Joe,

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it...I'll give him a ring this week to see what he has to say. It's who you get on the other end of the line that makes all the difference, so knowing who's helpful and who's not is huge.

Again, thanks a lot, take care, -Dave

[JoeT]

no problem Dave...

now post up pictures of the new car

[Don]

Dave....in case you did not see the Thread:

MAC centers in Massachusetts

[dsmith74]

Originally Posted by Don

Dave....in case you did not see the Thread:

MAC centers in Massachusetts

Hey Don,

Thanks a lot, that's actually my thread as well, haha,...trying to get everything sorted out on all ends.

Thanks again, -DAve

[zedog]

I feel your pain. I was able to get mine done 10 days before April 30th deadline. Mike at the Shrewsbury MAC was great. The RMV messed many times from loosing my title to getting my MA assigned VIN wrong. I started the process in December and finished in late April. MA what a great state.

[dsmith74]

Hey zedog...thanks, yup...not going to be easy at all, if it's even possible.

[Don]

Originally Posted by dsmith74

Hey Don,

Thanks a lot, that's actually my thread as well, haha,...trying to get everything sorted out on all ends.

Thanks again, -DAve

Dave......oooooooooooops

[dsmith74]

Originally Posted by Don

Dave......oooooooooooops

No worries Don, I appreciate you trying to help me out...

[Don]

Dave.......fyi

Massachusetts Accociation of Auto Clubs


[PDF] 2012 MAAC Soring
http://www.massautoclubs.org/newslet...gMAACeNEWS.pdf - similar pagesregistration program for kit cars and street rods. ... MAAC Website: Massachusetts Accociation of Auto Clubs ... Mansfield Comcast Center with interested MASS Auto Enthusiasts ...

[dsmith74]

Originally Posted by Don

Dave.......fyi

Massachusetts Accociation of Auto Clubs


[PDF] 2012 MAAC Soring
http://www.massautoclubs.org/newslet...gMAACeNEWS.pdf - similar pagesregistration program for kit cars and street rods. ... MAAC Website: Massachusetts Accociation of Auto Clubs ... Mansfield Comcast Center with interested MASS Auto Enthusiasts ...

Hey Don...very cool, thank you very much, really appreciate it.

-Dave

[Don]

Originally Posted by dsmith74

Hey Don...very cool, thank you very much, really appreciate it.

-Dave

Dave.....attempting to recover from sending you the link for the Thread you started......