Registering in NY

STEVE-O · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 05:31 PM

I'm in the process of purchasing a Superformance with Roush 402,and will be registering it and applying for the VIN in NY state.
Has anyone else gone thru this process in NY state or maybe can answer my questions anyway?
Im reading over the paperwork and in addition to asking for the 4 pics, which other people have mentioned, I see items such as 'side marker lights', 'license plate light' 'padded dash' 'horn' etc...
Does the state really check for ALL these items?? I can understand the state wanting some control over a person building a dune buggy in their garage but the Superformance is professionally built.
Do I need to worry about a VIN not being assigned until changes are made to meet the state requirements?? or do they realize its a replica of a '65 and judge it accordingly?
After the state does its inspection and if the car passes, how much time until a VIN is assigned so I can continue with the remaining registration?
Thanks

dmorse · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 06:16 AM

Hi Steve-O. I have a BDR Cobra coming in sometime this week or next (I think). I contacted NYS DMV many months ago and got the paperwork before ordering the Cobra to make sure I could get it registered. The paperwork I got was two packets that go to two separate places in NY. I don't have the information with me but I don't recall there being anything where I had to take pictures of the car. The paperwork I have indicates I have to get the car inspected prior to obtaining a NYS VIN and NYS registration (they won't accept the BRD VIN). Unfortunately I have to trailer the car to the inspection site. It appears this process will take many weeks and I ordered the car so I would get it and be able to get the inspection/registration done prior to good weather. The process doesn't seem to be too bad but, as noted, it will take several weeks, but hopefully not several inspections. A gentleman that lives nearby has a SPF that he registered quite some time ago and he has offered to help me with my registration. I will be contacting him soon to see what he recommends and I will be starting the process soon. I can keep you informed through the process as to how it is going if you think that will help. But, you may have yours registered before mine. I also have the phone number of a very nice, knowlegable, gentleman at NYS DMV (Tom Noonan) at home I could send you tonight if you want to talk to him. Let me know if you want his number or if you want to follow my progess - I would like to follow your progress if you start before me. Good luck.

Jim Kellogg · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 10:40 AM

Hi, Steve
I would be glad to help out with your NYS registration.
You can give me a call at work (days at Kent Brown Toyota) 607-796-9600

There are a couple of good threads here on CC that have info helpful to you..
Here are a couple...

Bad experience with NY registration! Help! Long message but please read.

Registration?????? in New York

The anticipation of having to deal with the DMV is worse than the actual experience

There are a couple of real nice car guys/gals that work at the DMV - unfortunately, there are a few that will make your experience difficult. Try to contact one of the (helpful) people listed on some of the NYS threads.

It is definately worth the time and effort to do it right.
Hope this helps,
Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

dmorse · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 12:39 PM

Hi Jim. You are the gentleman who offered to help me that I referred to in my email to Steve. I am near the time when I will be attempting a registration, etc. as my Cobra may be shipped from Florida any day to my engine guy. He works full time so the drive train installation will be over a few weekends then I will be ready. I don't anticipate the problems noted in the threads as my engine will be a Ford Performance crate engine and the tranny is a new Tremec. However, I would like to take you up on your offer of assistance. We went out to dinner last Fri. and I saw your Cobra in the lot (looking good) and almost stopped but figured you would be ready to leave (it was around 5:00). I am off work next Tues. and was wondering if that would be a good time to stop to see you. I can call first if that is practical.

Steve, as noted, I am more than willing to keep you abreast of my progress if you would like - I believe it is called pay it forward.

Jim Kellogg · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:00 PM

dmorse, give me a call next week to make sure I am in. I will be in and out of the office for the next couple of weeks... my wife is scheduled for more surgery tomorrow.

It would be good to see you again, and if the SPF is there when you stop by, maybe we can fit in a "quick" ride

I'm looking forward to seeing your Backdraft. You've chosen a good color combination - be sure to post photos as soon as you can!

It would be helpful for Steve (and all here) if you kept and posted a log on CC of your progress through the NYS VIN and registration process (actually 2 separate processes).

If it would be helpful for me to pull some of my old registration notes out, let me know and I will look for them (we've moved since I originally registered the SPF, and they are still packed away - somewhere).

I drive the SPF to work most every day (except when it snows, although once in awhile it snows when I am at work - now THAT'S Cobra excitement most folks here haven't experienced!!!).

Steve, looks like you've got some offers of guidance! You can email me (best right now) and I will try and help. Enjoy that SPF!!!

Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

Jim Kellogg · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:29 PM

Just one more link to post for you....

I"ve been doing some searching here on CC, and for anyone looking to properly register their replica in NY State, this link will be very helpful!!!

Ray went through the NY registration and VIN process with his SPF, and kept us posted all the way through....

NY Registration Advice

Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

Midwest Classic · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 08:00 AM

Don thanks for the great comments. We appreciate the review on the site and members of this site have been very good to us with calling and giving us the opportunity to work with them on their insurance coverage. We are a small agency compared to some of the "big boys" which gives us the opportunity to treat people as people not just numbers.

You know Jim I am kind of curious as I got an email this morning that was forwarded to me from an Allstate agent that states their rates are high and they really only due the cars as an accommodation. I would really check into your policy to make sure in black and white it is an agreed value. I have never found a standard market that would insure a vehicle for an agreed value. Many agents, as painful as this may sound, do not know that Stated Amount is not an agreed value. Just a suggestion check to find in black and white where it states the agreed value option, generally this will be in the policy that states how we handle a loss. I am sure you know and respect your agent and as an agent I never take offense in educating my insureds to show I am doing a good job for them.

Steve, I would suggest you insure the car before it ever leaves the shop this way you have someone on your side in case of a loss. If you need help with the insurance we would be glad to do so. There are a lot of great shipping companies out there but they have insurance companies on their side and if there is a loss it would be nice to have someone on yours as well.

Back to the real job.

Robbin Terry
Midwest Classic Insurance
1-888-271-4000
robbin@midwestclassicins.com
Cobra Replica Insurance

Trueoo7 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 01:06 PM

dmorse
Any idea why NY won't accept the BDR VIN since it is a 16-17 digit VIN which is what they require?

dmorse · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 01:33 PM

Not a clue. Actually, maybe they would and someone mentioned that it might be worthwhile to attempt to register it from the information I get from BDR. My Bill of sale notes a 17 digit VIN but it also notes that it is a 1965 BDR Roadster Replica, not a 1965 Cobra or a 2008 vehicle of any kind. Perhaps when I get the MCO, whatever, it will be more clear rather than saying BDR Roadster Replica.

When I went to the DMV web site months before putting my order in for the car the information led me to believe I needed to register it as a custom vehicle and that is the path I have followed. Perhaps this is not needed, I really can't say. If you know someone who registered their vehicle from the data provided by BDR or another company many of us would certainly like to hear from them.

I went back on the DMV web site last week and it noted that a title is not needed for a 1965 - apparently a transferable registration is used instead of a title. The site also noted that a temporay tag (or something similar - I really can't remember) would be issued giving the registrant X number of days to get an inspection (I think it was ten). This also led me to believe that maybe a registration/inspection could be effected from the paperwork to be provided. Beats me. I certainly wouldn't want to do anything that might jeopardize an eventual registration.

Any thoughts out there?

dmorse · #10 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 02:04 PM

I guess I was typing at the same time Robbin was. I think his answer explains it. Thanks for chimiing in Robbin.

STEVE-O · #11 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 02:42 PM

Don,Jim,
Got around to getting my pics together with the forms and mailed everything in to the both depts.
Hopefully the state call back for the inspection date willl be quick!
Don, a couple of things to be aware of if you aren't already. The car needs to be transported to and from the inspection since it cant be driven. so you'll need to arrange for a trailer or car transport if your builder doesnt have one available already.
Also, for registration they need an 'official' weight on the car so you'll need to find a business that has a scale. My builder uses the scale at a nearby gravel delivery business so its a quick, trailer weight without car and trailer weight with it.
Hope the build is moving along!
Steve

dmorse · #12 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 02:59 PM

Thanks Steve. Mine was delivered yesterday and I took a bunch of pictures but couldn't figure out how to post them. I thought I had a few posted but when it said it was uploading I all of a sudden got a disconnect so I gave up. If you are interested you can see the delivery and engine pictures at

Vintage Motorsports Gallery :: Backdraft #632

Do you have any pictures of your SPF I could check out?

It will probably be awhile before I start the registration process as I don't even have the MCO, etc. yet. Good luck with yours.

rtstrack · #13 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 03:55 PM

Getting my cobra delivered this Thursday and should have the forms sent out to the state by next week. What is everyone doing about having a "number plate light", which i'm assuming is a license plate light.

Midwest Classic · #14 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 01:19 PM

I might be able to help you with that VIN question. If I input the VIN into my system it will not come back with a Make and Model for the vehicle. The car is really not a "production vehicle" so it is not in a normal VIN listing with different agencies, therefore I think they rely on their own process for these type of vehicles.

Jim Kellogg · #15 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 06:58 PM

Robbin,
Thanks for the heads up. I will check with my agent again. Hopefully, I will never need the coverage, but better safe than sorry

This would make a good reminder for everyone else out there.

Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

COB427RA · #16 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 10:47 AM

I've been thru this with a lonestar cobra , You first have to fill out both forms from the dmv ,send them in with the $25 and wait until you hear back from them with an appointment date to get the car inspected /nysdmv center . You have to trailer the car ,and they will not give you a temp reg. sticker.When you go bring receipts for all major parts on your car - the engine ,trans ,rearend and the mso . They will put the car up on a rack and check for stolen parts and to make sure the car is safe . Focing on the brakes ,as to how the lines are attached . Steering assbly etc. They will let you know then if theirs a problem . Your engine will determine the emissions that are required for your engine , for my 70 block ,it had to have a pvc valve and a thermostatic air cleaner and yes they checked. So, you wait a couple of weeks and you will receive a letter stating your car can receive a VIN # and another appointment date to bring the car back (on trailer) to have them affix the VIN TAG , they put mine in the door jamb towards the top by dash. Now you get your paper work for the reg process , you register the car (pay n.y sales tax) bring receipts and then have 10 days to bring to local inspection station to be inspected by them , when they type in Custom 2008 , (The year the car was first registered will be what is printed on reg.)it will tell inspector what emissions standards are suppose to be on car.
When you go for the nydmv center for their inspecton , they will look to see that you have wipers that work ,a backup light , d.o.t on your lenses , tires ,windsheild and you will have to remove the sun visors as they are not d.o.t approved . Put a piece of pipe insulation across the top of the dash ,the kind that opens and put it for your padded dash , it passed . All and all it was kind of a hassle -trailing the car 2 times , But it sure is worth it. Hope this helps you guys , Any questions let me know . I will check back often

STEVE-O · #17 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 01:48 PM

Well I had heard that the emissons were based on the year of the engine, and then i saw this at DMV.ORG about exemptions to the emissions rule.
Now, what do they consider the 'upstate area'? Is that anything outisde of NYC area??
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Some vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections: vehicles one model year old or newer, vehicles at least 26 model years old, vehicles with vintage or historic plates, electric vehicles, motorcycles, farm equipment, homemade or custom vehicles in the upstate area, and diesel vehicles weighing 8,500 pounds or less.

Jim Kellogg · #18 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 02:25 PM

Steve, you are right. Rochester is "upstate".

In the NYC metro area (and 4 other counties) there is a "High Enhanced" inspection which uses a dyno and gas analyzer as part of the inspection. Anyone that lives in these areas will know about this

My sources at NY DMV say that the "High Enhanced" inspection will someday be a thing of the past. There was a time when it looked like the whole state would be moving to this. Thankfully, it did not come to pass!

You will need a PCV. I was prepared to have to use a thermostatic air cleaner, but nobody (including me) brought it up during the inspection.

Jim Kellogg
Breesport, NY

dmorse · #19 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 02:30 PM

A mechanic can tell you for sure but I think the emissions they are referring to here is the emissions tests they do when they do the annual inspection. Here is what just happened to me: I had my 2007 RAV4 inspected and they charged me $21 - but another invoice was attached to the first invoice that noted the inspection cost was $10. I asked about the $21 fee and was told the computer at the service center picked up the $21 fee because it did not pick up the fact that the vehilcle was a 2007 and, accordingly, did not need to have the emission test part of the annual inspection done. They refunded me $11.

The guy I talked to today asked me what year my engine block was and I replied that it was probably a 2007 since it is a crate engine. He told me to have the guy I bought the engine off note on the invoice that it is a replacement engine for a 1965 vehicle and that will exempt me from most of the emission requirements. I am not even close to being a mechanic but I think the only standards I need to meet are to have a PVC something and positive crank case ventilation (these could be the same thing for all I know). He said the crate engine should have all I need to pass. Tom had told me that it would be exempt as long as I don't make any modifications to the engine. So, I am going to have the invoice changed to note it is for a 1965 vehicle (this isn't untrue as far as I am concerned) and go from there.

Sounds like you still aren't registered. Have you had problems with the inspections or maybe you just haven't tried yet? We need a lot better weather before I really get in any hurrty to start.

I believe upstate NY is anywhere but the metro area but I could be wrong.