Just finished getting my 79 spitfire running and safe. I would like to avoid inspection crap so the antique plate is the way to go. Problem is the paint is best described as rattle can flat white. And a terrible job too. State wants pics, not sure if they expect a decent paint job, this is not. Local tag places are useless, anyone out there BTDT? I would like to drive it for a little before starting the repaint.
They don't need pictures any more, find a tag place that knows that.
I had antique PA plates on a car that was spray painted and covered in decals and body damage.
I have 3 vehicles with PA antique plates. I did them all the the local AAA office and the state didn't need pictures of the vehicle. My understanding is the state dropped that requirement a couple years ago . Its a 2 step process because they have to convert the title to antique along with assigning the tags. I did need to submit color pictures of the vintage bicentennial tags I put on the 2 1976s.
Since moving to PA I have found the title and tag stuff to be a pain compared to other states I have lived. But once we discovered the manager at our AAA office is an Master in the Ways of Pennsylvania Law it has got a lot easier with some of the crap like buying an out of state non running car.
I put antique tags on the cramit about 2 years ago, local tag place told me it had to be all stock down to the original color. Then I found out you can just print the form from the pendot website and mail it in with your title and a check, a couple weeks later you get your plate in the mail.
What everyone else has said. My RX7 has antique tags and the bodywork certainly isn't perfect, it's a 10-20 footer.
In reply to logdog (Forum Supporter) :
I agree, the way we do tag and title stuff is kinda silly. My experience with the local AAA office has been terrible, though. Did my 850 Turbo there years ago, just a straight forward out of state title transfer, and it was like the whole office had to relearn the process like it was their first time. Then my Suzuki Bandit, with a Vermont transferable registration in lieu of a title (because VT doesn't title motorcycles over 15 years old) - forget about it. I was there multiple hours waiting on calls to PenDOT and their HQ to confirm that they could accept that as proof of ownership. In my experience, the notaries specializing in tag and title work are much more knowledgeable and easier to work with. I don't hold that against AAA, I'm sure it's just a function of the volume of that work they see compared to someone who does it all day every day.
Either way, it's very helpful to find that one person who really knows their stuff, wherever that may be, for when you need something even just a bit out of the ordinary, otherwise it's a real uphill battle trying to convince someone that you know their rules better than they do. For me, that's this young hispanic woman at the place up the street from work - she's excellent and can rattle off the exact form and requirements needed for just about anything from memory.
Furious_E (Forum Supporter) said:Either way, it's very helpful to find that one person who really knows their stuff, wherever that may be, for when you need something even just a bit out of the ordinary
This, to me, is the upside to the PA system- once you find your local tag/title genius you can stick with them. In other states you presumably have to be on a first name basis with your favorite DMV employee or something.
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
Agreed.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:They don't need pictures any more, find a tag place that knows that.
I had antique PA plates on a car that was spray painted and covered in decals and body damage.
It appears photos are required for collectible cars, but not classic or antique cars: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Forms/mv-11.pdf
Thanks, this is huge. Yes there is a lot of variance according to which agency you go to. I have a local guy, he has helped in many questionable situations. Downside is he is really slow. Typical transfer takes an hour. Local AAA is impossible, they wanted an appraisal on one transfer for a 2000 truck. Still, probably better than some state run DMVs. I have an antique plate from a previous car so things are looking good. All I need to do is put on the hood, adjust and bleed the brakes, get some brake lights working....
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
+2. I've been going to the same tag place for over 30 years. The owner knows me - I'm one of the few people he'll take a personal check from (typically cash only).
It's similar to dealing with PA's annual inspections. It really pays to develop a relationship with a shop.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:Furious_E (Forum Supporter) said:Either way, it's very helpful to find that one person who really knows their stuff, wherever that may be, for when you need something even just a bit out of the ordinary
This, to me, is the upside to the PA system- once you find your local tag/title genius you can stick with them. In other states you presumably have to be on a first name basis with your favorite DMV employee or something.
in Virginia your car just has to be 25 years old, and you have to own another vehicle with a "regular registration" (i.e. daily driver). They don't ask aobut condition, other than "it is safe to drive" basically.
Well all done. It is registered, insured, ready to break down on the road and get towed home. After all it is british.
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