Antiques, Customs and Street Rods

Chop Top is at the top of his game tonight, bringing up a good point in the previous blog so I dug around in the archives and bring to you from the pages of the Statutes that rule the land here in the STATE of MAINE the Definitions used by the State as they were written in a post from 12/15/08 in its entirety.

AT SOME POINT IN TIME, SOMEBODY SCREWED UP IN THE STATE HOUSE TO THE POINT THAT YEARS LATER IT HAS COME UP AND BITTEN THEM ON THE ASS. OR AT THE LEAST THAT IS WHAT WE ARE BEING TOLD BY THE POWERS THAT BE IN AUGUSTA.

THE POINT IS THAT THERE ARE OVER 13,000 ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, WITH LESS THAN 500 STREET RODS AND LESS THAN THAT AGAIN IN CUSTOMS. WHAT THE DILEMMA THE STATE IS HAVING IS THAT MANY VEHICLES REGISTERED AS ANTIQUES ARE NOT LEGALLY REGISTERED AS ANTIQUES. SO LETS LOOK AT THE STATE OF MAINE'S DEFINITIONS OF ALL 3.

3. Antique auto. "Antique auto" means an automobile or truck manufactured in or after model year 1916 that is:
A. More than 25 years old; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Equipped with an engine manufactured either at the same time as the vehicle or to the specifications of the original engine; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. Substantially maintained in original or restored condition primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest; [1997, c. 653, §2 (AMD).]
D. Not used as its owner's primary mode of transportation of passengers or goods; [2005, c. 314, §1 (AMD).]
E. Not a reconstructed vehicle; and [2005, c. 314, §2 (AMD).]
F. Not an altered vehicle. [2005, c. 314, §3 (NEW).][ 2005, c. 314, §§1-3 (AMD) .]

19-A. Custom vehicle. "Custom vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948 or a motor vehicle that was manufactured to resemble a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948 and that has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal material.[ 2005, c. 321, §1 (NEW); 2005, c. 321, §6 (AFF) .]

76. Street rod. "Street rod" means a replica of or a modified antique auto manufactured prior to 1949 that complies with standards adopted by the Chief of the State Police.[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

NOT MUCH THERE EXCEPT THE FACT THAT IT CLEARLY STATES IN THE DEFINITION ,STOCK OR AS CLOSE TO ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE IN BODY ENGINE ETC. WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY IS THAT ANTIQUES DO NOT REQUIRE A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. DUE TO THIS GIANT LOOP HOLE MANY CUSTOMS ARE REGISTERED AS ANTIQUES, MANY STREET RODS ARE REGISTERED AS ANTIQUES.

IF THE ONLY ONES VIOLATING THIS WERE THE CUSTOMS AND RODS THEN IT WOUILDN'T BE MUCH OF A PROBLEM. HERES THE REAL PROBLEM, SOME SHMUCK WITH A 82 CITATION WITH HOLES IN THE FLOOR BIG ENOUGH TO FALL THROUGH, CAN'T GET A STICKER. HE CHANGES HIS REGISTRATION TO ANTIQUE VEHICLE AND "TADA" PROBLEM SOLVED. SO NOW HE'S FREE AND CLEAR AND DRIVES IT BACK FORTH TO WORK EVERYDAY. THATS WHAT THEIR AFTER BUT WE ALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE SOME OVER EAGER ROOKIE TROOPER IS GOING TO BAG ONE OF US.

OF THE 13,000 VEHICLES REGISTERED AS AN ANTIQUES IN THE STATE OF MAINE (AND THESE ARE APPROXIMATIONS) 10% TO 15% ARE STREET RODS, CUSTOMS ARE BEING FIGURED AT DOUBLE THAT OR MORE AND OF THE REMAINDER 15% OR MORE ARE TOTAL PIECES OF JUNK THAT ARE A DANGER TO ALL AND NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD.

THE MCAA, MOAL, AACA, NSRA AND A HOST OF CLUBS INCLUDING THE ROAD SCHOLARS ARE WORKING WITH THE SECRATARY OF STATE AND THE STATE POLICE TO COME UP WITH A VIABLE PLAN THAT WILL NOT DAMAGE OUR HOBBY. STAY TUNED IT MIGHT GET A LITTLE BUSY.

That is how it was in December and not much has changed. The rules for State Inspections are pretty easy to comply with and why not take advantage of the Benefits of registering as a Custom or Street Rod if it fits the Criteria.