Thread: 33 Ford registered as a "kit" car

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New guy here !

1933 Ford, has VIN #, Kentucky car, Downs fiberglass body, passed NSRA 23 point inspection. So it has wipers, emergency brake etc. everything a new car would have.

I'm thinking of buying it, one concern is that the builder says it car was registered/titled as a 1933 "kit" car. Is that a designation peculiar to Kentucky ? Are you aware of any issues relative to insurance, registration/title, state inspection or any other restrictions if a car is registered/titled as a "kit" car ? I live in NYS (rochester).

Any issues reselling it some day ? I know I'd feel a lot better if it was registered as a 1933 Ford as virtually every 33 or 34 Ford I've looked at has been. I know in NYS that if it's registered as a 33 Ford that inspection is easy as it only has to pass 1933 standards.

Thanks.

Joe

Originally Posted by joe14580

New guy here !

1933 Ford, has VIN #, Kentucky car, Downs fiberglass body, passed NSRA 23 point inspection. So it has wipers, emergency brake etc. everything a new car would have.

I'm thinking of buying it, one concern is that the builder says it car was registered/titled as a 1933 "kit" car. Is that a designation peculiar to Kentucky ? Are you aware of any issues relative to insurance, registration/title, state inspection or any other restrictions if a car is registered/titled as a "kit" car ? I live in NYS (rochester).

Any issues reselling it some day ? I know I'd feel a lot better if it was registered as a 1933 Ford as virtually every 33 or 34 Ford I've looked at has been. I know in NYS that if it's registered as a 33 Ford that inspection is easy as it only has to pass 1933 standards.

Thanks.

Joe

Joe - if at all possible, try to register it as a '33. If you don't you risk a trip to Albany with the car on a trailer for a full inspection (or other city that has a NY DOT inspection). While that is not a given, that risk includes having a receipt for everything. If you pass, then you will be issued a 'home built' title. I was able to register my '31 as a '31 using the bill of sale for another car which was sold for use of just the body to replace one destroyed in an accident, so I didn't need to 'give up' the serial number. I was issued a temporary non-transferable registration then a month later, the permanent Transferable Registration arrived. I DO NOT have a title as they did not begin until 1972.

I would ask the seller for a separate Bill of Sale, saying that this is a '33 Ford and list the stamped serial number. Is it illegal and shaky - possibly, but that's how many of the rods in NY State are able to get around the DOT inspector with little pain. If you want to read a tale of woe, try to find Arrowhead's thread either here or Hotrodders.com when he titled his Factory Five '33

You have two areas of concern, one is how Kentucky views kit car titled automobiles and the other concern is how your State views them. Different States have different rules about how much you can use certain cars, what equipment they must have , and what tests they must pass, such as emissions. For example, Antique plates in some States mean it is just an old car and you can still drive and use it as a regular car, as often as you wish. However, some States limit Antique plated cars to only being used for parades, shows, etc.

I would talk to your DMV (get someone who REALLY knows what they are talking about) and ask what regulations are in effect for a Kit Car. By itself, that designation isn't necessarily bad, as it generally means a car "assembled from parts using a manufactured body" and most States have put that category in place to accomodate us home builders.

I would also talk to your intended insurer, be it your regular "State Farm" guy, or one of the speciality insurers, like Haggerty and others. See how they view it. You are being smart to ask these questions before you plunk down your hard earned money, avoiding any surprises later on.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

You have two areas of concern, one is how Kentucky views kit car titled automobiles and the other concern is how your State views them. Different States have different rules about how much you can use certain cars, what equipment they must have , and what tests they must pass, such as emissions. For example, Antique plates in some States mean it is just an old car and you can still drive and use it as a regular car, as often as you wish. However, some States limit Antique plated cars to only being used for parades, shows, etc.

I would talk to your DMV (get someone who REALLY knows what they are talking about) and ask what regulations are in effect for a Kit Car. By itself, that designation isn't necessarily bad, as it generally means a car "assembled from parts using a manufactured body" and most States have put that category in place to accomodate us home builders.

I would also talk to your intended insurer, be it your regular "State Farm" guy, or one of the speciality insurers, like Haggerty and others. See how they view it. You are being smart to ask these questions before you plunk down your hard earned money, avoiding any surprises later on.

Don

Don - believe me, you really DO NOT want to register a car in New York as a kit car. Secondly, you really don't want to talk to the NY DOT any more then absolutely necessary as their misdirection is pitiful. Then, a little known fact is that the NY motor vehicle offices - they are run by the local county clerks, some of which are filling positions with patronage(qualified??). The NY regs are on line!!! That is why I gave the advice that I did as noted above. I am from NY and have either suffered the pain inflicted by NY DOT personally or have friends that have.

Since yoiu live there, you probably have real insight into how NY works, Dave. Being from Pa originally, I can fully understand how difficult some States make it to register our cars. I just read a thread where a guy in Texas drove his car to a local watering hole and the cops came in and told him he could be charged because it had Antique plates on it.........those are supposed to only be used for special events in Texas, I guess, not for daily transportation.

Sure glad I live in nice old liberal Florida...........anything goes here.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Since yoiu live there, you probably have real insight into how NY works, Dave. Being from Pa originally, I can fully understand how difficult some States make it to register our cars. I just read a thread where a guy in Texas drove his car to a local watering hole and the cops came in and told him he could be charged because it had Antique plates on it.........those are supposed to only be used for special events in Texas, I guess, not for daily transportation.

Sure glad I live in nice old liberal Florida...........anything goes here.

Don

Don, in my county, things are run pretty much to an ethics standard that is strong. Other counties plus the state - frightening. As far as registering a car with less then great documentation - can be interesting but creativeness is the rule. I do understand PA!!! My 'bucket went there, but they had to register it in nearby Ohio - and luckily they owned property to do it there. I only hope VA is as easy when we finally make the move, but the car does have a valid and current NY registration plus a NY safety inspection so it should transfer fairly easily

I agree with IC2. NY sucks and it's a pain just to register a car if you have everything they want. I would hate to try and register one under a kit car. Let me know how things work out for you if you decide to go through with it.

To all,

Thanks very much for your replies. It might be a moot point as the car in question is on Ebay but the price has gotten too rich for my tastes. But you can best believe I will proceed cautiously if the sale ends up coming my way (anyone can bid on ebay, collecting the $$$ is another thing). At the very least, title questions will become part of my standard questions I ask about every car as my search continues.

Joe