Antique plates, on WHAT!!!

39portlander

39portlander

Well-known member
Lately, I've seen way to many vehicles in Maine anyway with antique plates. Now I understand you need to keep them in good mechanical order and maintained but I see alot that should not be on the road.

It was in great shape, but had a good laugh @ a guy driving a pontiac sunbird W/antique plates. When am I gonna see a Dodge "K" car show up:eek:
 
If the Maine law is like NH's. It only takes 25 years to qualify for antique plate. And yes there is a "K" car around here with antique plates on it. Who'd a thunk?
 
39portlander said:
Lately, I've seen way to many vehicles in Maine anyway with antique plates. Now I understand you need to keep them in good mechanical order and maintained but I see alot that should not be on the road.

It was in great shape, but had a good laugh @ a guy driving a pontiac sunbird W/antique plates. When am I gonna see a Dodge "K" car show up:eek:
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Here in Ct. it's a 20 year old requirement. The J---k-- across the street from me has them on an 87' Suzuki samari. I doubt if the car would even pass an inspection.
 
In maryland there is no inspection and they are permanent plates. I saw a beat up chevy cavalier the other day with the historic plates on it. My neighbor runs them on his Porsche (914, legitimate) and his land cruiser (sketchy). they are supposed to be for LIMITED USE vehicles over a certain age.
 
In Pa., 25 yrs old in substantially original condition. May be driven to shows, events, and occasional personal use. Occasional personal use defined as not more than 1 day per week.

But nobody is keeping track of how many shows and which day per week you happen to be driving. Unless there's a cop parked on your road each day, I can see how this is virtually unenforceable.
 
New Jersey law seems to be pretty clear that a "Historic Vehicle" has to be 25 years old and not altered from it's original design. You must provide a full front photo and a full side photo to demonstrate this. So, how are all the T-buckets and fenderless '32 coupes and roadsters with everything billet getting the antique plates?
 
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I see it at my end of the state also Pete. Replica Cobras, 32's etc. Haven't seen them on everyday use cars though.
 
Florida: 30 yrs, bring registration that has the yr of car on it to the DMV. Mod'ed or not I guess. They don't look at the car.

Antique Plates
Your vehicle must be at least 30 years old to qualify for antique plate status.

To receive the plates, bring your current registration with you to a county tax collector's office.




Minnesota has a lot of options.

Antique Plates

Minnesota divides this category into four plates: Pioneer, Classic, Collector, and Street Rod. Each one can be applied for by completing an Application for Special Plates.

Pioneer Plates
Any vehicle manufactured before 1936 and retained as a collector's item can display these plates.

Classic Plates
These plates can be displayed on any vehicle manufactured from 1925 to 1948 that's deemed a classic car by the registrar of motor vehicles. The criteria for this designation includes superior workmanship, design, elite engineering standards, and proof the vehicle is only used as a collector's item.

Collector Plates
Any vehicle that's at least 20 model years old and manufactured after 1935 can display these plates, providing you, the owner, also have at least one other vehicle registered in Minnesota.

Street Rod Plates
You qualify for these plates if your vehicle was manufactured before 1949 or was recreated to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949. You must also have at least one other vehicle registered in Minnesota.
 
Conn has lifted alot of the old restrictions of going to cars shows only, etc... I see cars on the road that shouldn't be with antique plates all the time. I have a 79 Olds Cutlass 4dr rotbox on my street with antique plates. My 50 F-1 is far from being done and if I have insurance, proper papers filled out, I can go get a plate for it. No inspections anymore. THey go from being very tough on old cars to almost no oversight!
 
Texas plate policy is neat. For a Historic Plate you get the car inspected once and they give you a limited use plate good for 5 years. After 5 years you just go in and update - no inspection.

If you want a plate for your year of vehicle there are two options:
  • You can go in for the Historic plate treatment with one inspection and limited use.
  • You can have it treated as a vanity plate. Yearly inspection, extra fee and unlimited use.
  • They will license hot rods this way, too. Not just stock.
You could also just license it normally with annual inspections and no limitations at the lowest fees.
 
Arizona, is year of manufacture plates, has to be older than 25 yrs. to use original plates if not already in use. Antique plates are available with the same 25 yrs. Since we only use a rear plate, it is easier to find a good original plate, pricey for most popular years. 32 to 34 were solid copper and are expensive if you do find one.
 
Tinker, I like the Minnesota option's, makes alittle more sense to me.

It just drives me crazy, no pun intended, to see these plates on vehicles that when produced were a dime a dozen and will never be in a car show or have any real automotive historical relevance.

But because it somehow made it to a certain age it's considered antique. Oh well we know better:D
 
Maryland

Historic -To qualify as a historic vehicle, your vehicle must not have been substantially altered, remodeled, or remanufactured from its original design, and must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck (with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less) and is 20 calendar years or older. The vehicle owner will certify the vehicle will be maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses. The vehicle owner further certifies the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.
 
Maryland

Street Rod:

To qualify as a street rod, your vehicle must be 25 years old or older and must have been substantially altered from the manufacturer's original design.
Vehicles classified as street rod certifies the vehicle will be maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses. The vehicle owner further certifies the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.
 
Maryland forn the older cars -A historic vehicle 60 years or older may obtain a one-time, permanent, non-transferable registration. This vehicle registration does not qualify for specialty plates.

This means i never have to renew my tags.
 
I guess human nature is the same everywhere. Over here people can get historic plates for about 20% of the full registration cost. Obviously restrictions limit the amount of road usage per year. Needless to say, it's amazing how often I see historic plated cars in regular daily use. Eventually I can see the scheme being lost to all as a result of a minority who have no respect for the rules. I've got full registration so I'm not affected, but it's tough on folk who own several vehicles which are for occasional use only.
 
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