Driving Chassis Laws

About 20 years ago my son was building a '23 Ford T Bucket in our garage. As he progressed with the build up he decided to take it out for a quick test drive. So off he went with the primered body bolted to the chassis and a beach chair to sit on. He was able to make a few runs around the block without any problems (job well done!) until a cop car drove up to our house. The cop looked out his car window checked out the car, pulled his sun glasses down and said to my son "better to get a few more lug nuts on that front wheel before you take it out again"! He then wished him luck with the car then drove off.
A few years later I was racing a Lotus Formula Ford in a vintage racing organization but didn't get to much track time so I used the street in front of our house for carb tuning! One day I was out 'tuning' the car, turned the corner and almost drove right into a cop car! Luckily it was my neighbor/buddy so we just laughed!
So my point is, it's all according to where you live, be it a rural area or a tract/development as I do, and how you act and respond to the cop. After all, chances are you are breaking the law somehow and the cop is just doing their job. Of course it also helps if you know the cop as I did!
And most importantly if you take the car out for a 'test drive' don't forget to have someone take pictures! It may be the only test drive you do before the police confiscate your car! Have fun!
 
stallerl said:
So my point is, it's all according to where you live, be it a rural area or a tract/development ...
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The O.P. posted-
sunnyorm said:
Tehachapi Calif. Kern county
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So everyone replying with what happens where they live are not really helping, unless they also live in or near the O.P.

Posting just for the sake of posting is how good information gets diluted to the point it is lost or missed.
 
All I am going to say that is a rural area this would likely work for an afternoon of just checking things out with the law enforcement here. Common as anything else on the backroads. Also I drove my delivery to the local gas station before I even had a title for it, just did it for the fun of it, no problems. Knowing 90% of the local cops helps, not sure how the State Patrol would re-act, since very few that patol this area live in this town, so I am sure there would be some disconnect with them. I doubt it would lead to a ticket. Rod
 

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P.S. said:
The O.P. posted-


So everyone replying with what happens where they live are not really helping, unless they also live in or near the O.P.

Posting just for the sake of posting is how good information gets diluted to the point it is lost or missed.
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I guess he should ask his neighbor then not us:)
 
"Definition of hobby: A pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation."

As Model A's are our hobby (for most of us), let's try and have fun with them and RELAX!
Not every post has to be a technical question or for that matter a serious question. How about sharing not only technical info but sharing experiences and the FUN part of owning Model A's? They go hand and hand as far as I'm concerned.
 
P.S. said:
The O.P. posted-


So everyone replying with what happens where they live are not really helping, unless they also live in or near the O.P.

Posting just for the sake of posting is how good information gets diluted to the point it is lost or missed.
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i dont think its been diluted or posts for the sake of posting. there is some liability info that was posted, which wouldnt matter where you lived:::also some good outlaw storys. s original question was answered long ago
a little comorademy is nice
 
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You can be gauranteed I am RELXED. I have tested more than one chassis with the SMV symbol wired to the rear crossmemeber. Rod
 
I cant begin counting the times I gone around the block for a test ride,A's T's VW's
I allways have good tread on the tires and a mufler. The only time Ive been stopped was a 68 Bug with antique tags...Everything Legal!!! He dident notice the Tags...just No inspection sticker (not required). Soon as he saw the tags...ooops Sorry.
Driving the TT (with a smv) the law stopped as I drove by and honked the horn,He could not stop Grinnin and Laughing. Even got a Thumbs up one time!
 
I remember taking my Tudor chassis around the block before it was road ready. I was only able to take one loop before my wife got tired of pushing. I encouraged her. Then she got mad. Really mad. No cops around when you need one. No 'supper' for a couple of weeks after that.

Another thought though, in my town we can drive a garden tractor downtown if it has the mower deck still attached but if the deck is gone then we get chased home. So.... hang a mower deck under the belly of your Model A chassis and put a slow moving vehicle sign on the back and motor on down the avenue!

And I posted this just because I can.
 
my wife and i rolled on floor laughing:)

Thanks Cool Hand Lurker.

And Thanks to all the rest of you for your replies.:D
 
I drove my Tudor Chassis around San Francisco with A vw seat bolted to a piece of plywood. It had lights and running boards. I was stopped a couple of times and the only
thing they could make any thing of was lack of windshield and wiper. But mostly asked
questions about what it was and then let me go. It was registered and insured.
I also used to drive it down the stairs at Ocean Beach and run along the waters edge
when nobody was on the beach. That was fun.
It was 1969 and things were a little looser then.
When the body was back on it and nothing else we took it 4 wheeling a couple of times.
 
In New Jersey, I wouldn't try it. And there are no "Tractor" laws! I used to drive my International "H" down to the gas station, about a mile and a half to gas it up without a plate. Then after hearing about all the things they would do to me if they caught me I registered it with out insurance. That was OK for a few years, then they sent a notice that I would have to get insurance. Insurance to get gas? Are you kidding me? I quit farming soon after. I quit New Jersey after that!
Terry
 
sunnyorm said:
Tehachapi Calif. Kern county

guess i should check traffic laws :p
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Are you in town or out in the sticks? Doubtful you'd have a problem out on some rural road in Kern Cty, I'm frequently staying in GH and rarely if ever see any CHP (as you probably know, KC Sheriff usually don't do vehicle stops). City of Tehachapi might be a problem.

Registering a vintage auto in CA is not expensive compared to standard registrations, if you register as a historic vehicle or use YOM plates. Also insurance is fairly cheap if you go with a company that specializes in vintage collector cars. I don't think they require an inspection, particularly since there is no ODB-II connector.
 
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Best case scenario is no one sees you. Worse case is car gets impounded for no registration and no insurance. Ticket could include violations for all the missing equipment. My son got stopped in AZ last year with my truck and an old insurance card. Fine was $1900. I was able to produce the current insurance card and the fine was waved. You might be interested in this link.http://einhorninsurance.com/california-insurance/no-california-auto-insurance-796-fine/
 
I've done things like that many times, I won't say how long ago though. I have always gone the extra to make the car/truck as safe as I could and never been stopped. Be sure your brakes all work and you have a red rag tied to the rear and just do it , being careful. But I do live in the sticks!
 
your wife is right-get insurance as Sonny says and you won't have to look over your shoulder..........
 
H. L. Chauvin said:
Humble Opionion:

Chances of getting a ticket?

Depends on if neighbors call officials; and/or your location.

One freak accident like a kid run into you on a bicycle & it is bad news.

Life is full of chances -- I have taken my share & what the heck, I still do -- be safe!
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Two things,
One: it is most likely against the law
Two: you will most likely get away with it

People just like to see things getting restored, and will naturally be interested. Not only will you get away with bending the law when you are rebuilding, but the law seems to be easier on the mistakes made in a Model A when out in the real world.

Please be safe and as respectful as possible, this is the part that will make it all come crashing down if not taken to heart, police will error on safety if forced to make a judgment, so wave and don't force them into that roll.

And yes donuts are always a help :rolleyes:
 
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LOL....funny stuff. I too did this years ago with my Chevy powered Model "A" P/U chassis. My neighbor was a state bull and came outside and just gave me his entire ticket book. We laughed our butts off.
 
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