Model A Cape Cod Question On Inspection

[marc hildebrant]

Group,

Just came back from a trip to Cape Cod, Ma. I was in the Dennis Area.

While I was around the Bass River, I saw a broken down Model A parked at a bank. I noticed that the Model A had only one rear stop/light but had a regular plate and a current inspection sticker. I know that the Model A only came with one rear light , but I was surprised that the owner of the car could get a regular plate/inspection sticker.

When I drove my 1933 Chev. in Massachusetts, I was told that I had to have two rear lights to have a regular plate.

I came back later in the day to see if I could talk to the owner, but the car was gone...except for an Oil Patch!

Marc

 

[Kurt in NJ]

In NJ it is 51, or 52 that 2 tail lights and turn signals are required

Also cars made after june of 1931 can not have the fuel line in the passenger compartment.

an emission test has to be passed, but the requirement is not hard to meet if your car runs properly ---I could get readings with my A that would pass for a 1985 car, the standard the A has to meet is the same as all cars before 1967 .

 

[Chris in CT]

Hi Mark, Requirements vary from state to state, sometimes with a lot of discretion being in the hands of the individual inspector you have to deal with. Pick a day he hasn't had a fight with his wife, if you get my drift. While I believe in following the law in these things, I have also found it useful not to ask questions or raise issues that you don't want to have minutely explored with the man who will pass judgement on the legality and road-worthyness of your car. Happy Motoring!

 

[Doug in NJ]

What IS the legal requirement in NJ for an old car like an A to pass inspection? I have asked some antique car owners, and they all seemed to assume it was impossible, and they all had QQ plates.

Is it simply a matter of a certain CO percentage? Naturally, the various NJ MVC Web sites had no relevant information...

Doug

In NJ it is 51, or 52 that 2 tail lights and turn signals are required

Also cars made after june of 1931 can not have the fuel line in the passenger compartment.

an emission test has to be passed, but the requirement is not hard to meet if your car runs properly ---I could get readings with my A that would pass for a 1985 car, the standard the A has to meet is the same as all cars before 1967 .

 

[barnstuf]

I am in Massachusetts and the inspection station was lax in issuing the sticker. Two tail lamps are required with regular license plates. If registered as an Antique vehicle the manufacturers original equipment is sufficient.

 

[2manycars]

Glad I live in Connecticut, where the laws governing antique cars is favorable. The only modernization necessary for a model A, is a law passed in the 30's requiring a reflector on the rear to be fitted. We have no inspection, no pollution testing, no restrictions on the antique plates, and no titles necessary.