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antique / classic tags

Anyone has antique or classic tags? What are the pros & cons? Do you regret doing it? I'm thinking about going antique on ours. In PA, once gone antique or classic you can't go back to regular tags. Here antique does not get yearly inspection or emissions, classic gets yearly inspection.
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antique / classic tags

Reply #1
We have a few different ways to register here. the cougar i plan to register as a collector plate to see what all is needed. from what i understand, as a collector there is no limited mileage or emissons/saftey. if they let me do that then ill register the tbird the same way.

if they don't, then ill be stuck with a "historic" plate which the tbird won't qualify for and will always be stuck with saftey and emissions.

my opinion is if its a daily driver, register it as a regular car. if not, i see no downside as a special plate unless there is a mileage restriction.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

antique / classic tags

Reply #2
I have antique plates on my Thunderbird. I can only take the car on pleasure drives, for service/gas, to shows, and to exhibitions. My collector insurance policy is set the same way. It doesn't bother me as that's all I use the car for anyway. Antique plates are $30 for 4 years in Illinois.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

antique / classic tags

Reply #3
Requirements vary by state. In AL you can't use it "for general transportation such as driving to work, school or shopping", which I do from time to time.
Also, the car must have "the original or substantially similar vehicle body, chassis, engine and transmission as designed for that make, model, year and age vehicle".

I could convince myself I meet the requirements, but I enjoy having a Saturn V vanity plate with "RXF" on it. :mullet:

antique / classic tags

Reply #4
Here in PA, can't use for general transportation either and is supposed to be original and maintained in original condition for the age of the vehicle.

Ours is somewhat original or modified with original ford parts (not for Cougar) but the cowl hood. It does need some work to really meet the requirements to be considered to be maintained as original condition.

There are a lot of cars here with antique plates that are not considered original but they are getting away with it.

Since getting the motorcycle, we don't drive the cougar much.
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antique / classic tags

Reply #5
In Pa. the the consolidated statues Title 75 rule # 1340b states that "It  is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle with antique or classic registration plates for general transportation. Permitted use shall be limited to partition in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses." The gray area is "occasional transportation". I have never had a problem with the local police when I take the car out for exercise etc.

antique / classic tags

Reply #6
To add to the last post, You have to use a little common sense in the use of the antique plates. You don't want to use the car every day as a daily driver. My insurance company wants to make sure that you have another registered, insured car before giving coverage on the antique vehicle.

antique / classic tags

Reply #7
Herb nailed it. I rarely drive my cars that are antique tagged. Even when I do the local pd pays no mind tho
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

antique / classic tags

Reply #8
Yup, i buy my cars to drive them. that's why i wanted to try to register my tbird as a "special interest vehicle". It is basically a car over 20 years old that is used for "general transportation" that has not been altered or modified substancally.

Line 57

http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE41/htm/41_01a010200.htm

i found the forms online, and.basically it is almost identicle to a historic or antique plate. you can just mail it in along with saftey and they send you back a plate. if that works on my tbird, then it will be both emissions and mileage restriction free.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

antique / classic tags

Reply #9
Last Saturday I went to Harrisburg (PA DOT) and walked out with antique plates. Was easier than I was expecting. Haven't driven our cougar yet with them. Need to replace pinion seal so it stops leaking.
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02 Explorer XLT 4.0L
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02 Saturn SL1 1.9L
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