Repowering historic cars

[Merlin99]

I have an older car (1983) that I want to repower with an engine that wasn't an option for the car when it was new, what are the restrictions or rules as far as the safety and emissions inspection?

 

[aps45819]

I have an older car (1983) that I want to repower with an engine that wasn't an option for the car when it was new, what are the restrictions or rules as far as the safety and emissions inspection?

The only time you have to inspect is when you sell it and since you're in St. Mary's, there's no emissions.

Go freakin' crazy.
Used to have a neighbor about 6 doors down with a little white S10 pickup that would vibrate the pictures on my wall when he started it up

 

[Merlin99]

The only time you have to inspect is when you sell it and since you're in St. Mary's, there's no emissions.

Go freakin' crazy.
Used to have a neighbor about 6 doors down with a little white S10 pickup that would vibrate the pictures on my wall when he started it up

It's not had the initial inspection to get the registration finished.

 

[TerriT]

can't you get historic tags? so no inspections needed.
Note: A Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate is not required to register this vehicle.

 

[Merlin99]

can't you get historic tags? so no inspections needed.

Is that true? That's the kind of answer I was hoping for.

 

[TerriT]

yes that is true, search the DMV website.

 

[TerriT]

Registration - Special Use Vehicles

 

[GWguy]

Is that true? That's the kind of answer I was hoping for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my vehicle qualify for historic or street rod plates?

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. You will need to fill out the Application for Historic or Street Rod Registration (form # VR-096).
A historic registration may also be issued to a truck with a GVWR in excess of 10,000, tractor or motor home as long as the vehicle is 25 calendar years old or older. The vehicle cannot be substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from its original design. Note: Vehicles issued historic tags under these criteria may not be used for occasional transportation or for any commercial transportation of passengers or property on highways. The vehicle may only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours and similar uses. A historic vehicle in this category must be insured by a Historic Vehicle, Show Vehicle or Antique Vehicle insurance policy. You will need to fill out the Application for Historic or Street Rod Registration (form # VR-096).
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.
Trailers do not qualify for historic registration.

 

[Gilligan]

Street Rod tags are an option. Pretty much the same restrictions as Historic except for the allowance for modifications is pretty wide open.

 

[Merlin99]

Street Rod tags are an option. Pretty much the same restrictions as Historic except for the allowance for modifications is pretty wide open.

I still want it to be able to take out whenever I want, but I want a 383 engine.

 

[Gilligan]

I still want it to be able to take out whenever I want, but I want a 383 engine.

I have a friends that have run street rod tags on vehicles for many years that use them as basically daily drivers. I don't think the local constabulary cares about it much; I've yet to hear of anyone being ticketed for excessive use.

I only have Historic tags on any of my collection...but they very seldom get driven too. That said, I'm finishing up a '76 Bronco that will probably get Street Rod tags soon.

FWIW.

 

[CrashTest]

I still want it to be able to take out whenever I want, but I want a 383 engine.

I have historic tags on one of my cars that I drive about 6000 miles a year. Nobody from MVA comes to my house to check my odometer.

 

[GURPS]

Is that true? That's the kind of answer I was hoping for.

Historic or Street Rod Tags do not require inspections

do not get caught drive sad vehicle to work ever day for a month

I have a 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoner - I drive once a month on weekends - they are 'supposed' to only be driven to a car show or mechanics ...


I have had no issues driving my Jeep out to the Shenandoah Valley for a Sat drive / over night camp out

my jeep is stock, so I doubt it garners much more than a glance

all the usual items should work, lights, wipers, horn ... etc


honestly if you are not making a radical change - 454 where a 1.6 L 4 banger sat ... and 'stock' parts are in place

like a 350 for a 2.8 v 6 - no after market manifold and the air pump is 'in place' with a belt ..... MD inspection might just pass it


then you can put the 4bbl and Aluminum heads and headers on

 

[GURPS]

I still want it to be able to take out whenever I want, but I want a 383 engine.

see previous post ... for a motor answer



... the ironic thing is 99% of the classic cars run cleaner because they are better maintain .... Hot Rod has proven time and a gain, after market heads, intake, headers, and mild cam - run cleaner on the sniffer that the original factory parts on a bone stock vehicle - but Cali makes every manufacture get there parts certified with a CARB Exception

 

[GURPS]

The vehicle owner will certify the vehicle will be maintained for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses.

this me ........ once a month in the summer I drive to work on a Sat.

 

[aps45819]

Historic or Street Rod Tags do not require inspections

do not get caught drive sad vehicle to work ever day for a month

30 consecutive traffic violations would be a bad idea

 

[bohman]

I have historic tags on one of my cars that I drive about 6000 miles a year. Nobody from MVA comes to my house to check my odometer.

Historic or Street Rod Tags do not require inspections

do not get caught drive sad vehicle to work ever day for a month
...

Having no experience with this - How would anybody ever get caught driving their historic car too much, or for the wrong purpose? I have a buddy that used to drive a 66 Corvair as his daily driver, nobody hassled him about it.

It could simply be that they pitied him for the amount of Bondo holding the car together.

 

[Gilligan]

Having no experience with this - How would anybody ever get caught driving their historic car too much, or for the wrong purpose? I have a buddy that used to drive a 66 Corvair as his daily driver, nobody hassled him about it.

It could simply be that they pitied him for the amount of Bondo holding the car together.

Again...I know several folks that drive their Street Rod tagged vehicles to work as daily drivers and have done so for many years. I conclude from that that its really low on the priority list for local LEOs.

 

[bohman]

Again...I know several folks that drive their Street Rod tagged vehicles to work as daily drivers and have done so for many years. I conclude from that that its really low on the priority list for local LEOs.

That's about what I figured, as long as you don't do anything stupid with it you should be fine.