Pa DOT Stupidity

[Guest]

Has anyone had trouble obtaining antique plates? I found an old original 1929 Durant that,s been in a barn for years. It's far from perfect but I want to preserve this piece of history as I found it. The state of pennsylvania will not issue antique plates unless the car is "fully restored to mint condition" This is according to the AAA and my congressman who called pa dot for me. Any ideas? Hey while we're at it maybe we should weld up that crack in the old bell in Philadelphia, it's not "restored to mint original condition" Witfrank@bellatlantic.net

[Rick Hoover]

Frank,<P> What you're being told is not quite true. The state of Pennsylvania requires that the vehicle is 25 years old prior to the current year and that it has been <I>maintained in or restored</I> to a condition which is substantially in conformance with the manufacturers specifications. What you are required to provide the state is a title, proof of insurance and photographs of the vehicle in proof that the vehicle conforms to state law to receive the tag. Therefore, the vehicle should not be shown in the photos as looking like it was in a barn for those many years. I'm sure with a good cleaning and some polish, you should have no trouble. <BR> <BR> Rick

[Guest rcirilli]

I would agree with Rick, four photo's to be exact. One of each side. You can send them in yourself but I recommend a high volumne service. Need I explain !

[Rick Hoover]

Thanks Bob, I couldn't remember how many photos were required as to advise Frank when he applied for the tag.<P>I usally have a few calls or visits a year from fellows having problems getting a antique tag from the DMV looking for advise as they were denied the tag. When I do get to see some of the photos that they're summiting, I always see that the car or truck is in a poor condition. Some photos show the hoods unlatched, missing bumpers, mis-matched wheels and tires or the vehicle is half covered in surface rust. In most all cases their intentions are good as they just want to tag the car so they can take a drive and work on it as they go later on.<P>A customer of mine is a retired boss in that state division. He's told me stories of in past years how he was given summited photos of other cars cut out of magazines, other peoples cars already taged and taken at car shows and my favorite one, photos of promo models of that type of vehicle. <I>Unbelieveable!</I><P>Again, all I can recommend to Frank here and others is that you clean it up, make it as presentable as you can in the photos and offer no more information to the state office clerk about the car than the photos show. And like rcirilli said, a licence service company would be a good idea too.<P>Rick

[Dave@Moon]

I've always submitted my applications for PA antique plates through the AAA. The last time I did 2 cars at one time, and the plates for both came back the same day in about 4 weeks. My regular plates don't come that fast!

[jaxops]

As a fellow Pennsylvanian, I concur with the above statements. I had to submit a set of photos to the PA State Police as well as Rick Hoover mentioned earlier. They are interested in factory condition, safety, operability, and to avoid issuing classic and antique plates to modified vehicles. be patient, PA is world-renown for its' oversized beaurocracy, but you can prevail with the right documentation.<P>Good luck!

[Guest]

I just had a dealing with the AAA today, I brought my photos in and all other required docs. This is a fully restored to factory condition bone stock 66 Chevelle. They wouldn't accept the photos b/c the photos I took have the YOM Vintage California Black Plates on the car in the picture ( front and back) I have them on there for SHOW purposes only...that's what I do with this car, SHOW IT, I only have 27 miles on it. Apparently PA DOT has a small but unseen rule that the photos can't show any license plate on the car at all. It does not say this anywhere on any of the forms and even a call to the PA DOT didn't turn up this rule until atleast 20 mins. of checking and rechecking and asking this one and that one.<P>I have had several 66's that I got the PA Antique tag for and I know I never got rejected for taking the photos with the regular PA tag or any vintage tag on the car...I always had plates on the car for previous photos. Alas, that's the rules, so back to the picture taking I guess.<P>Mike<A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/mysterychevelle/66CHEVELLESS.html" TARGET=_blank>null</A><A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/mysterychevelle/66CHEVELLESS.html" TARGET=_blank>My 66 SS</A>

[Guest]

Mike That is a beautiful car!