Does registering Antique affect title in PA?

[Frantz]

I'm considering switching to antique tags and the form has a $50 title certification fee on top of the $75 reg fee. It wouldn't shock me if this was just for money, but I remember reading like 10 years ago that PA was considering making some changes to antique cars and there was concern it could make the title equivalent to "reconstructed". Now I feel I would have heard more about this if it happened, but I just wanted to make sure! Any PA title experts? What change is made to titling when registering as an antique?

[Bhigdog]

Why not go right to the horses mouth and ask that question at your local tag and title place in town. What you'll mostly get here is opinion...........Bob

[Frantz]

Because the local tag office doesn't care if a title affects the value of a car. If someone from MD wants to buy my PA Antique title, would it cause any concerns? The local tag office won't have a clue, but the opinions from folks here might just be that guy from MD who knows......

[John_S_in_Penna]

I don't claim to be an expert, but I have seen nothing

that makes an antique-car title equivalent to a title for a

reconstructed car.

There is a tremendous advantage to having an eligible car

registered as an antique in Pennsylvania, a car-friendly state.

The registration is PERMANENT, so you only pay the registration

fee ($75 or so) once. Keep a car for many years, and you are far ahead.

I've found that the A.A.A. is very knowledgeable about titling,

and in antique-car territory, antique-car titles aren't foreign to them either.

Edited April 3, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Steve Moskowitz]

I remember reading like 10 years ago that PA was considering making some changes to antique cars and there was concern it could make the title equivalent to "reconstructed" There is no current or pending legislation in this area now. Who knows what will happen in the future but Penndot and the legislature have not shown an anti-vintage car bias. In fact they have been very helpful.

[Sweet64rivi]

You can search PennDOT's website: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-ant.pdf

[KRK Sr.]

Frantz, the only problem I have had is they do not put mileage on the new title. If you have a low mileage car photo copy the old title so you can prove the low mileage from what ever year that title was from. The new title will say exempt at the mileage location. The YOM plate and antique title is all good. Karl

[Bhigdog]

Because the local tag office doesn't care if a title affects the value of a car. If someone from MD wants to buy my PA Antique title, would it cause any concerns? The local tag office won't have a clue, but the opinions from folks here might just be that guy from MD who knows......

Your question in essence was...... is a PA antique title the "equivalent" of a PA reconstructed title. Your local tag place could give you the literature referencing both titles and answer any questions you might have with facts, not opinions. The very same questions your MD buyer might ask to which you would have documented factual answers, not opinions..............Bob

[Restorer32]

There is no equivalency between a Pa Antique title and a PA Reconstructed title. An Antique title say ANTIQUE, a Reconstructed title says RECONSTRUCTED.

[intimeold]

In my opinion; and only my opinion, and coming from PA notary: I would think the antique title is an asset.

At one time to get a PA antique title; the vehicle (what ever it was, automobile, truck, motorcycle,) had to be verified, either by photos or in some instances, not all, by an inspection mechanic. That the vehicle, was in fact, a good representation of the original vehicle as it came from the manufacturer; and not a reconstructed or street-rod vehicle.

That process has changed in PA. Of course Penn-Dot increased all motor vehicle fees and title fees, usually double, a short time ago. And with that fee increase the antique registration has doubled; but requirements have been relaxed. All that it usually takes now is pay the double fee and fill out the application for antique tags. I say this from experience, as I just did an antique motorcycle.

Now that owner has lifetime registration, no State inspection or emission inspection; but the vehicle must comply with certain driving restrictions and light requirements. See your Penn-Dot rules for those requirements.

Of course the owner has to maintain a safe vehicle and carry insurance to travel on the roads.

Also, if the owner were to sell the vehicle; the next owner can request to have the antique title transferred to his name; actually a new title will be issued in the new owner's name. But all the leg-work, in getting the vehicle registered, as an antique, will have been done by the first owner. Thus another asset.

Yes, the antique title in PA is a good thing. But you will have certain restrictions to follow, with I eluded to.

intimeold

[Frantz]

Okay, as luck would have it I had to go to a titling class yesterday, so I asked the question during the break. The title does get branded (A for Antique, or C for Classic). Now this shouldn't affect much, but here is my concern. More and more people do vehicle history reports and I worry they'll focus on the term "branded" more than A or C. It's sorta like buying the nicest house in a neighborhood. A and C might be fine, but R (reconstructed) is just down the road. I also don't know how other states are with reciprocity of branding. Though from all your responses I think I'm probably just being worried over nothing. I just didn't want to do something that can't be undone without knowing the details. Any additional thoughts before I put my concerns to rest and just do it?

[Restorer32]

Years ago my uncle was going to make his fortune buying ex police cars at auction, changing the hubcaps etc and selling them. His plan unraveled when he discovered that PA titles for police cars and taxis are "branded", or at least they were then.

[Frantz]

Yep, they still are. Like I mentioned, some could be good, some are bad. I don't know how much the general association of "branded" could affect value/desirability. Now each "brand" is different, so someone who knows what they are looking for won't be turned off unless some other states have issues with the general branded statement. Here is the current list for PA:

Antique

Classic

Collectible

Out of Country

Non US Distribution

Ag use

Logging

Police

Reconstructed

Street Rod

Theft

Reissued Vin

Flood

Taxi

Edited April 8, 2015 by Frantz (see edit history)

[Frantz]

You can search PennDOT's website: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-ant.pdf

The fact sheets never tell you stuff like this sadly. It's a limited information sheet to make you feel like the government is providing you the answers. You have to go into vehicle code to really understand, and of course that doesn't tell you market values or interstate effects.

[benjamin j]

I would have nothing to do with a title class for antique. I am very happy to have my titles be exact in description and not lump me into a category that could be restricted in the future.

Someone else mentioned driving restrictions which is the big problem as it pertains to insurance.

I do not see any way it would be in my best interest to go antique title.

[Restorer32]

Well, in PA it saves you having to pay yearly registration, lowers your insurance cost and exempts you from yearly inspection requirements. I don't see a down side to having a car registered as Antique other than the driving restrictions which aren't that all that terrible but to each their own. An Antique title is just as exact in description as a regular title I believe, at least in PA.

[Frantz]

It adds antique to the title, it doesn't take away from any other part of the description such as make or model. The pros for antique are no annual registration fee, no annual inspection, no emissions.

The cons other than my concern about title branding are:

No person may operate a vehicle with antique or classic registration plates for commercial purposes or for general daily transportation. Permitted use is limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses, and for occasional transportation. Occasional transportation means no more than 1 day a week

For me, that's not a big enough downside as it generally describes my own use. To my knowledge a car can be reverted back by the next owner, but that would be another question to double check I suppose.

[Guest my3buicks]

John, I disagree about AAA - I just went through a huge issue with AAA in Pittsburgh - I wanted to transfer a purple plate tag to the Reatta that I had on the Centurion I lost in the fire last summer - I had a "herd" of "associates" around telling me it couldn't be done - I knew it could because I have done it several times over the years. So I said, you know, you could pick up the phone and find out. After they finally conceded it could be done, they then proceeded to tell me the Reatta was not eligible for the plate until next year - again I calmly (not really by then) told them to pick up the phone and get the correct answer. Of course, the Reatta is now wearing the purple plate and title and owners card are back from the state and antique. I have had other issues with AAA telling me something couldn't be done when in fact it could. If you use them and they tell you NO any you don't agree, ask them to make a call.