Is your Classic truck a CLASSIC?

[Torrey72]

I was wondering how many people have licensed their truck under a collector vehicle status in their state? I live in Washington state and we can register any vehicle that is 30 years and older as a Collector vehicle. The rules are that you can’t (Though I have never been caught in 20 some years of driving.) daily drive the vehicle for things like driving to work or errands and such. You are ok to drive the rig to and from events like car shows. Driving for testing and tuning purposes is ok. Pleasure driving is listed as an acceptable reason as well. I never tell an officer that I am driving to work. I tell them that I am tuning the carb or driving for the sear pleasure of driving with no destination in mind. Let’s face it. Driving an old Chevy is always a pleasure You can’t park the rig on the street overnight for example , but private property is ok. You never ever, ever have to get car tabs for the rest of your life. You pay one time and that is it. You don’t need a front plate and an old “era correct” plate with NO TABS is A-OK. Though I have insurance; you do not have to carry any car insurance when driving on public streets. I carry copies of the RCW’s ( State Laws) in my glove box for the cops when I get pulled over. They get really pissed when I don’t pony up insurance and just tell them that the law does not apply to me. I’m exempt from that silly Law. Don’t worry, I have it in the glove box. Getting their goat is always priceless. Collector vehicle status exempts you from having to abide by the wheel well, mud flap, Hood, fender, and bumper height laws on vehicles over 40 years old. As well.
Anyone else taking advantage of at least never buying tabs for their truck with their similar state rules for classics?

[bouncytruck]

Mine is registered as a classic and I drive it daily. I know several others who have classic plates and drive them regularly.

[BigRed Beast]

Collector here in Colorado is a five year plate, discounted insurance and no emissions. The insurance pertains to the minimum coverage for legality, but obviously does nothing for replacement cost. We're out in the country (sort of) and our Blazer is my son's daily driver--never been pulled over, cherry bombs and all.

[BlazinC5]

I have been thinking about the collectors plates too. But one other thing with wa rigs is I believe that you can only licence one vehicle as a collector per person. I don't know for sure but I read something on the DOL a while back that I thought said that.

[Torrey72]

Originally Posted by BlazinC5

I have been thinking about the collectors plates too. But one other thing with wa rigs is I believe that you can only licence one vehicle as a collector per person. I don't know for sure but I read something on the DOL a while back that I thought said that.

The simple definition of Collector is the act of collecting more then one. If you could only license one vehicle under a collector statues. It wouldn't be much of a collection would it. I have a 63 Impala, 69 Camaro, 72 Blazer and a 73 Honda CT-70 motorcycle licensed with collector plates. I also have a 69 Blazer with a F-ed up Oregon title that will be licensed if I can ever work it out I have a Green and white Washington plate with original "69" tabs on it waiting impatiently to adorn the rear bumper. Also, If the world doesn't come to an end in 2012 LOL, I have an 82 Honda CB750SC Nighthawk that will get a collector plate then. BTW, Old bikes rule in Washington. who wants to license a bike every year for the four days it is not raining. (I live on the wet side of the state.) I also have a 77 ford Courier I call "The Dumpster" I use it to haul garbage to the dump. It will get a plate when I get around to it. I've been driving it to the dump for several years. Maybe four times a year on plates that expired literally years ago. Lastly, I have a 59 Bel-air Four door that needs to become someone else's problem if any of you want it. I'm not trying to come off like some cool guy. Most of my cars are a bunch of junk. I just have a problem letting any of them go. The impala is my first car I ever owned. oh, and I have a 89 Suburban I use to haul the kids around in and a 77 Cherokee chief and a 06 4 Runner that I use for most daily driving. Wow!? I really ought to get rid of something. Or get a bigger shop. You could say I'm living a rednecks dream. A 69 Camaro a bunch of 4X4s and a shop on acreage bigger then my double wide. lol

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by BlazinC5

I have been thinking about the collectors plates too. But one other thing with wa rigs is I believe that you can only licence one vehicle as a collector per person. I don't know for sure but I read something on the DOL a while back that I thought said that.

I have 4 vehicles wearing CV plates so it may have been
legislation that has been changed.

I'm personally glad we have the option. I doubt I've put
more than 50 miles between three of my CV registered
vehicles (combined) in the past two years.

Keep in mind that you do have to have current tabs to
transfer to a CV registration. If they're expired, you have
to pay for new tabs+the CV plates.

[ChevLoRay]

In Arkansas, we have Antique tags for vehicles 25 years and older, IF you have another vehicle that is registered normally. There is supposed to be restrictions on when and how much you drive 'em, but there are a buttload of 'em on the road. It's weird to see an '86, carrying Antique tags. Think about the '86 model vehicles. The antique tag I have cost me $7.50...one time charge.

We also have Street Rod tags. They carry a $25 premium over the regular price of the weight-driven price tag, and must be renewed each year.

Antique tags are abused in Arkansas. I wish we had a Street Machine tag, and the antique tags were just for vehicles manufactured more than 50 years ago.

Collector tags could be for those vehicles 25 years old and street-driven.

No, I don't make the laws and I'm not in politics.

[72BlckButy]

Collector's plate here... and loving it.

Not a DD.

[RED72blazer]

I'm sorry but driving your "Classic registered" vehicle as a daily driver is the exact reason why in Washington they are considering charging a yearly renewal fee for collector plates.

[Torrey72]

Originally Posted by RED72blazer

I'm sorry but driving your "Classic registered" vehicle as a daily driver is the exact reason why in Washington they are considering charging a yearly renewal fee for collector plates.

Um, well I don't know about that. I doubt that the thought of a few classic plated cars driving around keeps the state lawmakers up at night. I would argue that the $4.6 Billion budget shortfall would have more to say about that then anything else. Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted to Tax bottled water for crying out loud.

[RED72blazer]

Originally Posted by Torrey72

Um, well I don't know about that. I doubt that the thought of a few classic plated cars driving around keeps the state lawmakers up at night. I would argue that the $4.6 Billion budget shortfall would have more to say about that then anything else. Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted to Tax bottled water for crying out loud.

Well, I do know about that.... I wrote everyone on the list below. I even got a few responses. One of them mentioned that they feel it is a loophole in the system that people abuse.....It's been defeated this year.....but it will be back. I highly suggest that any of you reading this Join the SEMA action network so you can find out about this type of stuff.



Legislation (H.B. 1134) has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature by Representative Fred Finn (fred.finn@leg.wa.gov) and Representative Zack Hudgins (zack.hudgins@leg.wa.gov) that threatens to require annual renewal fees for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates. Under the bill, the initial $35 license plate fee for these vehicles would remain and a new annual $30 renewal fee would be added. Under Washington law, a collector vehicle is any motor vehicle that is more than thirty years old, while a horseless carriage is defined as a vehicle that is more than forty years old.



We Urge You to Contact Members of the Washington House Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 1134



* H.B. 1134 ignores the fact that these older cars are infrequently driven (about one-third the miles each year as a new vehicle) second or third vehicles and deserving of reduced registration fees.



* H.B. 1134 singles out and targets owners of older cars as revenue boosters to compensate for state budget shortfalls.



* H.B. 1134 ignores the fact that many collector vehicles are owned and maintained by low and fixed income Americans who are less able to afford a higher, annual fee.

DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the House Transportation Committee immediately by e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 1134. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance.



Washington House Transportation Committee



Representative Judy Clibborn - Chair

Phone: 360/786-7926

Email: judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov



Representative Andy Billig - Vice Chair

Phone: 360/786-7888

Email: andy.billig@leg.wa.gov



Representative Marko Liias - Vice Chair

Phone: 360/786-7972

Email: marko.liias@leg.wa.gov



Representative Mike Armstrong

Phone: 360/786-7832

Email: mike.armstrong@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jan Angel

Phone: 360/786-7964

Email: jan.angel@leg.wa.gov



Representative Katrina Asay

Phone: 360/786-7830

Email: katrina.asay@leg.wa.gov



Representative Deb Eddy

Phone: 360/786-7848

Email: deb.eddy@leg.wa.gov



Representative Fred Finn

Phone: 360/786-7902

Email: fred.finn@leg.wa.gov



Representative Joe Fitzgibbon

Phone: 360/786-7952

Email: joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov



Representative Mark Hargrove

Phone: 360/786-7918

Email: mark.hargrove@leg.wa.gov



Representative Laurie Jinkins

Phone: 360/786-7930

Email: laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov



Representative Norm Johnson

Phone: 360/786-7810

Email: norm.johnson@leg.wa.gov



Representative Brad Klippert

Phone: 360/786-7882

Email: brad.klippert@leg.wa.gov



Representative Dan Kristiansen

Phone: 360/786-7967

Email: dan.kristiansen@leg.wa.gov



Representative Connie Ladenburg

Phone: 360/786-7906

Email: connie.ladenburg@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jim McCune

Phone: 360/786-7824

Email: jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jim Moeller

Phone: 360/786-7872

Email: jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jeff Morris

Phone: 360/786-7970

Email: jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov



Representative Luis Moscoso

Phone: 360/786-7900

Email: luis.moscoso@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jason Overstreet

Phone: 360/786-7980

Email: jason.overstreet@leg.wa.gov



Representative Chris Reykdal

Phone: 360/786-7940

Email: chris.reykdal@leg.wa.gov



Representative Ann Rivers

Phone: 360/786-7850

Email: ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov



Representative Jay Rodne

Phone: 360/786-7852

Email: jay.rodne@leg.wa.gov



Representative Christine Rolfes

Phone: 360/786-7842

Email: christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov



Representative Cindy Ryu

Phone: 360/786-7880

Email: cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov



Representative Matt Shea

Phone: 360/786-7984

Email: matt.shea@leg.wa.gov



Representative Dean Takko

Phone: 360/786-7806

Email: dean.takko@leg.wa.gov



Representative Dave Upthegrove

Phone: 360/786-7868

Email: dave.upthegrove@leg.wa.gov



Representative Hans Zeiger

Phone: 360/786-7968

Email: hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

[Torrey72]

Torrey72: "Um, well I don't know about that. I doubt that the thought of a few classic plated cars driving around keeps the state lawmakers up at night. I would argue that the $4.6 Billion budget shortfall would have more to say about that then anything else. Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted to Tax bottled water for crying out loud."

RED72BLAZER: "Well, I do know about that.... I wrote everyone on the list below. I even got a few responses. One of them mentioned that they feel it is a loophole in the system that people abuse.....It's been defeated this year.....but it will be back. I highly suggest that any of you reading this Join the SEMA action network so you can find out about this type of stuff."

I understand what had been proposed. Though it is still my opinion that the driving force behind the legislation is a mere ruse used to squeeze more tax money out of people. The Governor had said some time back about leaving no stone unturned. Regarding ways to shore up the bloated Washington state budget. If you notice, the two people that submitted the bill are from the same party as the Governor. If classic drivers driving was a real problem the bill would not have any problem gaining bipartisan support. The lawmakers have people employed full time digging threw every single state office looking for “loopholes” to close. I would almost argue that prior to the interns finding the Collector plate rules. Finn and Zack knew about as much about Collector plates and the habits of their drivers as my Grandma knows. Real problems have real numbers to back them up. The only basis for the new tax on Collectors was an empty statement not supported by any true figures just empty prejudice towards a minority of drivers. It is the same as all the lame excuses used to tax people. For example, the state also wanted to tax people that have water wells on their property. How is that ok? People that have wells pay 100% of upkeep on the well. They paid to drill it, paid for a permit to put it on their own property and pay 100% of the electricity to power it. You and I know that rain and ground water in the Northwest is in no jeopardy of depleting anytime soon. This was just another attempt the state was trying to use to tax a minority of people the state was hoping the majority of Pierce and King County city living people would impose on the rural living minority.

Respectfully, I agree with you that losing the Collector plate rules are a concern. Especially for me. I really have way too many cars to license each year. However the roadways are not bloated with Collector plates and State Police are not pushing or endorsing the elimination of the Classic clause. That being said. I feel it is a fake problem used to tax a minority people.

[PICKMUP]

Originally Posted by Torrey72

Um, well I don't know about that. I doubt that the thought of a few classic plated cars driving around keeps the state lawmakers up at night. I would argue that the $4.6 Billion budget shortfall would have more to say about that then anything else. Gov. Chris Gregoire wanted to Tax bottled water for crying out loud.

Just last week the House Trans Committee had public hearings on a new Collector Plate Fraud bill (HB1933). I am sure the WSP & DOL generated the proposed changes: to not allow collector plates until 40 years vs 30 years and mandatory increased fines and plate forfieture.
I testified in strong oposition...those parts did not pass, but you can see there is concern.

[bouncytruck]

I registered mine as a classic when I got a regular daily driver. Due to the economy, I had to give up the other car and drive the Blazer again. As soon as I can afford another car, I'll put the Blazer back to a weekend driver.

[mustardjimmy71]

i could but i like my hei and electric fan, i like driving it to work, and i dont keep it in a locked garage. in canada u can get collector plates at 25 years. they also have a collector modified plate for pre 58 hotrods

[Torrey72]

Originally Posted by mustardjimmy71

i could but i like my hei and electric fan,

interesting? Here in the states you can modify a classic licenced auto with any street legal part without loosing your classic status. Well, all the states I am aware of anyway.

[Erik V]

With a "gift" bill of sale, Dad's old 71 Jimmy cost me $116 to get the title transfered into my name, and put collector plates on it. Nobody ever said you had to collect more than one at the same time. In my family's "collection" have been a 68 SWB 4X4, 71 Jimmy, 72 LWB 2wd GMC, 72 Chevy halfcab motorhome...and countless parts trucks. Thats just one generation of car. This time tho its the first Collector Plated vehicle in the family. Though Dad's 52 Willy's Jeep has "Horseless Carriage" plates. Love WA regs, just hard to explain them to the cops when you get pulled over for pleasure driving to the gas station for a fillup.

Erik

[mustardjimmy71]

Torrey72
ct 70s' rock! nothing like a dozen grown men drunk our minds riding the local walking trails on ct70s' and z50s'. i wish we had pics but that would require someone to operate a camera.

In canada collector status is a very strict process. only safety modifications are permitted such as seat belts and disc breaks. Any unauthorized mods will deem u uninsured. If you get in an accident and they find modifications they say sorry thats not the car we insured.


If your vehicle is pre 58 and has a different from stock engine AND suspension you can qualify for "collector modified" status. aka the hot rod plate.

[swierker]

Originally Posted by Torrey72

interesting? Here in the states you can modify a classic licenced auto with any street legal part without loosing your classic status. Well, all the states I am aware of anyway.

I guess you don't know about Pennsylvania. To get antique plates (older than 25 years) the vehicle needs to be in stock condition. They are pretty strict on this, I got rejected years ago because my wheels were not stock. Now to your point they don't mention anything about modifiying it after you already have the plates.

Classic tags can be had for vehicles over 15 years but still require the annual safety inspection.

There are also custom built/street rod plates as well.

[YBNORML]

Mustard: It must be BC only, cause in Alberta vehicle age is the only determining factor when it comes to collector plates and insurance. Both my 72 and 68 qualify for collector plates, regardless of condition or modifications.

[old man jimmy]

I hope all you guys are taking this with a grain of salt. Because each state sets their own set of rules, and most are all different. So If you really want to register as a classic, check your state dmv for their rules. In TX. you gain nothing with classic plates except costing $10.00 more each year to register. With antique plates you gain a lot, but have an awful lot of restriction. Personally I don't like giving anyone an excuse to stop me.

[Effeckt]

Mine isn't registered as a "classic" but it is insured as a collector car. Registration here grants you nothing but a specialized plate. I looked it up though and did discover that the renewals for historic vehicles is cheaper. However, any vehicle over 25 years old can be insured as a collector car which makes you emissions exempt and a few other benefits. The only restriction is the amount you drive. Fortunately mine is not a DD so that isn't a problem for me.

[mustardjimmy71]

torrey- have tou seen the bushwacker model kit from amt? you pretty much just described it. ct70 on the back of a 69-72 jimmy. its a pricey one if u can find it

[Gobbles]

My truck cannot qualify as a classic here because:

1) Don't have 10 years driving experience
2) Don't have another car on the road.

In BC, Canada, these are the two killers for me Not sure if you folks elsewhere have similar rules but it makes it tough for us younger guys to save cash on insurance.

[eagleuh1]

Mine has antique tags in Arkansas. Its been all over the country, almost driven daily and towed travel trailer everywhere. Haven't been stopped yet. Was more afraid of getting stopped because it was held on with tye wraps till I got the bracket cut to fit around frame hitch. Was just blowing in the breeze. Also no light yet.