JPS Europa wrote:
Is not NJ similar to many other states in that the vehicle only has to comply with the safety items of day for the year in which the vehicle is similar? My car ended up being titled as a '64 Lotus Seven and that made a big difference in which areas it needed to be compliant. For instance, as I recall (it has been 3 years since my car was legal so some of the dancing around regs is not fresh in my mind), washer mechanisms were not required until 1968. I did show up at my State Police inspection with the federal rules printed out for everything that I was going to claim an exemption for, but I did not need it. He wanted to know if some of the major parts would be interchangeable with the car that was the "similar". Of course, the answer is yes. He just made sure that the parts that needed to be there were there...did not even check if they all worked. It all did work though. I had receipts for every single part on the car laid out neatly in an excel spreadsheet so that any receipt could be immediately accessed, and I think that I making their job easy in this respect helped me out. Not having stolen parts was really the biggest part of the initial inspection.
Also keep track of parts that you have paid state sales tax on otherwise you will pay tax on your whole stack of receipts if the sales tax in not indicated on them. Again, keep it really organized and easy to access the information.
As far as subsequent safety inspections have gone, its really more about checking the mileage, tires, and lights.
My '74 Europa, which looks much more like a real car...even though its not...gets a much more thorough checkout...and yes, the last time they did check to make sure the windshield washer worked.
I think you are referring to the SEMA model legislation that they have gotten passed in more enlightened states. That was up for a vote a couple of years ago, but to date has gone nowhere. The basic stuff they require is really a no brainer, and I would not consider building without them. Dual circuit brake system, seperate parking / emergency brake system, Safety glass for Windshield (if it has one), etc. The biggest pia is the emissions, which are tied to the engine / trans combo installed. I was careful to save all of the '87 Corvette and '88 Camaro emissions stuff that was on the car, with plenty of pictures and a manual as well. Since I will probably have a windshield, it looks like I will be installing a heater / defroster!