Any rush to register a car?

[EccentricMagpies]

I bought a charger last March that I am in the process of having restored.

I've often wondered if there is any reason/advantage to register the car now, versus just holding off until it's ready for the road?  I figured, what's the rush but maybe I'm missing something.

thanks

[Shakey]

I registered mine right away so that I could put insurance on it in case of some unfortunate incident.

Not sure how the laws work where you are but for me it was piece of mind.

[Charger-Bodie]

I always to the title work right away . Before any work starts. That way if there is a problem with registering it you don't have a ton of money spent on someone else's car.

[HPP]

State DMV rules are so varied, it really depends.

Where I'm at, once you do register your car, they charge a fee for every year not registered up to a max limit if there have been gaps in registration. In my case, if the car is going to be off the road for 5 years or more, its worth it to let it lapse. If less than that, I keep them active.

As mentioned, insurance coverage capability may also be a factor.

Absolutely complete the title work as suggested above.

[wingcar]

Better safe than sorry....do it the sooner the better.  I once purchased a 1970 Challenger RT/SE that had title issues...the lien was never removed even though the car had been paid off years before.  It was a real hassle having to deal with the DMV and the original bank to get a clear title.  Glad I did it BEFORE restoring the car, just in case.  Too many stories out there of people that have restored a car only to learn that the title had issues and they lost the car and all money invested.

[70 sublime]

In Ontario any old car (antique) has to get appraised before they will let you register it (too many people have used false bill of sale in the past for cheaper prices as that is what you have to pay tax on)
So here I can do a title search to see everything is OK with ownership papers but if the (fill in the blank )--------DMV is going to make me get an appraisal I wait till the car is all torn apart to get it done

[Bulldog69]

I titled mine right away because the sale was across state lines- from Kentucky to Illinois. However, I unknowingly made the mistake of registering also, which here in Illinois triggers the air pollution testing database. I almost got my liscence suspended for not complying (being able to drive it to facility because it was in a thousand pieces in garage). So.... In hindsight, I do recommend titling to document ownership, but hold off on the registration until roadworthy. As far as insurance , as long as your money is green, and you have a vin number you can insure anything. The company will be happy to take it- I've never heard of them caring about registration.

[charge69]

Get the title work to get it into your name done ASAP but, registering it is not really necessary until it is roadworthy.

[EccentricMagpies]

hmmm..

I'm glad I asked.  Thanks all !!



Hopefully there isn't a tale to tell.   Car hasn't been on the road for ~15 years so I suppose anything could happen in the process.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

I somehow in all the shuffle back in 2006(car was a rust pile) forgot along with the restorer. I had only a notarized bill of sale which isn't recognized now in Ontario Canada I found out the hard way in 2012. I sh!t my pants when it was turned down let me tell you  Luckily I found an office that put it through & issued me an ownership but wow was that stressful!

[Baldwinvette77]

In Ontario any old car (antique) has to get appraised before they will let you register it (too many people have used false bill of sale in the past for cheaper prices as that is what you have to pay tax on)

WHO WOULD EVER THINK TO DO SUCH A THING?   

[Ghoste]

I didn't have to get mine appraised.

[J.Bond]

I didn't have to get mine appraised.

When I registered mine, was around the time that the appraisal rule came in, in Ontario. Had the original bill of sale, however the appraisal was a couple of thousand more. The DMV lady was having a bad day,  and hit me with tax on the appraisal number, only to say to me as I was leaving, you know if you did not bring an appraisal, I would have only charged you tax on the bill of sale price. Oh thank you!!!!!.... that made my day...... Anyways, It only makes sense to changeover your ownership A.S.A.P., to keep the tax rate based on what you bought, compared to paying tax for the work you completed on the car.   ie; paid 5 thousand for rough shell

                                 ie; car is finished and appraised for 45 thousand

                                   Do the math......

[HPP]

I'm seeing two threads of thought here, ownership transfer and registration to drive.

Where I live, titling the vehicle into you name is the official transfer of ownership from one part to another. This is a step you absolutely should do when you get the vehicle and paperwork and before you do any work on the vehicle. This step involves bill of sales, titles, maybe appraisals or law enforcement documents

Registration is what you do to get plates assigned to the vehicle and acquire the necessary paperwork to actually drive the vehicle on the road. This may involve insurance papers or appraisals.

Using that frame of reference, definetey transfer ownership. If you are not going to drive it for a long time to come, don't worry about registering it.

[myk]

As everyone else has mentioned you have to get the issue of official ownership out of the way.  I recall a story about a father and son effort to restore a muscle car, only to have it discovered by the owner who had declared it stolen years before. The courts gave the now restored car back to the original owner and the father and son not only lost the car but all of the time and money spent in restoring the car.  Don't let that happen to you also!

[greatwn73]

I live Ontario also.  When I buy a car that's needing work before hitting the road I register it in my name but as unfit. This usually will not need an appraisal (for tax purposes) and then protects me and the car before investing any money. It also allows for insurance on the car (fire and theft).

[ramairthree]

I would check on any inspection/emissions requirements first and also on any antique specific registering.

I have it pretty good, no issues.

I personally only have a two car garage.  So my 74 RR and my 71 Javelin live in the driveway.

You can't have junk cars.

So I have mine registered and insured and have to keep them at least driveway driveable.

[Ghoste]

I live Ontario also.  When I buy a car that's needing work before hitting the road I register it in my name but as unfit. This usually will not need an appraisal (for tax purposes) and then protects me and the car before investing any money. It also allows for insurance on the car (fire and theft).

That may be what happened with mine too then, I registered it as unfit first.

[41husk]

In Illiinois you have 30 days from the sale to do the title work.  Many people don't date the title so the new owner can date it when he is ready.  You do not need to register the car until it is road worthy.

[F8-4life]

Sounds like some places make it difficult with appraisals and inspections.
In Ohio I think its a $5 late fee for waiting to title in your name.
I got Ohio historical plates for $28 good untill 2050.
Easy as that.

[chargerman69]

As everyone else has mentioned you have to get the issue of official ownership out of the way.  I recall a story about a father and son effort to restore a muscle car, only to have it discovered by the owner who had declared it stolen years before. The courts gave the now restored car back to the original owner and the father and son not only lost the car but all of the time and money spent in restoring the car.  Don't let that happen to you also!

This one?
http://jalopnik.com/father-son-restoration-project-turns-into-nightmare-aft-1591656312

[Plum Crazy 68]

I bought a charger last March that I am in the process of having restored.

I've often wondered if there is any reason/advantage to register the car now, versus just holding off until it's ready for the road?  I figured, what's the rush but maybe I'm missing something.

thanks

My wife had her 68 Charger stolen by a family friend back in the 1980s.  It was gone a few years and she had police reports on it.  Well, some guy bought it and started buying new parts for it then took it in to register it.  The police gave the car back to my wife with all the new parts on it and there was no compensation.

I would get it registered as a "non-operating" car if your state allows it and then change that status when you get the car running.

[EccentricMagpies]

 

Sure hope the word 'salvage' isn't an issue

[myk]

As everyone else has mentioned you have to get the issue of official ownership out of the way.  I recall a story about a father and son effort to restore a muscle car, only to have it discovered by the owner who had declared it stolen years before. The courts gave the now restored car back to the original owner and the father and son not only lost the car but all of the time and money spent in restoring the car.  Don't let that happen to you also!

This one?
http://jalopnik.com/father-son-restoration-project-turns-into-nightmare-aft-1591656312

That's it...

[Chargerfanatic]

In Kansas you can title it in your name but you can get an off road title until it is ready to drive. Still think it costs but very little compared to regular taxes.