Bartman Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 And so it continues, the car failed the MD state inspection yesterday because it has not got bumpers. This is all a result of the issue I described regarding the 2000 vs. 2005 title date. I called Caterham in the UK and nope never made a bumper they tell me, accordingly and as far as I can tell Caterham will never be able to sell a new car to be titled in MD. So now I need to fabricate a front and rear bumper and figure a way of fixing to the car or move to PA where my local police say they will put a plate on a shopping cart. Rick from Time Machines was super helpful so with that assistance and some creative metal bending and welding I'll have something that will meet the states requirements soon. I am only posting all this to help anyone who may face a similar situation and maybe avoid the mistakes I've made. Bart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Is this just a regular yearly inspection? Where is this inspection taking place? Some sort of chain? This seems like a lot of work for something most "seasoned" private places wouldn't bat an eye at. Regardless of that, do you also have to pass OBD2 due to being 1996+? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted August 11, 2021 Author Share Posted August 11, 2021 This is the initial inspection required by the state of MD whenever a used car or trailer changes ownership, its done by a state licensed mechanic to a state specific set of requirements, which includes front and rear bumpers. These inspections are required in order to tag the car, no inspection = no tag unless you can qualify for exemption under the historical (20 years old minimum) or street rod provisions (25 years old minimum). The guy that did mine is an old friend of a race engineer I am working with and even with the old boys network it's not possible to overcome the state bumper requirement outside of the aforementioned exemptions. In talking to a state trooper he basically said put them on, get the inspection and if they "fall" off 1 mile down the road that's your problem, he went on to say enforcement action is unlikely if I were to be pulled over as most of them have no idea what a Caterham is and, even if I was given a ticket, its a modest fine and a requirement to refit the bumpers until they "fall" off again. They (State of MD) don't have any further inspections after the initial post purchase one other than the emissions. For the emissions all vehicles > 3 years old have the emissions checked every 2 years via the OBD2, there is a way I think (hope) to get a sniffer test done if the car is not OBD2 compliant even if its titled as a post 1996 vehicle, this, I am told, is due to the vagaries of how, when and where a car is initially titled (chassis date versus completions date) . My plan is to have the emissions done before I make the engine swap that's in the works and then worry about it again in two years by then it will not be OBD2 compliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf4018 Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Bumpers are so hard to mount reliably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted August 11, 2021 Author Share Posted August 11, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf4018 Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 If the temp bumpers are expensive I would just go a scrapyard get some comically large bumpers like F150 for $20. They won’t be able to deny it just cos it looks stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 I recall others have been down this rabbit hole before, put out a call for MD Inspection bumpers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Quick search shows CT is equally concerned about your car's safety when parallel parking. These pictures might serve as inspiration: -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Given you are stuck between a rock (NY) and a hard place (MD), is there a state where you can get it titled as a model year 2000 and then get the MD title? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Montana LLC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 @11Budlite Bruce - we need your input on bumpers you did on your seven in CT many years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hettric Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I have bumpers for a S3 Caterham that was registered in CT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Hi Bruce, I am facing the same issue you overcame in CT, did you leave them on the car or remove them? If you took them off would you be interested to sell or rent them to me for a few weeks? Thanks for letting me know. Kind regards, Bart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 At work now, but I can address this issue when I get home tonight. Mine were on a Birkin and definitely not permanent. In fact I used some of the steel from the bumpers for an engine hoist bracket at my new place. The bumpers on Hettric's car are very nicely done! Something I would aim for if I was doing a more permanent setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 On 8/11/2021 at 9:28 AM, Bartman said: "...as far as I can tell Caterham will never be able to sell a new car to be titled in MD." Caterham are not legally able to sell a new car anywhere in the USA, including MD. They sell only new car parts and kits of new car parts in the USA. This might seem nit-picky at first glance, but it is a critical distinction. Sounds like bumpers fall off in MD almost as much as front plates fall off in CA. I blame cheap counterfeit fasteners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 LMAO I was chatting to a guy in Caterham UK this week and he told me they are expecting some sort of new/revised Federal regulation that would provide relief from this knocked down car loophole they are using. Its the Fed's so I told him no to hold his breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 He was probably referring to the low-volume manufacturer exception that SEMA helped push through Congress about 5 or 6 years ago. Implementation was on hold until the NHTSA published their own associated regulation. As I recall that happened early this year. However, given this was done at the Federal level, I imagine each state can implement their own additional provisions that render the legislation moot. Any bets on the state most likely to do that? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Keeps the lobbyists busy and their kids in school, I guess they will now focus on the volume potential states that like to legislate everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Hettric - Do you have any photos of how your bumper setup mounts to the chassis? I don't think my old Birkin setup will work at all on my Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I got my car from someone who lives in Maryland. I think you can tag the car as a replica. You might want to check Maryland law. If you tell them that it is a replica of a 1965 Lotus it is my understanding that there isn't any emission testing and very little safety inspection requirements. I live in Virginia and while my car isn't tagged yet, Virginia has a similar law. Hope you are coming to the USA-7 Event at MJMP. Even if you do not drive it is fun to see all the cars and meet people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now