Caterham Registration Process in Mass.

[Birkinboy]

I'm planning on buying a 7 in in the next few months. Not decided new or used yet. Probably new, assembled. In '01 I assembled a Birkin an went thru

a very unique and funny registration process that would not be possible now. Does anyone know what's involved nowadays.  I imagine you have to go

thru the Mass. verification/tag method. Had a friend do his Cobra, it wasn't too painful. Getting my Birkin was unique, I think. If anyone is interested I'd

be glad to share my method. 

[MPG]

I wrote up my experience in Mass a couple of years ago here. I expect it has changed a little bit since then because the registry switched contractors shortly after I got thru. I don't think the law has changed, but having different folks implementing some of the steps probably matters.

[Birkinboy]

Your document is pretty close to what my friend had to go thru with this Cobra. He had to name his car a '427 Roadster'.

His inspection had a major roadblock though. The inspector knew exactly where the factory vin was, but his didn't have one.

He had to go back to Factory Five to get it. They fixed it right away. Goof up by them.

  A few steps have been added since then. Should be able to get thru it.

When I did my Birkin, 2002, things were not as regulated as they are now. I was able to do it much easier.

Thanks for the write up.

[Djplaster]

I went through it with my Birkin last year and it is painful to say the least, prior to that I went through it with a Cobra kit car. There are a couple of steps the first one you will need to go through if it is new kit vehicle is to get a MA issued VIN which requires the state police to inspect the vehicle to insure none of the parts are stolen. Have receipts and documents for all the drive train showing they were purchased. If the vehicle has been previously registered in another state and has a state issued VIN you can skip this. Once you have a  state issued VIN  you go through the normal vehicle registration process get insurance and plates etc. Now the fun part the state vehicle inspection part. I thought from reading the regulations that it would not be and issue as the engine in the Birkin was a 1998 Zetec and the kit car was purchased by the assembler in 2006 making the vehicle more than 15 years old so my conclusion it would be emissions exempt. I purchased the vehicle which was registered in two different states with that assumption thinking I would avoid the kit car registration process. Since it was a kit car there is whole set of other rules in MA. After getting and inspection rejection I had to deal with the MAC center who guided me through the process, they were helpful but it was nonetheless painful. I had to go out and find a 1972 vehicle of similar displacement engine and been registered in MA within the past 5 years and get it scrapped and present a documentation from the salvage yard it had been scrapped. The purpose is that you are creating an emissions credit for your new car thereby making it emissions exempt. Before you buy your donor vehicle make sure you present the current registration and VIN number to the MAC center to ensure it will meet the criteria. A vehicle that meets that criteria at a reasonable price is hard to find. I happen to find a clapped out 71 MGB for $2500 that met criteria. It took me over 6 weeks to find the donor fortunately for me this was during vehicle inspection software fiasco so I was able to drive as there was no way to get the vehicle inspected. In MA make sure you have working wipers and full windshield. Nothing like the State of Massachusetts to take the fun out of everything. Good luck you will need it! 

[Rupes]

Reviving an old thread. I live in Massachusetts and have always wanted a 7. There is a 2001 Birkin with a Zetec for sale that is currently registered in New Hampshire. Does anyone know if the process would the same as outlined above and that I would need to find a 1973 or older car to get crushed? Or does the fact it is a 2001 help me?

 

EDIT

I spoke to someone from the motorist assistance center (MAC) in Norwood. The emissions requirements are based on the year of the drivetrain that was put in the car. All emission-related components that were originally on that drivetrain must be present and operational (https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/kit-car-policy). Clearly this is not the case with a Birkin.

 

So my only option would be to get an emissions exemption by going the crushed car route.

• Buy a car that is a 1973 or older (a mass polluter) and has an engine with the same or higher displacement and the engine in the kit car.
• The car must have been registered and inspected for at least the last year.
• Have the car crushed and provide all the necessary paperwork.

He did say that people are aware that kit car builders need such cars so they usually sell for $4-5k

I cannot find an official webpage that spells this all out.

 

Edited July 22, 2025 by Rupes