Latest on Registering a Brand-New Caterham in MA

[Blokko]

After a bit of searching I’ve come across this post here -

 

http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5137&highlight=Massachusetts

 

So, if I were to purchase a brand new Caterham and new engine / gearbox would I be looking at registration in MA being a) just forget it, or b) challenging but achievable?

 

As per Mike’s (croc) suggestion, would building / registering the car in NH and then (at a later date) moving to MA and logging an Interstate Transfer with DMV be an option?

 

This all stems from my original BlatChat post here - http://blatchat.com/t.asp?id=239317

Edited March 25, 2014 by Blokko

[MPG]

Mass certainly isn't the easiest state to get registered in, but you should be aware that the law changed in April 2012 to use a version of the SEMA-model legislation. That means that a lot of the horror stories you hear from people who went through the process before then don't apply anymore.

 

I'm currently building a Westfield near Boston. I'm expecting the registration process to be challenging, but I don't really think that trying to route around it by going through another state would really improve things.

 

-MPG-

[Hettric]

I have been through the "new" (9/2012) process, transferring in will not help you.

The issue will be if your car can meet the emission standard of a certified engine/drivetrain combination (highly unlikely). There is or was another way that I went through to achieve "emissions exempt" status - convoluted, frustrating and very time consuming. It took me 6 months and app 1.5k but I was one of the first.

PM me if you want more info

Edited March 25, 2014 by Hettric
correct amount

[Blokko]

The issue will be if your car can meet the emission standard of a certified engine/drivetrain combination (highly unlikely).

Showing my naivety here - I just assumed that a modern engine like a Ford Sigma or Duratec would coast emissions tests as they are used so widely in current mainstream cars.

 

Is it the mating with the Ford Type 9 gearbox that is the problem? I can well understand Ford Zetec or Rover K's being problematic on emissions as they are older engine designs.

 

Maybe my dream of being able to build a 7 during my US stay and then driving it around the NE of the US (and doing some trackdays) is going to be beyond my reach :-( Not sure I fancy running an older 7 - really wanted to scratch that new build itch.....

 

Will see where matters take me - may well take you up on your kind offer of additional info via PM at some point in the future. Thanks Hettric....

[Blokko]

I'm currently building a Westfield near Boston.

-MPG-

I had a good chat with Simon when I did the Westfield factory tour a while back and he told me that he'd just sold a car in the US - wonder if it was yours?

 

What engine are you using? Maybe I should wait for you to jump through all the hoops and then follow in your footsteps :-)

[wemtd]

Blokko

NH may be easier for you. It somewhat depends on whether your car has an OBDII plug, but this may not be an absolute requirement (confused yet? I live here and am still confused). Rhode Island is within (non-commuting) range of Boston, however I don't know if they are any easier than in MA.

 

Hang in there and don't give up on your dream. Have you spoken with Chris at Sevens & Elans?

 

cheers

P.

[BusaNostra]

Simon sold me a Westfield from England.

I thought you are buying a Caterham?

Westfield has the MegaS2000 powered by Honda s2000 and they are in the process of putting a Rotrex supercharger. I think this series is emission compliance.

Email the Westfield dealer here if you are interested: His email:

tom@manikllc.com

 

 

 

 

 

I had a good chat with Simon when I did the Westfield factory tour a while back and he told me that he'd just sold a car in the US - wonder if it was yours?

 

What engine are you using? Maybe I should wait for you to jump through all the hoops and then follow in your footsteps :-)

[MPG]

I had a good chat with Simon when I did the Westfield factory tour a while back and he told me that he'd just sold a car in the US - wonder if it was yours?

 

What engine are you using? Maybe I should wait for you to jump through all the hoops and then follow in your footsteps :-)

 

I'm not sure how much help mine will be to you. My donor is a 93 Miata. That's pre-OBD2, which makes a big difference in the emissions part of the registration process.

[Blokko]

Blokko

NH may be easier for you. It somewhat depends on whether your car has an OBDII plug, but this may not be an absolute requirement (confused yet? I live here and am still confused). Rhode Island is within (non-commuting) range of Boston, however I don't know if they are any easier than in MA.

 

Hang in there and don't give up on your dream. Have you spoken with Chris at Sevens & Elans?

 

cheers

P.

 

Will make contact with Seven & Elans and Tom @ the Westfield dealers.

 

As much as I want to build / own a 7 for my stay in the US, I think I might come to resent the extra daily commute time from NH into Boston after a while.

 

Maybe I do need to save the build for when I get back to the UK and look instead at used, older 7's (as suggested by Croc). Having knocked around with the Se7ens List guys and gals I'm not averse to looking at other sevenesque cars - particularly if I were going down the used car route.

 

So, what criteria should I be looking at for a used 7 for me to be able to register / use it in MA?

[Blokko]

Simon sold me a Westfield from England.

I thought you are buying a Caterham?

Westfield has the MegaS2000 powered by Honda s2000 and they are in the process of putting a Rotrex supercharger. I think this series is emission compliance.

Email the Westfield dealer here if you are interested: His email:

tom@manikllc.com

 

Simon told me he had sold a car to a guy in the US, not to me. If I was going to build then I'd really like it to be a Caterham. I've owned 2 and I'd feel much more comfortable taking on a build of a Cat than any other kit. That said, I'd consider taking on a Westie build at a push (plenty of moral and technical support would be forthcoming from Se7ens List if needed, I'm sure).

 

When I went round the factory they had a MegaS2000 in the workshop. Looks great as an out and out track weapon, but not really a tourer / occasional trackday car (which is what I'm after). I'll probably get kicked off the forum for saying this, but 150bhp is plenty for me

[Hettric]

[quote name=

So, what criteria should I be looking at for a used 7 for me to be able to register / use it in MA?[/quote]

 

Buy one that is already registered in MA, but the truth is unless they have modified the law from 2012/2013 when I was dealing with it even this may not work.

When they put this new law into effect in 4/2011 there was a 1 year grandfather period for "replica" owners to change their title/registration to comply and be forever exempt, the rub is they didn't tell anyone. After that there is no exemption, that is, it is retroactive applied to all replica cars even if you have owned it forever. There is also no "age out" for replicas as there is for passenger cars which don't have to pass emissions after 15 years. There was talk of correcting these issues in the law, but I don't know as I have not followed it since 4/13 when I was done, however the lawmakers are not known for their speed.

The biggest problem is lack of knowledge by officials administering the rules (don't believe what you are told unless you can verify it) and much rumor amongst car enthusiasts about the old easy ways around -there are not any in this RMV computer run system. I have heard of a case where a title/registration was issued incorrectly - to the advantage of the owner, but this was only a mistake by the clerk (and the law was new). I urge you do your research and look carefully at the laws that apply. I can provide links to most.

[Blokko]

Went to a Brit car day this weekend whilst on a visit to Boston - http://larzanderson.org/events/lawn-events/2014-lawn-event-list/british-car-day/

 

Good mix of cars - from lowly Mini's up to brand new Rollers. Quite a few Loti at the event - Elise's, Esprit's and also several of the new Evora. Some Series I and II Land Rovers that were in fresh-off-the-Brown's-Lane-production-line condition

 

Very surprised to see 3 TVR Vixen's and a TVR Tasmin (didn't realise that they ever made LHD cars for the US market).

 

Did get to see an MA registered Caterham SV at the event - which just goes to show that it can be done :-) Car belongs to a guy called Warren (who I believe posts on here from time to time). He has a write-up on his car screen that details a 'challenging' registration process!