Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

Collector's Plates Fact

Awesome stereo or true original stock Corvette radio?

  • New stereo for me!

    Votes: 25 59.5%
  • Original radio for me!

    Votes: 17 40.5%

  • Total voters
    42
J

Jade

Guest
I've seen a few posts in various rooms regarding Collector's Plates. I know that every state/province is different but one major thing to be aware of is the true nature off a Collector vehicle, meaning that the whole vehicle needs to be as close to the original as possible.
My 'Vette is stock, all original except for the new stereo. I was thinking about popping out my radio, getting an old one in there for the Collector's inspection then popping my good stereo back in after. I was advised against doing this because once you alter the car after it has gone through its Collector's inspection you void the insurance and are essentially driving with ZERO COVERAGE!
For me, having awesome tunes while driving an awesome car is worth it but for others, saving a few bucks on insurance but listening to a crappy 30 year old stereo is worth it...go figure!
 
That may be a more Candada specific thing. I have not heard of restrictions being that strict before.

The best thing to do is get another center bezel so you can cut and modify as you please. Make up a good direct plug harness so no wires have to be cut, and install your happy radio in. If/when you need to swap it out simply do so.

On another note, there is a great new product out called hidden radio or hidden sound. It allows you to leave the stock radio in place, and mount this other one that includes a c.d. changer anywhere in the car and is operated with a remote control. Sounds like just the ticket for you.

I don't know the www.address for them.
 
Hidden stereo

I built a custom stereo system for my room mate's '66 Nova. He has a rare original stereo in the car that he did not want to remove. So the hidden system was ideal. There's a catch though. The hidden system and the original can't use the same speakers. The hidden system is just like an in-dash receiver except that its under your seat or in the trunk. If you wire the speakers to both stereos, i.e. in parallel, you take a chance of cooking both stereos and possible blowing speakers in the process. In my room mate's Nova, there wasn't really a problem because the original stereo consisted of a single center speaker in the dash. I mounted a pair of Rockford Fosgates in the rear pillars (much cutting and custom risers required) using the pillar and headliner as the enclosure. I also custom fabricated fiberglass enclosures using the front kick panels for another set of Rockfords. The control panel was mounted in the headliner (but can also be controled with an Rf remote control from 30ft away). There are no subs at the moment, and with the windows up they aren't neccesary, but planned for in the future. The speaker grills were painted to match the rest of the interior and the Rockford symbols were blended to make the entire system appear original. He now has the best of both worlds. An era looking interior (you can't see the control panel in the headliner unless you look for it) with great sound.
 
Mike... A relatively easy solution to using common speakers for both radio's is to have someone with a modicum of electrical experience throw in a couple dbl pole switches in the speaker wiring. When you use the hidden radio hit the switches and it eliminates the stock radio from the circuitry completely. It works.

........... Nut
 
Nut...
I thought about that too. I've been doing stereos for many years now. In my roommate's application, it wasn't neccesary due to the original set up.
But yes, a pair of double pole/double throw (assuming 2 stereos/4 speakers) prior to the amplifiers would work.
Most people wouldn't want to hassle with such a set up, or finding a place in a classic vehicle to mount obtrusive 21st century switches.
:eyerole
 
I have collector plates on my 78. I live Ohio the only thing they looked at was the vin, I was told that all vetts automatically are entitled to the plates, other auto may have to send pictures in etc.
 
No inspection in Michigan for "Antique" plates, all you need is the title showing the car is over 25 years old; however, there are usage restrictions with them - no regular driving, no driving at night, etc. (also no annual renewal fee). Don't see many of them except on show-only genuine "antique" cars.
 
That may be a more Candada specific thing

I can't comment on the rest of Canada, but it definitely is a B.C. thing. The car does not have to be matching numbers or anything like that, but it must be stock and in excellent condition -- clean engine, good paint, no rips in the interior, etc.

To apply, we have to send in something like 10 pics from various angles, then wait to see if it qualifies.

(Additional qualifications: must pass emissions -- but only once, instead of yearly, must be 25+ years old, can't be driven to/from work/school, must have a 2nd car under registration -- that 2nd car is your 'to work' driver; don't know what retired people do!)

If you qualify, you save about $1000 (depending on the region within BC in which you live) on insurance, you only have to get AirCared (emmissions testing) once, and you get those fancy collector's license plates!

BC also has an Antique classification: 30+ years, only drive to/from shows or in parades, etc,.... Prob. other stuff too.


Btw, stick with the stock radio and get some hidden tunes!
 
In the UK you can get collectors insurance on most specialised cars of just about any age. It doesn`t matter if the car has been worked on so long as it is to a good standard. You get an agreed value certificate as well. If you are lucky enough to have one that is 25yrs or older you also save the on the road tax which is currently about $250 a year for bigger cars.

After I did the engine in my car I just sent new pictures and a list of parts and modification to them and had no problems.

Although most of the policies have a mileage restriction it made my Vette cheaper to insure than my VW Jetta.

:D

J.
 
[email]paul.fithen@fuse.net[/email] said:
I have collector plates on my 78. I live Ohio the only thing they looked at was the vin, I was told that all vetts automatically are entitled to the plates, other auto may have to send pictures in etc.

When I got my plates (Ohio) a few years back, all I had to do was pass my emissions test once (which wasn't a problem in it's stock format.) After that ALL the emissions stuff came out. That's why it's all for sale now... Now I have that muscle car sound again which Corvette's lost sometime in the early 70's (IMHO) :)

In Ohio, e-checks are different for each county, some not even requiring them. As for Ohio on the whole, I think the owner has to be able to prove some type of collectibilty, so yeah, there shouldn't be much a problem with any vettes. Now, a beat up 1978 station wagon that blows more black smoke than a Mack truck...yeah... I saw someone try to pull that off one time as collector.
 
Here in Louisiana we have a couple of different plates. It all depends on what you have/want. I have a street cruiser plate on my car. I just thought they looked better and the numbers are in the hundreds not the twenty thousands like the antique plates. Here is a link to LA plates. http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/ttl/plate/sigs.html

Mark B.
 
My 77 and 95 both have Ohio collectors Plates. I was told the car has to listed in a book that they use to determine if it is eligible. My 77 has no emmision controls or cats. I had collectors plates on it before they started testing. Just kept renewing them and they never asked to check the car. Chuck
 
Maryland Historic Plates (and Florida too)

Here is the drill in Maryland and Florida,

In Md, to get "Historic" plates the car must be 25 years old. "Street Rod" plates are for highly modified or VERY rare cars. (1 in 2000) I think.

The rules on Historic plates are such:

You can only drive the car to / from / in shows,
car clubs, etc.etc.

I have never had a problem with this though. (I use the plates all the time) I was pulled over twice in my '72 Monte Carlo for burned out lights and they didn't bust me on the plates. Besides, Historic plates are $25/ year and you don't have to get a MD inspection like regular plates.

In Florida they have "Collectable" plates. Which I've seen on early 80's cars, so I'm guessing 20 years or older?

I don't see an advantage to that. Florida has no state safety inspection, and no longer has emissions inspection. All you need is the title! :)

In both states you have to carry car insurance.
 
FYI...
"In Florida they have "Collectable" plates. Which I've seen on early 80's cars, so I'm guessing 20 years or older?"
Not anymore. Flordia has stoped. Now they only issue "Antique" plates for vechicles 30yrs+.

Rick
 
There are no breaks in Calif. you just pay and pay for the plates. But if you register the car, like a 1934 street rod, as a 1934 even though it may have been built in 2001 with all of todays goodies, it is still a 1934 and not subject to smog checks and the plates are cheaper. As far as insurance goes, you get a "declared value" policy from a street rod carrier like Haggerty. My 34 sedan was $430/yr for a $35K policy......
 
New York has historical registrations, which I have on the 74 Vette and the 62 Corvair Spyder. It means my insurance is about 160 bucks a year for both cars.

The only thing NY looks at is age. 25 years or older, you can get historical registrations. I still have "regular" plates on the Vette, but actual 1962 vintage plates on the Spyder.
 
I have antique plates on my 64. Here in Virginia it is based on the age of the car. I have never heard of anything like a radio being of the period. Here in Virginia we have old cars that have been highly modified running antique plates. Some of the cars here are amazing and running antique plates. The best thing about running with antique plates is they never need renewed, you don't need any inspection or emissions, and you don't pay local personal prop. tax. That and the fact that classic car insurance is very cheap really makes running a classic a great deal, not counting the cost of an old Corvette. And that isn't bad considering that the older Vettes are a very good investment.
 
It sounds like B.C. gets the award for most bureaucracy! They even beat the Brits...

To get antique plates in Texas, the car has to be at least 25 years old and must be a true collectable (no smoky old Volare station wagons, please). 50 bucks for 5 years, no annual inspection. Supposed to be driven only to car shows, in parades, yadda yadda yadda.

But the best thing is the car can have original year plates! I already have a nice set of '79 plates waiting to go on the car...
 
I think this forum is losing its mind...I wrote the previous post MONTHS ago!!!
 
Anouther comment about Ca. your only allowed to drive to and from Historical events with your car, if you registor this way,so I diden't do it .
I was looking for a way to become smoge exempt. but I drive more than that ,
However I did find out that you are exempt when your ride is 30yrs old.

thats to days date minus 29 - 1974 this year. in CA.
And Historical plates were only $40 yr.
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom