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914World.com > The 914 Forums > 914World Garage

When is a car no longre street legal?

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Bob Wolcott	Jul 7 2005, 10:38 AM Post #1
Member Group: Members Posts: 85 Joined: 18-May 05 From: McMinnville, OR Member No.: 4,096	Having seen a few race cars lately, most notably the one featured in Excellence (Sept), I am curious when the 'street legal' line is crossed. What is the most significant modification that would make a car no longer street legal? Thanks, Bob

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Replies(1 - 19)

aircooledboy	Jul 7 2005, 10:42 AM Post #2
Sweet Pea's 1st ride in daddy's "vroom -vroom" Group: Members Posts: 1,672 Joined: 4-February 04 From: Rockford, IL Member No.: 1,629 Region Association: Upper MidWest	It will vary from state to state somewhat, but generaly speaking a car is not streetable when it no longer has all the equipment required for a a "motor vehicle intended to be operated on a roadway". So, that would be things like headlights, tail lights, turn signals, glass windshield, 5 mph bumpers at the required height etc. etc. . . . . (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

jasons	Jul 7 2005, 10:42 AM Post #3
Jackstand Extraordinaire Group: Members Posts: 2,002 Joined: 19-August 04 From: Scottsdale, AZ Member No.: 2,573 Region Association: None	That totally depends on local laws. No clear answer there. In AZ if you remove the FI on a 75 and later car, its illegal.

tat2dphreak	Jul 7 2005, 10:43 AM Post #4
stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region	depends on the state... TX requires: emergency brake 3 pt. belts(unless not orginally equipped) all signal lights conform to standards and are fully functional headlights operational etc... some things are allowed but have to be DOT approved... like SS flexible brake lines, quick-release steering wheel hubs, aftermarket seat belts, etc... you have to make sure you have a DOT approved version of these types of things your state website should have a document listing everything in detail... I looked up TX's info last year...

aircooledboy	Jul 7 2005, 10:45 AM Post #5
Sweet Pea's 1st ride in daddy's "vroom -vroom" Group: Members Posts: 1,672 Joined: 4-February 04 From: Rockford, IL Member No.: 1,629 Region Association: Upper MidWest	True. I forgot about emissions control nonsense. Adds a whole 'nother layer of issues if you are in an area that does emissions testing. (Don't have to do that here if you are outside of the metroplolitan Chicago area)

bd1308	Jul 7 2005, 10:50 AM Post #6
Sir Post-a-lot Group: Members Posts: 8,020 Joined: 24-January 05 From: Louisville,KY Member No.: 3,501	all that is required in KY to be able to drive a car is four wheels, a steering window, four clear garbage bags as windows to see out of (have to be clear), and at least one briggs and stratton lawnmower motor without any billowing-smoke causing oil leaks.

tat2dphreak	Jul 7 2005, 10:51 AM Post #7
stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region	there's also a little caveat in all of the states (I'm sure) that says something about "car cannot be a hazard to others on the road" to keep some crazy bastard from putting a giant SPIKE on their hood that would puncture another car... that would also keep someone from covering the car in mirrors but I think it serves as a "catch-all" to basically say "anything we don't like"

Joe Bob	Jul 7 2005, 11:10 AM Post #8
Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None	Lights, horn, turn signals.....

Dave_Darling	Jul 7 2005, 01:28 PM Post #9
914 Idiot Group: Members Posts: 14,991 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona Member No.: 121 Region Association: Northern California	...A suspension that is so stiff that potholes rearrange your internal organs... That usually makes for "no longer a street car"... (I.e., sometimes it's completely voluntary. The owner knows s/he won't be driving on the street any more and doesn't feel like paying insurance and registration any more.) --DD

bondo	Jul 7 2005, 01:39 PM Post #10
Practicing my perpendicular parking Group: Members Posts: 4,277 Joined: 19-April 03 From: Los Osos, CA Member No.: 587 Region Association: Central California	In CA, all you have to do is hang something from the rearview mirror to cross the line. Stuff like that is rarely enforced. (half the cars around here have some sort of parking permit there.. you're "supposed" to take it down when you drive.. and remember to put it back up when you park.. yeah right) I remember back in Sacramento the police were stopping cruisers by ticketing rear view mirror violations. Those unenforced laws (like no front plate) allow police to pull people over for whatever reason they want, and they can just say it's for that. (Can you tell I've been pulled over for no front plate?) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

ninefourteener	Jul 7 2005, 01:59 PM Post #11
Perfectly Normal Guy :) Group: Members Posts: 1,216 Joined: 3-June 03 From: St. Louis, MO Member No.: 779	Buying a car with a friggin gigantic cam in it........ so the damn thing won't pass emissions under any circumstances. Can you tell I'm still irritated over this crap? Still waiting on the EPA to send me something stating my car is a "show car"..... ot the real reason I applied..... "emissions exempt"

Dead Air	Jul 7 2005, 02:02 PM Post #12
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,268 Joined: 9-May 04 From: Buffalo, NY Member No.: 2,042	One of my customers was a cop and he often spoke of his "fuch book". he could harrass people for: loose sheet metal or bumpers cracked lenses or glass ANY stickers on the windows fluffy toys on the back dash any loose items on the drivers side floor hoods tied down tire tread depth at the EDGE of the tire on and on... He basically said EVERY car on the road he could find something to write a ticket for.

anthony	Jul 7 2005, 02:05 PM Post #13
2270 club Group: Benefactors Posts: 3,107 Joined: 1-February 03 From: SF Bay Area, CA Member No.: 218	In CA it's a free for all because none of these rules (except smog for >'76 cars) are enforced. I did get a missing front plate ticket at the time I got a speeding ticket. The fine was $15 so I just paid it because it was more of a PITA to go down to DMV and have them sign off on the ticket.

messix	Jul 7 2005, 02:08 PM Post #14
AKA "CLUTCH KILLER"! Group: Members Posts: 6,995 Joined: 14-April 05 From: between shit kickers and pinky lifters/ puget sound wa.north of Seattle south of Canada Member No.: 3,931 Region Association: Pacific Northwest	this one is "street legal" but is very hard to drive at street speeds and in traffic. but it meets all street legal requirements. street legal and streetable are very gray. Attached image(s)

messix	Jul 7 2005, 02:10 PM Post #15
AKA "CLUTCH KILLER"! Group: Members Posts: 6,995 Joined: 14-April 05 From: between shit kickers and pinky lifters/ puget sound wa.north of Seattle south of Canada Member No.: 3,931 Region Association: Pacific Northwest	oh i forgot... this car makes about 2,200 hp form 600ci big block on nitrous

Rand	Jul 7 2005, 02:34 PM Post #16
Cross Member Group: Members Posts: 7,409 Joined: 8-February 05 From: OR Member No.: 3,573 Region Association: None	Are these street legal? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://www.4nets.com/baldwinpowersports/images/baja914.jpg) (IMG:http://www.4nets.com/baldwinpowersports/images/jap10.jpg)

spare time toys	Jul 7 2005, 02:34 PM Post #17
hooked on grilling food. Group: Members Posts: 4,059 Joined: 3-April 04 From: West Plano Tx Member No.: 1,884 Region Association: Southwest Region	Ah the big trick for me will be going back to street legal. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool_shades.gif)

Joe Ricard	Jul 7 2005, 02:43 PM Post #18
CUMONIWANNARACEU Group: Members Posts: 6,811 Joined: 5-January 03 From: Gautier, MS Member No.: 92	WTF is a steering window? Mississippi has a once a year vehicle check. head lights tail lights, brake lights, turn signal, horn and back up lights. No smog and the crack in the windshield should not interfere with drivers vision.

J P Stein	Jul 7 2005, 06:22 PM Post #19
Irrelevant old fart Group: Members Posts: 8,797 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Vancouver, WA Member No.: 45 Region Association: None	I think the more important question is which one is most difficlut to reverse. I gave this a lot of thought while argueing with my self over this. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/Yack.gif) IMO, it's the headlight buckets......not that they couldn't be rewelded in place but it would be a major PITA. Once I reached that point, it was easy to cut out all the wiring front & rear....in for a penny. Had I "done" the windshield, it would be #1....it's time may come. That looks heavy. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)