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Re: what is it?

To: David Councill <dcouncil@imt.net>
Subject: Re: what is it?
From: Barney Gaylord <barneymg@ntsource.com>
Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 20:47:50 -0500
I can answer that (I think).

At 10:26 AM 10/7/2000 -0600, David Councill wrote:
>....
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=455540573
>
>.... this alleged '74 MGB. Now if the guy bought a heritage body shell and
dropped in a Ford V8 and transmission, what makes this car a '74 MGB? The
seats? The dashboard?

Certainly not the seat covers.  I think the answer is that 1974 is the
newst MBG that was produced with chrome bumpers, and the heritage body
shell is of that vintage.  I suppose he wants to represent it as a "new"
car, and anything older might give the wrong impression.  In terms of
market value he might better have called it a 1968 model.

>How does one get a title? According to this page, there "is no Title for
car, as Georgia does not issue Titles for cars over 15 years old. A Bill of
Sale will be given to buyer."

Consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles.  The laws are different
for different states.  Obviously in Georgia you just swap the cash for the
car, order the registration (license plates) and drive away without a
title.  Getting the car into California the car would definitely have to
undergo a state physical emmissions inspection (which it would obviously
not pass).

In Illinois there is normally no inspection required on the purchase of a
car other than the tailpipe emmissions test (in some metropolitan areas)
for that model year (which it could possibly pass ((or maybe not)) without
looking under the bonnet) after you buy and title and license the car.  In
this case though as it does not have a title to begin with, the state of
Illinois would require a physical inspection in the process of creating a
title, and they might give a hard time about what model year may be put on
the title.  Lots of options there.

>Is it legal to drive a bumperless car?

Some places maybe, but in Illinois cars built with bumpers are supposed to
be wearing the bumpers (original type).  Occasionally you might get away
driving for a long time without being arrested for missing bumpers, but you
probably couldn't get a "new" title without them.

>I could ask who in their right mind would pay $8000 for this car. It looks
like it would take quite a bit more money and time just to make it legal to
drive.

Well, for an enthusiast who would consider building one like this, even in
its current state of partial completion the price can look like a bargain.
But not ME!  No, no, no!  Don't even think it.

$.02,

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude
    http:://www.ntsource.com/~barneymg



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