Earlier this year I drove to Kentucky and bought a 78 F250 with the original 400M. Since I got it home, I have found that nearly all the parts are original. The top end of the motor has been redone and I am overhauling the bottom. Every part that I have taken off so far has been a Ford part, which leaves me with a dilemma about whether or not I should be using all Ford parts or if aftermarket parts are going to be okay to still be considered a 'mostly original' or restored truck.

I seriously doubt that I will be selling the truck, so I am not terribly concerned if the aftermarket parts affect the value of the truck.... but I am interested in hearing opinion of whether or not it will prevent me from saying that the truck is mostly original or restored.

I have been to car shows where people said their trucks are restored and they have a lot of aftermarket parts and modifications. I have seen a 66 with a lot of aftermarket parts, an aftermarket under dash air conditioner, a new paint job and the owner said that it was nearly 100% restored. Really? Slapping a paint job on a truck and sticking a huge under dash AC unit is 100% restored?

On the other hand, the State of Louisiana did not want to issue Antique Plates for my truck until I submitted recent pictures to them showing that the truck looked exactly as it should have on production date. According to the State of Louisiana, I should have been able to produce receipts where I have purchased EVERY part NEW from the MANUFACTURER (Ford) to show 100% restoration. They were very strict about what they understood an antique restoration to be. (I had a friend photoshop the running boards and tool box out of the picture, then submitted it to the State of Louisiana. Then, I prayed that they would not ask for receipts. If they had, I would have told them that I just purchased the truck from a restorer WHICH IS TRUE. They had a bill of sale in hand that showed that I just purchased the truck in Kentucky. With a simple phone call, he could have verified that he is a restorer and the work that was previously done to the truck prior to me purchasing the truck.)

While I feel that the State of Louisiana has a very strict definition of restoration, I feel that some people loosely define restoration. I think that it is somewhere in between the two.

Please let me know what you think a restoration of these old dents consist of. Also, do you feel that I am still entitled to say that the truck is mostly original if I use aftermarket parts on the bottom end of the motor?

 

in my opinion if you have factory equipment ie. block heads manifold etc. with aftermarket parts like bearings and seals it is a rebuild, but original none the less. I have a question though, in colorado we can put collectors plates on vehicles over 20 years old, which have to be renewed every 5 years, but no emissions are required except for when first putting the collectors plates on. Does LA have this?

Where I think you are running into a problem is an antique should be all originial no rebuild of anything, just exactly the way it came off the line.

 

You can restore your truck w aftermarket parts. Just because some things are not factory ford does not mean it was not 100% restored. It means its is not restored back to 100% original. And then there is the debate on if it was restored using NOS parts, Used parts or officaly licenced parts. Some say it it is not 100 original unless you used only the parts that came off your truck and nothing else. I think those people are stupid , but to each their own.

As long as the truck appers to be stock in a photo, i cannot see the state not granting antique/historic tags

 

It's 25 years in Colorado. Also until a few years ago you renewed the plates every 7 years. Now it's 5 like you pointed out.

But Colorado only goes by age and not on condition, that is why you can see an immaculate 1957 Chevy and then later see a rusted out Dodge Power Wagon, both with "Collectors" plates.

Louisiana definately has a strict policy regarding their plates, but I notice you are calling it "Antique" do they have another category for Collectors or newer antiques?

I'll have to look, but Colorado used to have an "Antique" plate as well, but those were for Model Ts and Stanley Steamers, you know REAL antiques.

Josh

 

In Louisiana, you can get Antique plates if it is 25 years or more older, with the strict guidelines I already stated. You have to have a notarized statement that the vehicle is what you say it is. They cost $36.50 for life.

The plates do not have to be renewed.

The registration is good forever.

You have to hold on to your paper registration and make multiple copies and keep the copies in multiple places. If/when the computer systems change in LA, and they lose record of your permanent registration, it is your responsibility to prove that you have a permanent registration which is why you want multiple copies in multiple places. You do not want to see your truck rolling down the road on the back of a tow truck because you cannot provide your registration. This was emphasized to me about 50 times at the DMV after I passed all their rigorous bureaucratic procedures. The lady said DO NOT LOSE THIS REGISTRATION and KEEP MULTIPLE COPIES IN MULTIPLE PLACES. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you have no proof of registration, you will basically give the state of La your antique truck when you are stopped.

So, I have a copy of the registration at work, at home, and I plan to get a certified copy down at the courthouse.... so if I am ever in a bind, I can get it from the court house. I also have a copy taped behind the seat to the back cab wall.

You have to get the vehicle inspected every year. $10. No emissions test. You do not have to stick the sticker in the windshield if it is antique. You can ask them to hand it to you. They will stamp an X on it or take a permanent marker and write an X on it and instruct you to put it in your glove box. I stuck mine in my windshield in case I get stopped by an a**hole cop who doesn't know that I don't have to have it in my windshield. (Some will try to find something else to ticket you for if you argue with them, so why give them reason? But if you think enough of your pride and joy to take the chance, then do so if you want.)

That's pretty much the low down on antique plates. I don't know about collector's plates, but I can tell you pretty much everything about the antique plate process you want to know.

You have to get the registration in Baton Rouge. You can mail in your application if you like, but if you want to go to the DMV and get the plate in your hand, you have to go to the DMV.

They are very particular about that plate once you put it on your vehicle. If you transfer it to another vehicle, you either have to take pictures of the bumper and the truck or bring the vehicle to the DMV so they can witness it... Crazy stuff with these antique plates. I guess because they are permanent plates.

Link to the process: http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/omv1...0?OpenDocument

 

Ha ha Colorado calls it the "horseless Carriage" plate...



1948 and Older that doesn't qualify for the Horseless Carriage



Josh

 

In Florida it's 20 years for a collector plate, no other reqirements and (so far) we don't have any kind of safety or emission inspections.
As for parts, if a vehicle is restored using 100% factory parts with the correct date codes (if coded) back to the way it rolled off the assembly line it's refered to as a "thoroughbred". I can only see being THAT **** when it's something like a Boss 429 Mustang, ZL-1 Corvette, or a hemi anything, something like that.
If it's 100% original without ever being restored, it's a "survivor".
But the term "restored" is definitley in the eye of the beholder. I've seen spectacular restorations and I've seen pieces of c**p with 20 gallons of bondo under a spray can paint job, both referred to as "restored".
So "caveat emptor" when buying a "restored" vehicle.

 

By definition, a "restoration" means to return the vehicle to the exact appearance and condition it was in when it left the manufacturing plant. No better, no worse. A true restoration involves correct markings, tags, clamps, and even paint with overspray where the factory would have had it. Some folks make their rides better than the factory ever did. Nothing wrong with that it's just not a true restoration. As for parts, it really doesn't matter wether you buy a manufactures part, get a used one or build your own. Think of hi end restoration shops that have to fabricate parts that are not available. As long as whats used has the exact appearance that the original had (not easy to do).
True restorations are usually limited to rare or hi value vehicles because the greater the restoration the greater the value of the vehicle.
With our dentsides this isn't usually the case because there are so many out there and the market doesn't value a true restoration on these trucks. Not yet anyway. Think of two trucks equal in appearance and condition, one factory original components one with minor mods like painted inner fenders or headers, maybe an intake or a newer seat. None of those changes are going to have a huge impact on the value. Now if you looked a two Shelby's, Hemi Cuda's , Dusenburgs any mods would bring the value down.

In the end, it's your ride, enjoy it and don't worry too much about what others think or claim about what a restoration is.

Frank

 

Idaho has something a bit different for plates:

'Any motor vehicle which qualifies as an “Idaho Old Timer” or an “Idaho Classic” shall be used for exhibits, parades, tours, club activities and such occasional use as is necessary for operation and maintenance of the vehicle, and shall not be used for business or commercial purposes or as customary and usual transportation.'

However, we have 30-40 other plates to choose from lol...
http://itd.idaho.gov/DMV/VehicleServ...nts/plates.pdf

 

Ontario has "Historic" plates $18 a year with the same limitations.

frank

 

The problem with this scenario is...where are going to buy all the Gen-U-ine Ford Parts considering most of them are obsolete?

If you go to most dealers, the partsguys...the second they hear 1978...the first and only thing they will say is: "All the parts are obsolete," whether that's true or not.

Most partsguys do not want to bother, and won't be of any help at all. If you luck out and get a couple of part numbers from these ppl, that'll be amazing in itself.

So...now you're at the mercy of the obsolete parts vendors, who can ask any price they want...whether you like it or not....and you prolly won't.

Then there's this: Who has the references and the ability to look up all the Ford part numbers, then search for all these Gen-U-ine Ford Parts?

Do you? Who does? I know of exactly one person here on FTE that has ALL the necessary references that can...and does...do this every day.

 

Thank you! I was hoping that you would chime in. Now, can you tell the state of Louisiana that so folks like me don't have to lie to get antique plates? I tried to tell them how ridiculous it sounded to have me take every part off my truck and replace it with a new/new old stock Ford part (and my truck was all original!)

Thank you!

 

I'd be willing to bet the farm, that 99.9999% of the people of Loosiana that have antique plates on their vehicles have bought most of their replacement parts from autoparts stores....regardless of what make the old rolling pile of miseries is.

Then there's this: Ask your state officials exactly where someone is gonna find NOS Gen-U-ine Packard, Hudson, Nash, Kaiser-Frazer, ******, Crosley parts considering that all these automakers folded in the 1950's?

Not to mention Gen-U-ine parts for Duesenbergs, Marmons, Franklins, and the other 2500 or so makes of US vehicles that have folded since 1897.

IMO, it's...in two words...Im Possible and a load of CACA del TORO to expect someone to be able to find all this jazz in order to get antique plates.

Here in CA, we can avoid the beetle-brained pinheads at the DMV by going to the Triple A Auto Club and get the plates.

Does your local Triple A Auto Club offer the same thing?

 

So I looked on the LA link you provided, it seems the only plate they have regarding older or "classic" vehicles is the one you described... That sucks, so a truck like mine that is obviously not original or restored would have to have ordinary plates?

 

NumberDummy: we have to go through the DMV. We can't go through the Triple A Car Club. We actually have to mail in a notorized affidavit that the vehicle has been completely restored with manufacturers parts...

Based on the fact that NumberDummy has established that it is impossible to get every part from Ford for our trucks (and nearly every other manufacturer)..... Everyone who has antique plates in Louisiana is a SWORN LIAR.

zak8tac: You can be a SWORN LIAR too or you can have plain plates like everyone else.


Are you willing to swear in front of a notary that your vehicle is 100% restored? If so, you can get some coveted Antique plates.... with a lie and photoshop.... Just hope they don't ask for receipts....

(For those of you who think that since there is only one office in Louisiana the processes these requests, therefore it must be busy and bogged down so you'll slip through, you are wrong. I have seen the office and there are only a handful of people who work in this office but they are not too busy to scrutinize your paperwork or your picture or your notarized paper. I was scared that they would actually come out to the parking lot an look for the truck!!! I was in my car, though.)