As I’ve stated in a previous post I’m the proud owner of a 49 Ford F-1 for just over a month now. When was 16 I had a 1957 Chevy Bel Air that I simi-restored. I’ve been to several car shows looking and talking to other antique car and truck owners and have always had pleasant experiences. I’ve been driving down the road and met others who were also driving a antique vehicle and we have always exchanged friendly waves and smiles. Until today I’ve naively thought we (antique vehicle owners) we one happy family. There seems to be those in my state of Arkansas that want to draw a line in the dirt and divide us. Maybe this division was always present and I just never saw it.

The issue is over the use of antique vehicle tags in my state. There is a group of antique vehicle owners that are wanting changes made that in my opinion would benefit them or make them more unique than other antique vehicle owners. One of these men has been very vocal and instrumental in this push. His name is George Beyers and these are his statements:

“My name is George Beyers. I live in Benton, Arkansas and own 2 "authentic" antique vehicles. One is a multiple “Trophy Winning” 1928 Model A Ford Roadster Pickup - one of two “running” of it’s kind in the State. The other is a 1928 Model A Ford Tudor Sedan - a running, un-restored, rust colored, ragged interior, original, authentic, running example of a true antique vehicle. I am it’s second owner and have owned it for 9 years.

I am a member of the Mid America Old Time Auto Association (M.O.T.A.A.) located in the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain, the Model A Ford Club of America, the 50th Anniversary Model A Club of Arkansas, the Model A Restorers Club of America and the Dixie Car Club in Benton. In this presentation I am not acting as an agent of any of those named but on behalf of the entire "true Antique Vehicle" owners community.”

He goes on to say:

“Let me say, I really like street rods. However, authentic antique vehicles deserve a certain amount of respect. How often do you see an 80 year old pickup truck like mine driving down the street? That deserves respect. One of my friends has a 1913 Model T Ford that looks like it just drove off the show room floor. That deserves respect. He has a Street Rod, also. A street rod is generally a new car with an old car body or an old car that has been upgraded with many modern parts so as to safely and reliably travel at freeway speeds. That deserves admiration but NOT respect. By properly tagging Street Rods and eliminating them from the Antique tag community, because of the easily recognizable rarity, a true Antique vehicle would receive deserved respect.”

He believes the only vehicles in my state that should have antique tags are those that have – “the same type engine, wheels, exhaust system, tire size, upholstery, exterior body and ornaments, bumpers, wheel or dust covers, dash instruments, springs, front axles or suspension system, rear differential, steering system, electrical system, transmission, interior and exterior paints, cooling systems and accessories as were available for the vehicle at its manufacture date.”

This guy is even taking photos of vehicles that have antique tags and trying to get them taken away from those people. In Arkansas it has always been that any vehicle that was older than 25 years old or older has been eligible for antique tags. The revenue office has never given anyone (that I know of) any problems, but this guy is trying to make them harder to get. (As if the government doesn't get enough of our hard earned money.)

How many antique vehicles can say meet these standards? It’s just my opinion but this guy comes across to me as having a high and mighty arrogant attitude, wants to be placed on a pedestal, and make it to where only those that do as him get to be special by having antique tags. Please tell me this is not the norm for every state. How do you guys feel about this issue? Hopefully I didn't stick a stick in a hornets nest with this post.

Source: http://www.arkansastinlizzies.com/Fi...r%20Plates.htm

 

pure original or concours vehicles are indeed very nice, and they don't need anything special to be what they are..

antique is another term that means something completely different, which is age.

I personally don't care.. I COULD run antique plates on my 55, but didn't want them.

Sam

 

Man, it's not like we're hanging antique plates on Honda Civics. Are rods really so numerous in Arkansas to warner this crazy tawk!? He's just bitter that he can't drive on any major roads without holding up traffic and wants to feel special. Does rodding not help to bring attention to those who choose stay original? And vice versa? Bah... another person with too much time on their hands.

 

I agree with Sam. I have 4 trucks which could get antique tags but in Texas, you are very limited to how much you can drive them and what you use them for. Pretty much limited to car shows, parades and Sunday drives. I, like Sam, probably will not get them as I want to drive mine when I want and use them for what ever purpose I want. I don't think I need a special tag for folks to recognize that I'm driving an old truck. I don't really care if I get their "respect" or not. I build my truck for me not anyone else.

Gil

 

Sounds like that guy needs a new hobby! jeeezzs

 

Antique tags and what they are allowed on varies from state to state. In Kansas I believe the vehicle needs to be 35 years old and "look original". Some counties are real picky and others more open about what they will allow. I run antique tags on a couple of vehicles. One 64 tbird has a year of manufacture tag i.e. and original '64 tag. The other my 54 f250 has the regular antique tag. The big advantage here is the cost of license which is $17/ year. I even see old farm trucks hauling grain at harvest with antique tags.

I've heard some counties won't tag a vehicle that is stock in everything if the owner has put on "custom wheels" and others will allow a vehicle that looks stock, but has a new drive train. I'm not sure what the regs read. Haven't bothered to look it up.

 

We've been very fortunate here in Arkansas so far. There is no regulation that I know of that prohibit how many miles you put on an vehicle, use of that vehicle, or if its original or not, to use antique plates. It only has to be 25 years old or older.

You only pay a one time fee of $7 for the antique plates and never have to register it again. There is also no vehicle inspection to worry about.

It's only of the few thing the state government seems to have that is nice. It's like the state rewards you for having a antique vehicle.

Now this clown wants to change all that so he can "feel" more respected.

 

Everyone as some analality in them - its just that some people have bigger analalties than others - within our ranks it seems that like life - those with the biggest analalities are at the extreems of the hobby. (!)

 

California has a little different way of negating fools like this guy. If you can find a pair of registerable (plate number has not been reissued and plate is in good physical condition) they will prebably cost yo about $300-$400. If you dare to have them restored, there's another $300.

By the time you get othe DMV here those folks realize that you've already been robbed more than (yes) even they could do it, and they usually will register the YOM plates foryou with little porblem for about $75 in various fees (and you pay your normal registration each year - mine is $68)

So, I guess folks here figure if you are that **** to want the plates that bad, and are willing to spend that kind of money, you deserve to be able to!

And if we do get someone like this, we just refer them to Barbara Boxers office to register complaints - usually they just explode and deflate out of frustration.

Whew, for a minute there when I started reading, I though it was time for the Chevy's are better than Fords Fight debate again!

 

No, not really. I don't see very many old vehicles driving down the roads. I see some 70's and late 60's model vehicles going down the roads but early 60's and older are much more rare. I get a lot of attention when I drive my 49 because they are very uncommon here. Granted, most of these vehicles have been modified in some form even if its just after market wheels.

Agreed, I would think so.

 

When you sign the affidavit for application for antique tags in Arkansas, you are agreeing to keep the vehicle in original or stock form, except for a few minor upgrades for safety only. Here's a link to that affidavit http://www.state.ar.us/dfa/motor_veh...queRevised.pdf

And then there are tags for street rods or custom vehicles http://www.state.ar.us/dfa/motor_veh...rms/10-314.pdf

If the police dept. would enforce the laws on antique tags, there would be very few on the road. I run them myself, and all here know that my truck is far from "original".

There are some who would have us only drive our rides on sunny Sunday afternoons for a parade once a year. I prefer to drive my truck daily and if I have to convert to regular plates to do so, then so be it.

 

This is being discussed on the H.A.M.B. site. Aparnently by his own admission his rpu is not orginal. Colors, bumpers,wheels ect.

 

admit him to the nearest clinic for being a more uptight grumpier sob than me on my worst day !!!!!! if the cars made it 25 years go for it , wear the plate ! i got regular tags on the 53 as i , like others wanna drive mine whenever . we got mileage restrictions and other things here . i drive mine , when she's together , enough to have to change the oil every month to a month and a half . get a girlfriend gramps as you need to RELAX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This is my other antique -- 25 yrs old, 100% stock.





Not qualified for Horseless Carriage plates just yet, but I think NM has what Mr. Beyers is after:

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 377px; HEIGHT: 288px" id=table5 border=0 cellSpacing=4 width=377><TBODY><TR><TD width="30%">Horseless Carriage</TD><TD width="69%">(Motor Vehicle Code Section 66-3-27 NMSA 1978)</TD></TR><TR><TD width="30%">







</TD><TD width="69%">





A "horseless carriage" is a motor vehicle at least 35 years old, owned as a collector's item, and used solely for exhibition and educational purposes. Upon transfer of ownership of a horseless carriage, the registration plate remains with the vehicle. A horseless carriage plate must be revalidated every five years.


</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>Fee: $12.00 initially, then $7.00 every five years upon revalidation



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
$1.25/yr works for me. I can sympathize with Mr. Beyers' dislike of getting the same treatment as a rat rod. Street rods likely get almost as much driving time as DD's, why should they get a discount?

 

Wow, nothing like taking a cut-and -dried regulation (25 years and older) and turning it into a bureaucratic nightmare to enforce(my employer is the same way-they systematically turn mole-hills into mountains too). How many shades of gray are there? How many "antiques" are running original tires, batteries, belts, hoses, etc? Who would have to make that determination? What a moron!