CHAPTER 19. SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLES, RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLES AND STREET RODS

 This chapter establishes rules and procedures for titling of street rods, specially constructed vehicles and reconstructed vehicles as prescribed by 75 Pa.C.S. §  1103(g) (relating to application for certificate of title).

 The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Glider kit—A truck cab or cab and hood assembly, including a front axle assembly and frame rails, with or without an engine, manufactured and sold with a manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for replacement of damaged or worn components of an existing truck.

   Reconstructed vehicle—One of the following:

     (i)   A vehicle, except an antique or classic vehicle, for which a certificate of salvage (junk) has been issued, which is thereafter restored to operating condition and which is substantially in conformance with the specifications of the manufacturer.

   Example: A Chevrolet sedan restored to its original operating condition and manufacturer’s appearance for its particular year and model, after having been ‘‘totalled,’’ that is, the vehicle had damages which exceeded the vehicle’s market value, thus resulting in the vehicle being junked.

     (ii)   A vehicle, including a street rod, which meets the following conditions:

       (A)   The vehicle has been materially altered by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts derived from various other makes or models.

       (B)   The Department has determined that the vehicle is readily recognizable as a vehicle of a generally recognized make or model.

   Examples: A 1977 Cadillac coupe which has gone through the removal of the metal top and replacement of it with a convertible top, and similar body changes or customizing without altering the essential make or model identity of the vehicle.

   Specially constructed vehicle—One of the following:

     (i)   A vehicle not originally constructed by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles under a distinctive name and not materially altered from its original construction, but assembled from parts of various vehicles or kits, or both, and which would be commonly known as a ‘‘homemade’’ vehicle, such as the assembly of a dune buggy from the chassis of a manufactured vehicle and a fiberglass body kit, or the assembly of the chassis of a Mercury and the body of a Ford, and similar combination of makes and models.

     (ii)   A vehicle which has been materially altered by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts derived from various other makes and models and which the Department determines cannot be readily identified as a vehicle of a generally recognized make or model, such as the installation of a Rolls Royce-style hood and grill on a Volkswagen, and similar major ‘‘customizing’’ change tending to disguise the vehicle’s original make and model identity.

   Street rod—A motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.

   The provisions of this §  19.2 adopted August 19, 1977, effective August 20, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2361; amended June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2896. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (90192) to (90193).

 The certificate of title issued for every specially constructed vehicle and reconstructed vehicle, as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Vehicle Code) and §  19.2 (relating to definitions), shall clearly describe the vehicles by type as follows:

   (1)  The certificate of title for every specially constructed vehicle as defined in §  19.2 shall describe the make of vehicles as ‘‘specially constructed.’’

   (2)  The certificate of title for every reconstructed vehicle as defined in §  19.2 shall describe the vehicle by its original make or trade name but shall be coded to designate it as a reconstructed vehicle except when a vehicle is reconstructed by installation of a glider kit of a different make from the original vehicle. In this case the description of the vehicle shall indicate the make of the glider kit and include a glider kit designation. The title shall also be coded to designate it as a reconstructed vehicle. In the case of a street rod, the title shall be coded to designate it as both a street rod and a reconstructed vehicle.

 (a)  Forms. The owner of a vehicle which has been reconstructed or specially constructed shall apply for a certificate of title on the appropriate form furnished by the Department.

 (b)  Supplemental documents to application for title. The application shall be accompanied by:

   (1)  Outstanding certificates of title, manufacturer’s certificates of origin or certificates of salvage (junk), issued for vehicles, the parts of which were used in the construction of the vehicle, if the vehicles are no longer operable or able to be registered; or bills of sale for the major components of the vehicle for which no other proof of ownership is available.

   (2)  Departmental Form, ‘‘Report of Investigation of Specially Constructed or Reconstructed Vehicle or Street Rod’’, properly completed by an official inspection station mechanic and the applicant. This paragraph does not apply to a vehicle exempt from inspection under 75 Pa.C.S. §  4703(b) (relating to operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection).

   (3)  The proper sales and use tax form.

   (4)  The necessary title and registration fees.

   (5)  Three photographs, one each of the front, rear and side of the vehicle except for a motor home, in which case, one exterior and two interior photographs shall be required. Photographs shall be signed and dated by the examining inspection mechanic. The requirement to submit photographs is waived for a vehicle reconstructed by installation of a glider kit.

   The provisions of this §  19.3 adopted August 19, 1977, effective August 20, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 2361; amended June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2896. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (90193) to (90194).

 The owner of a reconstructed vehicle or a specially constructed vehicle which undergoes a subsequent material alteration or restoration of a type defined in §  19.2 (relating to definitions) shall reapply for an appropriate certificate of title. Complete application, including new photographs, shall be made as provided in §  19.3 (relating to application for title for reconstructed vehicles or specially constructed vehicles).

   The provisions of this §  19.4 adopted December 16, 1977, effective December 17, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 3806; amended June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2896. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (90194).