in nj a car has to be 25 years old. registration an antique plates is 44.00 one time fee. you just have to renew it every three years with no charge. just got them for my 75. they also have a collectors car status in nj. it's for cars that are, i believe 18 years or moreand it is a regular registration plus a 10.00 extra fee. it eliminates the inspection but limits you to 3000 miles a year.

[QUOTE=manget1]I know in many states, if you can find a plate from the year of your "antique" car, they will let you register that plate (assuming the number's not still in use) and you can use that plate![/QUOTE]

Yeah...after  that we started using the silly stick-on month/year decals for the plates, and now the silly decals for the inside of the windershield...

No inspections in Minne-snow-ta, but the collector plate restrictions on use of the vehicle aren't worth it to me.  I want to drive when I want and where I want so I don't mind the extra cost of regular plates.

eddie20890 is correct on the NJ antique plates, I would like to add that  I have found that you can pretty much get the collectors status on any vehicle.  Just can't drive it more than 3000 mi per year, the odometer has to work and it has to have all the factory equip. under the hood, smog pump etc.  I have both my 87 and 98 registered like that.  

[QUOTE=bowtie911]eddie20890 is correct on the NJ antique plates, I would like to add that  I have found that you can pretty much get the collectors status on any vehicle.  Just can't drive it more than 3000 mi per year, the odometer has to work and it has to have all the factory equip. under the hood, smog pump etc.  I have both my 87 and 98 registered like that.   [/QUOTE]

i originally had the 75 registered as a collector car. the only thing they check is the odometer. they took the reading and then made me drive a mile and then come back and took the reading again. that is the only thing that i know of that is required. mine does not have any of the pollution stuff on it and they never even looked under the hood. dmv stated a car that was at least 17 or 18 y/o (i believe) that was the figure, that was not old enough for the antique plates 25y/o) can be registered like that. maybe you found a loophole with the 98.

Ok, did a little research via NJMV site, apparently any vehicle registered in NJ can be registered as a Collector Vehicle.  It states;                      Collector vehicles
To be classified as a "collector vehicle" you need to apply when you register and make sure that the vehicle:

• Is not registered as a "historic vehicle" or a "street rod"
• Is not driven more than 3,000 miles per year
• Is insured as a limited use "collector vehicle"

The site breaks it down further when you read on and I don't know if they have made any changes since I first registered my 98.  But if you don't drive more than 3000 mi per year, its a good deal. 

great info on that.  somewhere i was told it had to be somewhere around 18 y/o. can't argue with dmv. that is something i will keep in mind. thanks, dave