RE: IML: Antique Status for WA State Cars

Hi Bill,

Nice to pay for tabs only once, I highly recommend that all of our IMP pals in WA state get these plates if your cars qualify !!!!

Both my 66 Crown Coupe and my 67 300 Convertible have collector status since 1998. This means that I can use either the Blue collector plates or WA State Plates that were used in the year of the automobile manufacture. Most licensing facilities have a list of which type of plates were used in WA State over the years.

I have the original 66 plates from when the Imperial was purchased at Burien Chrysler Plymouth. The 67 300 has plates from my parted out 79 Subaru, they are the correct plates for 67 thru at least 79 for WA State autos.

The WA State antique status requires a one time registration & licensing fee, after than no more registration is required unless the car is sold or moved to another state. The car must be at least 30 years old to qualify for this type of antique status. I drive the cars quite a bit, and have never been questioned by law enforcement regarding the car use and if that use fits into the "Special Requirements" listed below.

Note that using the car for "pleasure" is an acceptable use under the requirements. That kind of implies that as long as me or someone else is "pleased" with using the car, then that "pleasurable" car use is allowed under those "Special Requirements." Special excursions to the grocery store, auto parts store, Christmas shopping or for dates or the drive in are sure to be allowed under the "Special Excursion" clause.

Here is the requirements for WA State Antique/ Collector Plates: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vs/specialtyplates/reqantique.htm

Special Requirements for Antique and Collector Plates

Antique motor vehicles include those vehicles over 40 years old displaying Horseless Carriage plates.

Collector vehicles are those vehicles at least 30 years old and older with either collector vehicle license plates.

A Restored license plate is a Washington-issued license plate designed for use in the year of the vehicle's manufacture. The restored license plate may be used instead of a vehicle license plate or horseless carriage license plate. The license plate must be restored to such a condition that it may be identified with its year of issue. Reproductions of the original are not acceptable for use as a restored license plate.

Antique/Collector vehicles must be:

Owned and operated as collector vehicles, and
Capable of operating on the highway.

Antique/Collector vehicles may be driven:

To and from auto shows, circuses, parades, displays, special excursions, antique car club meetings, and
For testing purposes, and,
For pleasure of others without compensation.

Antique/Collector vehicles may not be used for:

Commercial purposes or to carry a load, or
Regular transportation in the manner of a fully licensed vehicle.

Antique/Collector License Plates, which include Collector, Horseless Carriage or Restored license plates may be:

May be assigned to currently registered passenger vehicle, motorcycles or trucks
Are good for the life of vehicle
Are not required to display month/year tab
Are not renewed annually
Must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. If the customer provides a set of plates they may display one on the front and the other on the back of the vehicle, and
May be applied for through any licensing office. Customer provides restored plates.

Happy holidays!

Marc in Mukilteo

Asia & M.A.R.S. Regional Manager
Intellectual Property Management
Boeing Commercial Aircraft Services
206-544-5021 phone
206-544-0812 fax

-----Original Message-----
From: Wm. R. Ulman [mailto:twolaneblacktop@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 9:31 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: Price guides

In Seattle, King County, WA, and now the entire state (I think) they use the Old Car Price Guide. That is how they taxed my '66 vert when I bought it in Sept. 2000. They asked me the condition the car was in. I had a bill of sale for $200.00, which was a pure lie so I would not have to pay a high sales tax on the car when I titled, and registered it. That is why they now use OCPG. To many people with bills of sale for $100.00. I said it was not running, with no transmission, or glass, and would be parted out. They taxed it on a #5 value, which was still a bit of change as I remember. My renewal tabs each year run about $70.00, but I have vanity plates: FIT4AQN, and they have never said a word. If they did, I would just say I chose to restore it. What could they do?

Many people in WA now buy "Collector Car" plates. They are actually stamped with that phrase, and then some numbers. You pay once, and never again. Caveat is, your only supposed to drive the car less than a couple thousand miles per year. I have not heard of anybody being busted over it, and I see a lot of cars running around with these plates. At least on Capital Hill, where all the kids (with any taste at all, given the low rider Honda popularity) drive old Darts, Falcons, Novas, and Corvairs.

My experience anyway in Seattle DOL. I'll let you know from prison if they catch on.

Bill Ulman

'66 Crown Convertible - Doris Day

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Cebuisle2@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 2:50 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Price guides

Hello friends-

I have followed the thread about price guides for some days now with interest. I have sold a number of 55-65 Imps that were parts cars-never could get more than a few hundred for them.

However, the annual county car tax rip off assures me my number 4 Imp is an extremely valuable car, and taxes me accordingly from some unknown "value book" that the tax assessor claims he uses. The "value" of the car is far beyond what I could get for it in the market..

Anyone know what book this is?

Ted Blackington