Since aroun 1999 none of my hot rods have had hoods, bumpers, fenders ETc.. Never got pulled over in the C-Dan, but the coupe got me pulled over coming home from the Jalopy Showdown. The coupe in question was my '31 Ford with a 6" chop and four inch channel, running fenderless and hoodless (As well as a big block Chevy motor..). That particular day I was running around a muddy "dirt" track about two hours from home. The car was covered in whatever mud that couldn't be scraped off at the track, which was quite a bit of Latimore's finest blend. Anyway, here I was about 15 mins. from home with my fellow Pack Rat member John by my side. We were both sober as church mice. You have to be driving that car. With all that chop and very little visability, plus all that motor, its all you can do to keep it in line. Add to that the fact your knees are up by your chin and you have another grown person cramping you from the side. Its, shall I say, cozy? So, the officer in question, a young lad about 21 or 22, does a U turn and begins to catch up to the flat black Ford. He hits the lights and I pull over. Followed closely by my wife's Saturn wagon pulling in behind the youngster. Of course the guy takes his time getting out. Its the old "mind fuck". Maybe he wants me to run so he can brag to his buddies about the "Hot Rod Pursuit" he had. Hes probably just running my tag. In the old days he never would have caught me. I've been running those roads all my life. Those were my old stomping grounds.. I could do it blind folded. He finally steps out, straightening himself to look taller, which wasn't hard in my coupe. He had to crouch down to his knees and peer into the mail slot I had for a side window. He examined the car and its occupants using his mag light. I already had my paperwork waiting for him. He gives the outside of the car the once over. Its a nice, late May, Saturday evening on a four lane road by a corn field. starght out of the movies. wish I had taken a picture.. But his first words are "Whats the deal??" He looks shocked that this "thing" could be on HIS highway! I just play it cool and look confused. "huh?" "Deal?" He smirks "This thing has regular tags on it...and no inspection!" I just give him a blank stare. Lets see what else he knows. Finally he gets back down and puts the light in my eyes. I squint and look stupid. Its real easy. After my tags come up clean and he realizes hes not going to get anywhere with me, he asks me to please take this heap home. Never mentions the fenders or the hood. Never asks where the mud came from. Just shakes his head and drives away. I'm shocked, but now laughing, as is my passenger. We both turn and look at each other and, at the exact same time, say "Whats the DEAL??" Laughing our asses off. My wife pulls up beside me looking worried. My son is giving me the same look. she sees John and I laughing our heads off and says" What was THAT all about?" I say" Oh..thats just an old buddy stopping to say hello". I pull out and lay about 150 feet of rubber, still laughing. Every time I see John now, I ask him what the deal is. The deal I got was no ticket and a very confused officer. Maybe he was looking for drunk drivers and, once he found out our condition (dry), went on to better things. Maybe the hassle of three hours of paper work wasn't worth the effort. Maybe he was just a cool guy. Maybe... well maybe he liked my car..? Spike FTF
That's good news for PA. Let this be a lesson for everyone. If you don't like the law, GET INVOLVED and you can change it. Someone got involved, thats how PA's law was changed. Utah used to have a law that required fenders way back when... until the old rodders (well, they are old now) here got involved and got it changed. Thanks old dudes! LP
Where was this petition at? Was it on his site? I always thought the law was the law and it couldn't be changed unless you had $$$$ to grease somebody's palm with. Well I guess I learned something today. Thanks, later plmczy
No fender law in Ohio...I have been running that way for a few yrs. No hood or wipers either!!! Spoons
Plmczy, I read the notice sent to inspection stations in Pa. today, no fenders, hoods or bumpers required. Goes into effect Jan. 30
TTT after a year and a half. What's the status of the PA law? I'm having a car titled by the MV426 process, and I just got rejected for not having bumpers and an exposed engine. Does anyone know what's up or, more importantly, who I can appeal to? Thanks, Matt
Go to yuor State Rep. for help, I had a couple of buddys had the same problum and their Rep helped them. Good luck
Are you registering the car as a street rod? ACT 228 of 2004 amends the law effective 1/30/05: vehicles registered as "Street Rods" are exempt from bumpers, hood and fenders. Only the fan has to shielded. The official language is in bulletin BI05-1 dated 1/05. PM me with questions.
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