View Full Version : Minnesota - Classic, Collector or Street Rod Plates
Antifreeze
04-07-2023, 02:12 PM
While I've had my Mk 3 licensed in MN for about 15 years with STANDARD plates it seems like I could save some money and hassle by pursuing one of the specialty plates that the great state of Minnesota offers. Unfortunately the FF Roadster seems to fall through cracks in their definitions (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168.10). "Classics" are defined as manufactured between 1925 and 1949. "Collectors" have to be at least 20 years old (my title says my 1965 Cobra was manufactured in 2005 - original "legal" registration from Kansas). "Street Rods" manufactured or resemble vehicle prior to 1949. So it appears that I'm stuck with STANDARD plates even though my Cobra only driven in the very short driving season and mostly just for showin' off. Any Roadster owners in MN that have had luck convincing the State that these cars are NOT STANDARD vehicles?
I will be watching and learning from this thread. I am also in MN and have had both Street Rod plates (23 T Bucket) , and collector plates (1953 Ford F100) . I believe your car should qualify for the Minnesota Collector Plates, 168.10 subd. 1(a) Being the Mk 3 is patterned after the 1965 Shelby Cobra, it may work. $15.50 for that plate and no renewals. We have all seen the rusted out 1970 Granada driving around town with those collector plates on them, surely your car is more of a collector than those. Worse case will be standard plates for 1 or 2 more years until it turns 20.
Fixit
04-07-2023, 07:33 PM
You're stuck...
MN goes by the date of manufacture of the major component (frame) / "Certificate of Origin"... doesn't matter what it's a likeness to/patterned after/etc.
I tried all the hoops/sideways/loopholes but my 2017 MkIV is just that... a 2017.
Antifreeze
04-08-2023, 11:50 AM
You're stuck...
I was prepared for that ... so much for 'The Great State of Minnesota'! Funny thing is that there is a huge Hot Rod community in Minnesota and the laws seem to be tilted in their favor. Win some, lose some. To DanQ's point, I just need to wait a couple more years and I should be able to squeak in to the 20 year old 'Collector' car definition. Unless the rules change, it'll be worth it - lifetime tags and small one-time fee ... and, I can legally display only one plate on the rear. (At least that's how I read it.)