What States Can One Register/Inspect/Drive an 818R without WIndshield / Wipers?

[FFR-ADV]

In the SEMA Update thread a California Challenge Car Driver is able to drive without windshield. Cool Photo!

12522

What other states could this be done in? Has anyone been able to do this in NH? And drive in neighboring states?

If not, a quick removable windshield is likely the way out.

Perhaps FFR with create a Coupe Top like the 33 with an integral windshield? If so, I would really love it if such a top had a Gull Wing T-Top for easy entrance and exit, especially if the frame is left 818R style and the top comes off to race.

12521

BTW I really enjoy the SEMA photo updates and did not want to clog that thread with this side topic. Keep those photos coming!!!!

Cheers!

[ScottKoschwitz]

Not Connecticut. I was just reading the statutes yesterday.

[Samiam1017]

http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA. Look here. I don't know if all state have inspection stickers on there windshields but if your state does swapping out the Windshield for the race one is out. The only thing I saw in PA law was for street rods. 7" windshield vertical height.

[longislandwrx]

New York state is fine too... according to the NY DMV

"If your vehicle does not have a windshield, you must keep the windshield sticker in the vehicle"

http://nysdmv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/225/~/where-to-put-a-registration-sticker-on-a-vehicle

[Niburu]

Virginia is out, all motor vehicles are required to have a windshield and working wipers

[LS1RX7owen]

Virginia is out, all motor vehicles are required to have a windshield and working wipersI wonder if there are size requirements for the windshield? can you grab a volvo headlight and washer assembly from a junkyard and sit it on your hood for street driving?, or similar ideas to get around the issue?

[Xusia]

Why not just have an actual windshield? Is not having one really worth THAT much trouble??

[NonProfit]

can you grab a volvo headlight and washer assembly from a junkyard and sit it on your hood for street driving?

Ha!

Years ago, after my brother had just bought his first new car, he happened to look out the front window of his house to see a police officer paying close extra attention to it. He went out and asked what was up. The officer said the car was registered in the city but did not have a city sticker. Relived, my bother retrieved it from the glove box, explaining he hadn't wanted to stick it to the car. The officer wrote him a ticket explaining that paying the tax was not enough, the sticker needed to be on display. So never being one to conform, he went to the store and purchased an itty-bitty picture frame. Placing the sticker in it, he left it on the dashboard. He soon had another ticket.

[shim2]

Iowa has a minimum vertical height of 6"

[Nobama]

Some cops just dont have a sense of humor. When I was an oinker originality and good humor were grounds for a warning. Oh, and honesty. Like the guy who was going well over the speed limit who told me he had just washed his car and was trying to dry it off, he didn't want any spots.. warning. Hey, I do that too!

[Mechie3]

Why not just have an actual windshield? Is not having one really worth THAT much trouble??

For me it's multple things:

1: Having a street legal car like a lotus 2-11 (which isn't street legal) would be awesome. To me, th emini windshield looks much more racecar than the 818S.

2: I want side impact protection. I never would have cared until my accident in May. What my mom always said came true, "it's not your driving I'm worried about, it's everyone elses". Some lady ran a red. If the 818S has no side impact bars in the door, the side is WIDE open. I don't feel safe getting T boned in something like that. That leads me to the 818R which has the side cage, but also requires daily helmet use.

[Xusia]

Visually, there's no indication the 818R can't use a regular windshield...

[LS1RX7owen]

For me it's multple things:

1: Having a street legal car like a lotus 2-11 (which isn't street legal) would be awesome. To me, th emini windshield looks much more racecar than the 818S.

2: I want side impact protection. I never would have cared until my accident in May. What my mom always said came true, "it's not your driving I'm worried about, it's everyone elses". Some lady ran a red. If the 818S has no side impact bars in the door, the side is WIDE open. I don't feel safe getting T boned in something like that. That leads me to the 818R which has the side cage, but also requires daily helmet use.I'd bet there is side impact protection on the 818S but if not, I'm sure it would be easy enough to add more, these are still DIY cars

[Samiam1017]

If you want the protection for side impact and don't mind stepping into your car then just cut out the two bars and the petty bar out. It would be easier not to have step over that anyway

[apexanimal]

Visually, there's no indication the 818R can't use a regular windshield...

the only potential downside would be less pressurized airflow to the supposed tmic intake...

[Evan78]

What other states could this be done in? Has anyone been able to do this in NH? And drive in neighboring states?As long as you meet the registration requirements of the state where the car is registered, shouldn't you be able to drive it in any state? I don't know where the line is drawn for things like this, but it seems like as long as you don't move to a different state, you should be able to visit other states without checking their entire vehicle code.

[Mechie3]

Did some research. Indiana requires a front windshield by gives no minimum specifications. They also require a driver opera table device for cleaning rain snow or moisture but again gives no specifics. The R windshield would thus be legal. Just need to Fab up a manual single wiper. Lol

[NonProfit]

Just need to Fab up a manual single wiper.

Removable Manual Windshield Wiper (http://www.goodboatgear.com/detail/4988/%20Removable%20Manual%20Windshield%20Wiper?gclid=C JfduI7ZnbMCFe5FMgod5GwAww) $31.06

[Mechie3]

Awesome. Bolt on for.inspection, then toss it in the glove box.

[jimgood]

Virginia is out, all motor vehicles are required to have a windshield and working wipers
I hope that's not the case. But if it is, I'm going to wear a full face helmet with a mini windshield wiper on it! Screw 'em.

[smithtlw]

New York state is fine too... according to the NY DMV

"If your vehicle does not have a windshield, you must keep the windshield sticker in the vehicle"

http://nysdmv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/225/~/where-to-put-a-registration-sticker-on-a-vehicle

I am pretty sure they are referring to a motorcycle above. If you get the package required to register a home built vehicle you will find:


12-a. (a) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, when driven or operated upon a public highway, road or street shall be equipped with a front windshield in a fixed and more or less upright position constructed of safety glass as defined in subdivision fourteen of this section and required by subdivisions eleven and twelve hereof. No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign or other nontransparent material other than a certificate or paper required to be displayed by law upon the front windshield or the sidewings or side windows on either side forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat.

Wipers are also required but I did not see a size requirement in my quick search. However, it does state that all windshields and side windows must be made of safety glass. Bumpers (lack of on the 818 and other FFR cars) will also be an issue in NYS.

There is a lot of good information here: http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA

Todd

[longislandwrx]

As far as requiring side windows and a windshield... does it make mention of vehicles with no tops? The Ariel Atom has neither and can be registered as homemade in NYS if it is purchased as a rolling chassis and the owner installs the powertrain himself.

I dont see this being much different.

I have ordered the kit and will call the DMV one of these days for more info.

[smithtlw]

The following are listed on page one of NYS DMV form MV-529 as equipment required for passenger vehicles:

Brakes
Horn
Mirrors
Muffler
Exhaust System
Windshield
Glazing Material
Windshield Wipers
Crankcase Ventilating System
Air Containment Emissions Control System
Defrosting Device
Tires
Seat Safety Belts
Speedometer
Bumpers
Hazard Warning Signals
Padded Dashboards and Visors
Tamper Resistant Odometer

There is no requirement of side windows or roof. For the description of the windshield it states: Required on every vehicle in order to pass inspection. Every vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1935, must be equipped with safety glass windshields. I do not see how an Atom could be registered without the above equipment. Tom Noonan is the guy you want to talk to in Albany.

Todd

[NonProfit]

Tires?

[longislandwrx]

I have an email into TMI AutoTech regarding how they register the atoms they build in NY.


What are the chances I can just register this thing as a imprezza since I have the clean title from my donor....

[Mechie3]

A guy here in Indy said he sometimes registers Lotus 7's he builds as an S2000 (using an S2000 donor). It's a "very heavily modified" S2000, but an S2k. ;)

[smithtlw]

What are the chances I can just register this thing as a imprezza since I have the clean title from my donor....

I'm pretty sure you could. I am also pretty sure you could cheat on your taxes. Either one may or may not come back to bite you hard. I am confident that there are plenty of cars registered in NY that are not quite as they claim. However, if you register a vehicle as something it is not you may run in to trouble with insurance if there were a claim or issues when you go to sell it. It all depends on the level of risk you are willing to take.

[alpine227]

Maine's motor vehicle statutes makes no reference to a windshield i will check the inspection manual in a bit though. If you have a valid nh sticker you are good to go in maine barring nothing is obviously defective.