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Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:34 am

I have a 74 super and i just ot pulled over yesterday for no bumpers. I live in florida, is it illegal to not have bumpers or was that officer just a douche and wanted to meet his end of the month quota?

this is what i have found, it is kinda vague

Title XXIII MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter 316 STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL
316.251 Maximum bumper heights.--

(1) Every motor vehicle of net shipping weight of not more than 5,000 pounds shall be equipped with a front and a rear bumper such that when measured from the ground to the bottom of the bumper the maximum height shall be as follows:

NET WEIGHT

FRONT REAR

Automobiles for private use:
Net weight of less than 2,500 pounds

22" 22"

Net weight of 2,500 pounds or more,
but less than 3,500 pounds

24" 26"

Net weight of 3,500 pounds or more

27" 29"

Trucks:
Net weight of less than 2,000 pounds
24" 26"

Net weight of 2,000 or more,
but not more than 3,000 pounds

27" 29"

Net weight of 3,000 pounds,
but not more than 5,000 pounds

28" 30"

(2) "New motor vehicles" as defined in s. 319.001(8), "antique automobiles" as defined in s. 320.08, "horseless carriages" as defined in s. 320.086, and "street rods" as defined in s. 320.0863 shall be excluded from the requirements of this section.

(3) A violation of this section shall be defined as a moving violation. A person charged with a violation of this section is subject to the penalty provided in s. 318.18.

History.--s. 1, ch. 85-158; s. 7, ch. 86-36; s. 23, ch. 91-221; s. 196, ch. 99-248; s. 18, ch. 2002-235.

Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:38 am

Sounds like you need them, homeslice. I know different places have different laws, so you'd have to check it out, but from what I see, it looks like you'll have to have them.

Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:34 am

I did a search and found this in section 320.086

Quote: (2)(a) The owner of a motor vehicle for private use manufactured after 1945 and of the age of 30 years or more after the date of manufacture, equipped with an engine of the age of 30 years or more after the date of manufacture, and operated on the streets and highways of this state may, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department and upon payment of the license tax prescribed by s. 320.08">320.08(1)(d), (2)(a), or (3)(e), be issued a special license plate for such motor vehicle. In addition to the payment of all other fees required by law, the applicant shall pay the fee for the issuance of the special license plate prescribed by the department, commensurate with the cost of its manufacture. The registration numbers and special license plates assigned to such motor vehicles shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with "Antique No. 1," and the plates shall be of a distinguishing color. The owner of the motor vehicle may, upon application and payment of the license tax prescribed by s. 320.08">320.08, be issued a regular Florida license plate or specialty license plate in lieu of the special "Antique" license plate.

And I found this in 320.0863

Quote: 320.0863 Custom vehicles and street rods; registration and license plates.--

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) "Blue dot tail light" means a red lamp that contains a blue or purple insert that is not more than one inch in diameter and is installed in the rear of a motor vehicle.

(b) "Custom vehicle" means a motor vehicle that:

1. Is 25 years old or older and of a model year after 1948 or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle that is 25 years old or older and of a model year after 1948; and

2. Has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

(c) "Street rod" means a motor vehicle that:

1. Is of a model year of 1948 or older or was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle of a model year of 1948 or older; and

2. Has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

(2) The model year and year of manufacture which the body of a custom vehicle or street rod resembles is the model year and year of manufacture listed on the certificate of title, regardless of when the vehicle was actually manufactured.

(3) To register a street rod or custom vehicle, the owner shall apply to the department by submitting a completed application form and providing:

(a) The license tax prescribed by s. 320.08(2)(a) and a processing fee of $3;

(b) A written statement that the vehicle will not be used for general daily transportation but will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, or other functions of public interest and similar uses; and

(c) A written statement that the vehicle meets state equipment and safety requirements for motor vehicles. However, the vehicle must meet only the requirements that were in effect in this state as a condition of sale in the year listed as the model year on the certificate of title.

(4) The registration numbers and special license plates assigned to such vehicles shall run in a separate series, commencing with "Custom Vehicle 1" or "Street Rod 1," respectively, and the plates shall be of a distinguishing color and design.

(5)(a) A vehicle registered under this section is exempt from any law or local ordinance that requires periodic vehicle inspections or the use and inspection of emission controls.

(b) Such vehicle may also be equipped with blue dot tail lights for stop lamps, rear turning indicator lamps, rear hazard lamps, and rear reflectors.

I have a 1971 SB that I have tagged as an antique (it's cheeper anyway). I currently have a set of t-bars on mine. I will be printing out a copy of all the pertinant laws to keep in my glove box.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:13 am

i have an antique tag on mine as well. i know that i see bugs driving around all the time with no bumpers. i put the bumpers back on because they gave me a fix it ticket. i will get it signed off and then i am putting the t-bars on as well. im gonna print that and keep it in the car as well.

Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:05 am

How does a fix it ticket work?

Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:04 am

Fix it tickets are usually things like loud exhaust, you just go to court on the date on your ticket and show a receipt from your car being fixed and then the ticket is ripped up. It's a pretty lenient policy, USUALLY.

I wonder if you can get away with a few mods that made a bug "resemble" pre-1948 bugs, they "resemble" them quite a bit already....