CompIgnition -

I believe you're right about that . . . and once I thought about whether or not I'd own the car for 5 years it seemed a little excessive . . . I went with the 1 year reg, and it was $46.

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1981 300D - {172,000}
1971 220D {Sold to TomJ}

How old does the car have to be in Michigan to qualify?

My 300SDs cost $140 each to register!

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

In Michigan, the land of taxation, corporate departure, and the "single state recession", a car must be at least 25years old to qualify for antique or collector plates. The Michigan license fee is an (illegal) property tax based not on the value of the car, but the price for the car when it was new. Plates for my 4matic were rediculous, for my little '87 190 are only slightly obscene compared to it's market value, ... but I digress.

Both plates have restrictions as to use of the vehicle, but there are differences:
The Antique plate is a distinctive plate, which must be renewed, I believe 5years (not sure) and is a reasonable renewal price compared to regular plates.

The collector plate is a license plate you find and buy, a Michigan plate issued the year your car was titled, re-registered to your car as a classic plate. This is less expensive as it never expires. Many of us buy these plates and the appropriate year sticker at swap-meets.

Again both types are limited as to use, things like parades, shows, club events, "and the like" are specified.

With the incredible amount of salt products used in Michigan it is usually amazing if a car makes it to 25years old, and that alone should be testament that it isn't regularly driven, but they don't want to lose revenue allowing a 20-year-old car to have antique plates like other states do. Oh well.

"Will the last one out of Michigan please turn out the lights"

- Jeff Miller
190DT in the welfare state.

WI is pretty decent. Collector car plates are available for any vehicle 20 model years or older. Price is two times the annual registration fee(presently $55/yr for a car) and $50 if it's your first collector plate.

You do have to have current registration on at least one other vehicle in your name on a full time basis, and you can't drive it during the month of January(with limited exceptions- but not a problem for me, I don't anyway).

The plates are non-expiring as long as you own the vehicle, and with no emissions testing on diesels, I'm seriously considering it.

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1986 300SDL
1988 Monte Carlo SS
2002 Avalanche
2003 100th Anniversary H-D Dyna Wide Glide