Periodic inspections actually sound like a decent compromise, though I get your hesitation about practicality. I mean, I've seen some pretty sketchy "inspections" in my time—like the guy who barely glanced at my tires and slapped on a sticker—but if done right, they could help strike that balance you're talking about.
I had a neighbor years ago with an old Camaro he swore was "showroom ready." From across the street, it looked amazing—shiny paint, chrome wheels, the works. But one day he offered me a ride, and man...that thing was terrifying. Brakes barely worked, suspension was shot, and I'm pretty sure there was more rust than metal underneath. He genuinely believed it was fine because it still started up every morning. So yeah, condition can definitely be subjective.
But I also sympathize with folks who genuinely maintain their classics and still get caught up in these blanket rules. It sucks when responsible owners get lumped in with people who just let their cars rot away on the street. Maybe cities could offer some kind of waiver or exemption for owners who can prove they're actively maintaining their vehicles? Like submitting receipts for repairs or maintenance every year or two?
Not sure how cities would manage that without creating more red tape though...bureaucracy always finds a way to complicate things. Still, it'd be nice if there were some acknowledgment that not all classic car owners are neglectful or irresponsible. Either way, I totally get your frustration—it's tough when you're doing everything right but still getting hassled over arbitrary rules.
Periodic checks could work if they're kept affordable and simple enough. Maybe just focus on critical safety stuff—brakes, lights, suspension? Receipts might be overkill though...I can barely find my keys, let alone paperwork from two years ago.
"Receipts might be overkill though...I can barely find my keys, let alone paperwork from two years ago."
Haha, same here—I lose stuff constantly. But honestly, keeping some record isn't the worst idea, especially if you're looking at insurance down the road. I'm new to this whole insurance thing myself, and from what I've seen, having some basic proof of maintenance can help keep premiums reasonable. Doesn't have to be complicated though. Maybe just snap a quick photo on your phone whenever you do a check or fix something important? Easier than digging through piles of paper later on. I get the skepticism about city rules going overboard, but a simple safety check now and then seems fair enough to me.
I feel you on the paperwork thing...my desk is basically a black hole for anything important. But honestly, snapping a quick pic with your phone is a pretty solid idea. I've seen it save people headaches more than once, especially when dealing with insurance claims.
If you're worried about losing track of photos too (been there), here's what I usually suggest: just create a dedicated album on your phone or cloud storage labeled something like "Car Maintenance." Every time you do something significant—oil change, tire rotation, brake check—snap a quick photo and toss it in there. Takes literally 10 seconds, and you'll thank yourself later if you ever need proof.
I get the skepticism about city rules though...sometimes it feels like they're just piling on extra hoops to jump through. But from an insurance perspective, having even basic documentation can really smooth things out if something happens. I've seen cases where folks had zero records and ended up stuck in endless back-and-forths with adjusters. Not fun.
Still, I agree that receipts from two years ago might be pushing it a bit. Most insurers aren't expecting you to have every single scrap of paper neatly filed away (thank goodness). Just having some kind of simple record—photos, quick notes in your phone calendar, whatever—is usually enough to show you've been responsible about upkeep.
Anyway, don't stress too much about it. Even if you're not perfect at keeping records (who is?), doing something small is way better than nothing at all.
Honestly, I learned the hard way about keeping records. Had a minor fender bender a few years back, and the insurance adjuster grilled me like I was on trial—wanted proof I'd been maintaining my brakes. Luckily, I'd snapped a random pic of my brake pads when changing tires (pure luck). Now I just toss everything into Google Photos...takes seconds and saves headaches. City rules might feel excessive, but trust me, insurance companies can be way worse.
