SECTION 2H. Certificates of registration and number plates for street rods, replica and other custom vehicles; determination of title year and make, model and model year

(a) For purposes of this section, section 2I and section 33, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—

''Custom vehicle'', a motor vehicle for which the year of manufacture is after 1948, for which the model year is at least 25 years old and that has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed, in whole or in part, from non-original materials.

''Model year'', the model year indicated on a motor vehicle's certificate of origin or, if there is no such certificate, the model year the body of such vehicle most closely resembles.

''Replica vehicle'', a motor vehicle constructed or assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts that, when assembled, replicates an earlier year, make and model vehicle.

''Specially-constructed vehicle'', a motor vehicle reconstructed or assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts, the exterior of which does not replicate or resemble any other manufactured vehicle.

''Street rod'', a motor vehicle for which the year of manufacture is prior to 1949, and which has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.

(b) The registrar shall issue certificates of registration and number plates for street rods, replica vehicles, specially-constructed vehicles and custom vehicles in accordance with this section. The registrar may assign an appropriate registration plate to a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially-constructed vehicle or street rod based upon the vehicle's intended use and the registration requirements under 540 CMR 2.05.

(c) Street rods, replica vehicles, specially-constructed vehicles and custom vehicles shall not be considered antique motor cars and shall not be eligible for registration pursuant to section 6A.

(d) Replica vehicles shall be titled as the year in which the vehicle was built and the make, model and year of the vehicle that is intended to be replicated. A label of ''Replica'' shall be applied to the title and registration card. Custom vehicles and street rods shall be titled as the year in which the vehicle was built and an appropriate description of the vehicle including make, model and model year; provided, however, that the manufacturer's name shall continue to be used as the make with a label of ''street rod'' or ''custom vehicle'' applied to the title and registration card. Specially-constructed vehicles shall be titled and registered showing the make as ''specially constructed'' and the year the vehicle was built shall be the vehicle model year.