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Q. I have an antique car registered in Rhode Island. Over the past few years I have reworked the car and installed another body. The body is 30 years older and of another manufacturer than what the car actually is. My question is do I have to report this change to the DMV so it would be reflected on the registration?

A. The answer is yes, you must notify the DMV that you have in some way altered the vehicle. The section of the law that deals with this issue is RI GL 31-1-6 Specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles. (a) “Essential parts” means all integral and body parts of a vehicle of a type that must be registered under chapters 3 — 9 of this title, the removal, alteration, or substitution of which would tend to conceal the identity of the vehicle or substantially alter its appearance, model, type, or mode of operation.

(b) “Reconstructed vehicle” means every vehicle of a type that must be registered under chapters 3-9 of this title, which has been materially altered from its original construction by the removal, addition, or substitution of essential parts, new or used.

(c) “Specially constructed vehicle” means every vehicle of a type that must be registered under chapters 3-9 of this title, but not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model, or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and not materially altered from its original construction.

With the information you’ve given us, Chief of Enforcement Joe Monteiro believes that what you have is a specially constructed vehicle. Almost all modern vehicles carry Vehicle Identification Numbers, or VINs. VINs are found in several places on the vehicle, including but not limited to the frame, engine, firewall, trunk well and dashboard. The same numbers should appear in all these locations on a vehicle that has not been altered or reconstructed in any way.

If you have reconstructed a vehicle using one or more of these parts, then the VINs will not match. An Enforcement investigator will look over your paperwork, including bills of sale and other documentation you may have for parts purchased to reconstruct the vehicle, and issue a Rhode Island Assigned VIN for purposes of registering the vehicle. Montiero also believes that the vehicle must now be registered according to the body type you have installed on the original frame. For instance, if you have a Ford frame and a 1959 Pontiac body, the car should be registered as a 1959 Pontiac. It may also be registered in manner determined by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

More information about registering reconstructed or kit vehicles appears on our Web site at www.dmv.ri.gov/ inspections/ or you can call the Enforcement section at (401) 462-5736.

Gina Antonucci Zanni, chief of communications for the State Division of Motor Vehicles, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state motor vehicle laws and procedures. To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask projoCars, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI, 02902. You can e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Ask projoCars” in the subject field. Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DMV directly and will not be answered in this column.