Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 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; provided, that specially constructed vehicles shall include hand-built, home-built, and one-off cars that do not resemble any production car. Specially constructed vehicles shall be entitled to standard passenger automobile plates; provided, that all safety and emissions standards applied to reconstructed vehicles are met.