I did the exact same process in 2012. I even called the motorist assistance center before registering it to make sure it would fly..Got the first inspection no problem. 2nd year flagged, locked out sent to MAC. Had the car inspected at MAC, they submitted packet to get approval...Higher ups said no go. Hence the FL plates.
I would happily sell it local if I knew that it was 100% possible. It would have been gone already