[brucepick]

Thanks guys, for your encouragement and information.

Project stalled.
I paid a visit to DMV today, asking about regulations.
Apparently in CT, anything permanently attached behind the rear bumper is a no-go. I hope to check into this further to see if maybe the inspector was misinformed.

Instead, I'll likely put my attention on other projects I have planned - underbody smoothing and maybe an oversized roof extension similar to the pic I posted in the start of this thread.