Application to corporations heretofore authorized to

transact business in this state. Foreign corporations which are authorized to transact business in this state at the time the Business Corporation Act takes effect, for a purpose or purposes for which a corporation might secure such authority under the Business Corporation Act, shall, subject to the limitations set forth in their respective certificates of authority, be entitled to all the rights and privileges applicable to foreign corporations procuring certificates of authority to transact business in this state under the Business Corporation Act, and from the time the Business Corporation Act takes effect, the corporations are subject to all the limitations, restrictions, liabilities and duties prescribed in the Business Corporation Act for foreign corporations procuring certificates of authority to transact business in this state under the Business Corporation Act.