Florida Title issues..nightmare?

[fhp1154!]

First off, thanks for all the advise to date, with that being said I went to local Tax Collector/ DMV Brevard Co.(terrible mix) and started the process....I think?
My Cobra was never titled, bought from gentleman in Maryland with MSO. I assembled car and ready to drive. Not only do I need to carry for inspection, I am told I need to title in previous owners name Florida then transfer to me.....UGGGGGGG. I never once said "kit", These folks seemed dazed and confused, over 45 minutes at her window and nothing but frustration. I'm told other locations are easy, ready to drive if anyone has recent experience in Florida.....thanks Tim

[edwardb]

It come be a little dicey in some states when the MSO isn't in your name. I've had that experience in Michigan, and others states occasionally will question it. You can't sign over transfer on an MSO unless you are a registered dealer. If you have good documentation of the sale, should be able to show that ownership has transferred and usually that's OK.

[wallace18]

PM sent.

[mcwho]

see my PM, mine was done about 5 years ago in Sanford FL.

Before I tried the Sanford location, I read a post from a guy that fell all over himself praising a registration office in Lakewood. I drove over a long long way, all docs in order. THey had NO CLUE what a kit car vs a replica was or how to title either. THey gave me a phone number of a regional state specialist whom couldn't give me the time of day. In Florida it is definitely a hit or miss situation. Use the sites that have work for others disregard the rest.

[Avalanche325]

Print out the Florida DMV instructions. Those are the instructions that THEY follow. They don't need to know what they are doing, they just need to know how to read. They thanked me for bringing it.

The MSO might be a stumbling block that you have to figure a way around.

[Flyguy561]

I had the same issues as you did and found another office with a helpful manager. I had to get the original owner to sign paperwork to get a fl. title, MSO was in R.I., also he signed paperwork to give me power of attorney for title work only, brought all the papers back to the office and they did a FL. title in his name then used the power of attorney and i signed the title over to my name and they then issued a title in my name. I made sure everything was a replica not a kit. like others said I brought all the Fl paper work describing how to to title a replica in Fl. and was patient as possible. I even got antique plates. Good Luck, it was a PITA but worth it.

[mburger]

My MKII is registered as an "assembled" vehicle in FL with normal FL plates most likely because it was registered originally in Ohio as an assembled vehicle. (I think) I'd like to change it to antique but don't want the hassle and don't know if that's even possible.

[fhp1154!]

Print out the Florida DMV instructions. Those are the instructions that THEY follow. They don't need to know what they are doing, they just need to know how to read. They thanked me for bringing it.

The MSO might be a stumbling block that you have to figure a way around.

I think I have the MSO figured out , but I am pasting a quote from a Florida Statue about verifying the MSO number with the chassis, I have noting on the car stamped that I can find.....little confused about this one

"Form HSMV 82042, Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification, accurately completed by the retail purchaser(s) with the motor vehicle identification number verified by one of the four officials shown on the lower portion of the form, -or- An affidavit from the seller(s) and the purchaser(s) verifying that the vehicle identification number shown on the affidavit is identical to the vehicle identification number shown on the motor vehicle. "

[edwardb]

I think I have the MSO figured out , but I am pasting a quote from a Florida Statue about verifying the MSO number with the chassis, I have noting on the car stamped that I can find.....little confused about this one

"Form HSMV 82042, Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification, accurately completed by the retail purchaser(s) with the motor vehicle identification number verified by one of the four officials shown on the lower portion of the form, -or- An affidavit from the seller(s) and the purchaser(s) verifying that the vehicle identification number shown on the affidavit is identical to the vehicle identification number shown on the motor vehicle. "

What Mk Roadster do you have? Mk3 and Mk4 have the Factory Five serial number engraved on the 2-inch dash tube right above where your left knee would be sitting in the driver's seat. That number should match the number on your Certificate of Origin. Earlier Mk's had them elsewhere and others more familiar with those versions can describe if you have one of those. But note the number on Factory Five Certificate of Origin is a serial number. It may or may not be the actual vehicle identification number (VIN). Some states use at as the VIN when the title is created. Many do not, like Michigan where I live, and make up a new one for assembled vehicles.

[fhp1154!]

What Mk Roadster do you have? Mk3 and Mk4 have the Factory Five serial number engraved on the 2-inch dash tube right above where your left knee would be sitting in the driver's seat. That number should match the number on your Certificate of Origin. Earlier Mk's had them elsewhere and others more familiar with those versions can describe if you have one of those. But note the number on Factory Five Certificate of Origin is a serial number. It may or may not be the actual vehicle identification number (VIN). Some states use at as the VIN when the title is created. Many do not, like Michigan where I live, and make up a new one for assembled vehicles.

I'm guessing MKI, it was originally purchased April 2001

[edwardb]

I'm guessing MKI, it was originally purchased April 2001

OK. I'm going to have refer to the Mk1 guru's. That's way before my time with these. It's welded on the frame somewhere. In that timeframe, there was apparently a frame number and kit number.