Florida Title and Registration

[JOE A]

I applied for the title for my 65 Coupe yesterday. I have heard many differing Florida experiences, and thought I would share mine. I am located in Palm Beach county and used the West Palm Beach office. After submitting the paperwork 2 weeks ago, I got the inspection date and trailered the car in. You must go to a FLHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ) office for this inspection. You get a checklist for all the paperwork and in addition you need a weight slip.
I was told by the Inspector that the car will be titled as an ASPT (assembled from parts). I questioned this designation as I thought it was to be titled as a Replica. I was informed that Factory Five is not registered and licensed in the State of Florida so it slips into the ASPT category. (Note to Dave Smith; Do the proper paperwork to make it easier to title these cars). The only issue here, is that if you have receipts for used parts (engine, transmission, rear end) you are supposed to have VIN numbers for the vehicle these parts came from so they can be assured they are not stolen. Some groveling and apologies got me past a few of these issues, but some may not be so lucky.
All they care about is the stamped number on the chassis matches the number on the Factory Five MCO. No cares about operational equipment at all. I passed without windshield wipers which was my main concern.
I have no doubt these procedures vary in different geographic areas, but this is what to expect in the Palm Beach area of Florida. Now down to the Licensing office to pay the taxes and get the title and registration.

[wallace18]

Unfortunately no 2 areas of Fl title the same way. Very frustrating for sure.

[Davew70]

Joe A. I was told pretty much the same thing two weeks ago here in Hillsborough County (Tampa) when I attempted to title my 33 as a replica. Quite a few builders have titled their 33 or 65 as replicas in the past with Florida. Under Florida procedure TL-48 a replica title does not require an inspection nor a weight ticket. However, Tallahassee has stopped the use of “FFR” as the replica manufacturer and indicated that Factory Five is not a registered replica manufacturer in Florida. Also, they indicated that Factory Five vehicles are not “kit cars” under Florida statute 319.14 so that leaves only “assembled from parts” for our cars. So, it seems as if our loosey goosey state is starting to clean up its act. I agree, Factory Five has some work to do.

[DamnYankee]

I titled my 35 Truck in December. Piece of cake:

How I got titled in Florida:
First off, don't follow the Kit Car procedure. Follow the Replica procedure.
I went to my local tax assessor's office and followed DMV procedure TL-48. https://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/tl/tl-48.pdf
Register it as a REPLICA, not a Kit Car. Very important. No inspection is required. Only documents you need are the Certificate of Origin from Factory Five, DMV Form 82040, Insurance Card, and an invoice to pay sales tax on. And have form 82042 completed by a police officer at your house to verify the VIN. Nothing else. They will use the Factory Five VIN that's listed on the COO. They even listed my weight as 1000 lb. I was in and out in 20 minutes. One note: "Factory Five Racing" is not in their database, but "FFR" is. Be sure to tell them if they can't find it.

[TheDon]

My experience in Miami was the same as Damn Yankee. Same paper work etc, except they didn't ask for insurance.
They titled it as a 1965 FFRI (Factory Five Racing Inc?) and 1080 lbs even though i showed her the weight. COO info.
I believe your issues are coming from going to the DMV instead of a tag agency.
The Tag agency employees just want to close the transaction and get the money, next please.
Mike

[JOE A]

I intended and submitted all paper work for a Replica application. They did not accept it due to the FFR issue. I'm not sure there are any advantages to Replica vs. ASPT anyway. The "inspection" is only to verify the MCO and the etch number on the chassis is matching. Then they apply the assigned VIN number. Put mine in the drier side door pillar.Interesting thing is that they have no concern with functional items. Tag agencies in my area do not have anything to do with the VIN number assignment. You must deal with your local Florida Department of Motorist Services for the Vin number. Factory Five can and should address this issue. No big deal now as I have my sealed envelope that now goes to the Tag agency. Pay the taxes and fees.
The Don; Incredible that you did not have to submit Insurance documentation.

[SerpantFL]

I recall that Tom (wallace18) has registered a number of vehicles in Florida, and is experienced with FDOT. Too bad that Florida is scattershot with their regulations, or interpretations of, but thanks to the combined knowledge and experiences of members, this is, I feel, just a temporary speed bump.

[cobradan]

I bought factory five MK4 started it 3 months ago .painting it tomorrow.went to register it and can’t do it.text factory five asked why I was sold this car when they new you couldn’t register the car. That’s not write .no one can give me a date when this will be resolved.and 2 Days later asked for Dave Smith to call me.what are you doing about this

[wallace18]

They can be registered as Assembled from Parts. Just not a replica as in the past.

[cv2065]

I registered mine as a 1965 Factory Five in Orlando, FL. In and out in 30 minutes and they didn't need to see the car and took all of the info off of the COO, including the weight. I had all of my paperwork and insurance ready to go in hand. This was just 2-3 months ago. Unfortunately, it depends on the branch you go to in your county. I'd try a different one.

[Papa]

I bought factory five MK4 started it 3 months ago .painting it tomorrow.went to register it and can’t do it.text factory five asked why I was sold this car when they new you couldn’t register the car. That’s not write .no one can give me a date when this will be resolved.and 2 Days later asked for Dave Smith to call me.what are you doing about this

I fail to understand how Factory Five Racing is in any way responsible for how you register a car in your state.

Here is Florida's procedure for registering your Factory Five:

https://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/tl/tl-43.pdf

Or, if you can convince your DMV, this process:

https://www3.flhsmv.gov/dmv/Proc/tl/tl-48.pdf

This may also be useful:

https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_FL.pdf

[65 Cobra Dude]

So, just a quick update on this issue. I spoke to Dave Smith about it and he is fully aware of the issue. He asked me to look into it to figure out how to get FFR on the replica list. I have emailed Tallahassee about adding FFR and got one response saying must be ASPT until they get added to the list. I asked how to get added to the list again this past week and have yet to receive a response. John Phillips on the east coast looking into it as well. Not sure if it is a money issue or paperwork issue but we'll find out!

Thx,

Henry

[Davew70]

So, just a quick update on this issue. I spoke to Dave Smith about it and he is fully aware of the issue. He asked me to look into it to figure out how to get FFR on the replica list. I have emailed Tallahassee about adding FFR and got one response saying must be ASPT until they get added to the list. I asked how to get added to the list again this past week and have yet to receive a response. John Phillips on the east coast looking into it as well. Not sure if it is a money issue or paperwork issue but we'll find out!

Thx,

Henry

I'm in Apollo Beach, Florida and I'm building a hot rod, slowly. As you know, being able to title and register it as a replica has significant advantages over ASPT. And, it doesn't help that different counties seem to follow different procedures. So, your efforts are very much appreciated. Thank you.

Dave

[Papa]

I'm in Apollo Beach, Florida and I'm building a hot rod, slowly. As you know, being able to title and register it as a replica has significant advantages over ASPT. And, it doesn't help that different counties seem to follow different procedures. So, your efforts are very much appreciated. Thank you.

Dave

I agree that the inconsistency in Florida is an issue. Especially when the definitions in their documentation are ambiguous and some are able to get it done as a replica and others are told no. I think it's great that FFR (Dave Smith) is trying to work with the government, but it really isn't his responsibility and shouldn't be called out for Florida's or any other state/country's title & registration process. I particularly take exception when someone's first post on this forum is used to lash out at FFR, particularly when the subject has been discussed ad nauseum:

https://www.google.com/search?q=factory+five+forum+florida+registration+s ite:thefactoryfiveforum.com&sxsrf=ALeKk02xPIawQ7uyoDbFonw1FqSTwGy1kA:160718281 5075&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdgKDGlrftAhURHs0KHahZBl0QrQIoBHoECAQQB Q&cshid=1607182829024388&biw=1757&bih=870

[Jupiter818]

Thanks Joe for sharing. We live in Jupiter and our kit arrives tomorrow.