Registering a Type 65 Coupe in Wisconsin

[cheverett]

Planning a Type 65 Coupe build and thinking ahead. When it comes to getting the car registered/VIN/title, etc. in Wisconsin, I am wondering if there will be any issues that we should be thinking about from the start?

[Fbird]

Hi there,

I am in Wisconsin in Green Bay. Just got my motor and drivetrain in minus headers and exhaust to come later. Before I purchased my kit I looked into this…granted I have not actually done it yet so there may be some hurdles that are not anticipated. Here is what I was told a year ago. I was told to that since it is a replica and handmade I will need to apply for the Hobbyist plate. I would fill out the paper work as a replica vehicle. I have included what this looks like. With the form I was told to include several pictures and mail my paperwork to the WI DOT. They would then mail me the plates and request state inspection if needed. What I am unsure of is when do I pay the sales tax ? It says on the form to mail plate fees and other fees with this paperwork. .. no amounts are indicated, but with registration usually you have to pay your taxes at this point…so that I am a bit fuzzy on. Hopefully someone who has been through this in WI can give some more specifics… here is the form below.
T.Poe151501151502

[cheverett]

Thanks for weighing in on this. I spoke with a Wisconsin state patrol inspector from our southeast region today. They were very clear with me that the replica had to be of a vehicle that was put out to the public for road use in the past. They were not sure that the Type 65 replica of the Cobra Daytona would satisfy that with only 6 made back then and for racing purposes only. They said that with a replica of a 1965 vehicle the equipment requirements would be the 1965 rules version, which could be met with the kit. If not a replica of a prior road use car, the 2021 equipment rules apply and would be impossible to meet for us in our garage - airbags, anti-lock brakes, external lighting were examples they gave. Please let me know if you learn differently. I would love to do the Type 65, but I want to get it out on the street too.

[Fbird]

Here is what I found ..

https://www.ffcars.com/threads/wisconsin-registration.148079/#post-1282553

Check it out. It is old so I dug some more. I would still like to hear from someone who has done this recently.


I found this legislation. Gotta go with the hobbyist plate and it should not be an issue that I can see. Check out page 30. It details the hobbyist plate designations.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/341.pdf
Still would like to hear from someone who has done this recently. Anyone?

[J R Jones]

Years ago the WI license options included Hobbyist and Collector. I got a Collector plate for a modified RX7 and have no problem.
If the "Daytona Coupe" designation is a hang-up, I would identify as a Cobra replica, which you suggest is not a problem for WI.
Historically those models shared everything but the body, and that is not an issue for other specialty cars.
jim

[thriftychicken]

I registered my gen 3 in 2017 and basically filled out the hobbyist plate registration using the chassis VIN, paid the tax/reg fees and received plates within a couple weeks. I was never asked to have an inspection. I'm in Forest county if that matters. 11,000 miles and no issues with law enforcement yet.

[Fbird]

Thanks thrifty chicken. That’s what I thought it was. Good to hear of a real person who has registered.
Cheverett where are you at in the state?

[thriftychicken]

Thanks for weighing in on this. I spoke with a Wisconsin state patrol inspector from our southeast region today. They were very clear with me that the replica had to be of a vehicle that was put out to the public for road use in the past. They were not sure that the Type 65 replica of the Cobra Daytona would satisfy that with only 6 made back then and for racing purposes only. They said that with a replica of a 1965 vehicle the equipment requirements would be the 1965 rules version, which could be met with the kit. If not a replica of a prior road use car, the 2021 equipment rules apply and would be impossible to meet for us in our garage - airbags, anti-lock brakes, external lighting were examples they gave. Please let me know if you learn differently. I would love to do the Type 65, but I want to get it out on the street too.

That is interesting. When we filled out our registration, we didn't know what to put in the manufacturer field so we put FFR. They changed it to Dodge because they found a Daytona by Dodge from that era. We resubmitted with Ford as the brand because it was closer than Dodge.

[snowdave]

It does seem like the hobbyist route in Wisconsin does work. I suspect that DMV and law enforcement attitude comes into play for those with more or less success. A FFR member at EAA mentioned that the existence and abuse of exoskeleton kits like DF/Goblin has increased scrutiny on their own. I have worked with (around) motorcycle licensing issues in Wisconsin for years and was always envious at how easy the car guys had it ;-)

[cheverett]

I'm in Washington County, southeast Wisconsin.

[snowdave]

I will say that finding a "friendly" DMV has worked wonders for me over the years. Alternatively, a hostile DMV will find a way to turn you away no matter how well prepared or correct/legal you are. Well worth the hassle of driving a few extra miles. Not sure if this is still possible with COVID as it seems many DMV sites are still shut down.

[J R Jones]

I will say that finding a "friendly" DMV has worked wonders for me over the years. Alternatively, a hostile DMV will find a way to turn you away no matter how well prepared or correct/legal you are. Well worth the hassle of driving a few extra miles. Not sure if this is still possible with COVID as it seems many DMV sites are still shut down.

Dave, I am in Dodge Cty and this Sheriff has been difficult to work with. I had an 84 Yamaha Venture basket case, totaled with a salvage title. It was an affordable repair after ebay and Craigslist became an option.
I fixtured, straightened and rebuilt as a sport tour bike with a Don Vesco fairing. The Madison DMV was very demanding but we resolved that by mail/phone. The "inspection" was in Juneau and the senior officer was a zealot. Mechanically and legally the bike was perfect. My receipt file was 2" thick, and he spent more than an hour paging through them. He wanted a VIN on every (ebay & CL) receipt. A couple had VIN numbers. He was convinced that my 25 year old Yamaha Venture was flush with stolen parts. He called phone numbers on the receipts and threatened to have their businesses shut down. I told him, next time I do a project like this, I am bringing five part receipts.
jim