anyone in Houston area know of an ASE certified "Master Tech"

[sread]

Am just about at the point to start the title/registration process and need to find a certified ASE master tech to perform the state required inspection for an assembled vehicle. Not having much luck so far.
Anybody in the Houston area or nearby know of someone? Thanks!

[RoadRacer]

Did you try https://www.ase.com/find-a-repair-shop ?

In the end I googled "ASE Master tech near me" and found mine (In Austin)

[sread]

I'll give it a shot - first one on the list looks promising and they are not too far away.

[RoadRacer]

I'm sure you know this, but they MUST be able to provide paperwork showing their ASE Master status with dates, etc. You need to submit this.

[sread]

Yea - I've been poring over the Texas Assembled Vehicle manual. Trying to get prepared for the most feared part of this whole journey. About to venture down into that bureaucratic hell hole ...the DMV. Got to be ready for anything as the road is sure to be paved with Ignorance, Indifference, and Incompetence.

pray for me...

[dstelter]

Ill give out a Pray for you. Not tool far behind you. Coupe should be ready for the "hell hole" by early summer. Not sure if i want to try a small town DMV or go to a larger one. Current county is Bastrop. For the inspection i might go with the same outfit James "roadracer" did. Keep us informed on the progress. good luck. Doug

[sread]

I may end up making the drive to Austin also. That would actually make a great first road trip if I can catch a nice day. Mine is going to be topless for the time being. Have to see how things shape up after the new year.

[RoadRacer]

I may end up making the drive to Austin also. That would actually make a great first road trip if I can catch a nice day. Mine is going to be topless for the time being. Have to see how things shape up after the new year.

Let me know if you come this way! I take literally any excuse for a drive - yesterday I went out solely to fill up with gas, which is about as meta as you can get :D

[sread]

An update for Texas guys about to start the title process.
After 2 trips to the DMV regional service center I am no closer whatsoever to getting legally registered and titled. Last week I thought I had jumped thru the final hoop by getting the form 68a vin verification inspection by the local auto theft task force.
I made my appointment, made the 1 hour drive to the location, spent 15 minutes driving around in circles trying to find a legal parking space. There are none - there is already a line a block long and I just end up parking illegally like most of the others seem to do and hope for the best. If you have an appointment, you get to go to the front of the line and take a number from the kiosk. It doesn't mean that you won't have to wait, but at least you are in the queue. I only had to wait about 15 minutes and my number is called. When I got to the window I explained to the clerk that I needed to have my documents reviewed and get the permission letter from DMV to file the application for title and permanent registration. She gets that puzzled look on her face but asks to see my documents. After spending a few minutes poring over all the forms, receipts, bill of sale, etc. she asks if the vehicle is here. I say no , why. She says they have to apply the vin tag. I reply that the Texas Assembled Vehicle manual ( I have a printed copy with me) says that if the manufacturer applies identification numbers that they may be used as the vin. She says doesn't matter - they have to physically place an assigned vin tag on the vehicle. Other than that everything appears to be in order. Just to be safe, I request that someone review all my documents so that there are no more surprises. She says fine and takes me to the clerk that apparently handles assembled vehicles (where I should have been directed the first time) I repeat the same story to her and she agrees to look at everything and says it all looks in order...just bring the car back so they can apply the vin tag and then the package can be submitted.
I go home and book another appointment. It is now next week as you can only book appointments for the next day (if you get up early enough before they are all booked) without an appointment , you will probably be there all day.
Anyways , now I have to drive the hotrod all the way across Houston in fast moving traffic on the freeways. Not that big of deal but it is a little harrowing being such a small car with very limited visibility.
This time I have to wait an hour before my number is called. I explain to the lady what I am there for and she asks to see my documents. She flips back and forth thru everything for a few minutes and then homes in on the pictures. Since it is a replica, you are required to submit a picture of each side of the car along with a picture of the vehicle it resembles (33 Ford coupe) She says I am missing parts of the car. I ask what she means. Well, my car has no fenders and no hood, along with lake style headers coming out the side. The picture of a 33 coupe that I submitted is a nicely painted car with no fenders, lake style headers but has a fully enclosed engine compartment and hood. To make matters worse, my car is painted with a very realistic patina job that makes it look like it really is a rusty old car that has been sitting in a field for 40 years. She doesn't like it. Then, she says that I will have to have a bonded title. I ask why - she says that I have no proof of ownership. Keep in mind , I have the original MSO in the name of the original purchaser along with a bill of sale from him to me, all receipts, the original order from FFR , etc. I also point out that it clearly states in the Assembled vehicle manual that that is valid proof of ownership. She doesn't like it. She goes to confer with another clerk and she comes over and starts telling me the same thing and says the MSO is useless because it isn't in my name and the original purchaser didn't assign to me. I tell her to read the back of it, where it clearly states it can only be reassigned by a dealer. There is no place for an individual to assign it. She doesn't like it and they go to a supervisor and spend 5-10 minutes in conference. They come back and keep saying it doesn't look like the picture so it can't be a replica and have no explanation as to why the first clerk said I needed a vin tag placed on it. She asks if I can point her out. Well, there are about 25 windows with clerks wearing masks. No, I can't point her out. I then protest that they keep changing the story on me and that the lady that handles assembled vehicles already reviewed my paperwork and saw no issues. Of course, she isn't there or is gone to lunch or who knows. Finally, they say they can make copies of everything and send it to Austin and see what they say, and I will have to wait to hear from them.
So, that is where I am at - waiting in limbo to hear back from 2 different government agencies to find out if I can even apply for my title and registration. And my 3rd and final temporary tag is only valid for 2 more weeks.

[RoadRacer]

Ugh. I went through pain too, but in different ways.

First - you can keep getting new 30 day tags. There’s no real limit.. I got more by sweet talking and explaining.

Second- sounds like Houston don’t know the process. Austin do.. and I can come with you if it would help. I had to get a bonded title btw but cos I bought a crate motor and didn’t realize. Crate motors have no serial number and hence.. bonded just in case I stole it. The bond wasn’t hard.. just more $$