Titling an 818 inTexas

[freds]

Which pre 1988 car does the 818R resemble most?

I live in Texas, and have been reading TXDOT regs about titling “Custom Vehicle”, and on first reading it seems that if the vehicle is called a “Custom Vehicle” and is stated and shown to resemble a pre 1987/88 vehicle it can get special “Built by Owner” plates and is exempt from annual DPS inspections.

That’s why I want to know which car the 818 resembles. “Resembles” is a pretty loose definition that can be useful to us!
Does anyone have any real knowledge about this. Sounds almost too good!

Read on…a few excerpts from the TX Dept of motor vehicles info on the web. See link below for their FAQ’s on the subject

"Custom Vehicle" is defined as a vehicle manufactured to resemble a vehicle that is at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948; and has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design or has a body constructed from materials not original to the vehicle.

Prior to accepting an application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod specialty license plates, the following safety conditions must be met:
• Vehicle must pass an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Safety Inspection. To locate an ASE technician, vehicle owners may visit the National Institute for ASE website at: www.ase.com (enter "shop locator" in the search field)
• ASE Technician must complete and sign the Form VTR-852, ASE Safety Inspection and Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License Plates(attached)
Initial Application for Texas Title
If the customer is making initial application for title, the following must be submitted to title the replica vehicle:
• Ownership documents for each major component part (frame, motor and body)
• Form VTR-61,Rebuilt Vehicle Statement
• Verification of the serial number or VIN of each major component part (frame, motor and body). Acceptable verifications include pencil tracing or Form VTR-68-A.
• Certified weight certificate
• Completed Form 130-U,Application for Texas Certificate of Title
• Three photos of the replica (front, rear, one side) and one photo of the motor vehicle that it resembles
• Proof of liability insurance
FAQ’s at this link:
http://ftp.txdmv.gov/pub/txdot-info/vtr/rtb/2012/street_custom.pdf
Items 7 & 8 are:
7. Do I have to have my custom vehicle or street rod inspected?
Yes, if applying for Street Rod or Custom Vehicle specialty plates, an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) inspection by a master technician is required to complete and sign Form VTR-852, ASE Safety Inspection and Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License Plates. The standard annual DPS Safety Inspection is required for vehicles registered with Classic license plates.

8. Why can’t I just go to any of the Department of Public Safety inspection stations and have this inspection done?
This law amended Transportation Code, Sec. 548.052 to exempt vehicles with street rod or custom vehicle specialty license plates from the annual safety inspection process.

[ram_g]

I've been following this law closely from before it was passed. IMHO there's no way an 818 is going to qualify. You'll need to title it as an "Assembled Vehicle" with the model year being the year of completion. The good news is that there is a well defined process for this; the bad news is that it will be subject to yearly emissions (and safety) checks.

[NHolds]

Depends on where you live in Texas. No emissions where I am. Registering and tagging my Roadster was the easiest here than any other state I have lived (Ohio, NH, NJ).

You would register is as whatever FFR states on the Certificate of Origin.

[freds]

I've been following this law closely from before it was passed. IMHO there's no way an 818 is going to qualify. You'll need to title it as an "Assembled Vehicle" with the model year being the year of completion. The good news is that there is a well defined process for this; the bad news is that it will be subject to yearly emissions (and safety) checks.
Hi ram_g, I'm not disputing what you say...just trying to find out "for sure" what's what. That said...

1. Exactly what part of the "Custom Vehicle " regs. would prevent you from re titling (after titling it as an "Assembled" vehicle) an 818S as a Custom built by owner vehicle, if you can provide photos of a pre 87 vehicle that it resembles?
2. Reading form VTR61 "Rebuilt Vehicle Statement" to get an original title, unless FF actually puts a VIN # on the kit, it seems to me one would enter "Assembled" in the "Make" box and the "Model" box and list the FF frame and body in their correct boxes on page 2 of the form.

I guess I need to know exactly how FF marks the components, I imagine it cannot be an official VIN.

All in the search for knowledge...not argument.

[ram_g]

Freds - not taken or intended as argumentative in any way! You are exactly on the right track in trying to decipher the rules before buying the kit!

One thing that long-time kit builders in Texas will tell you, and the reason I prefaced my statement with "IMHO", is that there is huge confusion about titling kit cars in Texas, not only with the public but amongst the DMV/tax office employees as well! There are many reported examples of something working for one person and not for the next even if they followed the EXACT same steps. A great deal seems to depend on the specific person you get behind the counter when you go to the DMV.

To your question 1, nothing prevents you from using the Custom Vehicle regs if you can show that the 818 is a replica of some other pre-87 vehicle. My point was only that since the 818 isn't actually so, the chances of finding a suitable vehicle are slim. Remember you have to submit photos of your car and the vehicle model it seeks to replicate. If you can find something, by all means give it a shot!

To your question 2, FFR does not assign a VIN but they do assign a manufacturer # that (I've heard) Texas accepts as a VIN.

Good luck!

[freds]

Freds - not taken or intended as argumentative in any way! You are exactly on the right track in trying to decipher the rules before buying the kit!

One thing that long-time kit builders in Texas will tell you, and the reason I prefaced my statement with "IMHO", is that there is huge confusion about titling kit cars in Texas, not only with the public but amongst the DMV/tax office employees as well! There are many reported examples of something working for one person and not for the next even if they followed the EXACT same steps. A great deal seems to depend on the specific person you get behind the counter when you go to the DMV.

To your question 1, nothing prevents you from using the Custom Vehicle regs if you can show that the 818 is a replica of some other pre-87 vehicle. My point was only that since the 818 isn't actually so, the chances of finding a suitable vehicle are slim. Remember you have to submit photos of your car and the vehicle model it seeks to replicate. If you can find something, by all means give it a shot!

To your question 2, FFR does not assign a VIN but they do assign a manufacturer # that (I've heard) Texas accepts as a VIN.

Good luck!


Thanks for that info. It does seem very lose, so at the appropriate time, I'll try my luck, I suppose. Nothing to loose as I intend to make/keep the car emissions legal anyway....I like the BBO plates though.

[rjh2pd]

You could try to use an 80's mr2, i know the shape is boxy on them, but you could argue its just and updated one since it is mid engined rear wheel drive as well. not sure if that would work just throwing it out there.