Title and Registration in Tennessee

Hello, all. My son and I will hopefully be titling our MK4 in the coming months here in Tennessee. I have been researching how to get it done correctly so that it is titled as a 1965 Shelby Cobra, with the word REPLICA listed on the title. That is confirmed how Tennessee will allow it, if the process is done correctly. At the same time, I have read horror stories of titles coming back as Salvage or Rebuilt, which in not desirable. I have called the local Clerk's office and called and emailed the State office a few times. I am getting varying information, but nothing definitive on how to process it correctly. Below are links from here and the TV.gov website for titling that are of relevance and are informative. However, none of the information gives the exact procedure needed to make sure I can go to my local office with enough information to ensure it is titled as I am hoping. Today I sent an email to several large-county Clerk's offices in the state, requesting the procedure to title it correctly. Hopefully, one of them will give me the best plan of action. If anyone recently has an insight to provide, it would be greatly appreciated. If I learn anything during my journey, especially if I get it titled correctly, I will post every step-by-step action I had to do, complete with the documents I needed.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...e-registration
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...e-Registration
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...title-and-reg)
https://tnclerks.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...ebuilt-Vehicle
https://tnclerks.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...3-Title-Brands

Thanks in advance for any help,
Valkster

Great question. I’m moving to the great state of TN this year and have the same question!

Oh wow, they can brand your title as a Meth car in TN. Make sure you dont get that one!

Yeah, I'm born and raised here in east Tennessee...was shocked that a "Meth car" was a thing for the local Clerk's office. Maybe/hopefully it is just for nice folks trying to title a green Pontiac Aztek! :D

I had a thought last Friday and followed through with it. I reached out to the county clerk's offices of the 5 largest cities in the state. I stated that I was finishing up the construction/assembly of a replica vehicle and asked for guidance in getting it titled and registered properly. My reasoning is that the larger cities would see replica titling much more often that the smaller towns and cities (like my hometown). I have gotten word back from two of them already, and one was very helpful (describing the process for titling but not mentioning the forms I needed). The other simply gave me a number to the TN office that inspects salvaged and reconstructed vehicles (not what we would need to title a replica). I also got word back from an email I sent directly to the state office, which gave a few needed forms, but didn't go into a lot of detail about the process itself. The forms that were listed seem to go along with other readings I have done so far, but some references indicated that the local office will fill these forms out for/with you when you start the process. Both forms I have gotten are linked below. One is to apply for a TNVIN, which will get an official VIN based upon the serial number FFR provided. The other was an application of title, but it got confusing as it was asking for information that I don't think I have the answers for yet. I am passing these along in case they can help anyone else. Again, I promise to follow up with posts on what actually worked, hopefully, when I go through the process. My hope is that I can go to a Clerk's office that might be unfamiliar with the "replica" process but have enough pertinent information to make it go smoothly.

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/re.../RVR-00115.pdf
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/re...201Fill-in.pdf

-Valkster

Do any of you that have titled in Tennessee have, or would be willing to take, a VIN censored picture of your title that shows REPLICA at the top? I have found title examples of most other title brands, but no REPLICA titles. I am hoping if I had picture of one that it might help explain to the Clerk's office what it is supposed to be when done. Thanks for any help.

-Mark

I walked into the tag office with only my paperwork from FFR. They taxed me on the cost of the kit. They didn't ask for pictures, vin info, nothing. I paid with a credit card and walked out with a tag. The title came in the mail 10 days later. Titled as a 1965 FFRI. I don't think it has "replica" on it but I will check when I get a chance.

Any updates on this?
I plan to be registering in TN in a couple months.

Unfortunately, no. No other county offices ever replied and the office that was the most helpful is not an option to go to since I am not a resident in that county. What county are you moving to? I plan to take the information I have now and go to my local office in the next few weeks but had hoped to have more information to take. The forms I posted above seem to be valid, though the TNVIN may or may not be required. When I am able and work up the nerve to go, I will pass along what I learn. I had really hoped someone that got it titled as a "REPLICA" chimed in and sent a picture of the title. Most all posts I had found on the forums stated they got it titled as an FFR, at least one as an FFR MK4. In Tennessee it should be titled as the original car it was meant to replicate if it is done correctly. In the big picture, I don't know that it really matters, but at this point it is a challenge to get it titled as I had hoped, with as few issues as possible.

Ok, an update...I only ever got two responses from my emails to larger cities. The one that gave me the most input ultimately said I needed to work it through my local county office. I did so, along with calling the state office twice (two calls, and two different processes explained to me). Ultimately, our local clerk was very helpful, but not very familiar with replica titling. She called the state office while I was there and got the same information as one of my calls. I called the state on my own after that meeting and was told the same thing (this is now three matching processes explained to me). The person I talked to on my last call to the state even went through the form line by line, explaining what I needed to enter. So, I am filling out the form they said I need now, along with taking some pictures of the build at this point. I need to send that to the state along with the kit invoice and the MCO paper from FFR. Some of them in this process told me to make copies of the MSO in case the state lost the original. I won't post the form I had to fill out just yet...I want to make sure all goes as planned so I don't mess up anyone else later if this fails. If it does work, then I will post the form, and all of the information I sent in. The form referenced sending in photos, so below are a few of what I will send. Hopefully I can post good news in a few weeks or so.

Attachment 210608

Attachment 210607

Attachment 210609

Attachment 210610

Attachment 210611

Following this as we likely are heading to Lawrence County. I’m wondering if I should title it here in AZ and then transfer it?

Quick update. After I sent my information to the Tennessee Department of Revenue Vehicles Services weeks ago, I waited until today to contact them (I had not gotten any contact from them so far). I mailed it with certified mail and knew that it arrived about 2.5 weeks ago. After reading off the last 8 digits of my serial number to the representative that answered, I was told that it is awaiting inspection before the VIN will be assigned. She went on to give me the name and phone number of the inspector that was assigned to my car. I called the inspector, who sounded like a down-to-earth guy, and asked him about my car's inspection. He had just received my information a few days ago and had not had a chance to call me yet. This coming Monday is when he is planning to do his inspection. He seemed to be more concerned about it having a serial number on the frame and that it was indeed a functionally complete car (with body and engine). He was less concerned about it being completely finished. Hopefully I will post positive results early next week. I am curious to see how they name the car...will it be called a 1965 Shelby Cobra Replica, or will it be a 2022 Factory Five Racing MK4 Roadster? I am ok with either, but here in Tennessee it should be the former, not the latter if all goes as planned.

-Mark

The Tennessee vehicle inspector agent with TN Department of Revenue Vehicle Services called and came to my house today (Monday). It was a very good experience and one hurdle now done! He had told me prior to his visit that as long as I had the body and engine installed, along with the serial number on the chassis, he was good to go. I had sent photos with my documents that showed all the lights, bumpers, etc. installed but included a cover letter stating that I was in the "paint and body" stage of the build and that some parts would be on and off at certain times. After a brief visit he attached my VIN sticker! It had to be on driver's side, so it is next to the FFR serial engraving on the frame under the dash. The VIN is the same as the serial number that FFR assigned to it. I am one step closer to title and registration! He told me that this Wednesday, or no later than this Thursday the local county clerk's office should see it on their system, and after paying tax/title/registration, I should be good to go! I will wait to post ALL the documents and information I sent until it is all done, but he told me that I did my homework, and it should be titled as a Cobra REPLICA. I am still a bit uncertain about that because if you see the pic I posted, the make and model are not quite what I expect on the VIN sticker label. They call it a MAKE of AC (which is nice that they identify the root of the replicated car), a MODEL of COA (which I hope it a truncation of CO and A from Cobra), and the year is correct as a 1965. Time will tell when I go to the clerk's office...looks very promising and really was not a bad process. I had more anxiety from the old forum posts here than from the local and state interactions. I will follow up again after I get the title and registration worked out...and will make a summary of the information I sent to get here.

-Mark

Attachment 211609

I guess since I really didn't care what my title said on it, my experience in TN was really different. I went into the local tag office with my receipt from FFR and my credit card on a fact finding mission. No inspection, no new VIN, no other receipts and in less than 10 minutes, I had a tag. My title says "1965." With a make and model of FFRI, F5R.

You had a good experience. Mine really hasn't been bad so far. Most of my fear was from posts from others in the past getting salvage titles, etc., for their efforts. In the end whether it is called a FFR or a Shelby, or an AC doesn't matter to me, so long as it is not a salvage/rebuilt title. I actually went to the clerk's office today. The lady at the counter was not familiar with registering a kit/replica so it took a bit of time. In the end, I have a plate and have paid the taxes based upon the FFR invoice. I was told that the state already created a title after the inspector came by and I should receive it in the mail within a few weeks. I am wanting a personalized plate for this car, my first personalized plate, so I got information about that. I ended up online and found that the plate wording was available, filled out an online TN GOV form, and paying the fee for it. I should have the title and the vanity plate soon!

-Mark

TITLE OBTAINED!!!! I received my title today, well actually today I received the second title (explanation below). What follows is what I sent to the state, what process followed that, and what it took to get the title. Attached is a censored scan of my title. I was told that it actually reads AC Shelby Cobra as the make and model when they pull it up on the computer. I can see where AC, the original car maker might come into the naming, but it confused me to be honest. I figured by 1965 the Make should have been Shelby American, but I could be very wrong...and I am happy with the naming anyway. In Tennessee, I can even get an antique plate if I meet the driving requirements, lol.

Attachment 211925

Here is what I mailed to The Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services:

(1) This form, filling out only the top section (APPLICANT/VEHICLE INFORMATION). Where is says Damage Reason, I selected "OTHER" and entered "NO DAMAGE, New Replica Build". In addition, I filled the form out digitally and added a text box near the top of the form that stated " Note: This form is being used to title a NEW REPLICA vehicle, not a salvage or rebuilt vehicle. It should receive a REPLICA title." I made sure both messages about it being a Replica were in a bright legible color to draw attention.
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/re...401Fill-in.pdf

(2) Copies of these two documents, using a highlighter to show the information applicable to a replica
https://tnclerks.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...3-Title-Brands
https://tnclerks.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...ebuilt-Vehicle

(3) Photos of the build (see earlier post above of pics). I also added a photo of the serial number on the frame.

(4) A cover letter explaining my communication with the local county clerk (along with her contact information), and an explanation reiterating that it should be treated as a NEW REPLICA of a 1965 Shelby Cobra and titled as such, with REPLICA noted on the title. I also stated that although the form I was told to use pertained to salvage and rebuilt vehicles, that this was a new replica. I did not include, but suggest to anyone after me, is to mention that the Make and Model should be either AC COB, or SHEB COB. It would have saved a little trouble later.

(5) The MCO from FFR. I made scans and copies of it before sending the original, by the urging of the local clerk's office.

(6) A copy of the FFR kit invoice, showing the total kit cost.

(7) A check for $75


After sending this to the state via certified mail, I waited for about two weeks after they received it. I contacted the state after that since I had not gotten any updates from them. I was told that the title approval was waiting for inspection, and the person on the phone gave me the contact information for the agent that was assigned to my inspection. I called him and scheduled a meeting. All he needed to see was the serial number on the frame, and that the car was indeed valid (body, engine and drivetrain). He understood that I was in "paint and body" mode and did not need to see lights, etc. He proved to be most helpful later (thanks Matthew!). He put a VIN sticker on the frame, near the engraved one, and gave me the stub from the sticker. He said I must have done my homework as it was titled as I had wished, and that normally they have to go through something called a TNVIN, whatever that is. He told me that in a few days the local clerk's office should be able to pull it up on their computer and complete the process (title and registration). I did so, and here started a brief mix-up and mistake. The clerk's office tried to start the title process based upon the number on the VIN stub that the inspector gave me. As she entered the information, it started looking incorrect to her and to me. Long story short, the state had issued the title already (but not mailed it to me). After the local office called the state, she took a check for tax and registration and gave me a plate. I was told the title should arrive soon. It did, a few days later, but the Make and Model were now wrong. Again, long story short, the local office incorrectly typed in the Make and Model when trying to help me days earlier, and it ended up on the title that was sent to me. For a few days, I was the proud owner of a 1965 American Golf Cart Company replica vehicle (the Make of ACGC instead of AC). A call to the local County Clerk, and the inspector got it corrected (again, thanks agent Matthew). The corrected title showed up within four days. If you look at the title scan, this is why there is an entry for "previous title number".

All-in-all, it was NOT a bad process. Thanks to others before me I dug deep and asked a lot of questions. I should have asked clarification as to whether the state, or the local office would generate the title, as this would have prevented the mistake to the Make and Model. Hopefully, this will help others in Tennessee get it done. If you start this process, I suggest talking to the local County Clerk (not the office staff unless they are familiar with replicas). If you get funny looks, print this and other threads on the forum to see if it helps. I also called the state myself to get guidance. Oh, I wanted a personalized plate for my build and had never done that before. You need to order the tag before you register the vehicle to make is easier. I have a temporary plate that I will swap out once my personalized one arrives as the clerk's office.

Hope this helps, I AM STOKED!
Mark

I recently got my personal tag (my first ever) and finished customizing the tag plate for my son and my build (vinyl lettering on top and bottom of frame). It came out nice! I am glad this part of title and registration is behind us.

-Mark

Attachment 212676

I’m literally moving in to south central TN tomorrow. This information is excellent as registration time will happen in the next month or two.

Is there a TN Cobra group out here?

Update:

Took my MSO to the tag office with my receipts from the kit sale only. Filled out the forms and was issued a plate. About two weeks later I got a letter from Nashville requesting a VIN application form. Once they got it a couple of weeks later, I got a call from the TN Department of Revenue which set up an appointment for an agent to come look at the car and install a state sticker on the frame.

My title showed up this week as a new 1965 FACT ROD.

The initial tag was expensive as they collected the taxes on purchase price (thankfully the kit only was enough to satisfy).