[cward2]

Flame suit on, here we go.

ERA assembled a GT in 1995/1996 for original purchaser. Has the handwritten ERA invoices with receipt for ERA's purchase of transmission and all components excepting engine (4 pages worth). Engine components (including new SVO block) purchased and assembled by outside competition engine builder with a paid invoice. Engine delivered to ERA for installation in 1996 and final tuning of Webers.

Seller drove a few thousand miles without ever titling vehicle.

I purchased in late 2003. Seller had invoices from ERA and engine builder but had lost Certificate of Origin. I said I would not purchase without CofO. Seller calls ERA and obtains a replacement and money changes hands with a Bill of Sale and signed over CofO.

Car comes off trailer 3 weeks later at home. Runs so poorly that it had to be carbs + electrics + fuel pick ups from sitting. Turns out to be all 3. Tinker with it a lot over a year and finally get in good working order in 2004 (also got to fix a busted ZF box which had an anomaly of sorts). Read titling discussions here and other message boards. Say to self, egad I'm not taking that gamble on a loose process with my money/investment.

I drive it in light autocross. Very occasional street for showing/charity rides only. Keep insured (duh) and state inspected. Life intervenes. Put it in secure storage where it gets very very limited exercise. For many many years.

Come late 2011. Life calms down and I decide to get the GT back on the road and title (finally). Read that a new Registration process is coming that will clarify for all. Great since I'm not a big fan of arbitrary and capricious.

Get the bulletin #004-12. Sounds like an Mk1 ERA GT is clearly a "Custom Vehicle" - 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. The next page of the memo even has a list of what you need for initial application for Texas Title! Woohoo!

So over the last 3 weeks I get everything together. Certified weight. Statements filled out. ASME Master inspection and sign off. Meet local police for VTR-68-A. Tell them no serial number on engine since its a new block but have receipt new block purchase/build. Can call builder who retained a build sheet even. We call local Ford high performance parts dealer who verifies no serial number on new blocks purchased over the counter. Says satisfied not stolen and sends VTR-68-A to TXDOT local title office later that day (say many were being altered between delivery and title application so now they deliver directly).

Go to TXDOT today at opening to initiate process. Very helpful lady shoots my stack of stuff to supervisor quickly. He goes through paperwork. Asks a few simple questions. I happily answer since we're underway and they are being very courteous (really were!).

Supervisor calls me over. Says can't do it as a Custom Vehicle. The ERA GT is not "showing up" as an eligible Custom Vehicle and the serial number is wrong and there's no motor number. Glad I bought the ERA brochure along! Here's a full page description of the car it replicates. Tada! I explain I understand that the state might want to assign a VIN to the vehicle. No problem. I've got the area cleaned up and ready for a sticker. Motor number is another easy one. Just call the local high performance dealer. Heck I told him to expect a call today!

Not happening. They go to the back. Call more. Come back and ask for engine receipt. Go back. More phone. Same answer.

Came back and looking for a way to move forward, recommend getting a Texas assigned VIN and applying at the regular county office as an assembled vehicle ("ASVE"). They say that then when I receive the assembled vehicle title go back and convert to a Replica/Custom Vehicle title.

Guys and gals at the office are trying to be helpful throughout. Apologize for things taking so long (yeah people around me are already yelling at these guys over title stuff, tough job). I say thanks and trudge to work, as frustrated as 8 years ago. Maybe time to get a dealer's license....

So I have to say, I'm more than a little frustrated. I understand an ASVE title is listed for vehicle year as when applied for so this would be a 2012 ASVE GT40 Replica. My hopes that I could title as a 1965 Ford GT 40 Replica appear to have reached an end.

As you might expect, YMMV in your office but I was at the TXDOT office, not same vague county location.

Thoughts?

CW