Need advice on Title/Reg of new SPF in FL!!

[machrox]

I know that there have been some changes in the law. It would seem from my discussions from two different offices that no one really has a clear understanding of what's to be done with this vehicle. Could someone that lives in or around the Tampa, FL area who has titled/register a SPF specifically PLEASE tell me what it is that I need to do? Can it be registered as a 1965? I'm being told no. Should I even care? With these new laws it is supposed to be easier but I'm not seeing the ease of anything with this process. Again, someone with a SPF...not a shelby, not a factory five or any other car.....tell me exactly what they had to do/provide in terms of documentation and what their car ended up being titled/registered as? I would really sincerely appreciate any help I could get on this matter. I konw the reality of it is probably different but I just don't see why this needs to be a complicated process.

[Bumpster]

I could tell you how I registered mine two years ago as a 1965, but I don't have an SPF so I guess I can't help you.

Bumpster

[ERA2188]

Bumpster. What docs did you provide? I have only registered one cobra, and that was a used one I bought from out of state. That was simple as it was titled as a 1965 Ford, they simply transferred the title and it was registered in the same fashion. I have an new ERA being built (this year Peter??) and I hope to be registering it in a couple of months. Thanks, Rick D, Miami, FL.

[Goopie 18]

All I needed was MSO, Insurance certification, mileage certification, and bill of sale, and a check for the sales tax. My SPF is registered as a 2006 Superformance. New law in Florida also allows you to register as the year car is replicated. Go to McMichaels Motors web site to down load information.

[machrox]

Originally Posted by Bumpster

I could tell you how I registered mine two years ago as a 1965, but I don't have an SPF so I guess I can't help you.

Bumpster

The reason I specified an SPF is that different builders provide different informationl. What someone needs for a one-off kit or a used cobra that has been titled elsewhere is different than what someone might need for an new SPF. I knew that people would take what I said the wrong way but the fact is that I want to do this once so I want someone that has done EXACTLY not similar to but exactly what I'm trying to do. That means they have the exact documentation that I have from SPF, engine and trans installer etc.

[machrox]

Originally Posted by Goopie 18

All I needed was MSO, Insurance certification, mileage certification, and bill of sale, and a check for the sales tax. My SPF is registered as a 2006 Superformance. New law in Florida also allows you to register as the year car is replicated. Go to McMichaels Motors web site to down load information.

So, the MSO you got with your SPF was enough? I'm being asked to provide serial numbers for engine block and transmission at the very least. Also, I was told that I need to provide a certified weight slip from a weight station. No one has told me anything about a mileage certification althought I assumed that it would be on the title app. Did you have to take your car to the DMV to be inspected? Jury seems to be out on this at my office. Can't understand why these folks don't know what it is that they're supposed to do. I'll check out the web site you mentioned. Thanks.

[JTD]

Walkin’ on Sunshine
Florida Governor Signs SEMA Street-Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill Into Law
Florida joined the growing list of states to enact SEMA-model legislation to amend the vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and create a classification for custom vehicles. The bill was approved by the Florida State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist.

Under the new law, a street rod is defined as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Importantly, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.

Florida joins Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington as states that have enacted similar bills into law.

The new law is the product of months of consultation with state legislators, regulators and the local hobbyist and business community. Florida State Senator Bill Posey, the Senate bill’s sponsor, remarked, “It was a pleasure to work with Steve McDonald and his staff at SEMA, and I am delighted to know that motorsports enthusiasts have people like them on their side. We’ve managed to craft and pass a piece of legislation that inserts common sense into titling and registration for customs and street rods to the benefit of the hobbyist community statewide.”

House sponsor State Representative Pat Patterson commented, “From day one I have been amazed at the number of people participating in this hobby. Nearly every day I’ve had someone stop me and thank me because they found out I was sponsoring this legislation. It’s been a great pleasure to support an industry that I know plays such an important role in Florida’s economy.”

The new law allows for the use of non-original materials, provides for special license plates and permits the use of blue-dot taillights. In addition, the measure exempts street rods and customs from a range of standard equipment requirements and emissions controls (only that equipment required in the model year that the vehicle resembles). Vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.

“The new law recognizes the unique nature of these vehicles as hobbyist cars,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “For many vehicle enthusiasts in Florida and throughout America, building, maintaining and enjoying their vehicles is a favorite pastime. This law represents an opportunity to acknowledge their commitment to the hobby and to protect it for future generations.”

“Backed by the hard work and perseverance of Senator Posey and Representative Patterson, we are extremely gratified that Florida has joined the list of states that recognize street rods and customs as distinct classes of vehicles,” McDonald added. “The new law offers the benefit of also including qualifying replicas and kit cars in these specialty-vehicle titling and registration classifications.”


Summary of SEMA-Model Street-Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill

Defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948.


Provides specific registration classes and license plates for street rods and custom vehicles.


Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials.


Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections and emissions inspections.


Provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.


Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from a range of standard equipment requirements.


Allows the use of blue-dot taillights on street rods and custom vehicles.

[Bumpster]

JTD has the new law covered pretty well. Whatever I and others did in the past has no meaning now.

When I registered mine I found differences, sometimes large ones, between tag offices as far as what they knew about registering replicas. It usually varied with the amount of experience they had in registering replicas. It isn't something most tag offices do very often, which leads to today's problem of them not knowing much about the new law. I would guess that hardly any of them know anything about it because it was passed so recently. The questions here are from people who don't have their cars yet, so the issue is not immediate. It was wise of you to ask the question in advance of actually going to the tag office to register your new Cobra after you received it. I would advise you at this point to go to the tag office of your choice and ask if they are familiar with the new law regarding replicas and if they are not, request that they look into it because you will be trying to register one in the future. You might accomplish this with a phone call.

All I needed to register mine was the manufacturer's certificate of origin to establish a description of the car, a sales receipt to show that I paid the sales tax to the manufacturer (otherwise I would have had to pay the tax at the tag office), and proof of insurance (which, as I recall, they did not even look at). I never heard of anyone in Florida needing serial numbers for the engine, weight slips, mileage certificates, or anything like that. I understand some other states do require those things, though.

If you are buying a new SPF the dealer should be able to help you through the registration process, even if they are from Georgia. McMichael Motorsports has sold several SPF's in Florida and can surely tell you exactly what you will need to do.

Anyone needing more help should post on the Deep South Cobra Club (DSCC) forum under the "local clubs" banner at the top of this page. Most of the members of that club live in Florida. Perhaps some of them have already dealt with the new law.

Bumpster

[JayBar]

Here is the location of the law:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/laws...h_2007-165.pdf

From the people that I know that have used it, said in all cases they printed it out and brought it to the motor vehicle office. In all case the personal had not seen it before. But the advice is to be polite speak softly and be patience. All were successful. Even some changed registration from a 2005 to a 1965. If you have the MSO stating something like "kit car or replica of a 1965 etc it will help.