Getting MA VIN for out of state titled car

[dsmith74]

Hey All,

Has anyone here purchased a completed car, titled out of state, and then titled/registered it in Massachusetts?
If so, what is needed when you got to the MA. State Police for inspection for a new MA. assigned VIN?
Reason I'm asking is because I know when you go to inspection with a newly completed car you need every receipt possible to prove nothing is stolen, but what about if the car was built by someone else, or by the manufacturer, and titled out of state prior to titling it in MA?

I spoke to a guy at the RMV this morning regarding this and he gave us a form to fill out for a new MA. Assigned VIN, said to fill it out and go to one of the state inspection sites. I asked about any sort of documentation including receipts/bills of sale or MSO for the car and engine...and he said they weren't needed because the car is already titled. Just bring the title and they'd stamp the out of state title and assign us a new VIN.
I also checked out the RMV site...and it says "Certificate of title if used", but I'm skeptical...and would like to make sure all our ducks are in a row.:

RMV- Massachusetts Assigned Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Is this correct?

Also, the sheet for inspection sites they gave us said "Walk in inspection sites", is this true? I thought we had to call ahead of time and set up an appointment...but even the RMV site mentions them as walk-in:

Inspection Site Locations

There are several walk-in inspection sites located throughout the Commonwealth. Inspection hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the days* indicated.

RMV - Salvage Inspections

And one last thing, sorry, he didn't have us pay anything...but the RMV site states that a $50.00 fee must be paid at the RMV prior to inspection...and we need to bring the receipt for payment. Is this true as well?

Thanks a lot, -Dave

[kgs365]

Yes pay the $50.00 and bring the sheet they give you!...I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure the out of state title is worthless when registering and titling a replica in Ma!...you need to go through te salvage inspection then they assign the VIN...put a book together of all your support prior title, bill of sale etc... Make it orderly and neat...go to the salvage inspection place "staffed by the state police" ...smile say yes sir and take all the crap they hand out

It's the right of passage in Mass!

[dsmith74]

Hey Kevin,

Oh man, I really hope that's not the case...but that's why I'm asking, I'm skeptical.
We don't really have much documentation. We have the title, a receipt for the transmission, a sort of incomplete bill of sale/receipt for the actual kit...but nothing for the engine.
I'll give them a ring on Tuesday to see if I can get any more info from them...but if anyone has done this before, titled/registered a car in MA. that was previously titled out of state, please let me know.

Thanks a lot Kevin, -Dave

[Grubby]

I sold my ERA to a guy an MA. He called me later looking for reciepts for engine and trans, which I did not have. He also wanted to know what the engine came out of. It seems the MA inspector required that info to.

Not sure how he got it resolved.

Good luck.
John

[kgs365]

I strongly recommend an orderly book of what you have...if you look honest...if your paperwork looks sort of in order ...you will be fine... The bottomline is nothing is stollen !...and they are just doing their job to make sure there is not a market in stollen parts...if your missing something they will send you away....I prepared a book...dropped by a week before I was ready to take the car in the officer went through my info came out of his office and said see you tomorrow!...so I scrambled and showed up with the car the next day...do what they ask you to do and you will be fine

[dsmith74]

Thanks guys...really appreciate it.

I'll get together everything I can and hopefully it'll go smoothly.
I'm gonna have to give them a call on tuesday, explain my situation and see what they tell us to come in with.

Thanks again for all your help.

[dsmith74]

So the nutty thing here is, the way it sounds, no matter what...if you're from MA. and you buy an out of state cobra replica, no matter what...even if that car has been registered and titled for 20 years in another state, you will have to get all your documentation on that car (receipts, VIN #'s, bills of sale etc...)...and get a new MA. assigned VIN number. Go through the whole state police inspection process, get a VIN, then you can register and title the car. MA. does not recognize out of state titles if the car is a replica. Am I incorrect here?

I went to the Haverhill DOT today, spoke with the officer there...he was a nice guy to his credit. When I showed him the title, he said the VIN wasn't real and I needed a new MA VIN, even though the one on the title is issued by the State Police from the state of Ohio. So a MA. VIN is real but one from Ohio isn't???

I had a receipt for the transmission and bell housing, receipt for the turn-key kit...which is EVERYTHING except the engine and transmission. The only thing I didn't have was a bill of sale or invoice for the engine, which I"m working on.
He kept saying to me "where did this come from" meaning, where did the car and all it's components come from...and I tried to show him the receipt for the turn-key kit, as well as a list of all that's included...but he said that wasn't good enough??? I don't think he was hearing what I was saying. Also, the transmission, I showed him the receipt for the tranny, same thing...what did it come out of, I told him it was new...but he said a receipt wasn't good enough, we need proof of where it came from???

I'm confused, no idea... I have a title for the car, so, the MCO/MSO is gone...the State of Ohio took that when they issued the title.
Seems like I need to call the manufacturer and ask for a detailed invoice for the car to go along with the title. As for tranny...I'm going to need proof that it's new, and the Engine...best I can get is an Invoice from the company that built the engine, noting the serial number on the invoice.

How in the world does anyone who buys a rolling kit or turn-key kit get their VIN in MA? All they are going to have is the MCO/MSO and a bill of sale and invoice. They can't expect to have documentation for every part of the car, if it's all new parts from the manufacturer.

Thanks a lot, -Dave

[kgs365]

.....Yes you are correct...you have to go through the whole process and get a MA VIN....Yes you need to show receipts for major items ..drivetrain, rolling chassis etc...then after you get a MA VIN then you have to get through the emissions process which the way the rules are currently written you have to meet the emissions of the year and make from where that the engine came from...that means if the car that engine came from was an automatic..then it needs to be an automatic in the Cobra...if the other car had catylitic converters your car needs them etc...I would suggest contacting Joe Leone on the other forum...he was instrumental in getting the law passed a year ago that expired in April 2012 that grandfathered builds etc....he may know how to get your car on the road...arguing with the state police is NOT going to get your car on the road...in MA they are always right

Originally Posted by dsmith74

So the nutty thing here is, the way it sounds, no matter what...if you're from MA. and you buy an out of state cobra replica, no matter what...even if that car has been registered and titled for 20 years in another state, you will have to get all your documentation on that car (receipts, VIN #'s, bills of sale etc...)...and get a new MA. assigned VIN number. Go through the whole state police inspection process, get a VIN, then you can register and title the car. MA. does not recognize out of state titles if the car is a replica. Am I incorrect here?

I went to the Haverhill DOT today, spoke with the officer there...he was a nice guy to his credit. When I showed him the title, he said the VIN wasn't real and I needed a new MA VIN, even though the one on the title is issued by the State Police from the state of Ohio. So a MA. VIN is real but one from Ohio isn't???

I had a receipt for the transmission and bell housing, receipt for the turn-key kit...which is EVERYTHING except the engine and transmission. The only thing I didn't have was a bill of sale or invoice for the engine, which I"m working on.
He kept saying to me "where did this come from" meaning, where did the car and all it's components come from...and I tried to show him the receipt for the turn-key kit, as well as a list of all that's included...but he said that wasn't good enough??? I don't think he was hearing what I was saying. Also, the transmission, I showed him the receipt for the tranny, same thing...what did it come out of, I told him it was new...but he said a receipt wasn't good enough, we need proof of where it came from???

I'm confused, no idea... I have a title for the car, so, the MCO/MSO is gone...the State of Ohio took that when they issued the title.
Seems like I need to call the manufacturer and ask for a detailed invoice for the car to go along with the title. As for tranny...I'm going to need proof that it's new, and the Engine...best I can get is an Invoice from the company that built the engine, noting the serial number on the invoice.

How in the world does anyone who buys a rolling kit or turn-key kit get their VIN in MA? All they are going to have is the MCO/MSO and a bill of sale and invoice. They can't expect to have documentation for every part of the car, if it's all new parts from the manufacturer.

Thanks a lot, -Dave

[dsmith74]

Hey Kevin,

Yup, you're absolutely correct...it's frustrating, but, we need to keep a cool head and positive attitude. We've put a lot of time and money into this to get where we are now.

What I have for documentation is

Ohio Title for the car signed over to my dad.

Invoice/receipt for rolling chassis, so, everything except the engine and trans. It was a complete non-donor build, it was a rolling chassis build which included everything from Unique Motorcars except the engine and trans, so no need for title or VIN of donor car.

Receipt for transmission, which is new from Ford Motorsports (waiting on the original)

Receipt for rims (waiting on originals)

Receipt for tires (waiting on originals)

Engine...was built by Patriot Performance, and donated to OCC. They are a commercial engine builder, and don't have VIN's for the cars that their "seasoned" blocks come out of. I can get a hold of an invoice/receipt for the engine from Patriot that includes price and serial # of the block etc...

Does it sound like I have pretty much everything needed? Anything I've missed?

I think the only thing that may hold us up is the engine, but if I'm hoping if I show a receipt for the engine from Patriot...being a commercial business, listing the price and ser #, then we'll be OK.

The official paperwork from the RMV that the trooper gave me yesterday regarding the documentation needed for a specialty/kit car states that something to the affect of (I don't have it in front of me now, so this is by memory):

"If using a completely separate vehicle for the engine/transmission on your kit car, or if purchased individually, a bill of sale is required that includes the serial number of the parts purchased, and if possible the serial number for the vehicle the parts came from."

So, it only states we need a serial # from the vehicle the engine came from, if possible. Doesn't say its required.

Anything I've missed?

Thanks a lot, -Dave

[kgs365]

Yep...that looks like the complete list...the one area would be the engine. I supplied a title from the vehicle the engine came from along with an invoice for my engine from the salvage yard I got it from. That allowed the MA Salvage devision to look up the serial/VIN and determine it not to be from a stolen vehicle...you will also need invoices for the go fast parts that Patriot performance used in putting the engine together..mind you this is only to get a VIN from Massachusetts...the bigger hurdle will be getting it registered and through the emissions process!....the VIN process is the easy part!...

[dsmith74]

Thanks Kevin...

One thing I forgot, what about the rear end...did you need any documentation for the rear end/suspension?

[kgs365]

...i would hope that support is included in the roller invoice ?

[dsmith74]

Yup, it is...

"Standard Rolling Chassis (Includes Custom Coil-Over Front and JAGUAR Independent Rear Suspensions, Powder Coated Black, Brake Lines, Fuel Line and Battery Cable Installed)"

Originally Posted by kgs365

...i would hope that support is included in the roller invoice ?

[MRGEORGE077]

WOW!! Glad I live in Texas, where possession is 9/10 of the law.

[dsmith74]

Hahaha, we should all be so lucky...

Originally Posted by MRGEORGE077

WOW!! Glad I live in Texas, where possession is 9/10 of the law.

[Don]

Dave.......following up on a previous comment, but to mention a step used in CT. I was the 2nd owner of the vehicle, legally registered and titled from out of state. The VIN originally assigned to the vehicle was checked by the CT DMV Anti-Theft Unit, after inspection and prior to receiving the CT issued VIN, in a nationwide database to verify it was not stolen or classified as salvage. Not sure, but my impression was if there had been a VIN on any other paperwork for engine etc., those VINs would also would have been checked.

Back in 2000 in CT, the emissions test had to be completed/passed prior to the inspection/registration process.

In case it was not mentioned for MA, but in CT temporary plates are not issued for kit cars and the vehicle has to be trailered for the entire process.

.........yes, patience is needed, but the satisfaction of successfully completing the task and the first drive makes it all worthwhile.

[dsmith74]

Hey Don,

Good info...thank you very much Don...really appreciate it. Sounds like MA is very much like CT when it comes to this process...

Thanks again, -Dave

Originally Posted by Don

Dave.......following up on a previous comment, but to mention a step used in CT. I was the 2nd owner of the vehicle, legally registered and titled from out of state. The VIN originally assigned to the vehicle was checked by the CT DMV Anti-Theft Unit, after inspection and prior to receiving the CT issued VIN, in a nationwide database to verify it was not stolen or classified as salvage. Not sure, but my impression was if there had been a VIN on any other paperwork for engine etc., those VINs would also would have been checked.

Back in 2000 in CT, the emissions test had to be completed/passed prior to the inspection/registration process.

In case it was not mentioned for MA, but in CT temporary plates are not issued for kit cars and the vehicle has to be trailered for the entire process.

.........yes, patience is needed, but the satisfaction of successfully completing the task and the first drive makes it all worthwhile.

[Don]

As a general FYI, from CT DMV/Emissions web sites. Believe these emission engine hardware requirements were originally taken from the Federal regulations and were standard for production autos, as of 2005.

Pre - 1966 None

1966 - 1970 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor

1971 – 1978 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System

1979 – 1988 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System, and CAT

1989 – 1995 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensor

1996 – current PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection

All Medium Duty Vehicles (under 10,001 lbs GVWR but greater than Lt. Duty till 2004 then under 14,001 but greater than Lt. Duty) with Gasoline Engine were equipped with the controls indicated below:

Pre - 1966 None

1966 – 1979 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor

1980 – 1984 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System

1985 – 1992 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection System

1993 – 2004 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensor

2005 – current PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection