Cobra Purchase - Title/ Registration Questions

[Charles45]

Hello,

my name is Charles I am new here and I am interested in purchasing a Cobra. Ideally interested in a new Superformance MKIII. I live in Germany however I have a place in Miami FL and would initially title/ register the car there and keep it there for the time being. That being said I would like potentially to have the ability to bring the car to Germany. However they have become quite strict with importing and registering Cobras here in Germany and a person familiar with this informed me that it is crucial to have the car titled in the US as a 1965/ 1966 “Ford Cobra” or just “Cobra”. There should be no mention of “Superformance” or replica in the title.

Since I am new to the world of Cobras (I have a number of other cars mainly MB and Porsche) I would very much appreciate any help and advice on how to ensure that the car can be titled accordingly in order to avoid any challenges with respect to registering the car in Germany in the future.

Any advice or experience with this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Charles

[Tommy]

Pay attention to what MrMustang has to say. He'll be along shortly.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Charles45

Hello,

my name is Charles I am new here and I am interested in purchasing a Cobra. Ideally interested in a new Superformance MKIII. I live in Germany however I have a place in Miami FL and would initially title/ register the car there and keep it there for the time being. That being said I would like potentially to have the ability to bring the car to Germany. However they have become quite strict with importing and registering Cobras here in Germany and a person familiar with this informed me that it is crucial to have the car titled in the US as a 1965/ 1966 “Ford Cobra” or just “Cobra”. There should be no mention of “Superformance” or replica in the title.

Since I am new to the world of Cobras (I have a number of other cars mainly MB and Porsche) I would very much appreciate any help and advice on how to ensure that the car can be titled accordingly in order to avoid any challenges with respect to registering the car in Germany in the future.

Any advice or experience with this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Charles

Charles,

It's not rocket science, go to the Florida DMV web site and read the instructions. Download and fill out the forms specified, take your MSO, along with all receipts to the appropriate office, pay your taxes, and walk out with plates.


Yes, in Florida, it really is that simple.

As for wanting it to read 1965, that will be up to the interpretation of the Florida laws on the books as of today, and not yesterday. Again, yes it is that simple, and you should not even think twice about getting your car on the road.

Bill S.

PS: Just an FYI, try any of the 3rd party companies that advertise online, you risk the German authorities seizing the car at the dock. Yes, really.

[LMH]

A friend sold his Kirkham a few years ago, to a buyer in Germany. I don't know all the details but apparently, he had to surrender the car to the German government for inspection. They kept it about a year while inspecting and testing it. I guess after all that, a government inspector took the car out for a final test drive and wrecked it, totaling the car. He lost control and went off the road. Last I heard, he was petitioning the government to purchase a new body/chassis and have the running gear switched over. I haven't heard anything about it since.

Larry

[footnfan]

Bill, thank you. Is there a service that will help a number do this in Florida for a reasonable fee, so things do not go sideways in the whole process? Thank you

Dan in Naples

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Charles,

It's not rocket science, go to the Florida DMV web site and read the instructions. Download and fill out the forms specified, take your MSO, along with all receipts to the appropriate office, pay your taxes, and walk out with plates.


Yes, in Florida, it really is that simple.

As for wanting it to read 1965, that will be up to the interpretation of the Florida laws on the books as of today, and not yesterday. Again, yes it is that simple, and you should not even think twice about getting your car on the road.

Bill S.

PS: Just an FYI, try any of the 3rd party companies that advertise online, you risk the German authorities seizing the car at the dock. Yes, really.

[Mark IV]

Many European countries now require "proof of age" so just having the "1965" date on the title will not suffice. You must prove original registration date with verifiable documents. We have seen a purchaser (not from us) refused entry of his car.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by footnfan

Bill, thank you. Is there a service that will help a number do this in Florida for a reasonable fee, so things do not go sideways in the whole process? Thank you

Dan in Naples

Dan,


No service that I know of, but there are members in and around the Naples area that can steer you towards the friendlier offices to get your paperwork done. With that said, is your Cobra a new build with a MCO/MSO, or has it already been titled and/or registered in another state?





Bill S.

[footnfan]

Bill, I was referred to a person in NY yesterday that is trying to sell off a few cars, including an FIA and 427 sc fiberglass cars that have never been registered. Al I have is a couple of video's of the cars running sent to me by a member here.

I texted the owner yesterday to confirm that they are still for sale, and he said yes, call me on Monday, which I plan to do.

But, as I research CSX ownership, and I am tempted to try and find/wait for an ERA, to avoid the common Shelby lack of support problem,s. I will know a lot more tomorrow, and thank you. Dan

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by footnfan

Bill, I was referred to a person in NY yesterday that is trying to sell off a few cars, including an FIA and 427 sc fiberglass cars that have never been registered. Al I have is a couple of video's of the cars running sent to me by a member here.

I texted the owner yesterday to confirm that they are still for sale, and he said yes, call me on Monday, which I plan to do.

But, as I research CSX ownership, and I am tempted to try and find/wait for an ERA, to avoid the common Shelby lack of support problem,s. I will know a lot more tomorrow, and thank you. Dan

Dan,

I have a Superformance MK III that is registered as a "2005 Shelb" to my Naples address, i.e. Florida title. The car is currently in New York, but I can deliver it to Naples. Details are here:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...69457295627630

I have another Superformance and have discovered I can only drive one at a time! Please feel free to PM me or call 716.812.3938

[footnfan]

Mark, thanks, I will take a look.

[Bartruff1]

Mine is titled as a 1965 FORD Cobra in Washington State......some sort of historical title so I don't have to buy a annual license....

I am no Jay Leno but at any given time I have a half dozen performance cars..... Had an Investment Banker from Germany guest a couple years ago....and on a nice day he wanted to go for a ride......among the cars we could have used was a 911.....NO WAY he said, lets take that Cobra and so we did....

Have you ever heard one ???? Even a street Superformance ? When we were done, he was very impressed but said it was way too loud to be driven in Germany.....??? You might check on that....

[Bartruff1]

Tried to delete

[SPO692]

I own 2 Superformance Cobras in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Both are titled and registered as 1965's running antique plates. It is relatively easy to do so. Your local tag and title agencies can take care of it for you.
When purchasing the car, make sure your sales invoice states 1965 Cobra. You will need this to have it registered correctly.

[twobjshelbys]

Every state has rules about how cars like Cobras are registered. Most recognize that a true replica with a 1965 engine is not going to pass modern emissions but they do maximize their income on the valuation. When I registered my Cobra in Colorado I got the 1965 date and the valuation was literally the original MSRP of the 65 cars (what, 6K or so) depreciated by 15% per year until it gets to a minimum. Then you can get a 5 year registration. I think it cost me about $65.

Of course I had to pay almost 8000 in sales tax as it was based on SALE PRICE!

Northeast states (CT in particular) have a real burr and tax it as at CURRENT VALUE. I wonder what happened to the guy that was trying to get that reversed.