Title question

[rbickle]

Hello,

I just bought my first Cobra last week. It's a lone star classics.



I was wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of having the car titled as a 65 vs. a 200x. The car did have a title in Colorado, but I could apply for a new title in Texas as a new build.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rick

[Aedds]

With the '65 you can get the antique plates. I don't think there is a disadvantage to having the car titled as the oldest year. Plus you only pay for the safety inspection.

[Racer_X]

Looks great, Rick! With antique plates, you are limited to how much and where you can drive. I'd suggest getting 1965 plates and registering them as normal which Texas does allow. That way you can drive whenever you like.

[elmariachi]

The State has just changed its replica car titling laws, effective Sept 1, see here. Furthermore, you cannot legally abandon that Colorado title in favor of a new Texas title. The only way you can apply for a new Texas title is either surrender the existing title or surrender an MSO. The MSO for that car was already surrendered to Colorado DMV when it was first titled.

[rbickle]

So if I wait until Sept. 1st to get the title, Texas will have to title it as a 1965, rather than a 2001, which the Colorado title indicates?

[rbickle]

As I understand it, the first title does not require me to pay thousands in sales tax on the car. This would be my goal. How would you go about "abandoning" the Colorado title?

Thanks,
Rick

[392cobra]

Why would you want to surrender your Co. Title to get a Texas Salvage Title just to save a few bucks ? (even if you could)

Why not keep saving up and do this the correct and legal way ?

Or are you just seriously cheap and sneaky ?

[SSSammy]

Originally Posted by rbickle

As I understand it, the first title does not require me to pay thousands in sales tax on the car. This would be my goal. How would you go about "abandoning" the Colorado title?

Thanks,
Rick

Rick, IMO, without an MSO this is just another used car coming into TX with an out of state title. It is a 2001 whatever the CO title calls it. If you cannot prove you paid sales tax on it out of state, you will owe 6.25% to TX when you register it. If you do not have the bill of sale, the tag office will assume a value.

(do not take this as gospel, each tag office has varying levels of knowledge of the TX laws and we here have found consistent inconsistency statewide.)

As a separate matter, you should obtain insurance on it with a comment that it is a "1965 Ford Cobra Replica." An insurance agent who does Cobra Replicas will be familiar with this procedure. This will exempt you from being emissions compliant for a 2001 car. All you will have to comply with is a safety inspection (lights, brakes, belts, etc.) You must do this before you go for the title, they want to see the inspection report (the "green sheet" that isn't green anymore).

Yes, you can put an old TX plate on it if the number is available and you re-register the old plate. But that is not related to the titling process you have to go through. It is just cosmetic.

Good luck!
Sam