texas title issues revisited

[Z-linkCobra]

Rc, The frame and body were Everette Morrison. The problem is the frames and bodies were being built by a guy in Florida and then shipped to Texas to be finished by EM or so I have been told. Once they finished out the frame and body then they put the tags on the body and stamped the frame with a number i.e. em427blah blah blah. When you purchased a kit you got a COM from them.

I was also told that they sold some frames and bodies unfinished to go to mexico to a builder down there. Those frames and bodies were not stamped or tagged in any way since they were leaving the country and we all know how the DMV works in mexico...lol. I am probably the fourth or fifth or sixth owner of the frame and body. There are no numbers anywhere on the frame, no tags on the body.

With that being said TXDOT classifies it as home built...period. There for I cannot get a title until they develop some sort of inspection program for homebuilt vehicles to assure that its been assembled correctly and has all the needed safety items i.e. brakes and stupid stuff like that...lol. Heard in a movie one time..."BRAKES? WE DONT NEED NO STINKIN' BRAKES!!!!!". So there you have the rest of the story.

So anyone out there reading this thread. Make sure if you buy a frame and body someone couldn't finish that it at least has a number or you get the COM from the previous buyer. They supervisor at TXDOT here told me if the frame had any numbers on it he could probably get it done with that...HINT HINT HINT. Pay close attention to my last sentence.

Rc....thanks for the info on the new manual. It has some new info that might be of help.

[RC3291]

I understand your problem. The VTR-68A is an applicantion to assign(never had) or reassign(if the title was surrendered ie totaled) a VIN to a frame. Study section 15 of the manual. That will have to be done first anyways at a regional service center not the nearby office where you get tags and transfer titles. You just have to prove it's yours.The road worthiness part is the ASE inspection. Not trying to be hard headed, just want to see it on the road. OK I am hard headed but I don't give up.

[Tim Brewer]

Well, I know what I would do. I would buy a nice stamp set and stamp a # on the frame myself. I would then go to a different tag office and bent the truth any way possible and tell them whatever they want to hear to get my tags. You have to title it as the year the car was completed. Just sayin.........

[buddyg]

This ^^^ bingo

[G-Pete]

I'm middle in the titling process, my frame is "home build" too. I stamped my own number.

Since the title process changed since February of 2014, the ladies at the DMV were a little baffled because I knew more than they did.

The biggest hassle was to find an master mechanic ASE certified A1 trough A8, what a runaround. Finally I found one in Plano and it took about an hour and a half to check my car out. He found my adjustment rings on the springs were not locked (still adjusting suspension 4 miles on the car) and added one zip-tie on a ground cable. It is actually a good thing someone else goes over your work and checks EVERYTHING out. $287 later I got my certificate in my hand - the car is safe and legal.

After I submitted all paperwork according to the DMV checklist, I left the office with temporary tags. I got a call later on and they informed me the titling office requested one more form. VTR-68-A Application for assigned or reassigned number. This form needs to be filled out by a law enforcement agency/auto theft unit.

This week I try to get an appointment with the LEO.

I will keep you posted of the development....

[G-Pete]

BTW, you have to have a pencil trace and a picture of your frame number submitted in your application for a TX title AND the ASE A1-A8 master mechanic will check the box the frame number is correct.

I stamped even my Shelby plate.....

[whichonetodrive]

When I bought my lonestar from LJ, there was a little problem with the VIN # . No problem he said and returned with the car 6 hours later with a updated vin. I thought wow that was easy. I went down to the tax office and paid the tax and I thought great I'm done with that, THEN I got a letter in the mail that my title had been rejected. nice, but all I had to do is pencil tracing form of the vin and since I have received the title and owned the car for 7 or so years have not had any problems.

[Natzacemm]

I am in the process of registration and titling as a custom vehicle and am following the assembled vehicle manual that you mention.

[MRGEORGE077]

Originally Posted by Tim Brewer

Well, I know what I would do. I would buy a nice stamp set and stamp a # on the frame myself. I would then go to a different tag office and bent the truth any way possible and tell them whatever they want to hear to get my tags. You have to title it as the year the car was completed. Just sayin.........

You got that right, otherwise it will make a good hay trailer. Just a thought.

[paul cass]

Hey guys
I thought I would be further along with info on my FIA. Unfortunatley that is not the case. I can't repeat everything that has gone on yet, but hopefully I'll tell the whole story before to long. I will say this that just like all of our goverment programs dealing with the DMV is no different. Suffice it to say that from the local DMV to the State you will get a different answer to the same question and then someone will change their story to suit their means.
Paul

[G-Pete]

Little update on my case.

Now yesterday, I went to the DMV and talked to the supervisor and we had later a phone call to Austin (with the substitute of the chief of titling division).

He stated since 1971 all vehicles have the VIN number stamped in the body, therefore I need to stamp the new TX assigned VIN in my door post. I tried to explain to him my "door post" is a part of the frame and it is just impossible to stamp there a number on a 5/8 inch tube without damage. Again, it is a part of frame and chassis (it has a number already).

Then he repeated, I need to stamp the re assigned TX VIN into the body.


Well, by this time I was fed up with this *^^*) guy and said politely goodby.
(Note: at this time the call went on for 25 min - before that, I had to wait one hour until he reviewed my file)

I might understand a re-assigned VIN to the frame, OK, but to title a Cobra body?

Next week his (moron substitute) boss is back. The supervisor at the DMV in Plano talked to him before and she said, he has more common sense. I will submit pictures of the car without the body and try to get as many pictures of Cobra VIN's as possible stamped on the frame.

Let's see what happens...

[paul cass]

G-Pete
Your DMV people are just as misinformed as most. I'm still dealing with the State DMV people and believe me I've talked to everyone from local registration people, local DMV, State DMV, the DMV State Board in Austin, the Attorney General's office and my local State Representative. The short version of all of this is that the State DMV admits that they "may have made some mistakes" but that doesn't matter. They have put a hold on my registration saying that I must do basically two things. One send in my current title so that they can re issue me another title. If I do this it will be the 4th time they have changed the title. And secondly that I have to have the FIA re inspected by an ASE master tech. Currently I'm trying to get a legal opinion from my attorney as to what to do next. For what it is worth I've done an awful lot of investigating on this issue and I think I know more than the people I'm dealing with. I think you said that you paid over $200 for your inspection. The inspection form has 10 things to check and nothing else and the fee should be the same as any other inspection. Here in Corpus Christi it is $14.50. As for as I understand the DMV will stamp an ID number on a plate and attach it to the vehicle. Mine is on the edge of the door, like 60's Mustangs. For me to list everything that I've been through would end up taking a week and no telling how many pages on this blog. If you want to talk send me a private message and a phone or email to contact you. In the meantime, good luck.
Paul

[G-Pete]

Paul,

good luck to find a ASE master mechanic certified A1 trough A8 for $14.50. The requirement is not a "normal" state inspection. The car goes on the lift and every bolt, connections, lines, welds, mechanical, electrical and fluids will be checked.

All that took 1 1/2 hrs including test drive. I had to pay the shop where the mechanic works - I think for all that work and someone check my work and I get thumps up from someone who knows what they doing, it is $280 worth.

Just on a side note: Not ONE dealer ship here in the DFW area (Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Maserati, Nissan...called them all) has a master mechanic with a current certification ASE A1-A8 on staff. Took me 2 days to find one. Some these guys on the inspection stations have, if you are lucky, an A1-A4 - most have no ASE certification.


I feel you pain to speak to these guys after reading their manual, following every step and presenting all required paperwork and still having no registration.

I'm very inclined just to go to a judge and issue a court order. The title is a proof of ownership nothing else. The VIN reflects the number on the MCO (birth certificate of a vehicle) ---- but before that, I will give one more try next week and talk to the chief...

[paul cass]

G-Pete
Since I started this quest almost a year ago, there are several things that the DMV has changed because of the problems that I went through. The original forms that were given to me had conflicting information. I followed both the directions given to me by DMV personel and the forms. Becaues of the inconsistancies after I would complete one form then I would have to do something else, and so on and so on. Finally I got fed up and said enough is enough and that is where I am currently. The inspection form to be filled out by the ASE Master tech is vtr-852. I'm looking at the latest version and it is not anything like the first one that I sent in. However the check list is almost the same, except that they have added several new items. Since this is a one time safety inspection it still should not cost what you paid. I can't find anywhere that says what if anything the inspector can charge but since they are doing basically the same thing as when they inspect a regular car I can't see how they could charge more than the inspecion fee of $14.50 or whatever it is in your area. And you are right about the difficulty in finding an ASE master tech. There are none here in CC. The DMV said that I would have to take my car to San Antonio or wherever I could find a master tech. Someting is wrong with this picture. If anyone can do the typical saftey inspection on all other cars then why do we need the master tech for our specialty cars. The story from the DMV to me is that all replica's, etc. will all be flagged and forced to re register and go through this idiotic process. As I mentioned earlier, I did everything I was asked only to end up being asked to start over agian and agian. So now I'm trying to contact an attorney to see what my rights are. Good luck on your end and I'll update once I know more.
Paul

[G-Pete]

Paul, here is the newest Manual of April 2014.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...69837884,d.aWw

As for the tilting process, if your application is denied and meantime the Texas Administrative Code, Title 43, Part 10, Chapter 217, Subchapter A, Rule paragraph 217.2 and 217.3 (main focus on 217.3) changes, you have to oblige. Your Attorney will tell you the same.

Sorry Paul.

[G-Pete]

First off
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!
...and to you guys a good holiday!!



Finally I found time to go to the DMV yesterday. The Chief of title division in Texas was available and spoke on the phone with me.

I was prepared and explained to him what the situation was and why I'm not willing to change the frame number.

The discussion went on, very professional and he stated his points and he had to follow the statute. The one hanger in that whole process was the affixed VIN on the "door post" on the body.

I suggested to fabricate a small aluminum plate, stamp the frame number in there and rivet to the "door post".


THAT DID IT !!!

Doing that it follows the requirements and it was a good to go on the titling process. I asked if I need to come back after I made the plate, he stated "NO - Sir you are fine just sent me a picture next week. BTW: nice car, have a good weekend"
I handed the phone to the supervisor of the Plano DMV after short exchange of words she hung up.

15min later I had my registration and the plates in my hand - paid $97.63 and walked out with a grin on my face (ear to ear)

I probably set a precedence here with the new titling process, and the little plate on the 'Door Post" will be on record - no reassigned VIN, even you have to fill out the form. Because of that it will be waived. The number has to be the same as on the MCO and all the other forms, that's all.


Again happy 4th July!!







Note: this is not the final plate - next week I get my custom vehicle custom plates, but this is another story.....

[SSSammy]

Pete .. you are relentless! Congratulations on achieving your goal

I hope this helps others of us in similar situations ...

Sam

[madmaxx]

what is the bungee cord on the trunk handle for

[G-Pete]

Well, when you take the car over 150mph the trunk pressure builds up and that bungee hold that lid in place buaahahaha

No, serious - Race regulations did not allow for locked compartments where the fuel cell is located so firefighters just can pull the lid up and do their job...

1964 at Targa Florio........

[madmaxx]

Super cool, neat little fact!!!

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Well, when you take the car over 150mph the trunk pressure builds up and that bungee hold that lid in place buaahahaha

No, serious - Race regulations did not allow for locked compartments where the fuel cell is located so firefighters just can pull the lid up and do their job...

1964 at Targa Florio........