Title and registration question

[junker39]

I'm building a "rod" out of Courier frame and parts of a VW body. Does anyone know the procedure for getting a title and plates for this thing. Am I going to need the titles for both vehicles, the Courier title or the VW? Or is this something I can get a new title for this particular vehicle? The procedure should be about the same in Texas as in other states. (except Calif., of course). It'll probably be next spring before I get that far but, I like to be prepared. Thanks for any help given.

 

[Carlos Murphy]

Home made vehicle

I think its called SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION title, I had to get one on a dune buggy I built in Calif. years ago, they asked no questions about the VW pan I used, also had to get one for a motorcycle trailer I built from scratch. In each case, the DMV issued me a VIN tag to attach to each vehicle.
These are most commonly issued on custom motorcycles as well.

 

[Willowbilly3]

Every state is different and in Texas the amount of grief changes greatly from county to county. The best thing to do is go down to the DMV and explain what you are doing and ask them how to proceed. It is better to get all the procedure and proper forms before you start the build. If you wait until it is done you may get treated like some kind of evil felon.

 

[Bonehead]

I have found it best so far, to keep titles, and all other paperwork for every car part you put into it. From their end they are looking to make sure nothing was made from stolen cars, and they get their full amount of taxation from you.

 

[junker39]

Thanks for your replies. I'll have to take a half day off work to see what I'll need to do. I'm sure it will be the most ridiculous procedure possible. A friend built a trike from several different type vehicles and had to trailer it almost 70 miles, one way, to have a Trooper "inspect" it. (the trooper looked out the window into the parking lot and said it looked good to him.) That's how we do things around here. Thanks again.

 

[Willowbilly3]

Thanks for your replies. I'll have to take a half day off work to see what I'll need to do. I'm sure it will be the most ridiculous procedure possible. A friend built a trike from several different type vehicles and had to trailer it almost 70 miles, one way, to have a Trooper "inspect" it. (the trooper looked out the window into the parking lot and said it looked good to him.) That's how we do things around here. Thanks again.

You do what you have to do. If you expect ridiculous, then it probably will be.

 

[junker39]

I got around to checking with my local tax office. They said since I'm "upgrading" the frame and using the original body, I can license it as a VW. And since it's 49 years old, they can issue Antique plates. Good for five years for 65 bucks. And no state inspection required. Cool !! It just needs to have everything that inspection requires but, nobody will check it. (??) I won't ask questions.

 

[Tripper]

Junker,
Do you currently have a title for either? I use a title service & since they know her there are no questions. I get Texas plates for that year car... she takes it down there & I go & pick it all up the next day. It's cheap & hassle free!!!

BoB

 

[Willowbilly3]

I got around to checking with my local tax office. They said since I'm "upgrading" the frame and using the original body, I can license it as a VW. And since it's 49 years old, they can issue Antique plates. Good for five years for 65 bucks. And no state inspection required. Cool !! It just needs to have everything that inspection requires but, nobody will check it. (??) I won't ask questions.

It only has to be 25 years old in Texas to get those plates. I registered my 69 Ford crewcab that way, and had YOM plates. One thing I found out, 1969 plates weren't meant to last 5 years.
I would reccomend having the inspection anyway, because most cops don't know about that and you will be getting pulled over a lot.

 

[junker39]

Thanks guys. That's a good idea about the inspection. Our small town law officials are pretty much lost on anything except speeding and barking dogs. But, we do have quite a few transient county and state boys do drive bys.
I don't have the title for the Ghia. It was last licensed in 72. I'll run by the local PD and confuse them good before filing for lost title. I bought a '68 Mustang, years ago, without a title. Went to the PD to check who it was registered to and they sent a wrecker over and picked it up. Was stolen out of Houston about five years earlier. I finally got a title. Around $300 for wrecker and storage, then $75 for the title. I kinda lost interest in it and sold it for $50 bucks and a battery. I put my 428 CobraJet in a buddies 66 Comet. He missed a shift and blew it up on the second run. It just wasn't a good year. Thanks.

 

[Willowbilly3]

I got pulled over in Tyler once because the cop had never seen a registration sticker with a 12 on it (5 year sticker I got in 07) I was hauling a Cummins engine to the machine shop in the middle of the day. When I told him it was registered as antique he said he figured it was something like that but had never seen one, thanked me and said "have a nice day".

 

[junker39]

Now I have problems. I finally got around to running the 72 plates on the Ghia and the number comes up as a 2000 Olds. I thought the lady was going to have a stroke. I had to remind her the plates were plainly stamped with a 72. After all was done, their computer could not match the plates or the serial number. So, it seems, I've got to make what they call a Bonded Title. It's the same as building a car from scratch. DoT inspection, all safety gear and emissions.... That's not going to happen. So, I'm on the look out for another Ghia body south of Houston, if anyone has one. With a title. Later.