What is the process for licensing an unlicensed hot rod made from parts? This is in California - I ***ume it varies state to state. I'm considering the purchase of an unlicensed Ford coupe in CA. It has an A frame with numbers. But a Chevy 350. No numbers on the body that I know of. The owners (not me) first attempt was met with scepticism at DMV concerning whether or not it was a Ford or a Chevy. They also mentioned a California Highway Patrol inspection. I'm ***uming they're going to have a field day with a rat rod that has no body except the bare essential t bucket, no fenders, no bumpers, a high mounted rear gas tank, etc. etc. It is running and in great condition for a traditional rod. But if they look at this thing for safety... Any regular California builders have tips and experiences they can share? Sincerely, ***Jelly(it's all I could think of...) PS - I'd post an intro but really I'm just a dip****. I used to have a '56 Chevy Cameo with a Corvette 427. And a '51 Ford I was to young and stupid to appreciate.
good enough intro for me. As long as it has a ***le and vin numbers stamped on it somewhere, your in. It's not hard at all. If you belong to the auto club its even easier. I have had more trouble registering my truck than any hotrod. I'm sure there are horror stories out there though. Find a girl. Be nice to her and if they ask you to change anything dont be a **** and just change them. Not that hard.
oh, there is only a chp inspection if you dont bring it to the DMV. CHP guys are ***holes that got gang **** ****d by their uncles so bring it to the DMV. Now why does a model A coupe have a T bucket body and a high gas tank?
Do NOT use the words "***embled from parts," ever. Have someone, AAA is good or call the CHP and have them run the Model A number to find out if some one's already using it on a "Street Rod" say as little as possible so you don't spill the beans, although they probably know what you're doing. Year... If your fram number is between 1 and 5275 it's a 1927. If its between 5276 and 810122 it's a 1928 810123 to 2742695 is a 1929 2742696 to 4237500 is a 1930 4237501 to 4830806 is a 1931 and 4830807 to 4849340 were built in 1932 Then apply for a lost ***le You inherited it from your father or mother or you've always had it stowed out in the barn or whatever and now you want to register it but can't find the paperwork.... Yes Model As were built into 1932 they stopped Model A production in March 1932. Then they started bulding the "Deuce"
Thanks Dr. J. I completely forgot about the "lost ***le affidavit". I've done that before. Can't believe I didn't remember that. Then once you get the ***le I guess you could apply for lost plates or dupes or something. Great idea. **************But if the car was never registered aren't they still going to want to inspect it as a newly built unlicensed vehicle? (This vehicle has no ***le to begin with.) Are their rules that hotrod builders follow to avoid future licensing h***les?************** BTW it's not a T body it's a touring body shortened. Just looks like a T. To lazy to write it out. ***Jelly
I've heard various stories about whether AAA can verify or not and some ***le companies do it and some just take it to or call in a CHP. All the CHP cares about is if the numbers look fored or not. I don't know what the current status is on California asigned numbers since Model A numbers aren't even visible withut removing the body. They wee just making up a number and riviting a plate on your car... whereever they damn well please from what I've seen...
i dont know if it is true, but i heard that if you are trying to register a hot rod you built that has no ***le they run the numbers on the engine and that is what is gonna be registered as. make sure its a pre 73 engine or you may have to get it smogged. diego
is that to imply that 1926 and older have no vin? Err, serial number? Whats the deal with supposed "***le ladies" who come out to where you got the car at, you give 'em $100, and they jump thru the hoops for you and you get your plates and ***le in the mail??? I know a few people who "knows someone" who does this, whas the 411?
yea, no vin. Drj only listed A #'s for this guy. I used a trophy place and had them make me a stock looking vin tag that I put in the door jam. Buy a ***le off of ebay and use those numbers and you are home free. That's all I did. It's not hard at all. I agree with Dr.J, dont get all lovey-dovey and say you built it out of junk. Answer their questions and get out.
What ****s about the ebay ***le is that the evil state of california destroys a *****in antique do***ent, history, if you will... screw it, I'd rather drive the car...
[ QUOTE ] is that to imply that 1926 and older have no vin? Err, serial number? [/ QUOTE ] Model T's just had engine numbers. I know that people have taken legitimate T engine numbers and stamped them on the frame. Have the "frame number" verified by a peace officer and there you go, off to the DMV. Neal
Hmm, I have a model A block that'll likely never see the road as long as I own it, perhaps I'll run that number thru AAA...
Try registering it as a non-op first (no plates). If they think it is just going to be a project sitting in your garage until who-knows-when, they are less likely to care about the details (inspection). Then, when you are ready to put it on the road, just send in the money for the full registration. They'll look back at the non-op registration and won't make you do anything but pay the extra $ for plates and you're on the road.
It's funny, I was just having a conversation about this earlier today. If you have a number of some sort on the car, you may not have a problem, at least I didn't. I had a car with no license, or pink, but a VIN. All I did was have tham run the VIN at DMV, when it showed no record they had me fill out some paperwork on how I got the car, I drove it by DMV they checked the VIN, and I was on my way with a new set of plates. Or there are companys that sell ***les, then all you have to do is fab up a VIN tag, and you should be good to go.
Use a registration service. I know of a very good one in the LA area (the valley, actually). For DMV fees +$75 (more or less) they jump through all the hoops for you. They are working *for* you, rather than *against* you. They've done cars for my friends before, and they are reliable. I'll see if I can come up with their name and let you know tomorrow if you want.
So hypothethically speaking, if I bought a ***le and the firewall VIN tag from a 51 Ford Sedan and installed it in a 51 Coupe, I could register it withouta problem? Would this be considered legal? Do I mention this to the clerk at AAA (I think I know the answer to that last one)? I'm glad you asked this question and WELCOME.
[ QUOTE ] Try registering it as a non-op first (no plates). If they think it is just going to be a project sitting in your garage until who-knows-when, they are less likely to care about the details (inspection). Then, when you are ready to put it on the road, just send in the money for the full registration. They'll look back at the non-op registration and won't make you do anything but pay the extra $ for plates and you're on the road. [/ QUOTE ] thats a great idea!
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