Thread: Low-budget/T-Bucket Pickup

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Fantastic! You'll be toolin' around town in no time, now. Let us all know how it goes at your first cruise-in whenever that happens.

When you get some free time in front of your computer, maybe you can tell me what's needed to start the titling process in our fine state. I'm getting close to painting my Deuce's body and setting it back on the frame. I'll be anxious to get the legal paperwork started then.

Originally Posted by Driver50x

On a positive note, I got my car title paperwork approved, after only three trips to the DMV. My vehicle inspection is scheduled in two weeks. Hopefully that will go well. It’s hard to get a straight answer on what exactly is required. .

Originally Posted by J. Robinson

When you get some free time in front of your computer, maybe you can tell me what's needed to start the titling process in our fine state. I'll be anxious to get the legal paperwork started then.

And I also wanted to ask what is required. But it doesn't sound like you have a clear answer.. is that correct?

As you might know, In 2007 Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law the SEMA Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Titling Bill.

As for as I can tell, nobody has ever used or implemented this bill. I asked around on the HAMB and a couple Facebook groups and I can’t find a single person who has ever used it.

I think the only (legal) way to title a newly built Hot Rod is to title it as an “assembled from parts”vehicle. Call your local DMV and ask them where the nearest “Regional Field office” is. Stop in there and pick up an application packet. I ones I found online are all outdated. It’s about 12 pages long. You will need a receipt or bill of sale for your body, frame, engine, trans, rear end, bumpers, fenders, doors, floor pan, etc. Once you get the paperwork approved you will schedule the vehicle inspection. You will have to trailer the car in for that. I think the inspection just involves checking things light the horn, lights, windshield wipers, etc. I’ve asked several times for a list of exactly what is required, and they have not been able to provide one.

When you pass the inspection, they will issue you a VIN number and give you a sticker that goes on the door.

They told me not to start this process until you are about ready to drive the car, because you have to schedule the inspection shortly after the paperwork is approved.

The car will be titled as a 2020 assembled from parts vehicle.

There is only one Regional field office in the whole Tampa Bay Area. There is only one guy who works there who can approve an assembled vehicle. He is very unhelpful and contradicts himself over and over.

The reason he rejected my paperwork the first two times was because the bill of sale for my fiberglass body did not look “professional enough”, even though it had all the required information and signature. He was never able to tell me specifically what was wrong with it.

Originally Posted by Driver50x

As you might know, In 2007 Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed into law the SEMA Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Titling Bill.

As for as I can tell, nobody has ever used or implemented this bill. I asked around on the HAMB and a couple Facebook groups and I can’t find a single person who has ever used it.

I think the only (legal) way to title a newly built Hot Rod is to title it as an “assembled from parts”vehicle. Call your local DMV and ask them where the nearest “Regional Field office” is. Stop in there and pick up an application packet. I ones I found online are all outdated. It’s about 12 pages long. You will need a receipt or bill of sale for your body, frame, engine, trans, rear end, bumpers, fenders, doors, floor pan, etc. Once you get the paperwork approved you will schedule the vehicle inspection. You will have to trailer the car in for that. I think the inspection just involves checking things light the horn, lights, windshield wipers, etc. I’ve asked several times for a list of exactly what is required, and they have not been able to provide one.

When you pass the inspection, they will issue you a VIN number and give you a sticker that goes on the door.

They told me not to start this process until you are about ready to drive the car, because you have to schedule the inspection shortly after the paperwork is approved.

The car will be titled as a 2020 assembled from parts vehicle.

There is only one Regional field office in the whole Tampa Bay Area. There is only one guy who works there who can approve an assembled vehicle. He is very unhelpful and contradicts himself over and over.

The reason he rejected my paperwork the first two times was because the bill of sale for my fiberglass body did not look “professional enough”, even though it had all the required information and signature. He was never able to tell me specifically what was wrong with it.

I pretty much had to follow this exact procedure! Except my paperwork and vehicle had to meet the approval of the state police. They say it is to prevent or control theft. But my experience would/could contradict their theories. My car then had to be inspected by a garage that the state has as a vendor and they basically look at safety items. We had a few ... um... "disagreements" and battled over the word "replica".. and the items that drove them crazy were a single windshield wiper and a single tail light. Since I built a assembled vehicle that was a replica, I built the car with only 1 of the above items. This drove'em nuts and I used it as a bargaining chip. As they focused on the light and wiper they forgot some other smaller things.... I did "give in" and let them have their tail light...

Don't you just love self important bureaucrats? You and johnboy should compare notes.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Don't you just love self important bureaucrats? You and johnboy should compare notes.

I don’t think my saga was as bad as Johnboy’s but that guy sure has wasted plenty of my time, all while being paid by my tax dollars.

Very cool thread. enjoyed the first few pages, will come back later to read the rest when I have time!

Originally Posted by stovens

Very cool thread. enjoyed the first few pages, will come back later to read the rest when I have time!

Thanks Steve. I’m having a blast with this thing so far. I’m looking forward to putting some miles on it.

The process wasn't much different for me in Louisiana. Lots of stupid hoops to jump through, but in the end, all they really wanted was the money. I gave the lady a stack of receipts, she totaled them up and told me how much the taxes were. I gave her a check and walked out with a title.

The main problem with the process here is that there is no formalized way to appeal their decisions. If you can't supply the correct paperwork, you have no recourse. Most folks don't know what they need to keep up with and the local tag offices pretty much know nothing of titling an assembled vehicle. Only the state office can give you the right info.

BTW - I commented to the lady that it was a long, difficult process and I thought that it could be streamlined. She said, off the record or course, that the state makes it hard on purpose because they really don't want a lot of people building cars. Most people just give up out of frustration.

In Louisiana, I can't even legally dismantle a car that I own to sell the parts if I don't have proper paperwork from the state. If I have 2 trucks that I want to mix and match parts to get a running vehicle, I can't do it without getting a "Permit to Dismantle" for both trucks. Swapping cabs and chassis' will net you an illegally assembled truck that can never be titled, period. No legal recourse. Chop shops have made our hobby very difficult and filled with hidden pitfalls that most folks don't even think about until it's too late.

Hang in there. Sounds like you followed the right course. Hopefully, you will be driving soon.

Thanks for that tip. Maybe I’ll take one of my taillights off before I go to the inspection!

Originally Posted by Hotrod46

The process wasn't much different for me in Louisiana. Lots of stupid hoops to jump through, but in the end, all they really wanted was the money.

I carried a thick file folder of receipts each time I went in there. He never even glanced at them. He mentioned twice that I would have to pay any sales tax I owed. On the third visit, when he approved my stuff, all he charged me was $40 for the inspection. He seemed to be in a hurry that day. I think I caught a break there.

Sort of like pulling and signing off a building permit here. The local city planning department makes people jump thru tons of hurdles. Then when the project is done the building inspectors nit pick trying to find something they can tag you with. After building a 1500 square foot addition to my last house, I left the airator off the garbage disposal on purpose, the inspector tried to nail me with improper ceiling fan vent in the bathroom, because it didn't have a built in night light. He was grinning while telling me I'd have to replace it as it wasn't to code. I smiled back and asked when the code had changed, he said 6 months ago, I then pointed out I had pulled the permit 4 years ago and it was up to cade at that time then he got mad, so he goes to the kitchen sink and points out I don't have an airator venting it on the counter top, I just smiled again, reached under the counter, pushed it up thru the hole and said oh you mean this, it must of fallen down and screwed it back in place. He wasn't happy but he did sign it off!

Why must people be like that? They get their thrills and jollies out of catching something like you're a criminal and then get upset when you're not.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Why must people be like that? They get their thrills and jollies out of catching something like you're a criminal and then get upset when you're not.

They think it makes them look smart. If they only knew it makes them look smart A$$ (emphasis on the A$$). I have a saying for those, "they just can't help themselves!"...

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Why must people be like that? They get their thrills and jollies out of catching something like you're a criminal and then get upset when you're not.

I believe for many of them it's their fist time having any authority over anyone and they love to flaunt it.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I believe for many of them it's their fist time having any authority over anyone and they love to flaunt it.

Mr. Severson Sir: you got that exactly right!