P2334 Registered in TX

[Tim Terry]

After a slight delay with an MSO issue, P2334 is officially titled and registered in TX as a 1965 Ford GT40.

I followed the "Custom Vehicle" process from Txdmv.gov. It's three forms, inspection report, photos, certified weight, etc. Overall, pretty painless if you are prepared.

One benefit of this TX process is that the inspection is one-time only.

Aside from the hefty sales tax (6.25% adds up quickly on these cars), I'm very satisfied.

Look for TX plate "GT4T" if you see me around Houston.

 

[John]

Congratulations.
I'm in Houston frequently, hope to see it someday. You bringing it to the TCC meet in March?

 

[Tim Terry]

Hello, John. I won't be making the March meet, but hope to make one someday. Let me know when you're in Houston and have time to see the car.

 

[Gary Sharapata]

Tim, How about a few pics of your car?

 

[Howard Jones]

Was this a first time registration. I mean to say was it registered in a different state before Tx?

 

[Dr. Bob Woods]

Tim,

When I registered mine two years ago, I titled it as a 1966 Ford GT replica. The "replica" process was very simple. You just needed the MSO and then you title it as a "replica". No inspection or anything else. When I registered it, I just needed to show insurance on the car and I got my plates.

I presume they still have the "replica" path available.

-Bob Woods
Tornado GT40 in Texas

 

[Tim Terry]

Gary: See Flickr site for lots of photos here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/141675158@N03/5eRtq9

Howard: This was a first-time registration.

Dr. Bob: Yes, the replica path still exists. My goal was to have the car titled without the word "replica". The "Custom Vehicle" process facilitates that.

 

[Tim Terry]

Plate arrived Friday.

 

[James]

Tim, I hate to resurrect an old thread, but I anticipate I'll be going through Texas registration in the near-ish future. Can you advise how you were able to avoid the "replica path" via the custom vehicle process? In the reading I've done, when titling/registering a newly assembled vehicle, ASVE or replica has to be on the title or registration. Is that not the case?

 

[Brian Kissel]

Ryan, Tim hasn’t been signed into the forum since December of 22. His name and town is in his profile, perhaps a internet search will find you some contact information.

Regards Brian

 

[James]

Thanks, Brian. I appreciate the heads-up.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks, Brian. I appreciate the heads-up.

You should take care as this thread started back in 2017, and before you start registering in Texas I strongly recommend you locate and consult an experienced expert in the process. When I tried to register my Superformance GT40 MKII there in about 2018-2019, the State was revising their laws and rejected the registration (I paid the taxes, did the inspections, got the plates but the Austin DOT office rejected issuing a title and didn't tell me they had done this until I asked where my title was!). I believe the explanation was something like the law does not permit the registration of "race cars" or similar term (whatever it was it was a defined term but they deemed my car a race car), and so did not permit the registration of "replicas" of race cars (I tried that, which was true, and it failed). The State advised that the law was in the process of being changed and that my car "might" be registered if the change went into effect, and it did, but I moved to California in the meantime, got an expert, and California was no problem. I think the change in Texas was that if the vehicle's sole purpose wasn't as a race car, then registration was acceptable----don't quote me, hire an expert!

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Brian Kissel]

Thanks Chris !!!

 

[Devin]

Ryan, after having just done this last spring for my Cobra replica, here is my advise. If you haven’t already, down load the full TX manual here:

https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/Assembled_and_Reconstructed_Vehicle_Manual.pdf

You will need to start with your region titling office (not the local/county one you usually go to) and make an appointment to get them to look over your package of documentation to receive a “checklist” of other places & forms/inspections you will need to complete. It’s no longer a short and simple process. In the end it will be registered as an 2025 ASVE no matter what you argue about it replicating a 1965/6…at least that was my experience.

 

[James]

Thanks Chris and Devin, I appreciate the info. I have read through the manual and understand the ASVE title process and requirements, however, it sounds like Tim was able to title his GT40 as a 1965 Ford GT40, rather than a replica. The nuance I picked up on is that he also paid sales tax, which isn't owed if registering as a "replica" custom vehicle. I'm wondering if it's possible to avoid "replica" appearing on the title/registration if you're willing to pay the sales tax--an expensive, albeit worthwhile cost, in my opinion.

Chris, what type of expert did you find to give independent advice on registration? I've thought about contacting the titling office/DPS/DMV/etc., but I figure they'll just give their interpretation of the governing regulations, which may vary from office to office.

Thanks all.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks Chris and Devin, I appreciate the info. I have read through the manual and understand the ASVE title process and requirements, however, it sounds like Tim was able to title his GT40 as a 1965 Ford GT40, rather than a replica. The nuance I picked up on is that he also paid sales tax, which isn't owed if registering as a "replica" custom vehicle. I'm wondering if it's possible to avoid "replica" appearing on the title/registration if you're willing to pay the sales tax--an expensive, albeit worthwhile cost, in my opinion.

Chris, what type of expert did you find to give independent advice on registration? I've thought about contacting the titling office/DPS/DMV/etc., but I figure they'll just give their interpretation of the governing regulations, which may vary from office to office.

Thanks all.

Hi:
The expert I retained was here in California, not in Texas. If your car is a Superformance you might try contacting them and seeing if they can recommend a Texas expert, but perhaps they would recommend a person for other makes as well. They referred me to my California expert. If that doesn't work, try finding a lawyer in Austin who routinely practices in front of the Texas DMV.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Darius Rudis]

Here in Michigan, my "first attempt" (expecting first of many trips...) to see what it takes to get registered... Next thing I know, comedy-of-errors at DMV (all in my favor) got lucky and walked out with temp plates!!! This later-ordered, custom plate just arrived!

Already taken: 65 GT40, FORD GT, GT40 MK1... (so I got what I got = satisfied).

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Here in Michigan, my "first attempt" (expecting first of many trips...) to see what it takes to get registered... Next thing I know, comedy-of-errors at DMV (all in my favor) got lucky and walked out with temp plates!!! This later-ordered, custom plate just arrived!

Already taken: 65 GT40, FORD GT, GT40 MK1... (so I got what I got = satisfied).

View attachment 145123

Seeing these Michigan plates reminds me that something I remember from my aborted Texas registration is that, at least in Texas, you could actually seem to successfully get everything done and actually receive your plates, but that the whole, apparent registration, still had to effectively be approved by Austin headquarters before you got your title. When I didn't receive my title after weeks of waiting, I inquired locally and was told the Austin head office had put it on hold. Apparently, no one thought to tell me, so I was driving around thinking all was well and it wasn't. I don't know if other states have the same sort of system. To this day something which tickles me is that you always hear how Texas is so accommodating on things and California is a nightmare, but for me the exact opposite was true. It taught me to take reputations with a grain of salt.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Devin]

Seeing these Michigan plates reminds me that something I remember from my aborted Texas registration is that, at least in Texas, you could actually seem to successfully get everything done and actually receive your plates, but that the whole, apparent registration, still had to effectively be approved by Austin headquarters before you got your title. When I didn't receive my title after weeks of waiting, I inquired locally and was told the Austin head office had put it on hold. Apparently, no one thought to tell me, so I was driving around thinking all was well and it wasn't. I don't know if other states have the same sort of system. To this day something which tickles me is that you always hear how Texas is so accommodating on things and California is a nightmare, but for me the exact opposite was true. It taught me to take reputations with a grain of salt.

/s/ Chris Kennedy

Chris…this post had me wondering if I have ever received my title. The wife and and I have checked and don’t recall if it has ever came in the mail so will have to inquire with my region office that I filed it with to see if one was sent.

What was your “rest of the story” on your getting a title?

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Chris…this post had me wondering if I have ever received my title. The wife and and I have checked and don’t recall if it has ever came in the mail so will have to inquire with my region office that I filed it with to see if one was sent.

What was your “rest of the story” on your getting a title?

Basically what happened is that I appealed the original rejection of registration with a pretty good argument and excellent presentation, but was rejected again. The Austin office was very pleasant and explained that a pending change in the registration law, if passed by the State legislature, might allow registration (see, my comments above). I researched the change, and it didn't sound too convincing to me, and by that time I was already contemplating a move to San Diego. This action convinced me to leave!

/s/ Chris