By now all street rodders are aware that titling/registering a street rod is a task of great importance. No matter what state you live in there's one or more legitimate ways for you to register your street rod. Street rods fall into one of two broad categories: One is a car with a current or lost title, which refers to a vehicle that is an OEM manufactured vehicle (i.e. Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc.); the second--new manufacturer, generally a replica or purpose-built frame is followed by a reproduction body (fiberglass or steel) or even an original body. In short, this is a specially constructed vehicle.
While the process can still be confusing and convoluted, the intent of this article is to arm you with enough information to know which direction (OEM car or specially constructed vehicle) you should follow when applying for title/registration. Remember, when all is said and done, the objective is to legally register your street rod so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.
VIN Verification Office Scott Smith of the California Highway Patrol and Editor Brennan go over the typical locations where California VIN (blue tag) plates can be attached.
Now the fun begins. If the body and all of the related components are original but the frame is new, some states (i.e. California) dictate that the car is registered as a specially constructed vehicle, as opposed to an original car. However, there are exceptions to this rule--more on this later. Again, depending upon the state you reside in, an original frame with a vehicle identification number (VIN) can be outfitted with a "new" body and titled/registered with the original VIN, and for all practical purposes, this is an "original" car.
Should you find yourself purchasing an existing titled car, the registration process is virtually painless in all states. However, if you purchase an untitled (running or non-running) street rod with a valid VIN, you are on "solid" ground but will need the VIN verified. Depending on your state, either your local Department of Motor Vehicles, law enforcement office (police and/or highway patrol, state trooper), or an agent for the state can verify the number. VIN numbers appear in different locations depending upon the manufacturer. Street rods are pre-'49 vehicles and we expect to see VIN numbers appearing on the frame or engine numbers used as a VIN. With older cars, using the engine serial number as the VIN can be a problem if the original engine is absent. So, if you have a frame with a valid VIN, you are in business and can legally install another body, whether it is a replica steel or fiberglass model. In fact, it can be another OEM body.
When leaving the DMV, make sure you have a receipt for any monies spent. You will need to show proof that you actually did pay your fees before getting a blue tag.
It should be noted that some states are liberal with their interpretation of a street rod and the verification or issuance of a VIN isn't much of an ordeal. Some paperwork, time, and payment of appropriate fees and you are in business. What about those of us who live in a state that requires more effort? For the purposes of this story we are going to use California as our example when dealing with an OEM (titled or non-titled) or specially constructed vehicle. (OK, the magazine and its staff are California-based and it's the system we know, or at least think we know. ...)
There is always paperwork. Before beginning the vehicle inspection there was a mild amount of paperwork to verify the components existed and that everything was properly filled out.
Should you find yourself with a titled car or one where the title is lost, you will be dealing with all or a combination of the following California DMV forms: Verification of Vehicle (Reg. 343 form), Application for Title or Registration (Reg. 343/31 combo form), and Statement of Facts (Reg. 25 form). All of these forms are based on one irrefutable fact: You are dealing with an original car that can be verified in all or part (i.e. you have an original frame with a VIN that can be verified, you have a complete car but are missing the title of ownership [commonly referred to as a "pink slip"], or you have an original car but it is missing the VIN). Now, most of you live in a state other than California, so while the name of the form may be different, the objectives are the same--to verify the authenticity of the car as original or classify the car as a specially constructed vehicle. Let's start with the easy way.