texas title issues revisited

[ram_g]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Ram, county does not matter. You get a TX title issued not a county title. The next step is to register the vehicle.
The registration requirements in some counties are different. BUT, only about emissions - nothing else. If you don't have the custom vehicle brand you are required to have all safety features of the year of your title.
2015 for an example
Active seat belt restrains
Airbags in front
Collapsible steering shaft
DOT shatter windshield double layer
Side impact bars
Back up light
3rd brake light
Side and rear reflectors
Padded steering wheel

...and this is just the begin of the a long list.

G-Pete,

I may have mis-spoken about the difference between title and registration because I applied for all of them together. However the fact remains that the OP could apply for an assembled vehicle title (with no reference to a replica) and then not apply for a Custom Vehicle plate. In that case he would have to follow the standard safety and emissions inspection protocol. For emissions, as I stated, it appears that they are not required at this time where he will be. For safety, I don't know where you got your list, but it is not what is stated on the Texas DPS site. Specifically airbags are not an item of inspection no matter what year your car is, and the list does not vary by model year.

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI...nCriteria.aspx

05.01 Inspect Every Passenger Car For: (Listed in suggested order of inspection)

* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility

1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
9. Exhaust System
10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
14. License Plate Lamp (1)
15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)
17. Head Lamps (2)
18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number
19. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old
20. Window Tint.

Furthermore I once had a Honda Accord where the SRS light came on (due, as it turns out, to a faulty seat belt electrical connector). I was told by my mechanic that it was NOT an item on the annual safety inspection and sure enough I received a sticker even with that fault indicator on.

[G-Pete]

Ram, I referred not to state inspections. I referred to titling a new vehicle. The state can title replicas and antiques under a different guidelines and regulations - the title need to be branded the same way.
New vehicles are regulated by the DOT, which is federal and requires all these safety features named above and more.

Start reading here: DOT HS 808 878

Now, here out of the TXDPS manual:
Note: If the 1965 SHELBY replica was assembled in 2014 and was NOT applying
for the Custom Vehicle plate, but instead for any other eligible license plate,
the vehicle would be required to meet the safety standards of 2014.

Safety Standards is the word not TX Safety Inspections. 2015 Safety Standards are found in the link provided.

Texas closed a loophole - if someone tries to go around, they will have a real garage queen.

[G-Pete]

Besides all that - WHO would not get custom vehicle plates to be exempt from yearly inspections (for ever)???

[Howard Jones]

That really helps guys, Thanks, custom vehicle it is then. So maybe a 1966 Porsche 906? Sorta kinda looks like that.

[SSSammy]

Originally Posted by Howard Jones

That really helps guys, Thanks, custom vehicle it is then. So maybe a 1966 Porsche 906? Sorta kinda looks like that.

Ought to be fine. Technically, the manual calls for you to bring a photo of the car that you are supposed to be a replica of. So as long as there is a resemblance in shape ... My experience was that I presented a photo of a 1966 Ford GT40 along with the required three views of my replica. The clerk glanced at the photo of the original and handed it back to me, and selected one of the three replica views and handed the rest back :roll eyes:

As we say here, the most consistent thing between the various county title offices in Texas is their inconsistency.

Don't forget, your insurance card, which is the first step in all of this, needs to describe the car as a "1966 Porsche 906 Replica." That starts you off on the right foot with the VTR-852 form and the ASE inspection.

Sam