Question for Texas Backdraft owners.

[nathanmargolis]

See below infor from Assembled Vehicle Manual:

Replica Vehicles Applying for Street Rod or Custom Vehicle Plates
Eligible vehicles being registered for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod license plates must be
titled as any other ASVE (Assembled Vehicle) but must also carry the replica brand of the
year and make they resemble (unless the vehicle is a true, original to the year of
manufacture). For example, an assembled vehicle built to resemble a 1935 Ford that
would normally be titled as a 2012 ASVE would need to be titled as a 2012 ASVE with a
REPLICA: 1935 FORD brand if applying for the Street Rod plates. If a Texas Certificate
of Title has already been issued to reflect an ASVE make and does not include the
REPLICA brand, the title must be corrected to add the REPLICA brand in order to obtain
either of these speciality plates. The customer is responsible for any associated title fees as
a result of a title correction. Refer to the TxDMV Registration Manual for more of the
requirements regarding these two specialty plates.
Note: If the vehicle was a true 1935 FORD, it would be eligible for the Street Rod
plates, but a true vehicle will not carry the REPLICA brand. Only vehicles
that would otherwise be considered an ASVE vehicle should carry the
REPLICA brand.
For existing vehicles with a Certificate of Title or for “New Replica” vehicles supported
by a MCO, the following evidence must support the application for Texas title if applying
for the Custom Vehicle or Street Rod specialty plate:
• Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U);
• The ownership document (Certificate of Title, Certified Copy of Title, MCO, etc.);
• ASE Safety Inspection and Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License
Plates (Form VTR-852) (including the printout of the master technician’s ASE
Certification Status, showing the master technician has the required A1 through
A8 certifications);
• Proof of financial responsibility; and
• Three photos of the replica vehicle (front, rear, side) and one photo of the
make/year model that the vehicle resembles.
For an assembled vehicle, all of the documentation listed in Section 4.1, "Application for
Title and Supporting Documentation" is required, including the ASE Safety Inspection and
Application for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod License Plates (Form VTR-852), three
photos of the replica vehicle (front, rear, side), and one photo of the make/year model that
the vehicle resembles are also required.

If you live in Houston, the plates have to be a Custom Vehicle or you are going to have inspection issues because of emissions. It does appear that the Form U-130 does need to be included with a signature from Backdraft. No big deal as they will do. First Service should have the ASE Master Mechanic. That will be $125. And of course be prepared to pay the Piper as the State of Texas wants their sales taxes.
In regard to the Backdraft I registered, it already had a Texas title but it was a regular car title and the year model was 2006. Somehow the original owner used a buddy that passed the car every year without emission testing, which was wrong but it does happen. Like mentioned, you have to get a Custom Vehicle title to not go through this annual inspection that includes emission. Your car will not pass because it will not have a OBD II port (or I don't think you would) which was standard on all vehicles after 1995.
It really is not that bad of a process but tough finding that ASE Master Mechanic with all the certifications current.
Guess you received the car? Looking forward to seeing it. Any questions, let me know by calling. Not sure where you live in Houston, but if needed, we could try Tomball Tax Office as they might remember how to do it as they did mind.
Download that Assembled Vehicle Manual is your Bible.