"Antique" registration and plates in Texas - anyone here have that?

767Jockey · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2021, 06:27 AM

I go in this week for title and registration in TX. Look like it'll be pretty straight forward, as the car is already titled in my name in NY. I'm thinking I'll title it as a TX "antique" as I don't need yearly insections to do that. Only thing holding me back is that the antique TX plates are so darned fugly. They have a Model T drawing on them, and I can't see myself putting them on my Cobra. Because of this I might just register as a Classic or Custom. Anyone here been through this? What did you register as? The end goal is to find a set of 1965 plates and try to use them, but to do that I have to try to get TX to change my title from 1984 homebuilt, which is how NY has it titled now, to 1965 Cobra. Not sure how to go about that. I live in Harris County so I have to title and register here. I can't go shopping for a more knowledgable or friendlier office elsewhere in TX.
I'd started a thread a while back on the whole process, and luckily through a bunch of calls with TX DMV it seems like the questions are down to just this now.

Anyone have any input on this?

spdbrake · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2021, 12:50 PM

I’d contact James Yale at your local BDR dealership. He is in Tomball near you and has probably seen that issue a few times.
Radical Roadsters of Texas | Welcome

spdbrake · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 08:02 AM

Just a follow-up. How'd registration go? I have 65 TX (White plate, Black lettering) plate I used to use on my BDR while TX if you want to use that.

767Jockey · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 09:57 AM

Haven't done it yet. I was hoping the car would be back by now but we're still a couple of weeks away from that. Do you have just one plate or two? I believe to register the car with vintage plates here in TX I need to have two of them, even if I only mount one. Let me know, if you have two I'll see if we can work a deal for me to buy them from you.

spdbrake · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 01:29 PM

You only need one as rule back then was "how car was configured".
Cobras were built to accept just one plate. I can ship you the tag N/C if you decide you want to use it.

Details on the Classic tag equivalent to a Tag having the same year as the car is on page 27 of the attached pdf.
https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_TX.pdf
"Instead of Classic License Plates, the owner of a classic vehicle may use embossed license plates issued by this state that is the same year as the model year of the vehicle. The plates must have the original color scheme and be in good,readable condition. If the original plates are approved by your local county tax assessor-collector’s office, a plate tab with a registration sticker will be issued to be displayed on the rear license plate."

I've had long and drawn out BS sessions with TX City,County,State police and I've even brought the subject up of the front tag. The answer was either A: not required as there are no mounting provisions. or B: Why screw up the good looks of the car?

Registration details for all 50 states is here: https://www.semasan.com/resources/ev...-all-50-states

767Jockey · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 01:36 PM

That would be great. PM sent, let me know when you get it!

EDIT - Just saw the photo you added, beautiful looking car!

spdbrake · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 01:57 PM

Thanks,

I got your PM and replied. It's cardboarded and ready to ship via usps tomorrow.

Alfa02 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2021, 11:29 PM

That "Club Cobra" badge looks like it (Grew) there.

Nice !!!