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Florida registration - non-traditional build
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Author:  CMM83 [ May 20, 2011, 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Florida registration - non-traditional build

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone with experience with Florida's registration processes can give me some opinions.
 
First, my project which I've been designing for a while and have started collecting some parts for is a little different:  I'm building a custom frame to house the V6 from a 350Z.  Carbon Fiber body panels are available for pretty much every panel of the vehicle so my finished car will look like a 350Z convertible, but with these aftermarket CF panels wrapped around my scratch-built frame.
 
I've researched a lot and the most helpful resource I've found is the guide SEMA put together: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843
olrowdy's experience was helpful ( http://dmr-architect.com/~locouki/titling-in-fla.html ) as well as Graber cars.
If I were building a Locost, with Florida's laws that were passed thanks to SEMA, it would be pretty easy.  Since my car will not resemble a vehicle that is 25 years old I would not be able to register it as a "Custom" or "Replica".
 
I'm thinking I could possibly title it as "Assembled from Parts".  I don't know exactly what the state's definition of "assembled from parts" is though.  What they state in the books is pretty vague.  Also, I am not using a "donor" vehicle, just parts from various 350Z so I would not have a donor VIN.  I don't know if that is an issue or not. 
 
I know with cars titled as "Custom" under the newer laws it states that the vehicles that qualify (25+ years old) must meet the safety requirements of the vehicle they resemble.  I don't know if there would be similar requirements for the other categories of titles for home-built vehicles (such as "Assembled from Parts")...I would be dead in the water if the state required me to have ABS, airbags, whatever other safety equipment was standard when the 350Z convertibles came out.
 
So does anyone have an idea what the state really means by "Assembled from Parts" and what that would require for the project I have planned?
 
Hopefully next week I will make a trip to the local tag agency to see what they say.

Author:  olrowdy_01 [ May 22, 2011, 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida registration - non-traditional build

CMM83 wrote:
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone with experience with Florida's registration processes can give me some opinions.
 
First, my project which I've been designing for a while and have started collecting some parts for is a little different:  I'm building a custom frame to house the V6 from a 350Z.  Carbon Fiber body panels are available for pretty much every panel of the vehicle so my finished car will look like a 350Z convertible, but with these aftermarket CF panels wrapped around my scratch-built frame.
[snip]

Since my car will not resemble a vehicle that is 25 years old I would not be able to register it as a "Custom" or "Replica".
 
I'm thinking I could possibly title it as "Assembled from Parts".  I don't know exactly what the state's definition of "assembled from parts" is though.  What they state in the books is pretty vague. 

When I wrote the paragraph "Built from scratch:" in the article "Titling in Fla" on my website, I was thinking of the Assembled from parts (ASPT) cars but neglected to actually write that. I have updated the article to correct the links etc. So I thank you for your inquiry.

Not to be critical of the state DMV employees (because the Statutes -are- written vaguely by people who probably don't know how to change their car's oil) but they aren't all that sure all the times either what the precise requirements are. I do know that when the SEMA rules went into affect they had meetings to explain the statues to the DMV office staff.

From what I've been able to (not) find, the ASPT portion of the Statue isn't addressed in detail as the Hot Rod and Custom car sections are.


Also, I am not using a "donor" vehicle, just parts from various 350Z so I would not have a donor VIN.  I don't know if that is an issue or not. 
 
If your DMV office is on their toes I would expect that they will ask you about the VIN number of the car that the engine came from. I would get a bill of sale w/VIN number for the engine.

I know with cars titled as "Custom" under the newer laws it states that the vehicles that qualify (25+ years old) must meet the safety requirements of the vehicle they resemble.  I don't know if there would be similar requirements for the other categories of titles for home-built vehicles (such as "Assembled from Parts")...I would be dead in the water if the state required me to have ABS, airbags, whatever other safety equipment was standard when the 350Z convertibles came out.

Remember I'm no lawyer (but I am used to reading government specs) but from the way I read it, ASPT vehicles don't seem to have the requirement one way or the other if they need modern safety equipment. I would certainly install seat belts though.

That's the main reason I was so intent on getting my Locost titled as a "Replica". To eliminate the possibility that it might have to go through an emissions etc inspection if they reinstate the tests again.

 
So does anyone have an idea what the state really means by "Assembled from Parts" and what that would require for the project I have planned?

I looked at Fla Statute 319.30(1)(n and o) and the definition of "parts" etc is there. But it seems to be a carry over from older definitions and doesn't take into consideration that if you build a ASPT vehicle you would most likely not be using "crushed" or "flatted" parts. There is also some information at 319.30(7)(a)1. etc.
 
Hopefully next week I will make a trip to the local tag agency to see what they say.
What I found at my local DMV office is that the people are basically trying to help you title your creation but they don't want to make a major mistake and get in trouble with their bosses. The statues don't take all the variables into account and then it gets into the persons interpretation of what they read.

It helps if you can find wording in the statues that help you present the wording in your favor. So basically I would have as much paper work (bill of sales etc) for the major parts, including the metal for the frame etc. The thing to keep in mind is to act politely and professionally.

Author:  CMM83 [ May 24, 2011, 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Florida registration - non-traditional build

Thanks for the response.
 
The one thing that seems kind of rediculous to me about all this custom car business is that it seems the thing the state cares about the most, the body "shell", is really one of the least important aspects of a custom car build, from a performance/safety/environmental standpoint anyways.
 
I have an invoice from the shop I bought the engine from and there is the engine serial # stated which matches the number on my engine.  I don't have the VIN of the vehicle it was originally installed in, but I'm trying to track that down. 
 
I'm going to talk to the tag agency people later this week to see what they think about the documentation I currently have for my engine and ask some other questions about what I'm trying to build.  I printed out the "Statement of Builder" form (Form 84490) and I'm going to see if my interpretation of filling that out for ASPT matches what they think.
 
I'll report back with what they tell me.
 

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