Good times with the California DMV

[deckofficer]

I thought jumping through the hoops would be required to register my Track-T. But with the car titled as a 1923, all they needed to see was the original VIN on the frame. No smog check, no turn signals, no horn, no wiper, nothing was needed on the car that wasn't on it in 1923. One lane over, someone else was registering an out of state late model car, and they checked everything from 4 way flashers to defroster, shoulder belts, horn, even proper fuel cap and of course the dreaded smog check. Life is good if you have a 1923 title.

 

[GizmoJoe]

That's great! :scream:
But (showing my ignorance here..) I didn't think Ts had VINs stamped on the frame....

 

[clamper]

That's great! :scream:
But (showing my ignorance here..) I didn't think Ts had VINs stamped on the frame....

When I sand blasted my 1926 frame I found the vin # stamped into top of each frame rail just in front of the cowl. The vin # on mine is only six numbers and they were very faint. After painting I can't see them anymore, but if need be I do know where they are.

 

[Telman2]

That's great! :scream:
But (showing my ignorance here..) I didn't think Ts had VINs stamped on the frame....

I imagine each state is different but here in Illinois when I registered mine back in 1968 they assigned me a VIN and I stamped it into the frame.

Being titled as a 1923 Ford I only have to meet the requirements that were in place in 1923 except for one catch-22. If I want to take any of my grandchildren for a ride they have to be belted in so I installed seat belts.

 

[409T]

I thought jumping through the hoops would be required to register my Track-T. But with the car titled as a 1923, all they needed to see was the original VIN on the frame. No smog check, no turn signals, no horn, no wiper, nothing was needed on the car that wasn't on it in 1923. One lane over, someone else was registering an out of state late model car, and they checked everything from 4 way flashers to defroster, shoulder belts, horn, even proper fuel cap and of course the dreaded smog check. Life is good if you have a 1923 title.

In the past the California DMV hasn't paid too much attention to registration of hot rods, but they are now getting a little more excited about it. This is a DMV amnesty year in California, when that runs out on Jan. 1 things may change. From what I have read, kit cars that became "restorations" of other vehicles and hence registered as 1923's or some other such year may be in jeopardy of fines or possibly impound. I'd like to think that I am wrong here, so if someone has any contrary information, please let us know.

Jeff