[OLDYELLER'55]

I have a long complicated problem. My father purchased a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor. It was restored in Texas back in 1993. It changed about four different owners in Texas and then was sold to a guy in Colorado. My father then purchased it from the owner in Colorado. Now mind you this car has been titled and passed inspections in two different states already. When my father brought the car home and took it to get inspected, the Kansas DMV said it didn't pass inspection, red flagged his vin number, and sent him home. The reason.... the car no longer has it's orginial engine which by some book states that was the ONLY place for a 1929 to have the vin number. Since the car has a Chevy engine, and the interior wasn't restored back to looking from the 20's era, it doesn't have the orginial style wheels, fiberglass fenders BUT it IS the orginal steel 1929 body NOT chopped or channeled. Have you ever heard of a DMV being so picky??? They are wanting to delete his orginal vin number and give him a new one and rename the car a 2007 Modified Streetrod. Which also means he'll be forced to pay "new" vehicle taxes on an antique car. So far my father has found FOUR places on the car where we are assuming the Texas DMV required and installed when the car was restored and put back on the road back in 1993. Theres even a place on the intake manifold where the vin number is stamped and also the date 04/93 is stamped right next to it. I don't understand why it won't pass inspection and if they issue a new vin which they said will be placed on the inner door jam. So how will the car in the future pass inspections if it is bearing two different vin numbers all over it???? I can't imagine anyone being interested in purchasing a 1929 knowing the title says 2007 and will be hit with new car tax values. My father has lost ALOT of sleep over this whole ordeal and is just SICK thinking he has wasted ALOT of his hard earned money. I'm very dissapointed that he is having to go through this with his first hotrod. I fear this will sour him from wanting to own a classic car. I've never heard of people having such problems. I don't understand how a state would think that a over 70 year old car would still posses its orginal engine which couldn't be street legal today since it was manufactured to max out at 40MPH. This car is NOT a radical drastically changed streetrod. If anyone has any info, names or phone numbers to big wig important Kansas people who write these rules and regulations that could shed some light on the matter it would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!! I have scoured the internet trying to print off the Kansas guidlines for considering a car antique or modified or whatever but all I get is fague basic rules and it pretty much just tells you to get the DMV inspection approval to get it titled and tagged. PLEASE HELP!!!! I have attached a picture of my Dads new ride....providing he doesn't have to take it back and ask for a refund since its not worthy to get tagged and titled in Kansas.

[Frisco]

I have heard of this situation concerning registering an older vehicle in Kansas before.

I don't have an answer for you but here is a link to another persons similar (same) problem.

I hope it helps.

Kansas registration problems

It is lengthy, but read thru it all. You might try contacting the original poster for more info.

[slvrbllt]

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61681

Might try getting a hold of one of the legislators from
kansas at that link.Maye they can help you out.

[pasadenahotrod]

The Texas DMV certainly did not require the VIN to stamped all over the car and certainly not with a date!
The builder of this hotrod, knowing the original engine number was the VIN chose to stamp this number all over the place rather than discretely on top of the frame rail by the firewall or on the firewall itself.
Kansas, like Calipornia, has a governemnt interested in MONEY from the taxpayers and the more the better. I have heard many stories about about Kansas DMV nightmares, all of which were cured by more MONEY. The car being registered as a current year steert rod doesn't affect the value at all, this will soon be the rule rather than the exception in streetrods across the country. Where governments smell MONEY and potential fraud there they go with open coffers to be filled.

[Frisco]

Sad thing is if the car had a Kansas title already it would not even need to be looked at.

OLDYELLER'55 Just FYI the original Ford serial number (that the car was originally titled with) was stamped on the drivers side of the block and on the top of the frame just behind where the original rear engine mount was attached to the frame. The number on the frame is not visible unless the body is removed. Some folks will stamp the original serial numbers on the frame just in front of the firewall so that it is visible. This is illegal to do in most states unless authorized by the state. Best to check on this as a possibility.

For Early Ford Serial Number Info

You might also check your states Antique Auto Clubs or Model A Ford Club for help.

[302 Z28]

Contact the NSRA (National Streetrod Association) reps in your state or near you and seek their advice. The NSRA has been working with a number of states for exceptions for streetrods. You may have gotten hold of a real #$%hole.

Vince

[KULTULZ]

From- -KS Custom Built Car Registration-

One might wonder, at first glance, why it is so important to keep track of your paperwork, make sure that everything you purchase matches the numbers listed on the receipt or invoice without exception and why it can be so difficult to register a custom-built vehicle. Why does the DMV make it so hard on those of us who make custom cars for a living or as a hobby?

Sadly, it has to do with the million and more motor vehicles that are stolen each year in the United States. In order to protect consumers, cut down on auto theft and put a damper on the multi-million dollar stolen parts business, the DMV, along with the Kansas Motor Vehicle Enforcement (MVE) program conducts of the Kansas Highway Patrol, make inspections on certain types of vehicles before they are determined eligible for a title and registration in Kansas.

Inspections

Here is a list of the vehicles in Kansas that are required to undergo a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection before being titled and registered:

• The title of the vehicle originated in a state other than Kansas or it came from a foreign country
  
• The vehicle in question has been built, restored, or reconstructed using parts from more than one vehicle
  
• There is a question as to the validity of the VIN

The inspections are conducted by members of the Kansas Highway Patrol. If your car passes inspection, you will receive a Vehicle Inspection Form (MVE-1) that will confirm that the vehicle's VIN is correct and genuine, and that it does agree with the number shown on your title.

All of the above makes sense to me, except...

The replacement of the frame. If one has a collision damaged pickup and the frame is replaced, one does not have to change registration. As long as the frame change is documented (receipt), the vehicle VIN should remain the same, not a new vehicle (common sense). The drivetrain should have no bearing (as long as you have documentation) (to prevent use of stolen parts).

It appears as a good faith law that went a little over bounds. You will most likely have to contact your representative and go from there (under SEMA-SAN URL in above post).

[redsdad]

Having lived there for over 20 years, Kansas isn't that bad. The law is written to prevent the state from becoming a dumping ground for stolen cars. Other states can have that privilege.

I am glad to hear that the HP is doing the inspections now. When I moved there, it was a private contract job. I usually like private contracting as it is more efficient. For VIN inspection, it left a lot to be desired. The Kansas HP is a much better choice than the guy that did my inspections. IIRC, my wife had to call me and I had to relay through her to the inspector as to where the VIN was.

All that being said, there will be cars that have problems. I think this should be a lesson to everyone that documentation is a must and it's only going to get tighter as emissions and thefts become more of an issue.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by redsdad

All that being said, there will be cars that have problems.

I think this should be a lesson to everyone that documentation is a must and it's only going to get tighter as emissions and thefts become more of an issue.

I agree. Actually, the vehicle is far from OEM. It is actually not what you are attempting to title.

Now had all of the upgrades been documented and that documentation went with the car, you would have a different argument. By TX and CO (or the previous owners) having stamped VIN Nos. on the frame asm. does not make it legal in all states. Here in MD, one must go through the same song and dance, MSP must verify the vehicle, then you go to the MVA. By MSP affixing a new VIN plate, the car becomes somewhat legal (at that point) (not all states may honor that plate).

By there being no Federal Regulation across the states, it makes for one heck of a busines moving questionable cars (but then again, I would not like to lose all options)...

[redsdad]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

By there being no Federal Regulation across the states, it makes for one heck of a busines moving questionable cars (but then again, I would not like to lose all options)...

If you are saying what I think you are saying, I agree wholeheartedly. I am a big Tenth Amendment person myself. As difficult as it may be to move from state to state with a questionable car, I would rather deal with that than more intrusion by the federal government.

[hon_jr]

Old thread, so the issue may have been resolved... But, you can often just have the car inspected at a different location by a different inspector. Just because the VIN was "flagged" doesn't mean the next inspector is going to be so hard-nosed about it. Often, just going to an inspection place in the next county gets you a Hi-Po with a different attitude. (Kansas allows you to register your vehicle in any county that is handy: it doesn't have to be your home county!) Often, a different inspector (plus a pleasant attitude) can get you approval! Good luck!