How to title a hot rod

Reconstructed vehciles normally refer to a salvage (junked) vehicle which has been reconstructed but the original title was declared "salvaged".  These vehicles must meet the safety standards which applied in the year the vehicle was originally built.  Because of their unique nature (having a "salvaged title") most hot rods will NOT be titled under this category.  Some rodders also avoid this category because of the required state safety inspection.

     B) MOTORIZED HOMEMADE VEHICLES are defined as follows:

The Homemade Vehicle category is the most difficult of all the categories because  it requires that the vehicle pass the safety requirements for the year the vehicle was COMPLETED - not the year it might replicate or mimic. For example, if the car was completed in 2006, it would have to meet the exact same safety and pollution standards as a 2006 Lexus. Most rodders avoid this category like the plague.

     C) STREET MODIFIED VEHICLES are defined as follows:

By its very definition, this is the category most hot rods fit into.  In order to title a vehicle in this category the owner must file [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855]. This is a surprisingly simple PDF form which designates the VIN, year, model and weight of the car along with your name and address. Most notably this form also serves as a "self affirmation" that the vehicle meets all applicable state safety requirements. In the case of Street Modified and Replica vehicles, the applicable safety requirements are those that were in effect IN THE YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED.  Thus, if you have a 1932 Ford, you must meet the safety requires that were in effect in 1932.  There is no state safety inspection required for vehicles in this category.  It should be noted, however, that state or local police CAN cite you for safety violations if they should stop you and determine you are not in compliance.  In the event this happens, the owner needs to be intimately familiar with the state code governing these vehicles.   

 

 

 

     D) REPLICA VEHICLES are defined as follows:

The Replica Vehicle category is quite similar to the Street Modified category but applies when the builder has purchased the major components (body, chassis, etc) new from an after market manufacturer rather than assembling older parts from original vehicles.  In many cases these manufacturers will supply a certification of construction along with a bill of sale.  In most cases, however, these vehicles will not have a VIN and the owner will have to follow the process for obtaining a VIN as described below.

 

Replica Vehicles do not require a state safety inspection.  Instead, the owner will complete [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855] to "self certify" that the vehicle meets all required safety standards.  As with Street Modified vehicles, the applicable safety standards are those for the year the car replicates.  For example, if you have 1932 Ford kit car, it must meet the safety requirements in place during 1932.

In the event your vehicle does not have a VIN you will need to have the state assign one.  Unfortunately, there are no directions on the WDOT web site to do this and very little in the state regulations. However, Curt Rymkus, who sat on the state legislative committee which wrote the original Hobby Plate legislation, as well as all of the updates to those regulations, offers a solution. In a 2006 interview, he said that the process for obtaining a VIN for a street rod or hot rod is as follows:

a) Fill out and submit [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855] to the state DOT office.  Include a written notation that the vehicle requires a new VIN.

b)  The State office of DOT "should" respond with a request for copies of your receipts for all major components of the vehicle (engine, trans, body, frame etc.).  This information is to insure that applicable sales taxes have been paid for all of your components.  Copy and submit these receipts.   

c)  Once the receipts are submitted, the state DOT "should" respond by sending you a state assigned VIN already stamped on a metal plate.

Please note that antique and collector cars, cars which are stock, restored or minimally modified,  are titled and licensed under different regulations than hot rods. For more information, see [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/collecto.htm Wisconsin Antique and Collector Cars Regulations].