Registering in TX? Partially registered out of state

[evblazer]

Hi Y'all. My wife has loved the sterling for decades ever since that cannon ball II movie. Somehow one came for sale through the electric vehicle discussion list and I didn't think much of it but she saw it and I found out that she loved the sterling! So on the lookout for a while now. Reading far too much worrying about never being able to register one or get new glass (possibly limited to sebring models) etc.

Ok I think I may have found a Sterling for my wife in a color she'd love. It matches her catrike (recumbent tricycle) in color and is a sterling with the rear fins just like the movie.
It is in California which is no biggee and is drivable which is good. Problem is while it has a VIN stamped on it and is most of the way through the process in CA it doesn't have plates. The vehicle was inherited so no real receipts and has never been registered.
I'm thinking my only option is to find out if I can help register the car out there and then purchase it registered? Of course the VIN it has and in process title is for a 2010 special build so I may need to somehow get it to pass emissions here even though exempt in CA. *nothing to see*
I'm still trying to figure out the new laws in TX but after having to ditch a motorcycle build because I used a frame I didn't have a receipt or a title for but bought from a scrapyard I'm somewhat chicken about the whole thing. There is a sebring turbo for sale close by which is complete but not registered. If it was so easy why haven't these folks taken that little step hm.

 

[letterman7]

Welcome to the forums! I wouldn't think that registration would be the issue - it would be the title. I've bought unregistered cars before and as long as the title was valid there was no issue, since it would have to be re-registered in your state anyway. If you think you've found the one you want and Texas needs it registered, see if the seller would complete the registration for you for the cost involved. Nobody else can do that unless they bought the car first, registered it, then transferred it to you by selling it yet again. A lot of paperwork for something that probably doesn't need to be done.

I try to keep the marketplace page up to date on the national registry if you want to try something closer, or give Greg Hampton a call (his number listed here on the forum - look up user unofun) as he has several cars already registered and titled he's looking to sell. He's in Oregon, though, so keep that in mind.

Rick

 

[evblazer]

Thanks I'll try that. I found this one off of the self craigslist search on the marketplace. My wife thought I bought the zanesville sebring when it dropped off craigslist one day and after a week or two mentioned it and was pretty dissapointed :worried:

Right now the Encinitas car as far as I understand is in limbo as far as title and registration and till recently I always saw them as the same but am slowly finding the difference. Someone with more experience or a more lenient state probably would be ok. One thing if I understand correctly what a few DMV folks in TX have said and a few other forums on different kit cars is since the vehicle in question has a 2009 or 2010 VIN nbr in california that means it is considered in Texas as built during those years and would need to match a 2010 emmissions which may be an issue. I might continue the search starting with your leads.

Thanks again.

Oh and in case anyone is near Encinitas, CA here is the listing.
1977 sterling kit car

 

[thestevie]

At least your wife wants it. You have half the battle already won.

 

[groundflyer]

There is a sebring turbo for sale close by which is complete but not registered. If it was so easy why haven't these folks taken that little step hm.

The registerion on my turbo is under my name just have not put the tags on it If I selling why spend money for insurance and tags because once it sold The person has 10 days to put in there name Its as easy as registering a bug

 

[evblazer]

Thank you for the reply groundflyer that makes some sense. Rereading that last sentence I apoligize if it sounded pointed at you it was poor combination of two thoughts in the end of rambling and incorrectly combined registering/titling.

I have seen some other cars or talked to owners over the phone where they didn't have documentation or were stuck and couldn't pass some step with their own DMV due to paper problems or conditions of their vehicle which is where I have been in the past so I'm a little overly afraid of a certain condition of car.
I guess I have another DMV problem (in another state) which may explain some of my reluctance. In my youth I got a nice TR7 "project" all it needed was the dash put back on *whaah* and yes that was far from all it needed. So I put it back on and had trouble getting it even started with the DMV because it was a third party title and it didn't have the original bill of sale to the guy who sold it to me. Tried a few times at different offices they all refused and I couldn't get it or anything from the prior owner. This was before the internet so it was me and the DMV and that was all I had. Someone I knew suggested I just forge one which I really didn't want to do and by that point I was so sick of the whole thing so it was given away. I don't think it ever got on the road the next owner had some problems with the DMV and it ended up being a parts car.
Sadly I have others, not counting ones I've read, so I may just be being a bit unrealistic I guess but I just can't get a car for my wife that ends up a lawn ornament or I'm toast.

If the local office isn't just trying to scare me off or just doesn't know they say the following, which seems to be supported by the online info but it may be how one interprets it. I hope I'm wrong but for now this is what I'm going on.
If it is special constructed vehicle title it is ok except it is treated as the constructed year for emissions and I have emissions in this county. Go to local valvoline shop with a bunch of teenagers that will most likely just pass it no problem. Cakewalk?
If the title is of the original vehicle they want all the receipts (I think bill of sale might pass but no guarantee) for the kit and added parts. It would then be titled as a 2012 Special and have to pass emissions as a 2012 vehicle. Problem is in that case I have to go to some special county inspector place to have them go over it. A little more intense but if everything is in order just a little more work if everything doesn't go well I get stuck and have an angry spouse. The emissions does concern me a bit though.

I don't think I'll ever drive the car except to check things mechanically. I'll be wedged in really tight if I can even fit depending on the model I get *nothing to see*