<<It would seem to me that it would be illegal to do this as has been stated
here on the list. Yet I would think there has to be a way to title the car
legally of course it probably wouldn't have a "MG" VIN. How else would the
owner of a kit car, get a title?>>
U.S. State laws vary, but in a nutshell there are several categories.
A true "kit car" built from scratch is typically assigned a
VIN by the state. Most places, the year of the engine dictates
the required safety and/or emissions.
A kit car built on the chassis of a production car (like a dune
buggy on a VW pan) uses the VIN and title of the pan and called
"rebodied"... or sometimes can be classified as a true kit car as above.
It usually depends which method is easiest in the given state.
(But be aware: usually it's _much_ easier to get insurance on
a "rebodied" car than a kit car... that may be a bigger part
of the decision than the title!)
Street rods are typically titled as a rebodied "34 Ford" or
whatever, assuming they use the original car's chassis. Otherwise
they fall into the "kit car" category above.
Most states have procedures to research a VIN without a title and to
help you obtain a title for it. Some of these are very expensive
and/or cumbersome and are often ignored. (This is where the
"title companies" in Hemmings come in. $150 or so will "buy"
you a title if the car is sufficiently old _and_ does not
show up as stolen.)
In reality, you will see these guidelines applied in many ways,
often illegally. Be aware, if you're like some of us who typically
sell a couple (or more) cars a year, if you're ever caught with anything
questionable, the state will be on you forever! (Even having
an "open title" signed by the last owner but not submitted to the
state is illegal.) In states with tight emission tests, the risks
are higher as everything's tracked VIN.
My advice: find out the specific laws in your area (many states
have the info posted on the web) and make an informed decision.
Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI
Several "real" cars and a 30-yr old untitled "kit car"
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