Title FFR in Illinois says "rebuilt"

[tfreed]

Hi All,
I'm right on the edge of buying a FFR Roadster. I know the guy who helped build it. He's had it for 10 years.

I took a look at the title. It has F5xxx serial number as the VIN number. In IL, we're supposed to apply for an official VIN # when we build a rod or kit. Then they call it "Custom Vehicle".

This one says year-1965, Make- COBRA, NO model name, body style- 2 DOOR.

All that's fine, then it says MILEAGE NOT REQUIRED, **REBUILT** THAT's what bothers me.

Throughout my life, when I've seen that- it means it's been totalled or salvaged, then rebuilt.

More importantly is- no IL dealer could ever sell such a car, and most people I know wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole because of the "REBUILT" aspect.

DMV is closed today, but I was going to try to talk to them about it.

I wanted to see if you guys have heard of such a thing, is it just the lay of the land? Does anyone really care if it comes time for ME to part with it later on? Will it be hard to get insurance on? Not sure.

I don't have the build sheet, I don't have the original kit receipt, nor do I have info on the donor engine's car. I don't have anything really other than the title to prove to the DMV that I just didn't find it someplace. It does have current IL Antique Vehicle Licence plate on it.

Thanks if anyone has any thoughts on this.
Tim

[Jhinkemeyer]

For what it is worth, my FFR titled in 2021 in Illinois has a VIN assigned by the secretary of state. It begins with SOS, 6 numbers, and ends in ILL. For example "SOS 123 456 ILL". They riveted it to the frame (actually I did, under the officer's supervision), with special engraved rivets they provide. They did not use the FFR frame number for the VIN.

All that to say that no, I do not think that is normal (at least as of 4 or 5 years ago when I went through the process) for an FFR to have to be titled as rebuilt or anything like that in this state.

[Al_C]

I agree with Jhinkmeyer. I don't think it is normal, either. My Illinois title says title type: original. Under "legend(s)", it says mileage not required. That's it. Nothing else. It will be interesting to hear what the Secretary of State office says.

[tfreed]

Thanks for the confirmation guys. I'm going to head to the DMV tomorrow to see what they could say. I have a feeling when the guy built it, he took his stuff to the DMV- answered whatever questions the guy/gal wanted answered so he could get on his merry way the fastest.
The assigned VIN, officially riveted makes the most sense. I have a feeling that's what I'm going to have to fumble through. Was there an inspection that needed to take place first?

[Al_C]

Yes, if the car was built in Illinois, there would have been a visit by an inspector. That individual would have attached the VIN plate somewhere on the frame. Mine is on the two inch piece under the dash, just to the right of center.

[CraigS]

I had a completely different situation w/ the Va DMV when I moved there from Va. My recommendation is just keep saying may I speak to your supervisor. I did that at the DMV office until I got to the manager and realized that no one at that level had authority to do anything other than standard procedure. I was nice as could be which was hard to do, but I was pretty sure I'd be dealing with those people again. The DMV had an org chart on their website so I emailed the head of the 'Branding" department in the capital. A few emails back and forth and he made the change I needed.

[Ed Mc]

Illinois is supposed to inspect the car, but not always. I titled my car December of 2019, took everything including the required pictures to the DMV office, paid the fees and was told they would call for the inspection. A few weeks later, surprise, the license plates showed up in the mail, then the next week the title using the chassis number as the VIN was in the mail. After being transferred around between the Sec of State and State police (who does the inspection) they determined the title I have is a clean title and the VIN is in fact the chassis number and no inspection would be performed even though I asked to have them come out so I can get the official plate.

Not having a 17 digit VIN was questioned by the insurance company but they did accept the one issued on the title.

[Robodent]

Illinois can be hit or miss on title subject meaning who you talk to at the dmv. I bought an untouched kit from someone in Michigan and the certificate of origin was in his name in Michigan. Long story short I had to apply for a bonded title yea I know it sounds scary but not really it’s a insurance policy that if someone comes and says it’s theirs within five years it’s yours. I have a bill of sale from the widow etc. the Secretary of State did come to my house and inspect my build checked the block # and the trans # to make sure they were not stolen . They did assign a vin # and use the special rivets whit the state of Illinois outline etched in the center of the rivets. This special rivet is your golden ticket to resale. My title is an original title As far as the rebuilt title I’d be skeptical maybe the donor parts weren’t verified if they were stolen or not and they just jammed it thru titling it as rebuilt. If you could come up with a copy of the original certificate of origin and proof of where all the parts came from maybe you could get it straightened out in Springfield. I don’t think you will be able to get any straight answers from your local dmv . Good luck. Keep us posted on what happens. Rob