I am moving to Alabama from Georgia so I did some investigating.
http://www.ador.state.al.us/motorvehicle/Title_FAQ.html
Vehicle Title FAQs
What year model motor vehicles does the State of Alabama title?
Every 1975 and subsequent year model motor vehicle which is domiciled in Alabama and is required to be registered in Alabama is required to have an Alabama certificate of title
Where do I apply for an Alabama certificate of title?
Applications for Alabama certificate of title must be made through a Designated Agent of the Alabama Department of Revenue. Designated Agents include: County License Plate Issuing Officials, all licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealers, and some financial institutions located in Alabama such as banks and credit unions. An application for replacement title can be submitted directly to the Alabama Department of Revenue by the recorded owner(s) or lienholder.
What does it cost to make application for Alabama certificate of title.
The title application fee is $15.00 for each application for Alabama certificate of title. Designated agents shall add the sum of $1.50 as the commission for each document processed. County License Plate Issuing Officials may also collect an additional $1.50 commission for each application processed to defray the cost of processing and mailing title applications. Certain counties may also have local fees which are due when an application for title is processed by that County License Plate Issuing Official. Please contact the County License Plate Issuing Official to determine if any local fees apply.
What documents will I need to make application for Alabama certificate of title?
An applicant for Alabama certificate of title must surrender the following documents to the designated agent in order to complete an application for Alabama certificate of title: (a) the outstanding manufacturer's certificate of origin or certificate of title that is either in the applicant's name or assigned to the applicant and any documents which support the transfer of the vehicle to the applicant; (b) if the vehicle is currently registered in a jurisdiction which does not title such vehicles, the applicant must surrender the outstanding registration documents which substantiate ownership of the vehicle. Additional documentation may be required if it cannot be determined whether the vehicle meets federal and state safety, emissions and anti-theft standards.
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A designee of the Alabama Department of Revenue said the vehicle would show the model year as being the same year the vehicle is titled. Fortunately, Alabama does not have emission testing at this time.
I told the Alabama Department of Revenue that I would be building the frame from scratch and the major components would be from salvage vehicles. I was told that I needed the following:
1) Write a letter stating that I built this machine and frame myself and have it notarized.
2) Form INV 26-3
3) Bills of sale listing the donor VINs for the major assemblies.
4) $15 Money Order. (This is a Assembled Vehicle, not a Rebuilt Vehicle)
I was told that registration is not an issue once it is titled. One option of registering your 2007 car as a 1965 is listed below in Alabama Code, Section 40-12-290.
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/Code ... coatoc.htm
AL Dept. of Revenue titling info: 334-242 3012.
No one I spoke with could tell me exactly what safety criteria the Inspectors are looking for. The inspectors are State Patrol or the actual Designee of the Alabama Department of Revenue. The inspection is performed at the location of your choosing. Alabama does not have safety inspections however, the inspector told me the car must be complete.
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Section 40-12-290
Registration of vintage vehicle.
(a) Subject to the requirements of subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e), the owner of a motor vehicle which is herein defined as a "vintage vehicle", upon application to the judge of probate or commissioner of licenses on special application forms prescribed by the Commissioner of Revenue and the payment of a registration fee of ten dollars ($10), may register the vehicle as a "vintage vehicle" and procure therefor permanent license plates to be issued and displayed on the vehicle.
(b) Beginning October 1, 1996, the owner of a "vintage vehicle" which is owned and operated primarily as a collector's item may, upon satisfying the requirements of this subsection, register the vehicle as a "vintage vehicle." The owner shall apply to the judge of probate or county official authorized and required by law to issue license plates. The owner shall pay a registration fee of ten dollars ($10). Upon satisfying these requirements, permanent "vintage vehicle" license plates shall be issued and displayed on the vehicle.
(c)(1) The Commissioner of Revenue may make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer the provisions of this division.
(2) A vehicle using or displaying a "vintage vehicle" plate issued pursuant to this section shall not be used as a commercial vehicle, for transporting passengers or property, or for use as a service vehicle.
(3) "Vintage vehicle" license plates shall remain with the vehicle when sold or otherwise disposed of, and the new owner shall transfer the registration into his or her name in accordance with the provisions of Sections 40-12-260 and 40-12-261, if the vehicle will be operated in accordance with this section, and, if not, standard license plates shall be obtained.
(4) The owner of a vehicle displaying an antique license plate issued prior to October 1, 1996, if the vehicle is to be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall surrender the license plate and obtain the vintage vehicle license plate above authorized without payment.
(d) For the purpose of this section, a "vintage vehicle" is: (i) a private passenger automobile, truck or truck tractor which weighs not more than 26,000 pounds gross weight, motorcycle, or fire truck, (ii) over 30 years old, (iii) operated as a collector's item, including participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and not used for general transportation purposes, (iv) a vehicle having the original or substantially similar vehicle body, chassis, engine, and transmission as designated for that make, model, year, and age vehicle.
(e)(1) Effective October 1, 1997, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate, on the public highways of this state, a vehicle based in this state and displaying a vintage vehicle license plate not in compliance with subsections (b), (c), and (d). Any antique license plate or tag issued prior to October 1, 1996, shall become invalid on October 1, 1997.
(2) Any person violating this section shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), shall forfeit the vintage vehicle registration and plates issued to the owner for the respective vehicle, shall be liable for the regular registration fee and taxes for the vehicle, and shall be barred from applying for or holding a vintage vehicle registration for the respective vehicle for three years from the date of the violation. This penalty shall be in lieu of any other penalty specified in this chapter for this offense.