Do I need a professional restoration?

Question:

I just happen to live in a state that makes it almost impossible to restore a salvaged vehicle. Supposedly they only allow certified inspectors, and designated restoration shops to re-title a salvage vehicle. Case in point, I have a 1957 with both VIN tags attached and it IDs that only around 7400 were made. It is barn fresh and I cannot restore it without paying a pro shop. I don’t have that kind of cash flow and it totally defeats the do-it-yourself car guy I am. Can you recommend any organizations or advice as to how I could obtain a title for my salvaged vehicle?

Answer:

I believe the applicable section of Illinois law that you are referring to defines a “rebuilt vehicle” as “a vehicle for which a salvage certificate has been issued and which subsequently has been put back into its original or operating condition by a licensed rebuilder and which has met all the requirements of a salvage vehicle inspection.” Assuming the 1957 vehicle that you possess has, in fact, been issued a salvage certificate, then it appears that it is supposed to be rebuilt by a “licensed rebuilder.” However, section 3304 of chapter 625 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS), which pertains to application for a motor vehicle title, states, “The applicant applying for a certificate of title for a rebuilt vehicle shall sign a written affirmation which states the following:

• 1. He personally rebuilt the vehicle, personally supervised its rebuilding or contracted for rebuilding with a licensed rebuilder;

• 2. He personally inspected the completed vehicle, and it complies with all safety requirements set forth in this Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of State;

• 3. The identification numbers of the rebuilt vehicle and its parts have not, to the knowledge of the applicant, been removed, destroyed, falsified, altered or defaced;

• 4. The salvage certificate or out-of-state title certificate attached to the application has not, to the knowledge of the applicant, been forged, falsified, altered or counterfeited; and

• 5. All information contained on the application and its attachments is true and correct to the knowledge of the applicant.”

Subsection #1 clearly seems to indicate that the applicant has the option to personally rebuild the vehicle. I am not providing you with legal advice here, but instead am pointing out that this section of the ILCS seems to indicate that you do not have to pay a licensed rebuilder to rebuild your collectible vehicle but instead can do it yourself. A lawyer is usually a good source for legal advice but before exploring that option I suggest you call the main Illinois DMV office at 800-2528980 and ask them for a clarification.