Motor vehicle designation for phaeton

T

thirty2ragtop

Junior Member
In looking at Chapter 30 of the California DMV Handbook, there is no designation for the typical Touring or Phaeton. They do offer a 3 door runabout which I believe responds to the old 3 door Model T touring where the drivers door was a raised edge on the outside but didn't really exist. I further located another website that show "TO" for Touring. Does anyone who actually has a Phaeton or Touring have any input on this? I would like to register my 29 phaeton, but would like the correct designation on the Title. Thanks for your help>
 
In Texas it would be 4-Dr Convert unless its an old Model T with 3 doors. It's pretty basic to most DMVs. The Runabout was generally the roadster type with only a front seat in the model T and earlier time frame but what do most DMVs know? Touring and phaeton likely don't mean much to the average DMV clerk unless you inform them.

My 1929 Sport Coupe just has 2-Dr on the Texas title. That would work for a lot of different model A type bodies but the DMV doesn't care.
 
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as time has passed, most dmvs have cut out cabriolet, roadster, coach, phaeton, box etc. for
2 dr. 4 dr ,conv and truck

my favorite is people asking for RPU- they never said that, just truck, box, express, delivery or pickup after 1940.
 
Just let CA DMV do their thing. If you try to tell them what it is they will figure it's something special and jack up your registration.
They may require that you get a brake and lamp check before they register it. They also may give it an assigned number and not use the number on the block.
If your chassis and engine do match try to get them to use that. DMV will probably send you to CHP for the VIN verification.

Since you don't seem to have a title you'll need to show them receipts for all the major parts and they will tax you on the total investment minus any tax you've already paid. They won't issue a title for an incomplete car.
 
Hello, when I bought my 31 roadster it was marked as a convertible on the title, Pennsylvania still lists roadster as a title registration, so I had it corrected to that .My 1971 MGB is listed as a roadster also but it is actually a convertible.
 
I collect titles.......

today I recd one from 1929 for a studebaker

it is marked "closed" so it could be a sedan, a coupe a vicky or?

things werent always clear in the past and the same applies today.
 
As long as the description is generic enough to fit, just let DMV call it whatever they want. Trying to get it changed may open a can of worms. Probably the only time it might matter is if there is absolutely no way it fits, and law enforcement gets involved because of a wreck, ticket, etc.

I bought a new pickup and registered it as such. When we moved to another state, the title came back as a Carryall! :confused: It stayed that way for several years until we moved to a third state where it was corrected.
 
Why not call it a convertible and everyone will be happy. I’m sure DMV is not about to dispute it ! Wayne
 
Remember rule #1 at a California DMV, the more you say the deeper the hole you dig for yourself

Hand 70. to AAA and never go. they do it all! only in Cali
 
I quit using AAA when they could not do a family transfer because of the "year of manufacture plate"
Took it to a private service for regerstration, done in 5 min.
 
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