One thing to consider is that in order to produce a frame you will need to be able to produce a MCO (Manufacturers Certificate of Origin) for the customer. Getting the certificate will require you to get a VIN number, and there is a lot involved in that with the DOT. There is a whole bunch of regulatory hurdles to jump through, all of which SEMA can help you with for a price. I would say its at least $25,000 and hundreds of hours to just get the paperwork side of it going.

So you're saying every aftermarket frame manufacturer out there has one of these and provides to all buyers upon purchase?

I was just thinking the exact same thing.

Yes they are supposed to, per FMVSSA 49 CFR 567.7 as detailed in FMVSSA 49 CFR 568. .

From my understanding, that doesn't apply to classic/old cars. It's talking about new/newer cars. I highlighted that portion in red. The other statements are talking about cars manufactured on or after January 1, 2000. Our cars are waaay older than that. One other statement is talking about vehice weight exceeding the weight other than labeled. But, it's talking about passenger cars manufactured before Jan 1, 2000.


Title 49: Transportation
PART 567—CERTIFICATION


§ 567.7 Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.

A person who alters a vehicle that has previously been certified in accordance with §567.4 or §567.5, other than by the addition, substitution, or removal of readily attachable components such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting, or who alters the vehicle in such a manner that its stated weight ratings are no longer valid, before the first purchase of the vehicle in good faith for purposes other than resale, shall allow the original certification label to remain on the vehicle, and shall affix to the vehicle an additional label of the type and in the manner and form described in §567.4, containing the following information:

(a) The statement: “This vehicle was altered by (individual or corporate name) in (month and year in which alterations were completed) and as altered it conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards affected by the alteration and in effect in (month, year).” The second date shall be no earlier than the manufacturing date of the original vehicle, and no later than the date alterations were completed.

(1) In the case of passenger cars manufactured on or after January 1, 2000, the expression “safety, bumper, and theft prevention” shall be substituted in the statement for the word “safety”.

(2) In the case of multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) and trucks with a GVWR of 6,000 pounds or less manufactured on or after January 1, 2000, the expression “and theft prevention” shall be included in the statement following the word “safety”.

(b) If the gross vehicle weight rating or any of the gross axle weight ratings of the vehicle as altered are different from those shown on the original certification label, the modified values shall be provided in the form specified in §567.4(g) (3) and (5).

(c) If the vehicle as altered has a different type classification from that shown on the original certification label, the type as modified shall be provided.

[38 FR 15963, June 19, 1973, as amended at 43 FR 21891, May 22, 1978; 45 FR 18929, Mar. 24, 1980; 64 FR 38595, July 19, 1999]

When I get started I can post this as a new project.

As for the regulatory issues, I've done too many bad things to good cars to repent now.

These are regulations for manufacturing of new vehicles not rebuild or reconstruction.

Each state has their own rules for modifying or replacing frames. As a worst case scenario you can have the car re titled as an "Assembled Vehicle" and you just have to show the purchase of the body, frame and motor to get a new VIN issued to you. In Texas you can even have them put the year that the car looks like on the title. Then pass a safety inspection by a state trooper with the auto theft division.

-Russell