New member with CA registration question

Senna's dad has a nice car! Welcome to the madness! Your madness begins right now.

It won't be long before one of our Cali. brothers gets you the info you need to get on the road.  There are a few experts out there who can help. If you have your paper work you may want to start 1/2/2014.

Some starting places:

<cite class="vurls">home.thegrid.net/~ffr4776/SB100_Registration.pdf</cite>‎

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm

Senna's dad - Awesome car! Welcome to The Madness (otherwise known as Speedster/Spyder replica ownership)! Lots of bang for the buck!

If you're in SoCal, check the 'Events' thread for an upcoming cruise through Malibu and Channel Island Marina (Rudder Room in Ventura). We're meeting in malibu on Jan 25th. Hope to see you there. Meanwhile, enjoy the ride! 

Thanks for the replies guys, the DMV process doesn't look like much fun.

I don't think you could have picked a better time for SB100 in California! Good luck, there are quite a few who know what to do. Look for Barry(Goofycat) or Larry Jowdy to respond, they both know the drill, and can help you.

Welcome!

With an out-of-state titled car, the California registration using SB100 (specialty construction) is much easier if your car has at least 7500 miles on the odometer.  The rest of the process is fairly straightforward: get one of the 500 numbers allotted for that calendar year, go to California CHP for a VIN attachment and to prove parts aren't stolen, then go to a smog referree, then register.  You can Google California SB100 to get lots of info.  The Cobra guys' sites are very informative.  Best of luck and please let others know your experience.  I did it in Jan. 2013 and it was not too bad.

Thanks again, I just got through reading your other posts on the subject; regarding the case of the madness, I'm afraid I was afflicted long before I bought this car.

Hi Senna's dad,

I'm sure your friends call you something different.  Perhaps you would like to share your name.  I have quite a bit of info on SB100, but I don't want to bore everyone else.  If you want to discuss this further, PM me: infoatnakiafiji.com. 

That is a nice looking car! Congratulations and welcome. Please keep us posted of your progress and ultimate success.

So I went to my local DMV on Wednesday, spent about 15 minutes with the inspector; he came back and gave me a referral form to go to the CHP to be assign a new VIN then come back to the DMV to finish the registration. Am I only two appointments away from getting a California registration? Seems like there should also be a required smog check certificate, but that was not mentioned.

Did you get your SB100 sequence number while you were there?

The SB100 number was not mentioned, so I played dumb and didn't ask.  However, I did ask if the procedures given to me by the DMV inspector was all that was needed and he replied yes. 

You need to register it under the SB100 program which will exempt your car from the smog process. The DMV will register your car, that's not the problem. The problem will be when you get your registration in the mail telling you that you need your car smogged. These engines will not pass smog.

I see, when I go back to the DMV after the CHP I'll ask for my SB.

Thanks for the tip.

It all depends on what kind of chassis your car is built on. If it's a custom built chassis you definitely need the SB100. If it's on a VW chassis they usually will register it as a VW, and you will not need to get the SB100. Good luck! Your car looks GREAT!!!!

The VIN number listed on the eBay listing, is for a late model 1974 VW, October/November.

Thanks guys, I was told the VIN plate is actually from a 1956 Porsche type 356.

The chassis and body is from Chamonix in Brazil and assembled by Fibersteel.

Senna's dad, I have sent you a dialog.

The VIN on my Beck Spyder was located on the left rear frame horn extension, under the spare tire's normal location.....   Hope this helps...

Senna's dad,

Just be glad that you're not registering your Spyder in Connecticut.

The personal property tax on a 356 VIN would knock your sox off!

The Oregon title on my VS identified it as a "1957 Porsche" with "Replica' in a little comment box near the bottom of the certificate... which wasn't noted in the new registration. So my town tax assessment was based on the Blue Book value of a classic vintage Porsche...ouch!

The disinterested state DMV wanted big, big bucks to shuffle through their archives to recover the Oregon certificate and correct the mistake. Fortunately I live in a small chummy town, where nearly everyone is on nodding acquaintance, and am able to have the tax collector "adjust" the annual assessment.

Senna's Dad;

I hate to ask the obvious...have you asked Fibersteel for help with the registration?  They only made a handful of these and being based in Calif. they must have gotten involved in some manner with the original/registration, for those cars staying in Calif?

Art

If the current title says anything other than VW you are looking at potential problems getting it registered in California.  I'm not saying that it can't be done, but potentially you will need an SB100, which won't be cheap.

Personally, I won't buy a car from out of state unless it is registered as a VW in the state it is coming from.

The same issues apply to many other states as well.  Buyer beware.

The car is does not have a VW VIN because it's not built on a VW pan.

I have spoken to Russ at Fibersteel and he has given me the same advice I've read from prior posts.

I guess I'll proceed to the CHP and then the DMV to see what transpires; I keep you guys informed.

Again, thanks for all your tips.

New VIN plates (small silver aluminum) are readily available ($8.75 for Reutter from Klasse356).  DMV is looking for the "stamped in the chassis" official number.  The 356 was a unibody car unlike the removable "chassis" VW pan so near impossible to reuse the 356 under body.  Although most Speedsters use a VW pan - only a few Spyders do.  You need to post some interior/under body shots to determine basis for your car. 

Also Sierra Madre Collection has a similar VIN Plate, but for $14.15. I don't think they come with the rivets but Sierra Madre also has those.

Greg, it looks like a Vintage Spyder to me. No pan, just custom mid-engine frame and a VW beam, motor and trans. Coilover rear suspension so no torsion tube in the back. So pretty much go with SB100 in Cali.

Wendler made the original bodies so a data plate from there would be a nice touch instead of Reutter.

I found a serial number stamped on the frame between the seats near the firewall.  The chassis is tube frame as can be seen in these photos.

Oops, not a Vintage Spyder, so either Beck or Thunder Ranch. They do have the torsion tube, so possibly carry a VW vin. My mistake.

So I went down to my local CHP office two weeks ago with an appointment with a nice officer, whom looked over my paper work from the DMV, checked the serial number stamped on the chassis frame (which matched the one stamped on a Porsche VIN ID plate) and signed off on the inspection – it took all of 15 minutes.

Last week I took the above CHP signed DMV form back to the DMV, this time it took about 45 minutes and the nice lady wrote a number on the form to take to the BAR station to get my smog exemption.  I think I’m almost done with one more trip back to the DMV.

So were you ever issued a SB100 sequence number?

I was given a SEQ#2014103, I presume that's the ticket;

I think I only have one trip to the BAR station and then back to the DMV.

Yes that's your SB-100 Sequence number. (the 103rd issued for the year 2014)

You are well on the way!

Nice...you are on your way!!!

Hi all, I'm another new CA based member looking for some help in registering an out of state VS. Buying a Speedster is an itch that I have been meaning to scratch for quite a while and just over a week ago I purchased a VS Speedster from Park Place Ltd in Bellevue. I haven't collected the car yet as I am told that the Statement of Origin will take approx. 4-6 weeks to arrive (another story!). This is the car:

http://www.parkplaceltd.com/sp...al_~ExteriorColor_/1

To be honest I was completely oblivious about the potential pitfalls of registering an out-of state car in CA. I'm now a bit more enlightened although my head is spinning from the range of different views/experiences that I have seen on the forums. The car is titled as a pre-1974 VW in WA but I understand from recent postings it appears that it is no longer acceptable to register the car in CA using the VW VIN. As the car only has circa 550 miles on the clock I was also getting very concerned that I wouldn't be able to successfully use the SPCN/SB100 process, until I read Senna's recent post about his experience.

Senna, what you have just been through is the closest experience I have found to my own situation. Can you let me know which DMV/CHP offices you used to register your Spyder? I am in North California but if I'll be happy to travel if it means the difference between success and failure!

Sorry to post yet another lengthy post on this topic but you’re your advice has clearly helped a number of newbies successfully navigate through this process and I appreciate the opportunity to tap into your collective wisdom! Best Chris

Hi Chris,

The best advice I can give you is to keep your cool.  Specialty construction registration is only a TINY % of vehicle registrations in CA.  There are about 35,000,000 registered vehicles in CA, and only about 3,000 vehicles have registered with SB100 or specialty construction. 

That tiny percentage means that only a very few DMV folks have any experience with the process.  It can be done, and it's lots easier if you stay focused and polite.  It worked for me, even though I was refused initally.  I gave the manager my cell number, and she called later in the day to invite me back to complete the process.  Please keep the group informed as you go through the steps.  It helps those who will use the process in the future.

Thanks Jim, I definitely picked up the importance of courtesy and patience from previous threads so I will take your advice.

Chris;

I am not so sure that you can not register, this car with your WA. state VW title.  The only unknown for me, is if CA. DMV, inspects cars from out of state. Obviously if they do, then that blue beauty, does not look like any 1974 VW.

The SPCN, is certainly the best way to go, just a little extra work.

California, does inspect cars from out of state. they want vin# that is physically on car to match vin# on title. It could be a dune buggy or speedster on a vw chassis. they don't care what it looks like as far as the "body". I just registered two vehicles from WA state into Cali (not replicas) but was told by inspector that this was the process for out of state transfer by the nice lady inspector and that included a replica or a dune buggy on a vw titled car.

Hi Chris:

I think Jim’s sage advice is helpful in any situation.

I don’t think you’ll need to travel far from home for the registration process, I simply picked the DMV and CHP locations closest to me since I’m still having issues with my clutch on my Spyder.   Fortunately for me, the Santa Monica DMV employees knew about the specialty car registration and the appointment  went smoothly;  several inspectors came out to look and chat about the car.

I had put my 11-99 plate frame on the car – I don’t know how much that helped at the CHP inspection station but the appointment took less time than it was to drive there.

I went for my appointment at the referee station a few weeks ago for the smog exemption certificate but their state wide network was down so I couldn’t complete my penultimate step. 

I’ll keep everyone updated on my progress. 

Chris

If your new tub is a VS then it is pan based and has a VIN number in the usual place between the seats toward the rear seating area, if you are a member of the AAA club,

you can register at your local office and eliminate the DMV altogether.

I have done this many times....The VIN is the only important factor, and all VS tubs have a VIN in this location....

Thanks Guys for your advice. As the car is a recent new build, I'll contact Kirk at VS and ask for his guidance on the registration process.

Third times a charm; the first two times the DMV network was down so they were a bust.  This time it took all of 30 min; very nice guys at the BAR - they helped me through the process, gave me tips that avoided further complications and cost, and didn't even charge me a dime. They did noticed that the DMV had missed a digit in the VIN, so now I'll have to go back to the DMV to rectify the missing digit.

I found the entire process from the DMV (30 min) to the CHP (15 min), and the BAR (30 min) to be trouble free and the folks very professional and easy to work with.

Made one last trip to the DMV a week ago, got the VIN number fixed and ordered a period correct black and yellow California plate with 19550RS. 

I purchased my VS from CA but registered in in WA first. I then transferred the title to CA and had no issuers at all. It is a 66 VW. It was registered as such in WA. No CA smog is required and no one wanted to even look at in CA. 

The problem is that Spyders don't use a pan and therefore don't have a VW VIN number, or in most cases no VIN at all.

So Washington to Cali is irrelevant here. If you register a SPCN(which means special construction) in California you really need to follow the SB100 exemption process. It makes the state happy and secures the future of the car with the authorities.

Other states are different and some of what you say is applicable, even in CA for a pan-based car.

My issue was that I had a WA title showing the car as a 2013 Kit, but also showing the original 1963 VW VIN. In the end I went to DMV with two sets of forms filled out, one for registering as a 1963 VW, the other for registering as an SPCN. I remembered the advice to smile and be nice as I got passed to four different people, none of whom had ever dealt with this situation before. To my relief, I left DMV with the car registered as a 1963 Kit so all I had to do was get the brake/lights certified to complete the process. I'm also smog exempt and can't be accused of representing the car as something it isn't. All in all, I'm very happy with the outcome  Chris

Replica is bought, the person gave to ride'm hoping to get in my house, hopefully soon more photos in maximum 2 finish assembling lol

Welcome To The Madness! Best of luck with your project, Richeuly! Keep us posted with progress pics of your Spyder! 

Thanks the first step will be painting want the closest the original version here in Brazil for Vw parts are easy to find, I'm having trouble finding the fuel tank cap and vdo pressure gauges, can find a kit was much more expensive.