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Hello all,

Ever since catching the Speedster bug I've been trying to educate myself using this invaluable forum. Thank you to all you dedicated Speedster owners for your patient, detailed, and helpful insights! Now, this car caught my eye

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/45497553

but before I even attempt to get information about it ,I wanted to know how impossible it will be to retitle 1979 Intermeccanica in California. My apologies for bringing up this topic again, but after scouring this forum and the DMV website, I am still not clear if this car will be subject to Smog testing.

Thanks in advance!

Steve

Original Post

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There appears to be a significant amount of paperwork included. If the original bill of sale is in there you shouldn’t have any issues. 

To bring the car into California you will have to title the car under SB100. SB100 is the method used to title home built cars etc. 

My recommendation would be to call your local DMV office or go down in person and speak to the person who has the most experience with SB100 process. It isn’t as daunting as some will make it. Get as much information upfront from the DMV so you’ll be prepared while you are buying the vehicle and afterward while you are trying to get it ready for the registration process. 

WOLFGANG posted:

If it was registered in another state as a 1979 IM would that be ok in CA?  I'm sure a Speedster that was say registered as a 1969 VW Sedan would probably not be.  If registered as a 1979 IM would it have to have CA '79 VW emissions (hard since last T1 was 1976).

Registering a vehicle as an SPCNS vehicle:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/...es/fast_facts/ffvr23

Registering an out of state vehicle:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/...hecklists/outofstate 

If you have to call around to different DMV offices until you find someone who is familiar with the SPCNS process do so. Make friends with that person and use them for the whole process. Not every DMV office will have someone who is familiar with the process but they are out there.

Last edited by Robert M

Steve,

I registered my SAS replica in California in 2013.  The process was very doable.  Most DMV clerks won't know what to do, but that's because there are 35 million vehicles registered annually in California, but only 500 SB100 Specialty Construction permits are awarded each year.  If you Google SB100 California, you'll get lots of hits, some of them are step by step of what to bring, what to do, then what to do as plan B if you meet the wrong clerk.  Some of the Cobra guys have even identified the most knowledgeable employees at certain DMV offices.  Best of luck and please keep us informed, so we can all keep abreast of the latest info.

Well, Steve...

Here you go: 1st step... apply for the SB100 (Commonly know here as SPCN). There are only 500 issued in CA per year and it's kind of late in the year so you just might be SOL. 2nd... your car will need to pass inspection at your local CHP and possibly DMV. EVERYTHING has to work including your horn. If you get passed all that and your paperwork is in order you will be making an appointment with a DMV referee. This person is like the SS of the DMV and may even have a German accent - and I'm not kidding - this person is the yes or no person and determines the fate of your car in the state of California in an instant. I tried bringing a box of donuts, offered a pleasant good morning, and this person replied "What's good about it", refused the donuts and told me they wouldn't make a difference in his decision and to get them out of here. OUCH! His demeanor suggested he should be wearing a red SS arm band. In any case I determined from my brief encounter that, besides wondering what this guys family must be like and there may be more like him out there, the most important part to remember here is... make sure you tell the referee when asked... "to register based on type of car" (1956 Porsche) NOT the year of the engine as your engine was put in that car in 1979. If you answer that question the wrong way you will be doing smog on your car here and if that is the case then you may as well sell it to someone out of state and buy a Vintage with a VW chassis. OH wait... a 1979? Your car already has a VW chassis. So then find the VIN on it and register it as a VW - Simple. If there is no VIN well... To the above info you go. I'm Rusty S and that, people, is the way it really is.

Last edited by Rusty S

Has anyone ever had issues using reproduction lenses that don't have DOT/TUV approval stamped into them?  Reproductions have nothing on them (maybe TAIWAN) - I've seen some that are even sun-bleached pink.  Official lens by say the OEM supplier SWF would have required stampings. Same could be made for windshield glass and headlight. I know the German TUV were sticklers for such items years ago - while the US used to add "For Off-Road Use Only" to box and blow it off.

Image result for swf porsche 356 tail light

 

Last edited by WOLFGANG
Rusty S posted:

Well, Steve...

Here you go: 1st step... apply for the SB100 (Commonly know here as SPCN). There are only 500 issued in CA per year and it's kind of late in the year so you just might be SOL. 2nd... your car will need to pass inspection at your local CHP and possibly DMV. EVERYTHING has to work including your horn. If you get passed all that and your paperwork is in order you will be making an appointment with a DMV referee. This person is like the SS of the DMV and may even have a German accent - and I'm not kidding - this person is the yes or no person and determines the fate of your car in the state of California in an instant. I tried bringing a box of donuts, offered a pleasant good morning, and this person replied "What's good about it", refused the donuts and told me they wouldn't make a difference in his decision and to get them out of here. OUCH! His demeanor suggested he should be wearing a red SS arm band. In any case I determined from my brief encounter that, besides wondering what this guys family must be like and there may be more like him out there, the most important part to remember here is... make sure you tell the referee when asked... "to register based on type of car" (1956 Porsche) NOT the year of the engine as your engine was put in that car in 1979. If you answer that question the wrong way you will be doing smog on your car here and if that is the case then you may as well sell it to someone out of state and buy a Vintage with a VW chassis. OH wait... a 1979? Your car already has a VW chassis. So then find the VIN on it and register it as a VW - Simple. If there is no VIN well... To the above info you go. I'm Rusty S and that, people, is the way it really is.

There was a time when the 500 annual SB100 registrations were snapped up on the first and second day. There are typically plenty available these days even this late in the year.

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