Another California registration adventure

[nkb]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, here's what you do.... I'm guessing you're in your 70's, or darn close to it, so you really don't have a lot of time to screw around waiting and doing it the correct way for a new car. So, the solution is to throw money at the problem. Buy a used CSX/ERA/KMS, in whatever condition it's in, so long as it's titled properly there in CA, and then ship the car to either the elves at ERA, or the guys at Kirkham, and just throw enough money at them that they make the car exactly what you want. If you wait around for the bureaucrats to sort all of this crap out you're likely to get sick or die before you can enjoy your car. Anyway, that's my advice... just throw a shi*load of money at it and you'll end up with what you want.

This would perhaps be a "solution" except it doesn't take into account another major goal in procuring a "Cobra Kit": Doing the assembly myself. I don't really need another "iconic" car nor even another one also with exhilarating performance. I have those.

I wanted the satisfaction of specifying and assembling the car myself (something I have the tools and expertise to accomplish). The "journey" is part of the motivation, not just the turnkey car.

I suppose I could buy a used California licensed car and then work on that. But, it is likely to have had most of the major aspects (e.g. drivetrain) already addressed relegating one to working on lesser items.

A further motivation, besides my own selfish satisfaction, is that my grandchildren are interested in cars and would enjoy wrenching on a kit with me. During Covid, I conducted Zoom classes with them on "Automotive Engineering and Physics" to an eager audience. Be nice to continue this with a more hands-on aspect.

These kids will be inheriting the car collection, so it would be good if they have some understanding what it is about. And they already have the car "bug".

Other options are to buy a "project" classic car and restore that. Having done that before it can easily extend into a many year project. And as noted, I ain't getting any younger. But, that may still make sense.

We'll see. I'll monitor the registration issue here and also consider other options. To be continued.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by nkb

This would perhaps be a "solution" except it doesn't take into account another major goal in procuring a "Cobra Kit": Doing the assembly myself. I don't really need another "iconic" car nor even another one also with exhilarating performance. I have those.

I wanted the satisfaction of specifying and assembling the car myself (something I have the tools and expertise to accomplish). The "journey" is part of the motivation, not just the turnkey car.

I suppose I could buy a used California licensed car and then work on that. But, it is likely to have had most of the major aspects (e.g. drivetrain) already addressed relegating one to working on lesser items.

A further motivation, besides my own selfish satisfaction, is that my grandchildren are interested in cars and would enjoy wrenching on a kit with me. During Covid, I conducted Zoom classes with them on "Automotive Engineering and Physics" to an eager audience. Be nice to continue this with a more hands-on aspect.

These kids will be inheriting the car collection, so it would be good if they have some understanding what it is about. And they already have the car "bug".

Other options are to buy a "project" classic car and restore that. Having done that before it can easily extend into a many year project. And as noted, I ain't getting any younger. But, that may still make sense.

We'll see. I'll monitor the registration issue here and also consider other options. To be continued.

IMHO, as long as you choose a "kit" that is not provided to you as a "roller" or "turn-key minus", then I think you will be fine. Building a vehicle from "scratch" is exactly what SPCNS was intended for. From what I had read here (and on other places), the BAR is only questioning replicas that are purchased as "rollers".

[patrickt]

Maybe just buy a little rental property right over the state line and keep your car there "six and a half months" out of the year. The more you mull it all over the more likely you are to box out before getting the darn thing.

[nkb]

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

IMHO, as long as you choose a "kit" that is not provided to you as a "roller" or "turn-key minus", then I think you will be fine. Building a vehicle from "scratch" is exactly what SPCNS was intended for. From what I had read here (and on other places), the BAR is only questioning replicas that are purchased as "rollers".

So according to California regulations a smog exempt car classified a Specially Constructed Vehicle is:

"A Specially Constructed Vehicle is legally defined as “a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer.”
Specially Constructed Vehicles include:

Kit cars
Vehicles built from a combination of new and used parts
Dismantled vehicles that look completely different from the original"

So, what does Superformance say on their website:

"We offer a complete TKM (Turn Key Minus) component rolling chassis we are Not a Kit, this affords the customer amazing resale value, continuity of build and consistency in Build."

"Imagine a complete car – take out the engine and transmission (transaxle) and that is our replica. They are completely assembled and painted at our factory by experts that have produced over 3000 MKIII’s plus our other product lines."

SPF specifically declaring that they are not offering a kit is probably not helpful to the argument.

Of course, SPF's have been registered in California for a very long time. Twenty years after the passage of SB100 to now have objections being raised seems capricious and arbitrary. Moreover, the impact of a few 100 cars a year being exempted really seems to be a wrong priority.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by nkb

Moreover, the impact of a few 100 cars a year being exempted really seems to be a wrong priority.

But you don't understand. Bureaucrats are paid to first go for the low hanging fruit. Then once all the fruit has been picked, in order to preserve their jobs, invent ladders to reach the higher fruit.

[SBSerpent]

"A Specially Constructed Vehicle is legally defined as “a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale,

If I had a dollar for everytime I've seen a Cobra come up for sale on BaT, Cobra Country, this forum, etc. with an SB100 sticker....

[nkb]

The word is that CARB (BAR referees), the agency that has been holding up SPCNS (kit cars) registrations here in California, have backed off and the 20 year old legally sanctioned process is back on track. Some 50 SPCNS cars (including Cobras, Caterhams) had been stuck in limbo.

Hopefully we will start hearing from those that have finally received their registrations after a protracted wait. Also good news for prospective buyers of Cobra kits that they will again be able to get their cars registered in California according to the established rules.

[SBSerpent]

Originally Posted by nkb

The word is that CARB (BAR referees), the agency that has been holding up SPCNS (kit cars) registrations here in California, have backed off and the 20 year old legally sanctioned process is back on track. Some 50 SPCNS cars (including Cobras, Caterhams) had been stuck in limbo.

Hopefully we will start hearing from those that have finally received their registrations after a protracted wait. Also good news for prospective buyers of Cobra kits that they will again be able to get their cars registered in California according to the established rules.

This is GREAT news. I started the SB100 process in June 2020. I just received by Certificate of Sequence in August of 2021 (thanks very much to a contact that I have established in Sacramento at the DMV who new what was involved in the entire SB100 process). I have a virtual appointment with a BAR referee in a couple of weeks. Feeling that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

[SBSerpent]

Originally Posted by nkb

The word is that CARB (BAR referees), the agency that has been holding up SPCNS (kit cars) registrations here in California, have backed off and the 20 year old legally sanctioned process is back on track. Some 50 SPCNS cars (including Cobras, Caterhams) had been stuck in limbo.

Hopefully we will start hearing from those that have finally received their registrations after a protracted wait. Also good news for prospective buyers of Cobra kits that they will again be able to get their cars registered in California according to the established rules.

Mind if I ask what is the source of this recent news? This is BIG!

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by SBSerpent

"A Specially Constructed Vehicle is legally defined as “a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale,

IE: The meaning (per Morgansterner) is that it is for personal use, and not a commercial enterprise (IE: dealer/business) looking to build and resell.


Bill S.

[sdktm22]

I got the heads up yesterday that my BAR appointment would be coming up. It only took 14 months of waiting 😡. It’s going to be a slow process since most stations are at the junior colleges, and they are not allowing Bar appointments because of COVID. There are other stations now open, but very few, so it will take some time to get the backlog of cars through. I’m very happy to know I’ll have a plated car!