How to register a CSX4000 car?

[jhv48]

The concern, as I see it, is that the original owner (the guy you will be buying the car from) never registered the car. Therefore, as of this moment, DMV has no knowledge of the existence of this car. If you buy it from him, it's most likely going to be perceived as a turnkey car. And you don't want to go down that street with the DMV. Once alerted, they could make it so that the car can never be registered in California and would have to be sold out of state.
If it were me, I would gather up all the receipts and the MSO and try to register it for the first time and get an sb100 exemption.
Just tell DMV that the car has been a project car and was only recently completed. If you're worried about the mileage, replace the speedo.

Still could be trouble though. Not sure I would mess with it unless it is at least $10k under market.

And, finally, the owner probably won't want to register it before he sells it to you because of the registration fees and sales taxes he will be asked to pay.

[roadrod2000]

If the current owner dosn't have the paperwork to get through SB100 I suppose he could part out the car so that someone else actually finishes the assembly.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Not sure I would mess with it unless it is at least $10k under market.

As mentioned earlier, if there's a deal in there somewhere, then you should get paid for the time, legwork and hassle (i.e., lower price). I'm sure there are SB100 #'s still remaining for 2013, so that won't be an issue.

You'll need to review ALL the paperwork and see if makes sense to proceed. You will definitely need the MSO and at a minimum receipts for the engine and transmission preferably from companies other than Finishline. And then all the Finishline receipts for labor and other parts. Again, preferably parts like the alternator, starter and all the small parts are from other sources. After all that, then you'll need worry about the "odometer question" and it's entirely possible they make not even care. You just don't know for sure.

I wouldn't pay market value, as if the car is currently legal and registered.

[CSXRacer]

Why not solve things the easy way? Move out of Kalifornia. Lived there for 35 years and finally got tired of banging my head against the wall because of the corrupt government. Moved out 13 years ago and have never regreted it. In almost every other state it is a piece of cake to register a 4000-series. How about more details on this Cobra -- I'm sure a bunch of us are interested. Good luck with the gov'ment.