Replica or real? [help request from Switzerland and Italy]

[kayakjack]

Davide,

The California Title shows it was registered there in 1996. I think this really limits the possibilities. Kirkham's website says they date back to 1994.

Could this be an early Kirkham? Maybe the strange looking stuff around the trans tunnel and the footbox is what they did back then.

Regardless, that is a beautiful aluminum car.

Jack

[DavideG]

...edit...

[kayakjack]

Originally Posted by DavideG

Dear Kayakjack,
Unfortunately I never seen a USA Car Title before this one, so maybe I'm not very good to understand it.
I was thinking that the field "year 1st sold" (61) means that the car was sold as new in 1961. Also the field "year model" (61) and "make" (BRIST) was bringing me wrong.
You're kindly explaining me that the car was registered in California for the first time in 1996. I 100% trust you, but can you explain me where do you have deduced that? What field?
.

Davide,

Look at the "Certificate of Title" for the "State of California". I believe this document would be issued only one time when it is first titled in a State. So the September 1996 dates shown for "Registration Expiration Date" and "Issue Date" show when it was first titled in California. It is possible that it was titled previously in another state.

If this is a Kirkham as I (and others here) think, the other dates "61" and all the rest is simply incorrect. No Kirkhams were made in 1961. I suspect these dates are all nonsense and an attempt to register the car in 1996 as something it is not. Not sure of that however. The only fact I know is that Kirkham's website they have been doing this since 1994.

The German (I think) words at the bottom of the Title sort of indicate the car was shipped to Europe in 1997. Not sure of that either.

Beautiful car!!!

Jack

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by DavideG

During my web research, I read that "SB100" is an American Law that allow replica car manufacturer to register some unit per year as the original one, or I'm wrong?

Passed in 2001, SB100 is a California law only and it allows CA residents to register kit cars or Specially-Constructed (SPCNS) cars which do not meet current safety and emission standards. The limit is 500 per year.

The registration as shown is not for an SPCNS car.

[Mark IV]

A Kirkham with some "creative" titling to avoid importation/tax issues. There was a lot of this done with Euro imports until the authorities started requiring proof of year documentation and copies of previous registrations to reduce the fraud.

[86Sebring]

Davide, whatever this wonderful car turns out to be, I must say you live in the perfect region to enjoy the beast to its full potential. I used to drive over the San Bernardino- and all the other passes, always wishing for an extra 2- 300 hp...
Enjoy the beautiful car

[DavideG]

...edit...