My certificate arrived too.
As for the Light and Brake check. Is that before or after the CHP visit?
Did they require a backup light?

Jeff, you didn't show up in a flight suit again, did you? Man you have no shame.

TURK

Vin Number
 

Turk--

When I went to the CHP I tried to get them to use my CSX number--and they were up to do it--but their computer (?) didn't allow them to do it. So they gave me a CA # and attached the tag to a place under the dash--you have to look for it (on your knees) to see it. They were very friendly and happy to help--and not a word about the sound of the car.

Good luck with them this week.

Mark

ps--I didn't have to go through the brake and light check:D

Just scheduled BAR appointment, first available was actually this Wednesday so there doesn't appear to be much of a problem down here in Orange County.

I hear different things about reverse lights, some have needed them and others have not. I don't have them on mine but am prepared to add one if the BAR referee says so. It may "fall off" my car shortly after the inspection.

Thanks for all the updates and blow by blow account of what to expect, and what to do. So far so good.

TURK

Turk,
Light and Brake check is done by a CA DMV certified garage (DMV can give you a list of local garages that can do it). Backup lights were not required (not Original Equipment). High beam indicator and blinker indicator on the dash (working) was required.

I have not gone back to DMV to go final yet (taxes to much to pay right now), I have until 30 June.

Ya wanna borrow a flight suit Turk? Works for me!

Mark,
How did you get away with no Light and Brake check?
Jeff

The CHP assigns a VIN number from the California computer database, and they are sequential. The CSX or ERA numbers are not a California issued VIN number.

More than likely, you will run into trouble later if your car is not using the proper VIN number. The reason you have to get a VIN number is because you now are attempting to register a vehicle. This is significantly different than the MSO number, as the MSO is not a VIN number, it is a kit identification number. A kit car manufacturer cannot assign a VIN number unless they are a California admitted vehicle manufacturer. To be a California admitted vehicle manufacturer, the company has to build cars, crash test them, and have a certain number of safety equipment pieces installed on the car. They also have to use California emmissions-legal engines. Manufacturers that produce more than a certain number of cars have to crash test, properly smog test and have DOT and EPA certification for the entire car.

DO NOT use a kit number. Have the CHP inspect the car, make sure you get the VIN number installed by the CHP officer. Doing anything else is a very wrong thing to do. California can and will impound a vehicle that does not have a properly issued VIN number. They do it all the time.

Your pal,
Meat.

The CHP has no problem assigning your kit number as you CA VIN number, or at least didn't in my case. No bribes, coersion, or arm-twisting necessary.

Brake and Light Check--
 

Jeff--

I guess the DMV (Walnut Creek) didn't think about the brake and light check--actually, I had to walk them through the process with a copy of their web site (which did not mention a brake and light check):D .

So, I got away without!!

Mark

Vin#s and Checks--
 

Looks like it depends on which DMV and CHP office you walk into as to the outcome-----soooooo much like the gov'ment:3DSMILE: .

Mark

We just picked up numbers 402 and 403 yesterday, there will be some sorry folks within a month. So far a smooth process.

Allan

U-2,
So you will have to pay taxes after all..

Good!!



So much for the Military discount. Now if you were in the REAL military like Army, Navy or Marines, they might have treated you different. You guys in the Air Force are so....ya' know ....flighty.

TURK
FOREIGN LEGION

The CHP office I went to last year to get my VIN number assigned insisted on using my SPF chassis number as the VIN. They had no trouble entering it into their computer and no one at DMV questioned it further at any point in the long and frustrating process. That is also the VIN that shows on my title.

Same here Dexter
 

My vin is my SPF number, CA DMV and CHP had no troubles with it.

I just got back from CHP in Woodland.

They answered my burning question for the last week or so. How do you get in and get out of there so quick?

Well, I found out. You DON'T.

First of all, I couldn't be more pleased with the professional courtesy, and the interest in the car and me and what I was trying to accomplish.

Officer in charge knew what I needed. He had done it before. He made the necessary corrections to the DMV paperwork.

He explained in detail the ramifications of using the ERA, or KMP, or CSX numbers. He was very willing to do that if I so chose.

Then my car would have to be titled as a 2003. He suggested I should opt for registering the car for what it is. A Replica 1965 Specially Constructed vehicle. This meant a 8 digit number. He affixed two different tags to the vehicle at points of my choosing.
he took incredible care while drilling , gluing and riveting the same VIN plates.

He was worried about the metal shavings while drilling. Laid out rags to catch the shavings.

I couldn't believe the care and the courtesy. He took as many pictures of the car as I have. I was there for an hour and due to the shift change, I met many many CHP officers. Without exception everyone of them came to look at the car and to ask questions. I directed at least two of them to our website. One may actually build one.

Another officer just getting off duty pulled in, in his CHP special Camaro. He is finishing of an Austin Heally restoration. He had some questions about aluminum. I gave him Kirkhams number.

The problem with the CSX number,or ERA number or FFR number becoming your new VIN number has some potential problems in the future. Especially during resale.

If the car is registered as such, it is kind a neat that your CSX number is now your VIN number. However I had to take his advice into registering my car with the 8 digit VIN knowing that he knew more about it than I did.

My car is nor going to be passed on as a 1965, regardless what the VIN plate said. To me it was no sacrifice to have the VIN plate designate it for what it is CALIFORNIA SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLE.

If they offer me the same courtesy on the road as they did at the post, I will give them a tip next time I get pulled over for a speeding ticket.

Next stop Smog referee.!!

TURK

Turk,

Congratulations. You are almost there. The smog referee will just stick the sniffer in, tell you your car is a gross polluter, and then put the smog exempt sticker on it. Anyway that is what they did to the last two that went through up here. Almot time to start driving that monster.

Ron :3DSMILE: :D :)

I'm done! I went to the BAR smog referee today, took about 45 minutes start to finish. That was a no-brainer, except the guy who drove my car initially hit the rev limiter while trying to hit the brake. Twice. The guy in charge must have seen the panicked look on my face, as he told the guy behind the wheel to turn off the engine and get the hell out of the car.

After that, back to the DMV. Ran into a Superformance owner in the parking lot, spent about 15 minutes or so oggling each others cars. Those are some really nice cars too.

The DMV took about another half hour or so. I left with plates.

At no time were any lights inspected, brakes, reverse (which I don't have), or otherwise.

Hey ddimick,

I will be going through the process of registering my JBL in about 6 months. I live in Orange County also. What DMV did you use???

David

I used the DMV in San Clemente, the CHP in San Juan Capistrano (just a couple miles from the DMV), and the BAR in Huntington Beach at Goldenwest College.

A few of us would like to know what the latest number is. We used up 402 and 403 (5-19-03) anyone later than that. If so what was the number and date.

Thanks,

Allan

This site gets updated about once per week: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm

I monitored it a bit as I was making my DMV appointment. They seem to be going through about 25 numbers per week. I imagine that could go quite a bit faster as we near the end of the allotment.