CA Registration Woes

[airobats]

Hi All! New to this forum but I desperately need some good advice. Long story: My dad puchased a used Factory Five Cobra that was titled out in Oklahoma as a kit car. He went to the CA DMV at the beginning of the year and got an SPCN certificate and was in the process of jumping through the hoops to get the car titled in CA when he passed away. Now, I am trying to continue this process but can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone of authority. The BAR says they do not need to inspect it, the CHP does that. The CHP inspection officer wants to see receipts for engine, trans, etc., which I don't have since he purchased it from a guy out of state. I showed him the out of state title and he said that was insufficient. I tried contacting the original owner/builder but his number is no longer in service and I have yet to get a response from a snail mail letter I sent to him. The folks at the DMV still insist it needs to be inspected by the BAR.
This running around in circles is incredibly annoying and a giant waste of my time. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?