My Recent Experience with SB100 & Bringing a Used Cobra into California

[51astro456]

Cobalt289, could you please pm me with your email?...or email me at moonpie4u@gmail.com
I'm going through a similar process...I have some questions...thank you, Dan

[51astro456]

Thanks very much to Cobalt289 for posting his experience registering his out of state cobra. Here is my experience to date, registering a 2007 superformance cobra previously registered in South Dakota.

I bought the car on 3 April 2017. I went to the DMV on 6 April . I ended up working with the supervisor..the first person was a bit clueless. All she took was the application for title/registration form 343. Once I made it clear that I wanted to register it via the SB100, she called and got a sequence number from Sacramento. My number is 2017096, so on 3 April they were only on 96 out of 500.

I ended up with a receipt that had what I paid for the taxes (about 10%..ouch)…and that I had to get a VIN verification and BAR. I asked about the CHP and she said that I did not need to do the CHP since the car already had a VIN assigned from superformance, as indicated on the South Dakota title. Note: In FFVR23 (REV. 11/2015) it says "Kit vehicles are registered by the manufacturer's serial number and do not need a 17-digit VIN or model year." BTW, the South Dakota title said “1965 Ford Cobra Kit”…it was tempting to let them register it as a 1965, but I figured that the SB100 route was the better way to go.

Luckily I have all of the paperwork from the first buyer (MSO, and all receipts….)…as well as the South Dakota title…

I received the official SB100 certificate 2 weeks after I went to the DMV. I had tried to schedule the BAR appointment, but they said I needed the certificate first…so I waited. As of now, my apt is on 4 May 2017 at the Monterey Peninsula College BAR station. **UPDATE: Appointment now 9 May...BAR scheduler called and said referee would not be there on the 4th.....

I will update this post after that visit! Thanks to other posts, I have already made the PCV system a closed one..with PCV hoses.

UPDATE: Had my BAR referee appt. The referee was friendly, but gave little indication as to whether or not I would be approved. He and an intern student took some photos, and looked over the car briefly. He noticed that the car had the closed PCV system..thank you Cobalt289!! He allowed me to hang around and ask questions. He said that they would send the photos and paperwork (copies of MSO, chassis/engine receipts, statement of construction, Certificate of Sequence, title from South Dakota) up to Sacramento and I should find out by Friday. I explained why I didn't have the paperwork from the CHP...he seemed to fully understand that part...that the car already had a VIN assigned by Superformance (and title had same VIN), and would use that...He did say "Oh good, it says 'kit' on the South Dakota title." On my statement of construction I mentioned in the remarks that it was a private sale from the seller in South Dakota.

I'm still at a loss at why this should be so mysterious? Rolling chassis like Superformance and others should be well known...yet we still seem to be at the mercy of "someone" making a determination.

Soooo...I'll update again as soon as I find out!!!

[Igofastr]

Congratulations. Best of luck. As you probably already know, most "issues" arise at the BAR inspection. Clear that hurdle, and you'll be home-free.

[51astro456]

Sorry for the delay in updating this post.

I had my BAR referee appointment last week on the 6th. All went smoothly...longest wait was for the system that the referee needs to use to input the data. Finally they put the sticker right next to the superformance plate inside the engine compartment. Initially the referee wanted to put it on the frame somewhere...but I convinced him to put it next to the other plate.

After we finished, I asked him what advice could I give future buyers of used out of state cobras/SPCN's. He mentioned the no "turn key" cars...but it still doesn't make sense since a used car is, by definition, turn key. It still seems to make sense that if you can prove that the car was initially put together by a home builder, or assembled by more than one "business", then you should be ok.

The next day I went to the DMV...the person I got was not familiar with the SPCN/SB100 route...so I waited patiently as she brought up a memo on her computer...began to ask me about the CHP inspection...and I said the the previous person (supervisor, who wasn't there unfortunately) at the same DMV said that it wasn't required since it had already been titled in another state..and already had a VIN assigned by superformance and on the previous title.

I gave her the paperwork from the BAR referee...a mistake I made was not making copies of that paperwork first...but I figured I already had the magical sticker on the car.

FINALLY, she said ok, here are your plates!

Now I am waiting on the title...not sure what it will say...the registration does not mention cobra..only "SPCNS"...the white SB100 sticker does say "65 Cobra"

So...from first DMV visit to plates was about 2 months...longest pole(s) in the tent was scheduling and waiting for the BAR referee appointments...luckily it didn't rain either day

[Cobalt289]

Congratulations! California doesn't make it easy - but it can be done!

[ACHiPo]

Congrats!

[Antny]

Congrats, but wow! I feel for you folks out on the left coast. Here in NY, it honestly took me 15 minutes at the DMV to register mine, 5 of which was spent standing in line waiting for a clerk to free up. They don't look at the car at all, all they want is a transferable title or transferable registration, and a bill of sale from the prior owner....which can be scribbled on the back of a napkin for all they care.

What do we get in return for this ease of registration? Pot holed filled roads that rival those of Afghanistan. Pick yer poison, eh? lol

[Moto One]

I have to say ours went very easy (for us), we hired a consultant who does the SB100s on a regular bases. He has CHP inspection done at the engine installer, then the Bar inspection, we were then sent paper work form the state, that was then returned to him, where he trailered the car to DMV. (I think thats how it went). He is now working on an out of state car for us. We went this route because of logistics, car was built in SoCal we are in NoCal. It was well worth the fee.

Mark.

[51astro456]

Moto One, what was the fee?

[tortuga]

Although a third generation Californian, I am now a bit embarrassed to admit it when I travel, and look forward to retiring and living out my life elsewhere...

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by tortuga

Although a third generation Californian, I am now a bit embarrassed to admit it when I travel, and look forward to retiring and living out my life elsewhere...

That’s interesting. I just moved to CA 4 years ago after 28 years in OR and 22 years in Indiana. I love it as long as I don’t run out of money. Hope I never have to leave.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

I love it as long as I don’t run out of money.

Don’t worry, with our state pension funds drastically underfunded, our governor will figure out a way to take it from you.

[Lou1119]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Don’t worry, with our state pension funds drastically underfunded, our governor will figure out a way to take it from you.

You have that right. Jerry Jerry Quite Contrary will again create a new tax to take it from every body!!🤑

[vntgspd]

Just scheduled my appointment today with the CHP for November 28th!

[vntgspd]

CHP went without a hitch.

Went back to DMV for sequence number and was told I needed the brake and light after all (originally they said I didn't). So, had to replace a broken E-brake cable and then get the inspection done.

Today I completed the inspection and then went to DMV with my "fast pass" and finally obtained my sequence number. Next stop...BAR smog ref.

The hardest part so far has been leaving the Cobra in the parking lot at the DMV today while waiting over an hour for my sequence number! lol

The good news is that I have a new operating permit until March 2018.

[Cobalt289]

vntgspd - Was this a new build? Or a completed car you bought used? With my used Cobra, DMV said I didn't need a brake and light inspection - then near the end, one clerk said I did need it, before the supervisor again said I didn't. Sometimes it feels like they just make it up on the fly... Congrats on getting to the final step!

[pormgb]

Originally Posted by vntgspd

CHP went without a hitch.

Went back to DMV for sequence number and was told I needed the brake and light after all (originally they said I didn't). So, had to replace a broken E-brake cable and then get the inspection done.

Today I completed the inspection and then went to DMV with my "fast pass" and finally obtained my sequence number. Next stop...BAR smog ref.

The hardest part so far has been leaving the Cobra in the parking lot at the DMV today while waiting over an hour for my sequence number! lol

The good news is that I have a new operating permit until March 2018.

Wow, this is a timely thread!!

I have my VIN from the CHP and my certificate of sequence number (SPENC #), I now need to do a brake and light inspection and visit the BAR. My car has a Jaguar rear end with the infamous parking brake, did your car fail the brake and light inspection due to nonfunctional parking brake?

By the way, my car is a ground build up with no MSO only a bill of sale, I don't think you need a brake and light inspection with an MSO but different DMV offices and agents will give different answers .

Every time I visited the DMV, I got a different answer about getting a SPENC #, I eventually got it without the car being present and no brake and light certificate.

[Cobalt289]

On my used ERA 289 FIA Cobra, I didn't end up needing to get a brake and light inspection. I took a look at your Facebook page, and it looks like you've made a beautiful car that will pass with flying colors!

[RB60]

I realize this thread is primarily for those of you who live in CA, but I would like to share my "adventure" in titling and registering my Cobra in PA.
I bought my Cobra from a very kind and patient gentleman from AL. who waited over 4 weeks for me to transfer my funds to a savings account, then 2 more weeks until I could access them.
That said, apparently, Al. is one of a few states that doesn't have a "paper" title, they just have a registration certificate that must be kept in the car along with the yearly licensing and insurance papers. Naturally, eager to drive it, the following day after it arrived, I had my Cobra insured and went to the local tag service and got a temporary plate and registration, assuming everything was in order. Apparently it wasn't. Our DMV wouldn't accept the photocopy of AL.'s registration and returned everything to the local tag service, but they never notified me. After 8 weeks and not receiving my "official" PA. title and registration, I contacted our state representative's office and had them look into it, they got back to me and said that they spoke to the person who rejected it and they sent it back to the tag service. I went to the tag service and they said they forgot to contact me (Grrr!) and they needed the actual copy of the AL. registration. I then had to contact the previous owner to get a duplicate to send into our DMV. The kind gentleman drove to AL's DMV, obtained another copy and mailed it to me. I received it early last week and immediately took all the paperwork to the rep's office and they personally delivered it to our DMV. As of this Monday, they haven't heard from the DMV, so apparently (hopefully) that was the only holdup. But there is another issue I've been made aware of.
PA. requires a "kit car" or "reproduction" to go through an (I think they call it a 101 point) inspection by a certified inspection station (there's only one of those anywhere near me). Since the Cobra was registered as a "1965 Ford Cobra" in AL, I'm hoping it comes back registered as the same.
PA. has 3 types of licensing/registrations.
1. Standard-requires yearly inspection and yearly renewal of registration.
2. Classic Car-lifetime registration and yearly inspection/w limited mileage.
3. Antique- lifetime registration, no annual inspection/w limited mileage and cannot be driven at night.
Now, I'm hoping that my Cobra comes back registered as a "1965 Ford Cobra" as it was in AL. so I can apply for the Classic Car plate, but at this point, I just hope I don't need to "jump through any more hoops" and really don't care how it gets licensed and registered as long as it does. I just want to be able to drive it legally!
Sorry for the long rant, but if it helps anyone here from PA. who buys a Cobra from another state understand what requirements we have here, it's well worth it.

[Ron61]

It seems that almost every California DMV and referee are different on doing this. Up here we all go to a DMV South of here because this one is anti car of any kind and won't even attempt to help you get one registered. In fact if you buy a regular car, Ford, Chevy, or whatever out of state they will run you in circles for hours because it is an out of state car and you should have bought it in this state. Our DMV is so bad that I received a letter with my last registration asking if I would use the one here as s o many people are going elsewhere they are having trouble keeping anyone using this one. Maybe a change of people would help. And another thing is they will drag a 10 minute thing out for an hour or so and I can get it done by driving 30 miles in about 15 minutes.

Ron