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

[need2fillmygara]

Hi, Question for the more knowledgeable on the SB 100 process. Does how the vehicle (eg cobra replica) is registered in another state matter when bringing it into California? Looking at an early 2000 build and registered in other state as a "2000 replica". Does it need to be a "1965 cobra replica"? Or does any kit car (eg Factory Five, Superformance, etc) qualify for SB 100? I don't mind going through all the DMV, CHP, etc process but don't want to get too deep into the money without at least knowing what I am thinking may be feasible. Thanks in advance

[twobjshelbys]

You're in California, right? You'll still need SB100 for emissions.

[Randy Rosenberg]

I would expect the CA DMV to consider it a "2000 Specially Constructed Vehicle" on the title, making it eligible for SB100 Smog Exemption. I'm not sure that trying to change the title to a "1965 Cobra Replica" will work in CA, since CA is very specific about "year of manufacture/build" - clearly this vehicle was not built in 1965. Read the fine print on the title application form, and pay attention to the perjury section....

[SBSerpent]

I bought a BDR 2011 build back in May of 2020. Since then, I have been going through the SB100 process ever so slowly, partly due to Covid and partly due to the snail pace that the DMV and BAR operate at. What's more, the SB100 process was slowed for about a year (between spring of 2020 til summer of 2021) due to CARB getting involved and raising a stink about BDRs and SPFs not really being kit cars but more like turn key cars. CARB has now backed off and the process is back on track. Now its just a matter of getting through the backlog of car/SB100 applications.

[need2fillmygara]

Helpful-thanks for the feedback forum members. I'll keep you all updated as I get into the process.

[SBSerpent]

Funny thing. I just received an email today from BAR confirming my paperwork and that my certification has been approved. Now all that is left is for me is to schedule an in-person appointment with the BAR referee to confirm all the PCV plumbing is properly installed. Woohoo, light at the end of the tunnel!

Best advice that I have is to have all paperwork and invoices showing the individual costs for body, engine and tranny; build photos are also very helpful, all the proper DMV paperwork filled out and most importantly, lots of patience and perseverance. Maybe the fact that I bought my Cobra used from the original owner helped (car had been previously titled and registered in Illinois). I had heard of at least one horror story where someone bought a 2020 SPF build directly from SPF here in California and he could not get it certified. Maybe it was during that period of time where CARB was involved and BDRs and SPFs were not getting approved...plus the fact that he bought the car brand new from the dealer, which made it harder to convince BAR that it was not a turn key car.

Good luck. It can be done.

Feel free to PM me if you would like to talk more.

[Cobalt289]

To need2fillmygara - My ERA Cobra was previously licensed in Wisconsin as a 1965 Cobra Replica. I tried to go the AAA route and they gave me a license plate and sent in all the paperwork, but DMV rejected it right away. So I went through all the SB100 stuff and California ended up assigning a new California VIN to my car and registering it as a 2016 SPCN, which was simply the year of my registering it in California. Have since moved to Tennessee and it's now registered here as a 1965 Cobra Replica (per the old Wisconsin title) but with the new California VIN so if I ever want to sell it the SB100 will still be with the car. Good luck!

[panteralee]

Can someone clarify this point - when I read the SB100 requirements, it states one of the things that must be done is "Smog Certificate". How does one know if you buy a built car outside California that is will be smog exempt. Certainly a confusing process. I want to buy a built car (either SPF or ERA GT40) and register it in California as and of course have it be smog exempt. Can anyone provide that clarification. thanks much.

[SBSerpent]

Originally Posted by panteralee

Can someone clarify this point - when I read the SB100 requirements, it states one of the things that must be done is "Smog Certificate". How does one know if you buy a built car outside California that is will be smog exempt. Certainly a confusing process. I want to buy a built car (either SPF or ERA GT40) and register it in California as and of course have it be smog exempt. Can anyone provide that clarification. thanks much.

I just sent you a PM

[Cobalt289]

Originally Posted by panteralee

Can someone clarify this point - when I read the SB100 requirements, it states one of the things that must be done is "Smog Certificate". How does one know if you buy a built car outside California that is will be smog exempt. Certainly a confusing process. I want to buy a built car (either SPF or ERA GT40) and register it in California as and of course have it be smog exempt. Can anyone provide that clarification. thanks much.

When you register a special construction car under SB100, for smog purposes you can either register it based on the year the car is a replica of (1965 Cobra) OR the actual year of the engine (DON'T DO IT THIS WAY). For Cobras, you always want the 1965 or earlier emissions requirements. But if you were to do it the other way based on the engine, and your engine isn't from 1965 or earlier, you'd have a street legal special construction vehicle that would still need a smog certificate every year. So be sure to select the option that your smog requirements are based on the year the vehicle recreates - hence, smog-exempt.

[spdbrake]

There's an ERA FIA 2072 (current SB100 and Cal tags) listed on BAT with 4 days to go.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...era-fia-cobra/