California SB100 - Title Transfer - Question

[panteralee]

I am aware of several people that did what you are planning to do. Bought a "kit" car from outside Cali and successfully registered it as SB100. My understanding also is it matters not what "year" the current state calls it. SB100 will register it as the year you apply for the title. The drive train must comply with smog standards that were applicable to the approximate year the original car (i.e. 1965 cobra) existed which is just a PCV valve. Having receipts from the P.O. as to what they paid for engine, trans, body, etc. would be good to have just in case. I am looking to do the same thing and have been told be several that the system works.

[jhv48]

Ok, Joe, here’s the skinny on registering a cobra in California from another state. If the current registration lists the car as a 1965 xxxxxx (ford, cobra, Superformance, etc.) all you need to do is show up at DMV and present the registration. If you get a clerk that doesn’t know what they are seeing, they will blindly issue you a new California registration as a 1965 (whatever). And then off you go.
HOWEVER, what you have done, in California’s eyes, is commit fraud (because you knowingly misrepresented the year of the vehicle you are transferring) and if caught (rarely happens) stiff penalties and confiscation of the car could result. (Do a forum search and there are loads of information by DMV officials) The reason for this is that California charge’s registration fees and smog requirements based on the year of actual production of the vehicle and the fees and smog requirements for a 1965 vehicle are substantially less than a 20?? Vehicle. Thus the fraud.
Now, if you will only put a few hundred miles on the car each year, it might be worth the gamble. However, if you will frequently drive the car, you might not be inclined to take the chance. Many 20?? Cobras are registered as 1965 vehicles in California and none that I know of have ever been caught.
The SB100 registration exemption is the ONLY way to LEGALLY register a replica cobra in California without having to pass whatever smog laws were in effect at the time the vehicle was completed. And it’s a huge pain in the ass to go through the process. But when you’re done, you’ll pay registration fees based on the actual year of your vehicle’s production and the vehicle will be smog exempt for the life of the car, which is a huge selling point to prospective California buyers.
So, choose wisely and then enjoy the ride. Good luck.