SB100 Issues & Suggestions

[meat]

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

Why not push CA to enact the same legislature that these states have?

Because the outline of the SEMA bill doesn't work with California; it requires the creation of a separate license plate design (which California has a moratorium against), it requires the car to be registered as the year the car is supposed to replicate, and because it's just plain silly to create even more ways for the DMV to screw up your registration with the creation of two new categories of car to be registered.

California already has a SPCN category. It doesn't need Custom and Street Rod, too.

I'm sorry that you're so hostile to the idea of being able to properly register a car in California. Maybe you should take up knitting as a hobby instead.

Your pal,
Meat.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by meat

California already has a SPCN category. It doesn't need Custom and Street Rod, too. Your pal, Meat.

While I got involved in a paperwork snafu, the whole process isn't that bad. Making some or all of the previous ideas floated from everyone here, the system would be much improved and more tolerable. I think the big improvement would be adding more numbers. However, I can understand the need to cap it at a lower level, but more than 500.

[meat]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

While I got involved in a paperwork snafu, the whole process isn't that bad. Making some or all of the previous ideas floated from everyone here, the system would be much improved and more tolerable. I think the big improvement would be adding more numbers. However, I can understand the need to cap it at a lower level, but more than 500.

The reason there are only 500 numbers is because of CARB.

I agree with you that the number is low ... but if it was used by individuals - not dealers - for the initial registration of SPCN cars - not motorcycles, etc - the numbers might be adequate.

One of the arguments against SB100 - and even SB1911 - was that manufactured cars shouldn't fall under the umbrella of SB100. CARB and the DMV dudes consider Superformance, Backdraft, Kirkham and other 'semi-finished' vehicles to be manufactured vehicles. And - wouldn't you know it - it comes back to Carroll Shelby's shenanigans.

My presentation to CARB - and to the DMV - was that it is idiotic to force a builder to do everything on a vehicle. He should be able to sub out anything that he doesn't feel comfortable with doing to a specialist who will do the job right. It was a public safety issue. In the end, my argument won.

A problem that I foresee is that the same argument is going to come up again. I can make the same argument, but the dealers who build custom vehicles are once again going to put me on the defensive. Which is one of the reasons that I want to make sure that dealers are excluded from SB100.

But Meat, what about Superformance or Backdraft dealers? They pretty much sell complete cars with SB100 numbers! Yeah ... and that's a problem. In looking at SB100 data, I'm seeing dealer names over and over again. That's wrong.

So ... what to do?

Your pal,
Meat.

[dlang14]

Here are a few random thoughts in no particular order.

1) Setup a few DMV offices to be trained on the SB100 proceedure. I see no reason why every office should deal with this once a year. People already gravitate to the more knowledagable sites (for example Santa Clara here in the south bay region).

2) More numbers.
3) Better definition of what they are for, and what they are not for. Why would someone with a '72 VW based dune buggy need one? But they can use one if they want. Is it for any kit car, or just kits that resemble vehicles that would be smog exampt based on their year, 65 cobra vs. 85 Fierro turned Ferrari w/350 chevy
4) This may be unpopular, and nothing personal to those it would impact but I don't like the idea that you can get one, do nothing with your car for years, and then whenever you get around to it use your sequence number. It seems to me that one full year or heck even 2 to complete your car should be enough. After that the number goes back into the pool of available numbers. Alternatively and probably even less popular you could need to get it as far as the CHP inspection before you could apply for SB100 status. If there was not so few numbers this seems like it wouldnt be a problem, go get your number when your car is ready.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.

[meat]

Originally Posted by dlang14

Here are a few random thoughts in no particular order.
3) Better definition of what they are for, and what they are not for. Why would someone with a '72 VW based dune buggy need one? But they can use one if they want. Is it for any kit car, or just kits that resemble vehicles that would be smog exampt based on their year, 65 cobra vs. 85 Fierro turned Ferrari w/350 chevy

I agree. Neither of the bills was ever set up for "rebodies." The bills were to get specially constructed vehicles their first-time registration. Dune buggies and Fiero rebodies already have a VIN number, and they should meet the smog requirements for the year of the base vehicle, or the requirements for a repower (there are provisions for both in the vehicle code).

Originally Posted by dlang14

4) This may be unpopular, and nothing personal to those it would impact but I don't like the idea that you can get one, do nothing with your car for years, and then whenever you get around to it use your sequence number. It seems to me that one full year or heck even 2 to complete your car should be enough. After that the number goes back into the pool of available numbers. Alternatively and probably even less popular you could need to get it as far as the CHP inspection before you could apply for SB100 status. If there was not so few numbers this seems like it wouldnt be a problem, go get your number when your car is ready.

I absolutely agree; there should be an expiration date on the number. You shouldn't even get a number until your car is road-worthy. And, judging by my own experience, it shouldn't take you more than 45 days to get the car on the road. I've had them on the road in as little as a week (CHP is easy, it's the BAR that was the problem - getting an appointment).

Putting the number back into the pool ... well, that's an issue; there's a ton of data attached to it. Maybe have 'provisional numbers' that activate if one of the original 500 numbers fails to get registered in the timeframe. So, if the guy with 42 didn't get his car done, number 501 would become available, and so on.

And I think there should be a penalty if you don't get your car done within the timeframe: you only get one number a year, and now you have to wait until next year and go through the same process again - going through the DMV lottery, etc.. Your money - minus processing fees - is refunded.

Good recommendations, all!

Your pal,
Meat.