California registration for out of state purchase

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by decooney

Gunner,
If you own the car now and it sounds like you do own it, and the motor truly is a Danbury motor, chances are it has a milder cam in it. They typically don't go too radical on their motor for longevity purposes.. There is a point to this, and it could be a good thing. I've done both vanilla SPCNS without SB100 for an out of state car AND another ground built SB100 Cobra along with others for myself. Also, have been through the whole corrective re-title process too, and tried making that car a vanilla SPCNS first (just to try it again) before going SB100; but it did not work that time due to a large cam but it just would not pass the idle test, but passed the 2500rpm test with flying colors; close but no cookie even with other tweaks. In any case, there is still a small chance of hope of getting the car titled to start as just a SPCNS (no SB100 yet). Its worth a try, and it gets the paperwork started before 2010, and in the system. If you want to try it, start the registration process as an out of state transfer / Special construction (SPCNS) soon, don't wait, providing all the SEPERATE receipts from the different places who provided the parts; follow me?; must be seperate. As others have indicated, it just can't be a mfg car from one place. It has to be a home constructed car, at one point of origin, not a real mfg. I hope they gave you the receipts for the parts with the car. This is key. You follow the same exact starting process of VIN/part receipt verification at CHP, then Brake/Lamp/Smog cert, and the BAR smog test. If the car is a 428 and tuned really well, you might be able to get it to pass with the right carb and tune on it. I've gotten through twice, but it was not easy. With a smaller cam, new motor, precise tuning you can squeak by on a milder 428 cam/car setup. It can be done. If you can get through the BAR smog check, just title it as SPCNS for now. Then, in January, just wait in line for your SB100 number, and they will reissue the title/reg again with the new exemption status. It may be hard to get the 30-day pass, some DMV locations/clerks are clamping down on that temporary permit now, and only issuing 1-2 day permits.

Since you have time between now and Jan, you might give this a try to get started. Did you get the parts receipts from the prior owner, or copies?

As far as I know, the State of CA no longer allows new SPCNS registrations based on smog. I could be wrong.

My understanding has always been that an out of state car that was legally registered could be brought into CA as a complete car and registered under SB100. The only caveat is that the car must have more than 7,500 miles on it (see this thread Daytona Coupe by Shell Valley for sale).

Gunner, you should validate this with the DMV. You may have to go back and get separate receipts and complete the statement of construction....or put some miles on the car quickly.