Mondo Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Well here's my story so far... Brian is finishing up my S2K and it doesn't look like it will be ready before the end of the year. California gives out 500 smog exempt certificates for kit cars per year. They are usually all gone the first day of the year (Actually Jan 2nd). I currently have all the paperwork to get it registered. I figured I'd pick up the car next month. My plan is to get the cert and pay for registration. Then I have a 90 day temporary registration to go to the CHP to get it's roadworthy approval before bringing all the paperwork back to the DMV for final approval. Just to make sure I have all the proper paperwork so I don't get to the DMV on Jan 2nd and get blindsided I decide to go by there today and make sure. Might of been a mistake.... After waiting 40 minutes, I get to the window and explain to the clerk that I want to make sure I have all the correct paperwork to register a kit car on Jan 2nd. She pulls out a memo they received on specialty cars-SB100 and starts looking over my pamphlet of stuff. She noticed I didn't have a date that the car came into California. I told her it's not done yet and is coming from Texas (actually I'm picking it up). Well she goes off to her supervisor, with all my material. They sit and confer, get on the phone, talk to a CHP officer that works there, and make copies of my paperwork.... after 10 minutes she comes back and says that she can not tell me anything until the car is in California, that it has to be here and serviceable before applying and that they discourage this type of registrations:confused: It was then that she showed me a couple pages I had in my material (and apparently should of took out:banghead: ) that seemed to have irked them. It was instructions from someone that I pulled off the web concerning how to register thru SB100. It didn't slam DMV personnel but did mention you might have to be prepared to explain some issues as they only do this one day a year. I guess that offended them. Since being in the military and knowing not to mess with Finance & the cooks, I kept my cool. But it pisses me off that they think they can withhold information concerning the SB100 process:cuss: I went ahead and made a reservation for first thing on Jan 2nd but I have no intention of going to that DMV office... especially with them having copies of my paperwork. That has me worried:nonod: Are they waiting to ask me to present my car on the 2nd? Are they going to pass this around to others on what to be on the lookout for (though I'm not sure what that entails). I'm hoping they are such a bureaucracy that I'll just go to the DMV in the next small town and get it done there and no one will be the wiser. Wish me luck.... I don't want to wait 12 months to play this game again:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locost 5.0 Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 You might want to cancel the appointment you're not going to, so it doesn't piss someone off and they flag you. Just curious, did they put your info in the system for your sb100, I'm doing mine on the second also, in Visalia. They took my $66 and put the application in the system to save time on the 2nd. You might ask them to do that if they haven't already. I've made three trips to the DMV to get ready for the sb100 and got different info every time. It really surprised me to have them take the application and money. Good luck! Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Hi Mondo, I did not have any problem getting my (7 Replica) car registered in Calif and did not use the SB100 route (my 7 is registered as a 1963 Lotus 7 even though I built it from scratch). If you can get in registered in Texas in your name and as a 1970 (makes it smog exempt) or older then due that, then bring the car into Calif and just transfer the title and registration later in the year. As for the SB100 process my understanding is that you get the SB100 waver from the DMV and then when you have the car ready for the road (within the year of the exemption) you must have it inspected by the DMV and the CHP. The things that I was told they will look for are Vin Numbers / Manufacture Number from the manufacture and all safety items like lights, turn signals, brake light, seat belt (per 1964 cars are exempt from seat belts but recommended) and such items that make it road worthy. I had made a data plate that I mounted to the firewall for my car because I built it from scratch so I am the manufacture. They will want to see receipts for all the major components, engine, trans, rear dif etc. so that they can verify that they are not stolen (the CHP) and to assess the amount of TAX (the DMV) you will have to pay for the registration and title. It really is not that bad you just have to play their game and remember to smile and do not offer more information that necessary. If you have any questions I might be able to answer PM me and I will give you my phone number or try to answer any of your questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 The DMV in Shafter was a lot more friendly and I'll go there. As far as transfering registration from another state, I heard the car has to have at least 7500 miles to not have to meet California smog rules (plus you have to have a residence there). The honda S2000 motor is not a 70's style motor so I can't do like others with SB chevy's etc... thus the SB100. While the motor/tailpipe would pass emissions, I won't have the fuel tank evaporative system and I imagine other little stuff. This is a plan B option.... As far as parts, it's basically a turnkey minus- which means the parts list is the kit & engine/drivetrain. I have receipts for this. I guess, as last resort, I could have my brother register it in Idaho and I'll "borrow" it for a year or so before he gives it to me as a gift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Well here's my story so far... Since being in the military and knowing not to mess with Finance & the cooks, I kept my cool. But it pisses me off that they think they can withhold information concerning the SB100 process:cuss: ...Wish me luck.... I don't want to wait 12 months to play this game again:mad: i think this an avenue to look for help with. i bet there is some nice congressmen who would love to help out. especially if u've been overseas. GL w/ SB100 nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rv-4mike Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Welcome to California - the just say no state.:nonod: You might try seeing if you can get Brian to print up some sort of invoice for you. I was hoping to go SB100 but I dont have enough car parts from Brian yet to have a prayer of a chance of getting the car driveable any time soon. You are right on the trick with trying to back door the car by registering somewhere else and then transferring registration to CA. DMV is wise to that. Search the FFR Cobra forum and you'll find some guys who really got screwed trying to do that. I'd be careful of the trick of having a relative register the car out of state and then "gifting" the car to you later. DMV is wise to all the tricks. Last thing you want to do is wind up in court defending yourself for trying to defraud the state. Nice to think you might get some help based on your military status, but... I think the only way this would help is if you are a legal resident of some other state. Out of state residents in CA for military service can retain out of stte license and registration. Locost - I'm surprised you were able to apply ahead of time. They would not do that last time around. My buddy tried to do that with his Cobra and DMV wouldnt accept it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Locost - I'm surprised you were able to apply ahead of time. They would not do that last time around. My buddy tried to do that with his Cobra and DMV wouldnt accept it. They did it for me, and for everybody else in line for SB100 that day at my local DMV. I think this is dependent on which office you use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 Yes, Brian gave me all the necessary paperwork (that might of triggered something with me having the paperwork and not the car yet..). My only plans are to try and get the smog exempt sequence number on the 2nd. Once I get that everything else will fall in line. If for some reason I don't get it, I'll look into what it takes for the rest of the smog requirements. I'd have to get it smogged every 2 years and it would limit any motor modifications I may want to do in the future.... Worst case, looks like 3 or 4 track days at WillowSprings & Buttonwillow in 08 (instead of car insurance) The more I think about it, the more I get; that they wouldn't tell me the requirements until the car was here..... that's like telling you the speed limit after getting a ticket for speeding. How are you supposed to have all the paperwork in order? If I didn't do the research I wouldn't have some of the necessary forms filled out by WCM. There's no way I could of gotten that info on the same day you register:crazy: This is the info that I got and the DMV personnel seemed upset about (they saw just the steps): http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/resources/spcns100-instructions.doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Mondo - Try http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/wiki7/pmwiki.php?n=Building.SPCNS100 instead. Just focus on the parts related to getting the SPCNS number and worry about the other Schlitz later. If for some reason I don't get it, I'll look into what it takes for the rest of the smog requirements. I'd have to get it smogged every 2 years and it would limit any motor modifications I may want to do in the future.... Excuse me, I don't want to come across as hostile or anything, but I think you need a couple of virtual slaps across the face here to snap out of it: Wrong approach. You need to find out what it takes to get the number, and then do it. It's not brain surgery. You will need the MSO, receipts for the engine, gearbox, and chassis, the two completed forms, and your checkbook. Just do your homework before you take the test. Learn exactly what you will need to give them so that they will give you your SPCNS number, and give them just that - nothing more, nothing less. After all, as I understand it, your chassis is on its way, but just got held up waiting for some part, right? Oh, and try not to get to worked up about running into some butt-head working in a government office. This kind of thing tends to happen every now and then. Sorry - it had to be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunslade Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I'm also getting a car from Brian in March, an XR-7, which I will be attempting to register in NJ. I am not planning on trying for any emissions exemption. Can you explain to me the requirements for the the fuel tank evaporative system? This issue seems to be something I overlooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I'm also getting a car from Brian in March, an XR-7, which I will be attempting to register in NJ. I am not planning on trying for any emissions exemption. Can you explain to me the requirements for the the fuel tank evaporative system? This issue seems to be something I overlooked. In California, new cars must have all smog equipment that originally came with the engine original and intact. These days, that includes the fuel tank (and exhaust, and intake...). So if one wants to build a Seven replica kit with, say, an engine from a 2007 Honda S2000 for example, it is required to also have the stock exhaust, intake, and fuel tank from a 2006 Honda S2000 installed. Unless it is registered under SB100... Of course, none of this applies outside of California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 In California, new cars must have all smog equipment that originally came with the engine original and intact. These days, that includes the fuel tank (and exhaust, and intake...). So if one wants to build a Seven replica kit with, say, an engine from a 2007 Honda S2000 for example, it is required to also have the stock exhaust, intake, and fuel tank from a 2006 Honda S2000 installed. Unless it is registered under SB100... Of course, none of this applies outside of California. Right there is the actual solution to your problem. Time to move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 Sean, Sorry if you think I'm making too big a deal out of this. I hope your right. It's just if the DMV doesn't want to give me the required information and on Jan 2nd I'm missing something they require then I'm out of luck for 365 days. There's no guarantee that I will even get one of the 500 certs as there will likely be more than 500 people applying. Again, I've searched the net and am pretty sure I've got the necessary documents. But with such an investment I'd like to be a bit more confident, hence the DMV visit. There's a particular form that has a box that you sign stating the date the car entered California. And I'm pretty sure if I went back to that particular DMV office, they would ask to see the car (remember, they kept copies of my paperwork). That's where a little white lie can turn into perjury etc... Odds are good things will work out but it's kind of like parachuting.... one mistake and :ack: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Mondo - I understand what you're going through because I went through the same thing last year. If you are building a kit or home-built vehicle, you will need the following: 1) the MSO 2) receipt for the engine 3) receipt for the gearbox 4) receipt for the chassis (kit) 5) a completed DMV form REG 243, Application for Title or Registration 6) a completed DMV form REG 5036, Statement of Construction 7) your checkbook When I did it, I left blank the line on REG 243 for the date the car first entered California, and when they asked me about it, I told them that the kit chassis was supposed to have been delivered before January 2nd, but that there had been some delay due to the (in)action of some third-party vendor and the kit was now expected to arrive later in January - which was the truth. I asked the clerk what I should put there, and she said to leave it blank for now; no big deal. It sounds as though you are in exactly the same position I was in last year, and I'm just trying to help you. Please accept my apology if the strong wording of a previous post here seemed too harsh. If there is anything else I can do to help, just ask. - Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 Thanks Sean, I have that paperwork. It was just when the clerk told me (after conferring with her manager & CHP officer) that I had to have possession of the vehicle, in working condition, or I couldn't apply that I got a little spooked. Plus her refusal to tell me anything because I didn't have the car... I think the smaller DMV will be more friendly and accommodating. Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 It's a good thing you did your recon up front and won't have to deal with that clerk again on this issue. You should find out if the smaller DMV office is doing the pre-register thing. It greatly increases your chance of getting a number. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rv-4mike Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Mondo, Sounds like you have everything you need. My buddy had more or less the same situation with his Cobra this year. DMV does not need to see the car. That doesnt become necessary until you make your visits to the BAR referee for smog and the CHP. As for the 500 exemptions, my advice is be there early. Again, my buddy was at our local DMV at 4:00AM on Jan 2 and was first in line. Cant remember what number he got but it was in the first 100 issued. My understanding is that the system is more automated for 2008 and the numbers will go quicker. In past years there was 1 clerk in Sacramento that handled all the SB100 apps for the entire state. When you went into the local DMV the clerk would call that person in Sac for the number. The result was lots of busy signals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Mondo I don't expect servers where I eat, or places where I purchase things to kiss my hand. I sure don't expect to kiss a** of people who live off my tax $$, or that I pay $$ to. I treat them with the same warm Midwest way I would anyone I met. If I get attitude from them, I normally start up the chain till I get the attention of someone who can fix that problem. I also am one of the ones who takes the time to let people know they have an outstanding person working for them. In the process of doing this for years I have met some great people and a few bad ones also. The exceptional people as well as the bad ones deserve to have these comments in their file. It is one of the small ways we can make change. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Good luck tomorrow, Mondo! :thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Good luck tomorrow, Mondo! :thumbs: :iagree: :blueangel: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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