[jhv48]

It depends on how the car was registered in the previous owner's home State.

If his State allows a replica to be registered by the year that it immitates (say 1965) then California will allow that registration to apply in California, even though it is inaccurate.

However, you could still get hassled by the police and have to prove that the car was 100% titled legally in the previous State in order to avoid impound and fines.

If it were me, I would get the sb100 exemption and register the year of the car as the year it was first registered (completed). California will like you better that way. Gotta get their fees.