In one case that I know of Calif. did use the VIN assigned in another state but that is the only one that I am aware of. Otherwise you have to go through the whole SB-1578 process to get a SB-100 number, but even that varies from DMV to DMV. Per the law, Calif. won't register any vehicle as a 1960s Cobra or whatever it is. No special construction vehicle is exempt from the SB-100 process. Just pick your DMV with care as some of them are very good and will help while others don't want to be bothered and refuse to do anything but make it miserable to get through the process. This has been covered in several threads so just do some looking to find the best DMVs to use.
Ron
