Buying an out-of-state car in CA

[wmyork]

Can someone point me to a FAQ or other info on buying a Cobra or other replica car and importing it into California? How does the state determine the model year for smog purposes? How does this interact with SB100?

Thanks.

[tcrist]

Use the search feature for "Morgester". All of the info that you need you will read in his posts.

[Ron61]

Short answer is that California won't accept other states titles on kit cars or replicas. You will have to get the SB-100 number using the SB-1578 I think it was that was added just to cover this. It allows people to use the SB-100 numbers to register a car they have bought out of state. Basically it requires the same type paper work that a newly built one does.

Ron

[Excaliber]

See the latest thread on this issue here:
CA: AB 2461 Changing and Extending Amnesity

While many, from time to time, CLAIM their "kit" Cobra is legally registered 1965 vehicle the fact is this highly unlikely, as Calfornia will see it. It is virtually certain California will declare that 1965 out of state title to be improper or illegal in some way. DON'T fall for this common sincere, I swear it's true, it really is a legal 1965 car,,, mistake on the sellers part. Any car built after 1965-1966 is in fact a "kit", straight up. Including modern Shelby Cobra's noted on their factory paperwork as a 1965 MODEL, which is not the year of production. All modern Cobras, without exception are "kits", including Shelby, SPF and BDR. "Roller" is a term some manufacturers prefer to use to disassociate themselves from the term "kit". Call it whatever you want (walks and talks like a duck...), the fact remains, by Federal law, the vehicle is incomplete when it leaves the factory with no running gear installed and some assembly is required to finish the car. Thus the term "kit" is applicable to all Cobra's built after 1965-1966, in the eyes of the law.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Short answer is that California won't accept other states titles on kit cars or replicas. You will have to get the SB-100 number using the SB-1578 I think it was that was added just to cover this. It allows people to use the SB-100 numbers to register a car they have bought out of state. Basically it requires the same type paper work that a newly built one does.

Ron

That's not completely true. Mr. Morgester (AG's office in CA) just responded on that topic. Some DMV's under the "full faith & credit" rule/law (whatever) MAY register your car as a 1965, if the replica was LEGALLY titled and registered as a 1965 in another state.

Notwithstanding this "loophole", I would still recommend going through the SB100/SB1578 SPCNS process and get the proper smog exempt sticker. You never know what may or may not happen in the future.

One more important thing. While I've heard of someone getting through the system of registration with a used out of state replica with less than 7,500 miles, the DMV's regulations prohibits used vehicles coming into CA and being registered with less than 7,500 miles.

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=108427

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

While many, from time to time, CLAIM their "kit" Cobra is legally registered 1965 vehicle the fact is this highly unlikely, as Calfornia will see it. It is virtually certain California will declare that 1965 out of state title to be improper or illegal in some way. DON'T fall for this common sincere, I swear it's true, it really is a legal 1965 car,,, mistake on the sellers part. Any car built after 1965-1966 is in fact a "kit", straight up. Including modern Shelby Cobra's noted on their factory paperwork as a 1965 MODEL, which is not the year of production. All modern Cobras, without exception are "kits", including Shelby, SPF and BDR. "Roller" is a term some manufacturers prefer to use to disassociate themselves from the term "kit". Call it whatever you want (walks and talks like a duck...), the fact remains, by Federal law, the vehicle is incomplete when it leaves the factory with no running gear installed and some assembly is required to finish the car. Thus the term "kit" is applicable to all Cobra's built after 1965-1966, in the eyes of the law.

Why do you use the term "CLAIM"? There are many states that title a kit car as the year it replicates. Therefore, it's LEGALLY titled as a 1965, in the eyes of the law.

[Excaliber]

"Claim" to be a 1965, in my opinion is exactly the proper word. I remain skeptical few if any States registering a kit Cobra as a 1965 would withstand a close examination on the legal issues of such a title.

Hawaii also titled mine as a 1965 Cobra MODEL YEAR, which don't mean squat to California or Oregon or my insurance guy. In all cases they only have ONE question, "When was it built,,, really?" If you answer, "1965, just like the title shows", you just commited fraud.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

"Claim" to be a 1965, in my opinion is exactly the proper word. I remain skeptical few if any States registering a kit Cobra as a 1965 would withstand a close examination on the legal issues of such a title.

Hawaii also titled mine as a 1965 Cobra MODEL YEAR, which don't mean squat to California or Oregon or my insurance guy. In all cases they only have ONE question, "When was it built,,, really?" If you answer, "1965, just like the title shows", you just commited fraud.

You posted - While many, from time to time, CLAIM their "kit" Cobra is legally registered 1965 vehicle the fact is this highly unlikely, as Calfornia will see it.


Nobody said anything about when it was BUILT. Again, many states title/register them as the year they replicate. Nothing fraudulent about it. It's perfectly legal AND it follows that states particular laws regarding kit cars. California can accept it or not. I'll never be registering a car there anyway.

[Excaliber]

If you think California doesn't care what YEAR it was built, you might want to put a local bail bondsman on speed dial before you register and commit fraud in doing so. Feeling lucky? Go for it!

Oregon, literally laughed, at my Hawaii title showing it was a 1965 Cobra.

[David Biele]

Oh Boy !!! Here we go again

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

If you think California doesn't care what YEAR it was built, you might want to put a local bail bondsman on speed dial before you register and commit fraud in doing so. Feeling lucky? Go for it!

Oregon, literally laughed, at my Hawaii title showing it was a 1965 Cobra.

Did I say Ca. didn't care? NO. Do I care that Oregon laughed at you, NO. Do I care that mine is LEGALLY registered as a 1965, YES, and it is.That means no emission checks or annual license fees, ever.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by jwd

Did I say Ca. didn't care? NO. Do I care that Oregon laughed at you, NO. Do I care that mine is LEGALLY registered as a 1965, YES, and it is.That means no emission checks or annual license fees, ever.

Same here. My CSX4000 car is registered and titled as a 1965 Shelby Cobra. What is allowed in your state may vary. My car was titled in California when I got it. I'll post a copy of that title tonight.

[rodneym]

Tony,
Your Cobra was titled as a 65 in California?
Your car is only a few years old. They should have known better.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Oregon, literally laughed, at my Hawaii title showing it was a 1965 Cobra.

That's odd because there are hundreds of them titled as 1965 Cobra Replica in the state of Oregon. I know someone who just did it in the past month. Maybe they just didn't like you.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by jwd

That's odd because there are hundreds of them titled as 1965 Cobra Replica in the state of Oregon. I know someone who just did it in the past month. Maybe they just didn't like you.

Well, that's probably the answer right there. But here on Club Cobra, we love you Ernie.

[CoolCarl]

I bought my roadster last month from a guy in Washington. It was registered as a 1965 Ford. When it came time for me to register it I was somewhat paranoid after reading all the registration horror stories here. It turns out I got all worked up for nothing. The lady at the DMV came out, looked at the VIN tag, said nice car and gave me new plates.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by CoolCarl

I bought my roadster last month from a guy in Washington. It was registered as a 1965 Ford. When it came time for me to register it I was somewhat paranoid after reading all the registration horror stories here. It turns out I got all worked up for nothing. The lady at the DMV came out, looked at the VIN tag, said nice car and gave me new plates.

Was this before or after her legally mandated (by the State of Oregon) pot break?

[Excaliber]

...titled as 1965 Cobra Replica

My Oregon Cobra is indeed registered and titled as a 1965 Cobra.

...and the title clearly states in another section on that title it is a "REPLICA". So just stop blowing smoke about your car being registered as a 1965 Cobra, without full disclosure of ALL the pertinent details. No way California is going to accept an Oregon (or Hawaii) title in "full faith" as a 1965 vehicle, aint gonna happen.

If your Oregon Cobra does NOT declare it to be what it is, a REPLICA, your title is illegal. In Oregon and in every other state.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

My Oregon Cobra is indeed registered and titled as a 1965 Cobra.

...and the title clearly states in another section on that title it is a "REPLICA". So just stop blowing smoke about your car being registered as a 1965 Cobra, without full disclosure of ALL the pertinent details. No way California is going to accept an Oregon (or Hawaii) title in "full faith" as a 1965 vehicle, aint gonna happen.

If your Oregon Cobra does NOT declare it to be what it is, a REPLICA, your title is illegal. In Oregon and in every other state.

I wish you wouldn't post while you're high. You twist everything. Are you a politician? You said they laughed at you when you tried to title your car in Oregon as a 1965 and now you say they did. Make up your mind. I never said my car was titled as a 1965 "Cobra". I said it is titled as a 1965. Please sober up before you respond. You're making a fool of yourself.

[twobjshelbys]

Here is a copy of the top part of my original title. The rest is the original owner info (it was a California dealer) and the transfer info. Note that this vehicle was brought in from Mexico.



I wonder about the 1982 but Colorado never questioned any of this.