Registration Process for a Replica?

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Amazing what you find when you know where to look...

http://home.thegrid.net/~ffr4776/SB100_Registration.pdf

"So, technically, if your car was built by a manufacturer (for instance, Shelby American, Inc. claims to be a licensed automobile manufacturer (Shelby Series One)) then you can't register it as a Specially Constructed Vehicle; and these cars should meet all of the criteria form the DOT for a brand new car (like SRS/air bags, 5 MPH bumpers, seat belts, anti-lock brakes, anti-intrusion beams, and - most importantly - they should have brand new engines with all the necessary smog and noise abatement equipment on them).

You have to have built your car, or had it built for private use by someone other than a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer."

This makes it sound as if turn key is ok as long as it's not a licensed automobile manufacturer?

EDIT: The link above was from 2006 (kind of annoying that dates are not obvious on web pages, but a right-click and I was able see that it was created in March, 2006, back when SB100 numbers were hard to get). The author apparently posted this update in 2014--not a lot has changed, other than acknowledging that the SB100 numbers are easier to get and that BAR no longer uses dynos.
The Magical SB100–Registering Your Car In California | Bauer Ltd

Well after a couple days of wringing my hands and trying to figure out contingencies for having professionals build parts of my car in case that's verboten, I gave the Bureau of Automotive Repair a call. After waiting on hold for about 30 minutes I talked a very nice Consumers Information Center (CIC) representative (the BAR hotline goes to the Consumers Information Center, where there is a BAR tech available to answer questions). The CIC rep explained that there was only one tech on duty, but put me on hold and walked over to ask the Marvin the BAR tech the question. He was back in a minute, and said, "I was pretty sure, but I wanted to check with Marvin to make absolutely positive: anyone can build your kit as long as it's not a licensed car manufacturer".

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Well after a couple days of wringing my hands and trying to figure out contingencies for having professionals build parts of my car in case that's verboten, I gave the Bureau of Automotive Repair a call. After waiting on hold for about 30 minutes I talked a very nice Consumers Information Center (CIC) representative (the BAR hotline goes to the Consumers Information Center, where there is a BAR tech available to answer questions). The CIC rep explained that there was only one tech on duty, but put me on hold and walked over to ask the Marvin the BAR tech the question. He was back in a minute, and said, "I was pretty sure, but I wanted to check with Marvin to make absolutely positive: anyone can build your kit as long as it's not a licensed car manufacturer".

Almost correct.

ERA, Kirkham, Shelby, Backdraft, etc., all licensed manufacturers, can (and do, except ERA, but you them pay extra to get it to a complete roller) all build your kit car to a complete roller status sans engine and transmission. But they cannot complete the roller to an operable running finished car. You or someone else you hire must install the engine and transmission. And it looks better, though not required, to purchase the engine and transmission from someone other than the install shop. BAR prefers to see lots of separate and distinct receipts.

For example, I bought my engine from Tom Lucas at FE Specialties, the transmission from the another company, specializing in Tremecs and the installation of the engine/trans was done by Hall Fab & Racing. But the "kit" was a complete roller from Kirkham.

[ACHiPo]

Rod,
Shelby produced a complete, modern automobile the Series One, so they definitely seem to fall under the "licensed automobile manufacturer". A turnkey automobile from them would seem to be ineligible for SB100.

I'm not sure about Kirkham or Backdraft, so can't comment.

ERA does not build cars, they only sell kits. According to their website they do have a separate company that will "help with builds" (I've been told that ERA started many years ago as a spin off from a car restoration company International Automobile).

ERA sells kits, not complete cars, but our parent company (International Automobile) can assist you in your cars construction - all the way to a finished vehicle!

Regardless the engine and transmission will be purchased separately, as well as several other key parts, and assembled by me.

AC

[RodKnock]

The Shelby Series One was sold as a completed car and then it lost its Federal certification and had to be built as a kit/component car. Not really sure if any of them were legal in CA. I'm not really a Series One expert. Shelby was a "licensed auto manufacturer", but not any more.

Backdraft, Kirkham, and Superformance all sell complete rollers, everything is finished for you, but no engine and tranny. ERA will sell you a kit for you to complete OR they will build it for you to a complete roller status, sans engine and tranny. No separate company needed to get it to roller status. None of them will sell you a complete operable car due to Federal regulations.

They're all manufacturers of Cobra replicas, but they're not "licensed auto manufacturers." They can't be. Although there's a new Federal law, that might change this, I won't mention it here.

[RodKnock]

I do want to add that "every" Cobra (and GT40) replica is sold in kit form. The difference is the level of completeness. Some are sold only as basic kits, like the FFR and ERA, and some are sold as finished rollers, but no engine and tranny. But all are kits in one form or another. And ERA will build it for you into a complete roller, no engine and trans.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The Shelby Series One was sold as a completed car and then it lost its Federal certification and had to be built as a kit/component car. Not really sure if any of them were legal in CA. I'm not really a Series One expert. Shelby was a "licensed auto manufacturer", but not any more.

Backdraft, Kirkham, and Superformance all sell complete rollers, everything is finished for you, but no engine and tranny. ERA will sell you a kit for you to complete OR they will build it for you to a complete roller status, sans engine and tranny. No separate company needed to get it to roller status. None of them will sell you a complete operable car due to Federal regulations.

They're all manufacturers of Cobra replicas, but they're not "licensed auto manufacturers." They can't be. Although there's a new Federal law, that might change this, I won't mention it here.

Kirkham will sell completed cars to overseas buyers.

I think they also supplied completed cars to Miller Motorsport Park as track only cars. However one of those cars is for sale at the moment.

When I was at Kirkham in August they were shoe horning some sort of V12 into a car and building custom side pipes for it. Perhaps Kirkham will pull that motor when they are done so someone else can reinstall it later?

Kirkham Motorsports Tour August 2016


David mentioned something about a new law from the end of 2015 that would let him install engines, I had commented that those engines would probably have to meet current emission standards, but he seemed to be implying otherwise. I did not push that question further to clarify what he meant.

[RodKnock]

Ya, I didn't want to muck up my explanation to the OP, but here it is:

"Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act of 2015”

https://www.sema.org/news/2015/12/04...praise-new-law

[RodKnock]

Here's a link to SunDude's previous thread about it here:

NEWS: New bill in US Congress would allow for turnkey replicas

As I understand it, the engines will have to be emissions compliant to today's standards.

[RodKnock]

Another thread CC link related to the new law:

Bill HR 2675

I'd have to speculate that compliance by the Cobra replica industry to sell completed cars here in the US could be VERY expensive. So, at this point, I'm sure what the effect of the new law will be.

I couldn't even begin to imagine the conversation with a CA DMV employee about an emissions compliant Cobra replica purchased in completed form. I think I'd have to carry a hammer with me, just in case I needed it to bang my head every few minutes while speaking with DMV folks.

[SSCobra]

I just completed the registration in CA using past bills that were inspected on the build and then taking the car to a referee, who once gave their pass I was then able to submit to DMV for full registration

Pretty easy

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by SSCobra

I just completed the registration in CA using past bills that were inspected on the build and then taking the car to a referee, who once gave their pass I was then able to submit to DMV for full registration

Pretty easy

Glad to hear it!

What do you mean by "past bills that were inspected on the build"?