340 of 500 spcns slots gone for '04

[SCOBRAC]

Indeed, it is quite a bit easier now than it was in 2003, the first year they allowed previously registered cars to be exempt.

I was in line about an hour before my DMV understood what a sequence number was. It took that long to get "Sacramento" on the phone. Be polite, cheerful but be determined and be prepared. You'll be fine.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Sterling76,

I'm a bit confused... Are asking about titling a Cobra Replica or your Sterling kit? If its the later, then I have to ask, "where is the title to the '69 VW?" Since you are using a VW chassis, just changing the body, engine, etc, doesn't make it an SPCNS - you still have a '69 VW. I assume that your VW chassis has a VIN...right? The SPCNS Program is for vehicles without an VIN or title.

Good luck,
Randy R...

Reading this: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc580.htm , I have to ask, is the VW title a "junk" title (aka: reported for dismantling)?

[Sterling76]

Randy,

My questions are specifically about the Sterling. You guessed it, my VW donor was "officially junked" as I bought it from a wrecking yard (just the chassis and tranny). The chassis does have a VIN but the DMV search came up empty. They told me that old junked VINs wouldn't necessarily come up in the computer.

580. A "specially constructed vehicle" is a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. A specially constructed vehicle may be built from (1) a kit; (2) new or used, or a combination of new and used, parts; or (3) a vehicle reported for dismantling, as required by Section 5500 or 11520, which, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle dismantled. A specially constructed vehicle is not a vehicle which has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts.

As I see it mine qualifies under (3).

Keith

[Randy Rosenberg]

Got it! Thanks, Keith I just wanted to be sure. No sense "burning" a Sequence Number if one is not needed...

Good luck,
Randy R...

[jdog]

I wonder if DMV would ever 're-issue' an SB100 # if it went 'incomplete'? I understand that you only have 60 days to get you registration completed. I'm sure that at least 1 or 2 of the 500 #'s does not get completed for one reason or another. Do they just 'burn' that number? Are there some from this year that have not been 'completed'? I may go and spend a day at DMV to get some answers? DMV Headquarters is near my house!
I may get my SB100 # the old fashioned way "Earn it"!

jdog

[SCOBRAC]

Not sure were you got the 60 days from... I went 300 days. Jan 2, 2003 to late Oct 2003.

It is my understanding as long as you get it done within the year it was issued it is valid. Maybe it is longer. What if... Not that it could happen, but what if you got your SPCNS # on Dec. 31. I wonder how long you would have to get it inspected and submitted.... Anyone???

[jdog]

I think that the 60 days thing that I read applied to the temp registration that they issue to you when you apply. Not to the SB100 #.
But I still would like to know what happens to those that don't get completed? Does that mean that maybe less than 500 were used last year? I wonder if the law reads 500 total cars can be registered or just 500 'chances'?

jdog

[Turk]

Good luck getting a SB 100 number in December.

I predict the numbers will be all gone by the end of January.
60 days plus is what you get for registration to drive your car while you comply with the CHP and BAR portions of the ordeal.

If your construction, or appointments at CHP etc. are delayed they are pretty good about issuing another extension and another,

I was given three last year, mostly because I was ready but DMV wasn't.

It is true you can take the rest of the year to finish your construction or your registration.Since your temporary expires in 60 plus days, you just can't drive it!
out of it.

jdog,
Once they issue 500 they are finished. They don't care if you finish your car or make a planter out of it. There won't be #501 or #502, because the guy who had 305 left the state or died and his car is never going to be registered.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Turk's right!

Additionnally, it is my understanding that the Sequence Number lasts "forever" - it's assigned your vehicle's VIN. IOW, if you get a Sequence Number in 2004, and you don't complete the process until 2006, then your Sequence Number is still valid, however you may have to pay the annual registration fees, as if it were a completed vehicle.

For example, when I "first attempt" re-titled my SPF in April 2003, I got Sequence Number 390. I completed the re-title within a couple of months, and in June 2003 the DMV issued me a new title as a 2001 SPCNS. In March 2004, the DMV invalidated my title (stating that previous re-title was based upon fraudulent data), yet last month the DMV finally agreed that I could re-title my SPF (yet again). I paid my fees, the DMV sent me a TOP and a list of activities to perform; the list includes a new VIN, Bond and a Brake/Light Cert, but not NO BAR visit. This is because I already had a Sequence Number (#390 from 2003), and I already had a BAR Sticker (from 2003), so the DMV is using that BAR information and transfering it to my new, new re-title. This shows that the Sequence Number is assigned to the vehicle and lasts past year-end date boundaries.

Hope this helps,
Randy R...

[Sterling76]

I made another trip to the DMV this morning just to make sure they could find the VR-2002-25 form. Ironic thing was that there was one guy in the appointment line ahead of me asking similar questions. He has a 62 Healy replica. What are the chances. Anyway the clerks will searching through their books trying to find anything to go by. I stepped but and suggested they look for the VR-2002-25 and (after another 15 minutes) they finally found it. At least I know what to tell them on Jan 3 now.

jdog: I asked about the tax question and they said that for anything that I could show receipts for where I had already paid sales tax, I would not be charged again.

How does one derive a "labor cost"? I know they want one even if you did all your own labor. I'm not a licensed mechanic so my hourly rate can't be worth much... ?? eg: 100 hours times $10/hr = $1000? Has anyone been given any guidence in this area?

Keith

[Turk]

I was asked a similar question.
They ansered it for me...

They asked me how much I insured the car for?

Don't give in to the temptation to under value your car to save a few bucks in registration and taxes, and then turn around and nsure it for a higher amount. I am sure they have access to the Insurance policies and if they wanted to, they could easily find out what you think your $20,000 car is REALLY worth.

Couple of years ago, assuming you did the work yourself, there would not be any additional taxes paid YOUR labor. There still is not.
However mid-year they changed the forms you must fill describing the "kit car" you claim, you bought. They realize you only paid $11,000 for your FFR and and the engine came out of a donor car. Then you did all the work. They want more than the txes and fees due on a $12,000 car.

What is your FFR worth now? how about after paint, and completion? If it is a $30,000 car now after all your hard work, that is what the taxes supposed to be based on. It doesn't matter if you did the work or someone else did.

What is the car worth?

Some of our previous diffculties with DMV and Morgenster have been because of some of us giving them something to sink their teeth into. More revenue! You can easily be made a scapegoat for avoidance of taxes and fees. Not worth it!!

Do the right thing.

[jdog]

Thanks Sterling76, the tax thing was a worry for me. I feel better now. I have already signed up for the 3 of Jan off, hoping that I have my car by then. Good luck getting you car registered, I don't even have a car yet!

P.S.
Did you guys just get a little snow?

Turk,
I bought a $40,000 painted roller & have $20,000 in engine & trans. Everything was purchased in Calif & all sales taxes paid. How much is my car worth? I will insure it for $60,000.

jdog