California SB100 Question ? ? ?

[csx4769]

I thought I finished jumpping through all the hoops. Waited at the DMV for seven hours to get this SB100 cert on Jan 3rd. Then went to the CHP, the BAR , and paid someone to look at the lights to the tune of $76.00. Back to the DMV and I thought I was finished , but wait! I get the registration for my new car and it says " SUSPENSE CUSTOMER COPY" Then it goes on to say SUSPENCE REASON ; VERIFY RECORDS then SUSPENSE TO ; SPU ... What the ??? Has anyone out there received this? Is it normal or am I in for more hoops in the future?? Any positive feedback would be appreciated.

[ToTheMetal]

I can help. E-mail me so we can exchange cell #'s. I have a contact at the DMV investigators office.

[weekendwarrior]

A guess.

SPU (Special Processing Unit)

Looks like they want to verify the customers (your) records ie make sure the $$$ costs reported are correct and the DMV is getting all the monies owned. So you have a registered car, but subject to verification and God help you if you under reported the cost $$$.

JMHO

[jdog]

I hope your car wasn't a 'one receipt' or 'turnkey'! Did you finish it yourself?

jdog

[HowardV]

What I'm about to write is pure specultaion. When i was at the BAR and talking to the referee, he said NO Shelby continuation Cobras can be registered under SB-100. He gave me two reasons:

1. Shelby is a licensed manufacturer - therefore it doesn't meet the requirements of a "specially constructed vehicle".

2. Usually, most people purchase the Shelby continuation series vehicles complete - with an engine and tranny installed by Shelby. Once again, this does not meet the requirements of a "specially constructed vehicle".

Although he did say that he does know of one that did go through SB-100 and the DMV didn't catch it. But he also said that they may be getting letters from the DMV down the line. CA just doesn't like Shelby - specially for the reason when Carroll tried to pass off the special Cobras built from all original parts and then got caught because the frames were not original. From what I understand, they were new frames left outside to look old.

Again, lots of speculation on my part and heresay. But it does make sense. Good Luck!

Howard

[jdog]

I know that there are a lot more than one 'continuation' Shelby registered under sb100.
That definition would apply to Superformance and others as well.

That may have just be that one persons definition. I hope!

jdog

[HowardV]

Jdog, I have to disagree. SPF and other replica makers are not "licensed" manufacturers in the U.S. Shelby is; remember the Series One Shelby? It meets all government standards, including smog. This is like Chrysler selling the Prowler as a specially constructed vehicle if it didn't meet government mandates. Can't happen.

To the best of my knowledge, one can buy a completed replica Cobra with an engine and tranny from ALL replica makers, including FFR. However, they will not be permitted to be designated as a "specially constructed vehicle". This also applies to SPF. That's why it's smart to buy the engine/tranny from another vendor.

I remember last year many people who applied for SB-100 were turned down because they purchased a completed car (from various vendors, not just Shelby).

But as we have seen, the DMV, BAR, CHP, etc. are not consistent. For example, my SPF serial number was accepted as my VIN, but others had to get a new VIN from the CHP for their SPF cars. Unfortunately, LUCK has alot to do with it.

I'm sure there are plenty of Shelby's that have gotten away with SB-100 even if they purchased their cars complete (as well as other manufacturers). Will the DMV catch them later? Nobody knows.......

Howard

[What'saCobra?]

And, of course, SAI and CS are making all this registration detail perfectly clear to the people that are placing deposits on their cars for delivery in a few years or so?

Or, does the fine print on the contract make it clear that any registration problems are the buyers and neither the manufacturer's (who?) or the dealer's?

Looks to me like SAI buyers are taking a chance or am i mistaken?

[HowardV]

WhatsACobra, I'm not sure if we should be blaming SAI. Don't know if they should be responsible for interpreting all the laws for registering these types of vehicles in our 50 states. After all, there are enough inconsistencies here in CA alone that I'm not sure if ANYONE can predict what will happen with registrations. It's a tough call.

Howard

[jdog]

There are a lot of Shelby owners in Calif that post regularly on the Shelby owners board. None of them have had any problems with Ca registration.
This is the first time, and we haven't heard the final result. Maybe it's for some other reason. I've always known that a complete 'turnkey' was not good.

jdog

[ToTheMetal]

Howie,

Sorry, but you are wrong. I'm "in the business" and know that CSX cars are included in SB-100 as long as they weren't completed (Engine/Tranny) in the same factory as the chassis. I have assisted, legally, in the registration process of CSX's, Kirkhams, and FFR's....No problems other than time.

[csx4769]

Thanks for the input. I have seperate invoices from Shelby and David Kee transmission. However I pulled the motor out of an old ski boat that has been my family since 1970. The boat was registered to me and I didn't think I should have to pay taxes on my personal property. However the lady at the DMV office didn't seem to agree. I was just wonering if anyone elce has had this result? Thanks and watch for me at Riverside SAAC.

[weekendwarrior]

Originally posted by csx4769


Thanks for the input. I have seperate invoices from Shelby and David Kee transmission. However I pulled the motor out of an old ski boat that has been my family since 1970. The boat was registered to me and I didn't think I should have to pay taxes on my personal property. However the lady at the DMV office didn't seem to agree. I was just wonering if anyone elce has had this result? Thanks and watch for me at Riverside SAAC.

Bingo

The value of the engine, sales taxes maybe not, if you have pictures of the boat and engine before the separation, but lic /sales taxes fees based on the valueof the engine in the car? You will have to agree with the DMV on a value of the FE taken out of the boat plus additions to freshen the motor. Did you add alum heads, intake, water pump, clutch, flywheel, rebuild the bottom end, etc?

They know what a 427FE is supposed to be worth.

[What'saCobra?]

How
Not blaming SAI/CS for anything. Our various governments will do what we let them do, no more and certainly not a single millimeter less. Not up to SAI/CS to prevent or fix. That's our job.

i am only asking, since we and SAI/CS know there are serious registration issues involved today (and in the future) and that particularly in CA, CS has 'issues' about consumer fraud in the past, do they advise buyers about potential liabilities and lack of intended use?

Seems like a fair question, given the circumstances. Don't we want to protect our own sport, not only from avaricious government intrusion by the nanny state that wants engines so clean you can inhale the exhaust, but also from potential consumer fraud disasters that further cause knee-jerk over-compensating laws that might further screw other Cobra makers/users?

And, don't we have a responsibility to newbies, thin though their knowledge and large do their wallets be?

Jes' wonderin'.

[Anthony]

Originally posted by csx4769


I have seperate invoices from Shelby and David Kee transmission. However I pulled the motor out of an old ski boat that has been my family since 1970. The boat was registered to me and I didn't think I should have to pay taxes on my personal property. However the lady at the DMV office didn't seem to agree.

Bingo.

Ain't the government nice.

[Tongue Pirate]

This is all a bunch of yuk! Man, i feel for you guys! I kinda understand the completed Shelby Cars not being available to SB100 but I don't know how they can justify that & not a turnkey from any other MFG here in the US. Can't you pull the motor & sell it back to the builder for credit on an earlier block? This could get you back to those pre smog days or is it that you have to register it per year of the car?

[jdog]

No 'turnkey' cars are elligable for SB100, from any vendor, not just Shelbys.

Turnkey = No SB100!

It would be a nice show/race car though!

jdog

[Tongue Pirate]

So they are saying that a turnkey has to be registered by year it was produced or year of the block?

[Randy Rosenberg]

Let me see if I can help here...

csx4769, I think you hit the nail on the head with the issue about the value of your Cobra does not include the value of your FE. Once this financial matter is solved, I'm sure you will be able to put all of this titling stuff behind you. Good luck, and please keep us informed of your progress.

All, Correct, "Shelby Continuation Cobras" cannot be titled as SPCNS. Specifically, I'm referring to the few CSX 3xxx Cobras that Shelby build in the 198x's. These Cobras do not meet the State, Fed and DOT requirements of a new vehicle built in that year by a vehicle manufacturer. Shelby is considered a vehicle manufacturer, so this is why these few completed Continuation Cobras from the 198x's are not titlable in CA.

"Turnkey" to the CA DMV means, "A complete Vehicle built for the sole purpose of selling it." The entity that builds this vehicle (using a kit or not, new or old parts, etc...) is "acting as a vehicle manufacturer" and therefore the "new" vehicle must meet State, Fed and DOT requirements for the year it was built. Imagine showing up a car dealer and seeing a line-up of newly built Cobra Replicas with "for sale" signs on them. These cannot be titled as SPCNS (and therefore are not elligible for SB100 either).

This is a lot different that a customer contracting with a custom car builder to build a vehicle for the customer only to the customer's specifications, on a single receipt. In this case, the custom car builder is not acting as a manufacturer, and the resultant vehicle can be titled as SPCNS (and therefore elligible for SB100). THis is a fairly new position for the CA DMV, and there are members of this forum (including myself) who have had their Cobra Replicas built in the manner and had them titled as an SPCNS (with SB100 elligibility). Yes, we have problems intially, but the CA DMV is now not denying SPCNS titles to custom built vehicles, built to customer specifications. BTW, this also extends to non-Cobra replica custom car builders, as well.

Currently SB953 was introduced this year (however may be delayed until next year) which includes a new vehicle definition (Replica) that includes specific wording to include custom vehicles built to customer specification. The intent with that specific item is to remove the grey area about what difference between a "turnkey" and a custom built vehicle.

Hope this helps,
Randy R...

[OCsparky]

I have another ? I purchased my cobra about 6 months ago i am the third owner the car was built in 1992 and has been titled 1965 america cobra. I went to the dmv not trying to hide anything and they issued me a pink slip saying 1965 american cobra. No questions asked. Should i be worried?

If you have any info that you feel i should know please feel free to pm me.

Thanks Adam