CA Owners: Bay Area BAR Referee Preferences?

[ACHiPo]

I'm looking for recommendations for Bureau of Automobile Repair (BAR) referees (or even guidance on whether it matters these days since SB100 is about 17 years old).

I called the BAR referee to get an appointment. Los Positas CC is the closest BAR Referee to me, and the one most members of BACC (E. Bay) used, but doesn't have an opening that works for me until May. I can get an appointment at the Alameda BAR Referee sooner, but I haven't heard of anyone taking a Specially Constructed vehicle there for inspection, so I'm apprehensive. I've heard good things about the San Jose BAR referee (I think?), but that's a bit far for a work day.

Should I just roll the dice, or stick with Los Positas?

Thanks.

[tom williams]

Evan, do yourself a favor and go with the location that has a good reputation for not being problematic, even if it delays your results a few weeks. I had a choice of 2 locations to get mine registered and after investigating both, found that one was extremely difficult to satisfy, but the other was a breeze. I took the breeze option and it proved to be a very pleasant experience. The SB100 is difficult enough, so I vote to avoid as many negative experiences as possible. Go where you know what to expect.

[redmt]

I know a couple of the guys at LPC. I'd go there hands down.

[crazychris]

I went to the DMV in Roseville, to register the cobra I bought in GA. In GA, it was registered as a 1965 Ford spcon cobra. The Roseville, DMV didn't seem to have any experience with this. After they huddled for a half hour they came back and told me to do the following:
1. Go to the Highway Patrol for an inspection
2. Return to the DMV
3. Then the paperwork gets kicked to Sacramento for a Sequence number.
4. Schedule a smog referee appointment. I think this is a BAR appointment.

The thing that bothered me about this process is they consider my car as follows: make: spcns, Year model: blank, yr 1st sold: 2015,

I asked that it be listed as year model 1965 and they refused.

Anyone else have this experience or did I just go to the wrong place.

[jhv48]

You cannot register your car as a 1965 cobra because it is not actually a 1965 cobra. California calls this fraud. Other States are more lenient.
You are going to have to jump through all kinds of hoops in order to register your car correctly and get an Sb100 smog exemption.
Good luck.
And please keep us updated on this process, as it will help other Californians know what they’re up against should they buy a used, out of state vehicle.

[pormgb]

I have just completed the most challenging process, a SPCNS without an MSO, and got my plates last week.

The process is not that painful if you do your homework, and have the correct answers for the DMV and BAR. The extra step that I had to do was the Brake And Light Inspection, but if it's not on your paperwork, you don't have to do it.


I am expanding a little on your steps. The stages can be different, depending on who you get, and that's why it's essential to know the correct steps.


1. Go to the Highway Patrol for an inspection

Produce the CHP form provided by the DMV, and the CHP will check serial numbers of engine and transmission. They are looking for stolen parts. If all is clear, they will attach a VIN plate (will ask you where), and recommend you stamp your VIN on your chassis.


2. Return to the DMV

At this stage, you can get your sequence number (produce your VIN paperwork). I went to the DMV twice, the first time I was asked to pay my taxes before I could get my sequence number. I was told that some law changed in 2016 that required taxes be paid before a sequence number is assigned. I questioned what I heard, so I went to another location and received my sequence number without paying a penny. When you hand in your VIN paperwork, the DMV attendant will find their manager and call Sacramento for a sequence number.


3. Then the paperwork gets kicked to Sacramento for a Sequence number.

Paperwork is not submitted until all steps are complete.


4. Schedule a smog referee appointment. I think this is a BAR appointment.

Yes, the BAR appointment.

This step is not a smog referee appointment, but when you get your SB100 (smog exemption), proving the car was constructed from a kit (engine + body on separate receipts) and was not initially sold complete by a licensed manufacturer or builder. All Cobra's, even Continuations have to go through the SB100 process to be registered in California. The SB100 process will state the car's smog exemption is based on the engine year or body style year. The referee will most likely pick the body style (1965). But remember, your car will still be XXXX SPCNS. Be careful what you say to the referee, and find someone who has your exact case so you can get the correct wording to answer questions correctly.



5. ( same trip as above, and takes around 40min) Once the referee is satisfied that you meet SB100 requirements (paperwork and sealed PCV system), he will call Sacramento (while you are still there), submit all your information and wait for confirmation. If Sacramento like what they see, you will get you SB100, and a sticker will be placed somewhere in your engine bay. This sticker will have your SPCNS year, engine year and size and state PCV system. The referee will also give you some paperwork stating that you met SB100 requirements.


6. Head back to the DMV, and submit all your paperwork (form the beginning), pay your taxes + registration, and your paperwork will is sent to Sacramento, and they will state that you will receive your title in 2 to 3 weeks. You will then collect your plates, and run away from the DMV office before they change their mind.

Additional notes;
If you trailer your car to the BAR, it is inspected on the trailer and does not have to be unloaded.

When you finally go back to the DMV, the car does not have to be present, because your CHP trip counts as VIN verification.

The DMV can also provide you up to two trip permits, that allow you to transport your car to the CHP and BAR. They actually gave me a few extra bases on the time I specified the build was taking.

Here is a good write up of the process, and the difference here is related to the Brake And Light inspection. I don't believe you need this, because your car was originally registered via an MSO, but others can chime in on this step.

https://bauerltd.com/the-magical-sb1...in-california/