California SB100 - Title Transfer - Question

[PlockeIII]

Hey guys new to the forum. Just purchased a Cobra Replica that is currently registred and titled in California with a SB100 Certificate. I am trying to do the title transfer thru a DMV service here is San Diego and they are telling me the DMV is asking for a SMOG. Does anyone have any experience with the title transfer process when the car has a current SB100 Certificate? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[twobjshelbys]

Did you give the transfer place the SB100 number?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Did you give the transfer place the SB100 number?

X2


Bill S.

[panteralee]

I would physically schedule an appointment with the DMV and go to their office with the SB100 certificate. I have not done this personally, but I did something at AAA and it got balled up. Going to DMV is talking to the source.

[SBSerpent]

SB100 is a different animal. Don't waste your time at the local AAA office. Just go directly to the DMV. AAA won't know what to do with the SB100.

Take a photo of the SB100 tag which I am assuming is somewhere on the car. The title will also show the SPCNS designation and should have 0000 for the 'Model Year'. Show this documentation to the DMV agent and request a title transfer to your name. If they ask you for a smog certificate then they have no idea what they're talking about and request to speak to the field office manager. If the manager has no idea. then tell them to call Sactown and educate themselves on the SB100 while you wait.

The SB100 exempts the car from smog for the entire life of the car. It is a 'one and done' deal, meaning that even if the car leaves California and is registered/titled in another state, it can still return to Cali and the SB100 is still valid.

[PlockeIII]

Originally Posted by SBSerpent

SB100 is a different animal. Don't waste your time at the local AAA office. Just go directly to the DMV. AAA won't know what to do with the SB100.

Take a photo of the SB100 tag which I am assuming is somewhere on the car. The title will also show the SPCNS designation and should have 0000 for the 'Model Year'. Show this documentation to the DMV agent and request a title transfer to your name. If they ask you for a smog certificate then they have no idea what they're talking about and request to speak to the field office manager. If the manager has no idea. then tell them to call Sactown and educate themselves on the SB100 while you wait.

The SB100 exempts the car from smog for the entire life of the car. It is a 'one and done' deal, meaning that even if the car leaves California and is registered/titled in another state, it can still return to Cali and the SB100 is still valid.

I took a photo of my tag and I am taking it to the DMV. Thanks for your suggestion. I will let you guys know how it goes.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by SBSerpent

SB100 is a different animal.

The SB100 exempts the car from smog for the entire life of the car. It is a 'one and done' deal, meaning that even if the car leaves California and is registered/titled in another state, it can still return to Cali and the SB100 is still valid.

^ this. It stays with the car so you are doing a simple title transfer. Pay your taxes and title and it should be done. As mentioned, if the dmv rep doesn't know SB100 go up the food chain as far as Sacto if necessary.

[JoeCobra1]

Hi Cobra Clubers. I live in California and I might buy a Cobra out-of-State and will want to register it in California. If it doesn't have the SB100 certificate, what else do I need to look for so I can register the Cobra without jumping through a lot of hoops?
One I'm looking at in OR is registered as a 1965 Ford.
I'm new to this and don't want to buy a Cobra I can't register.
Many thanks for any feedback.

[panteralee]

I am aware of several people that did what you are planning to do. Bought a "kit" car from outside Cali and successfully registered it as SB100. My understanding also is it matters not what "year" the current state calls it. SB100 will register it as the year you apply for the title. The drive train must comply with smog standards that were applicable to the approximate year the original car (i.e. 1965 cobra) existed which is just a PCV valve. Having receipts from the P.O. as to what they paid for engine, trans, body, etc. would be good to have just in case. I am looking to do the same thing and have been told be several that the system works.

[jhv48]

Ok, Joe, here’s the skinny on registering a cobra in California from another state. If the current registration lists the car as a 1965 xxxxxx (ford, cobra, Superformance, etc.) all you need to do is show up at DMV and present the registration. If you get a clerk that doesn’t know what they are seeing, they will blindly issue you a new California registration as a 1965 (whatever). And then off you go.
HOWEVER, what you have done, in California’s eyes, is commit fraud (because you knowingly misrepresented the year of the vehicle you are transferring) and if caught (rarely happens) stiff penalties and confiscation of the car could result. (Do a forum search and there are loads of information by DMV officials) The reason for this is that California charge’s registration fees and smog requirements based on the year of actual production of the vehicle and the fees and smog requirements for a 1965 vehicle are substantially less than a 20?? Vehicle. Thus the fraud.
Now, if you will only put a few hundred miles on the car each year, it might be worth the gamble. However, if you will frequently drive the car, you might not be inclined to take the chance. Many 20?? Cobras are registered as 1965 vehicles in California and none that I know of have ever been caught.
The SB100 registration exemption is the ONLY way to LEGALLY register a replica cobra in California without having to pass whatever smog laws were in effect at the time the vehicle was completed. And it’s a huge pain in the ass to go through the process. But when you’re done, you’ll pay registration fees based on the actual year of your vehicle’s production and the vehicle will be smog exempt for the life of the car, which is a huge selling point to prospective California buyers.
So, choose wisely and then enjoy the ride. Good luck.

[panteralee]

I have heard of people "trying" to do what you describe - "just show up at the DMV and pretend you have a 1965 cobra and the DMV blindly believes you". And I know that months later they got a letter from the DMV saying "your registration isnt correct". Good luck trying that stunt. SB100 is the way to do this. Which is what I previously said.

[SBSerpent]

If you pursue the SB100 route, this is what is involved:

To register a Cobra in California, you will need to go the route of a Specialty Constructed Vehicle and ultimately acquire an SB100 certification, which makes the car smog exempt for it's entire life here in the Republik of Kalifornia.

Paperwork that is required for submission in order to get the SB100 process going is: 1) Certificate of Origin for the car 2) Certificate of Title 3) Separate invoices showing the cost of all major components (body/chassis, motor, transmission) 4) Build pictures of the car as it was going through the process of being built 5) a plethora of separate DMV forms including Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Plate (REG 124), DMV Report of Deposit of Fees (i.e. taxes paid on the purchase price), DMV Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), Statement of Construction (REG 5036) and a VIN Verification (REG 31).

Upon entry into California, you will need to bring the vehicle in to your local DMV field office for an inspection (typical for all out of state vehicle purchases). This is the first step before you do anything else.

You will also need to bring the car to a local CHP field office to have the VIN verified and the car inspected for any stolen parts (i.e. they check the serial number on the motor to make sure it doesn't show up on some stolen auto parts data base).

Time consuming but worth the effort. I did it myself and recently acquired the SB100 for my Backdraft Cobra, which I purchased used from an owner in Illinois.

You can also hire someone (an attorney) who goes through this entire process for you. Not sure how much that costs.

[Newby1967]

Can anyone provide me with the contact information for a person who will register cobras in california for a fee. I would like to consult with that person before I buy one from out of state and then use them to register the car once I purchase it. Thanks