Title issues in California

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TDK

Active member
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
28
Location
Los Angeles
Hello! I am new here, and I am trying to sort out some issues with getting my rat rod titled in CA.

I looked over all the laws and regulations, but it seems like there are
several options for how a vehicle can be registered. If it's very old, it can
be registered as a historic vehicle. But mine is a 1966, so that won't work.

It also seems like you can get a vehicle registered as a scratch-built
vehicle, but they only give out 500 licenses per year. But my problem
in that case, is that my engine block is from a 1977 engine. For
smog regulations in CA, your vehicle needs to meet the standards
for the newest item in the vehicle. In other words, even if the body
was a 1920, I'd need to meet 1977 smog requirements. If the engine
is 1920, and the body is 1977, I'd still need to meet 1977 smog
requirements.

Now the good thing, is that I do have a title for the vehicle,
but it's from out of state. (Indiana) But do you know what the
DMV is going to require, in terms of transferring the title to CA?
Since it's 1966, it's pre-smog. But do they do any kind of
inspection of the vehicle, prior to allowing it to be registered?
Do they just check the body VIN, or do they also check the
engine number? If it's obviously mostly hand-built, are they
going to require I go through the custom-built process?

I've never registered an older, out of state vehicle like this,
where it might not have proper exhaust, fenders, bumpers, etc.
I am sure once it's registered, those things are just fix-it tickets,
and if it's pre-smog, you don't have to worry about the engine.
But I am concerned about what I might run into when I go down
there to get it registered.

I have heard there are companies who will handle some
of that inspection stuff for you, and act as your representative
at the DMV. Is that a better option? Anyone have any
experiences they could share?

Thanks!!!
 
TDK
If you in southern cal. give the folks at "In N Out Vehicle Registration" Lake Elsinore. I've used them twice with great results. 69 Triumph, no paper work at all. Done
45 Willys, bill of sale, Done. There might be a charge for the out of state thing but?
I think they could register a stump if you wanted it done.
Good luck
PS
Avoid DMV at all cost if you can, AAA might be able to help if your a member.:cool:
 

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