CA registration question

BrianK · Post by **BrianK** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:49 pm

Hello all, I've just purchased a buggy from out of state. Evidently, there exists both a VW title and a Special Construction title (from the other state), the latter being up-to-date; the former is a few years old. I've read this thread trying to find info on CA registration, but it's got mixed information... When do you have to get a certificate of sequence? Why can some people just register a buggy when others have to go through this long process of certificates and inspections? Finally, if my buggy gets registered as an '05 or '06 (which seems plausible if I miss the COS), how the heck is it supposed to pass a smog check - what are they going to look for? Any other pointers for registration? I've downloaded the "Statement of Construction" form (though I don't know if that's applicable being that the buggy's been around for quite some time now), and the typical "Application for Title or Registration" form. Anything else? Thanks a ton. This stuff is confusing.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:23 pm

Titles should be permanent and not subject to going out of date. Do you have an old VW title or is it an annual registration? If it really is a title, take it in to the DMV and ask them to issue you a new California title and registration. Just keep calling it a VW.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:34 pm

Brian, What about the VIN number? Is the original VW VIN still stamped on the tunnel? Do you have the original VW title in hand, and does the VIN number on that title match the one on the tunnel? If so, you should be able to register the car as a VW after you get a VIN inspection from your local law enforcement agency (call the police business line, set up a time for an officer to come out to your house). Get the proper forms off the DMV's web site before having the officer come out. If the SPCN VIN number is also present, you will want to remove it prior to the VIN inspection if you are going the 'register it as a VW route'. If the SPCN VIN number has been riveted over the top of the original VW VIN number, you might not want to do this, as that would constitute tampering. If all else fails and you have to get a Certificate Of Sequence (COS), the time for that is coming right up. You get those the first day the DMV opens in the new year. Go to a small town with a DMV so you will be close to first in line. Even then, I hear it can be a hassle. If you get a COS, you will get a waiver that you show to the smog police, exempting your car from the smog check program. The easiest way is to get a currently registered pan or wrecked VW and install the buggy body onto it. Leave the registration as VW. Do be sure to insure it as a buggy, whichever way you do the registration.

BrianK · Post by **BrianK** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:48 pm

Thanks Lee - that's very helpful. The buggy is still en route, so I don't know about the VIN stamping - I'll be sure to check it out as soon as it gets here (which won't be until the 1st of January). In the past, I almost purchased another buggy from here in CA that had a Specialty Construction title & was required to pass smog. The owner said it passed without issue. I can't imagine that he put any sort of emission equipment (like a cat, diagnostic ports, etc) on it.... Does anyone know what the smog check on a buggy would consist of? I can imagine I might have to deal with that if I'm not able to get a certificate of sequence before they're all used up.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:06 pm

if you regester it as a bug . you will not need any smogif you go the other way you will. per my info at dmv. you will not have any problems regestering it as long as you have a title. you could go to a service company and let them do everything for a small fee. I was able to regester mine with out any paperwork, or proof of ever owning it. you just need to know what to say. I didnt even pay taxes . that was an unexpected bonus.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 11:38 pm

A VIN number is a standardized 17 digit number. It wasn't put on cars until the early 80s. His buggy will not have a VIN number. It will have a chassis number, which should match the number on the VW title. If it does he should just take the VW title into the DMV and request a California title be issued. The DMV may request the chassis number be verified. If they do, he can get any uniformed police officer to check the number and sign the form.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:20 am

VW's had VINs long before the 80's. Definitely not the 17 character standardized ones now present, but they had them. Regarding smog checks, your VW WILL require smog if it's built on a '74(I believe that's the currently the cutoff year in CA) or newer pan, which is probably unlikely. '75 thru '79 pans were fuel injected. If any of those pans exist, they were probably converted to carbs and you'd have a hard time finding replacement parts to put one back to stock injected form.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:39 am

Actually VW beetles had a "Fahrgestell", which is a "Chassis number", they are located on the pan in front of the shift rod linkage access panel. The one on my 49 split is 1-0 122 918. They also had body or I. D. numbers, which are located on a plate attached behind the spare tire and were different than the chassis number. Vehicle Identification Numbers is the name for the internationally standardized 17 digit number all manufacturesrs started using in the early 80s. Check for yourself. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number

5150bossman · Post by **5150bossman** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:19 am

Our buggy is registered as a '66 VW SPCN (Special Construction), and since it falls after the '74 cut off date here in California, DMV does not require it to be SMOG'd. :rock:

allen pierce · Post by **allen pierce** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:21 am

Well, while all that Wikipedia stuff is true and accurate, my 1970 VW and 1972 VW California pink slips have the chassis/frame number where it says VIN. Thus, in the modern world, the old chassis/frame numbers are being used by the California DMV as VIN numbers. So, everyone is right with their points of view, and we need to talk the DMV talk... "a VIN is a VIN is a VIN" (no matter what the number was called in the past).