California Registration - Reading the law

[PiB]

After lusting after the pics of the "GTW" my interest has piqued again in Ultimas, Caterhams and Ginettas.

I live in California and I know some of these cars are here. There is a caterham dealer at Infineon Raceway (sears point). However, with regards to the ultima the law reads:

"If the engine or the vehicle does not sufficiently resemble one previously manufactured, the referee will assign 1960 as the model-year. "

Do they consider an Ultima (or its engine!) not previously manufactured? *pulls at collar*

And here's the whole text that I believe relates to body style but that could be a stretch.

"Per California Vehicle Code §4750.1, the first 500 program applicants in each calendar year may choose whether the inspection is based on the model-year of the engine used in the vehicle or the vehicle model-year. If the engine or the vehicle does not sufficiently resemble one previously manufactured, the referee will assign 1960 as the model-year. "

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm

Is there a thread or are we ever going to see the full specs and build of the black GTW!

[GTWayne]

Full spec can be found in the 'Builders digest' near the bottom of the first page.
I feel humbled that you should find inspiration from the GTW.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

PiB: I have a GTR in Ca. The SB100 law that you quote is the way to go. After you apply for and recieve your number the proceedure is painless. Go to a light and brake inspector he will give you two releases one for the brakes and the other for the lights. Then to the CHP, they want to see invoices and documents another slam dunk because 80% of the car is accounted for on the Ultima paperwork. The CHP will mount two tags on the car, one is a bar code and the other is a replacement I.D.#. The officer that helped me was so cool that he let me use my Ultima serail number as my Ca. I.D. number. Then to the smog referee but the car is exempt so no problems there. Lastly you go back to where you started, to DMV they take the paperwork and issue plates. Cost is about $500.00 for reg $100 for the brake and light guy, CHP is free as is the smog referee. I got my S.B.100 number on January 2nd 2007 I was about 4 months into the build at that time. They require you to pay a years registration up front but here's the neat part. I finished the car in August of 07 went to DMV and got a temporary paper plate. Then I jumped through the hoops listed above and retuirned to DMV in September 07. The lady looked at the paper work and said well the car wasn't operated until August of 07 so you do not need to pay registration fees again until Aug 08. that my friend is as easy as life gets in todays world. Lee

[PiB]

HA! I love it!

So you registered your car late in the year, the 500 SB100 exemptions were not used up already?

Thanks so much for the clear explanation. Very valuable to anybody looking to "California-ize" their car.

good luck

Gonna look at the GTW specs now

Edited by PiB on Thursday 24th April 21:57

[San Diego GTR]

PiB-I'm in California too and Lee explained the process very well, with one exception. You need to get in line at the DMV on the first business day of the new year and get one of the 500 numbers issued. As you can see by the link below, the numbers were all gone on the first day of 2008. I was there at 4am and left at 10am with my number. I'm just getting ready to go to the CHP and then to the BAR.
Paul

[GTRCLIVE]

PiB do you not want people to email you ??? have some nice Pic's of the GTW it you want them PM me and I'll send them to you. Your have to email me as your PM is blocked....

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Paul is right you must get to DMV on the 2nd of January. I like paul was there at 4 am I was number 7 in line and got the 300 something permit given out once the 500 are gone that's it for the year. Thanks for picking up what I left out Paul. Lee

[PiB]

At the time you go to DMV for the permit - does your car have to be ready to roll or still under construction? Say it was a caterham (or ultima) I was buying but not yet even bought yet but on it's way to be completed later in the year.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

I think it would help to have ordered the car so that you could have some paperwork as proof of purhase. but no it does not need to be completed. lee