My SB100 Adventure

[pavieSD]

Radelow,

I'm in the mission valley bay park area, so right down the street from the CHP inspection office. I also have an air filter and emissions tube that you can borrow if need be. You can also swing by and check out my FFR if you have any questions. Good luck with the smog inspection. PM me and I'll shoot you my cell phone if you want to coordinate something. Cheers.

Mark

[radelow]

Ok great. Shoot me a PM and we can coordinate... Thanks for the offer FFR but this might be easier and quicker...

[CJBergquist]

So what is a "proper PCV hose"?

I just got my Coupe inspected by the CHP today. All he did was look at the receipts and verified the stamped FFR number matched the Certificate of Origin then filled out form REG 124 (Application For Assigned Vechicle Identification Number Plate), signed it and gave me two copies, one for me and one for the DMV. No Number Plate required since the FFR number was stamped on the car. I'm sure the DVM will not like that and will send me back to the CHP...time will tell.

[vnmsss]

Chris......If the CHP didn't assisgn an official VIN number and install a California VIN plate, I'd go back and have them do it......Without a VIN plate from the CHP it's likely not to go well at the BAR, as the referee will need to verify the car has been to CHP for the VIN....I'd be concerned, and while you may be able by some comedy of errors to run through the process now, you may run into problems later. Just MHO.....

After completing the SB100 process 5 times, I've developed an understanding of the roles of each of the departments in the process.

The DMV is your "paperwork" generator, as well as the entity that initializes and finishes the registration process of your vehicle in the CA DMV system. The CHP office is responsible to verify that the chassis/frame of your car is the one represented in the paperwork you presented to the DMV, as well as to assure that the major driveline parts (engine, trans) are legitimately in the car so that a VIN can be assisged to the car. The officer will want to see proof of purchase of the motor and trans, or the paperwork verifying your purchase of the donor car. The inspection process at the CHP should be the same at the each of the various offices. The big variable lies in the knowledge base of the individual officer inspecting the car, as well as their interest in either making it a simple, straight-forward process, or the degree to which they make the applicant "twist in the wind." I've been very fortunate in that all of my cars have been completed by very professional officers at the Riverside office, however, I've read and heard about others that have had far different experiences.

Once the VIN is on the car, the owner can then schedule an appointment at the BAR for the referee to verify the car to the 1965 body style emissions rules (which you will need to tell them at the BAR). The visual inspection includes a verification that a properly installed PCV valve is on the car, and that all vent/vacuum ports are properly closed/sealed. It should only be a visual check, and you should not be asked to put your car on the dyno (although, again, I've heard and read otherwise).....When you schedule you appointment at the BAR, be sure to tell the scheduler that it's for an SB-100 car, as they need to schedule a double appointment to allow the referee enough time to inspect the car and complete the paperwork. Once done, the referee will install a smog exempt verification sticker somewhere in the engine compartment (usually).

The next step would be to return to the DMV to complete the paperwork. The DMV doesn't care where the VIN plate is located or what's on it, and should not even be looking at the VIN on your car at this point....When you return to the DMV, they will want the completed verification form from the CHP office, the completed referee paperwork to match the car up in the DMV system, and proof (if required) of your brake and light inspection......They will assure all fees have been paid, and you will walk out with your plates.

Karen

[vnmsss]

radelow........You're doing a great job of navigating this very convoluded and complex process....As your journey continues, just be sure to ask and verify any number of times you feel necessary that the car's VIN wich is entered into the DMV system (started by DMV, linked by CHP, and eventually finalized at the DMV) is appropriately linked to the work done at the BAR, and that includes your assurance that the SB-100 number is linked to the same VIN...If any of these are misaligned, you will be getting a smog renewal notice 5 years from now.....Good luck!!!

Karen

[pavieSD]

Originally Posted by CJBergquist

So what is a "proper PCV hose"?

My understanding is that it is a rubber hose that has an emissions compliant number stamped on the outside. You can get generic heater hose but if it doesn't have that stamp, then they may reject it.

[FFR5452]

I agree with Karen. You could possibly have a mess on your hands if the correct vin number isn't used. In most cases, because your car was previously registered in another state and was assigned a Kentucky vin number, I would think the chp would either use that number or issue a new California vin number. I've never heard of a California car using the FFR vin number for registration purposes.

Get it right the first time or your life will get alot more complicated at renewall time. Ask Eddie what he goes through every year or two.

[Bill Lohmiller]

Was curious about the VIN thing so did a bit of poking around.

This is direct from CA DMV website in regards to field verification of VIN's and perhaps why the inspecting officer used whatever was on the frame Vehicle Verifier Instructions

"In those instances when a vehicle has a die stamped VIN on the frame, inspect and record the VIN on the frame rather than the VIN on the plate. For example: A sedan has a plate in the forward luggage compartment that bears the VIN. In addition, the VIN is die stamped into the frame under the rear seat. For the purpose of verification, always inspect and record the die stamped VIN on the frame rather than the plate whenever the vehicle has a die stamped VIN."

Perhaps in using the stamped VIN versus the assigned VIN from Kentucky the officer was simply going according to the book? Would be interesting to hear from Ray about this aspect.

Regards,
Bill

[John / My427SC]

Technically, your car is not eligible for SB100 since it is for "initial registrations" and your car has already been registered.

That is why they enacted SB 1578 - to eliminate the "initial" part.

SB 1578 Senate Bill - CHAPTERED

When it comes to Special Constructed Vehicles, California likes to do things their way. For example, it may be perfectly legal to register one of these cars in another state as a "1965" but in CA, that is a big no-no. The model year should be the year the vehicle was presented for registration.

Are there ways around it - yes. AAA does registrations and if you went to your local AAA office and said you had a 1965 Ford registered in "whatever state", they would probably just accept it at face value and register the car here as a 1965. The problem is - they have you sign the form where you are stating that it is a 1965 and eventually it could catch up to you...

Since FFR does not actually use a VIN plate, the CHP officer should have riveted a blue tag with your VIN that was easily accessible - (in case you got stopped by the police for example, they should be able to easily check your VIN against your paperwork). Check your car to see if you have one, you should, and if you do - that is the VIN you need to use from now on

[68GT500MAN]

Like everything to do with the CHP and DMV in California, sometimes they are satisfied with the stamped number from FFR on the frame as long as it matches the COO. I took a coupe to the Madera CHP and all he wanted to check was if the stamped number matched and said no blue plate required. That was in contrast to the roadster that I had inspected in Fresno where the CHP checked the stamped number and then applied a blue plate over it.
Doug

[CJBergquist]

I basically got the same treatment as Doug. The number stamped to the frame matched the COO so he used that for the VIN and did not attach a VIN Plate. When I questioned about no VIN plate he said to get back to him if anyone in the process had an issue. It seems to follow what Bill said below.

When I get the BAR appointment I'll try to talk to the inspector prior to the appointment and make sure there will not be any issues with the lack of a VIN plate. I'll keep you all posted.

[CJBergquist]

Okay, got PCV hose with PCV marked on them.

Got a BAR appointment for next Wednesday at the Ever Green College in South San Jose. Since I'm going to tow the car down I decided to drive down and check the access and parking. When I got there the shop was open so I went in and had a long, friendly conversation with the BAR inspector. He said the main thing he does for SB100 SPNS vehicles is to verify the car is NOT a limited manufactured vehicle...what ever that is. He told me to bring receipts for major parts and photos that could be used to confirm I built the car...photos...how many do you want????I think I'm up to 3,000...he said 20 - 30 would do. He confirmed he would check for a operational PCV. Next shocker...no smog test...doesn't even need to come off the trailer or be started. Once he is satisfied I built the car and the VIN matches the CHP document he will certify it as a 1960 model car and apply the all important smog exempt sticker.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[radelow]

*UPDATE*

Finally heard back from the BAR inspector. "Upper management" has determined that the 7500 mile rule does not apply to my car as it is "exempt" from California Smog. So I am due to go back in this week to get fully approved. I borrowed the required air filter and piping for the PCV so it should just be cursory (he already inspected the car and said that was all that is missing).

I have informed the DMV that the CHP is using the FFR Vin NOT the Kentucky VIN so they are making the change in the computer. BAR is using the FFR Vin. I am sure it will all get cocked up when I go the DMV for my final appointment.

I will keep everyone in the loop as I move through the next step.

[CJBergquist]

Got my BAR SPCN Certificate. 45 minutes. No test. The inspector looked at the photos I brought (below were the ones he said were the best) to "prove" it is a kit car and I built it. Checked the CHP document and checked the car to see that the VIN matched...he did ask where my CHP sticker was...told him "Office Bob" siad since the COO number matched the FFR number stamped on the frame there was no need. He accepted that. Last he checked the PCV valve and hoses. Now it's off to the DMV....

[radelow]

*UPDATE* - I received by SB100 exemption sticker from the smog referee this morning. According to him there was a ton of emails back and forth and at one point they were fully prepared to tell me that because my car had less than 7500 miles I had to ship it out of state. Fortunately, and for reasons unknown to the referee or myself, they changed their minds and instructed him to inspect and give me the sticker. Now it is off to the DMV next Wednesday to wrap up the process!

[radelow]

*UPDATE* - My SB100 process is complete!!!! Took all the paperwork to the DMV, took them 10 minutes and I had all my paperwork, my custom plate, and stickers!!!!!

All in all not really that bad of a process...

[CJBergquist]

Congratulations!!!

FYI, I got mine this morning and now have plates too. They wouldn't take my personalized plates, they issued me new plates and said I had to wait 72 hours and I could come back and swap them...for another $50.

[Mick]

Congratulations - Thanks for the info, very helpful.