Building and Registering a Manxter in CA - Help / Info neede

Iguana

Hi fellow Buggy People I am hopeful that some of you will be able to help me out.

I am trying to find out what is required to register a Manxter in CA ?

I am currently living in Australia and looking to relocate to the US in the SOCAL Area and am looking to build a Manxter as soon as I get there.

Not being from the USA I have no idea what needs to be done legally to get one registerd. I have read alot about titles and Tags and smog etc and would greatly appreciate if someone could spell it all out for me and point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help looking forward to getting out and seeing some of the USA of buggy style.
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Buy a kit, Build a Dream !www.meyersmanx.com.au

BL3Manx · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:25 pm Post subject:

Its no big deal

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

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

Iguana · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:57 am Post subject:

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:16 am Post subject:

Actually I think the rush to build SPCN cars has slowed and they are pretty much available anytime for now at least...

Additional information....

http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA

And...

http://www.bipac.net/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_CA.pdf

Dale
_________________
Lives his life vicariously through his own self...
1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.

All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

BL3Manx · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:40 am Post subject:

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:03 am Post subject:

May be a phone call to DMV will answer how may SPCH registrations are available...

http://gethuman.com/phone-number/DMV-California/customer-service--3258/
_________________
Lives his life vicariously through his own self...
1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.

All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

Iguana · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys all looks good, much easier and more sensible than Australia
_________________
Buy a kit, Build a Dream !www.meyersmanx.com.au

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject:

Another consideration may be to be buy a complete "legally titled" donor car that title can be transfer to you to start from once you are in residence .... A legal title is everything in Calif...

Dale
_________________
Lives his life vicariously through his own self...
1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.

All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

EVfun · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject:

Could it be easier if a buggy from a nearby state was bought? It should already be titled and only need a transfer. The thought occurs to me because many beach buggies in Washington are still titled as Beetles and that might fly under the radar.

nightmanx11 · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject: Aussie Moving

Brad,

So you are coming to the "states".

A guy with your ideas and fabrication abilities will have no problems when it comes to getting a title & registration. Just use your contacts with Meyers Manx - Australia, and remember to checkin with Bruce & Winnie.

In fact, I think you might be worrying a tad to much on how to accomplish this task.

Will you be bringing your blue Manxter along?
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

[img]

Joe
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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

BL3Manx · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

Importing anything later than 1967 into the US is a huge challenge and sometimes just impossible.

Bringing a buggy into California from another state is definitely not easier.

The easiest way to do it is get a pre-76 VW chassis (which you pre-check the chassis numbers with the DMV that has no back fees or isn't stolen before you buy it), then go through the steps to get it registered as a Special Construction.

916pat · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:09 pm Post subject:

did bl3manx just say register it special construction? never thought I would read that.

BL3Manx · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:48 pm Post subject:

With certificates of sequence easy to get now, its the only thing that makes sense. But who can say whether it'll stay this way or they'll all be gone the first few days of January again.

JustBuggy · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:51 am Post subject:

I got a Certificate of Sequence in March a couple of years ago when I registered my kit car. Out of the yearly statewide 500 available my number was less than 100. Much easier to get than I would have thought after hearing about DMV waiting lines starting at 3am December 31st for the few available.

There is a mandatory California Highway Patrol inspection to check for stolen parts. A manditory brake and light inspection. A manditory Smog Referee inspection to allow you to not have to go through a bi-yearly smog inspection.

After all of this is completed they'll register your car. I asked to keep my original license plates with the older blue/yellow colors.

GTBRADLEY · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:58 am Post subject:

Or just buy one that has already gone through the process then add your touches to make it yours
_________________
Brian B
1973 Surfer GT Boat
1966 Thunder Bug Buggy-current project
1949 Dodge Coronet-retirement project
that is family owned since new

Iguana · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:46 am Post subject:

Hi Joe, yeah heading state side for a while to see how drivinga buggy on the wrong side legally works Laughing

Wouldn't even think of bringing my blue Manxter with me, heaps cheaper to build in the USA than OZ so it will stay here.
At this stage I will bring a lot of manxter to be with me such as Subaru Transmission, EJ22, built BJ front beam, custom fuel tank ( although I will have to make a LHD version) and a heap of other bits I have on the shelf.

After reading the above I will just get a clean title pre 76 pan ( IRS / BJ) and build a new Manxter kit on that, but on teh bits and be away. Only thing I was worried about was dealing with Laws I know nothing about. Seems simple enough though.

I thought of buying one which already had rego etc but would end up just rebuilding it anyway Rolling Eyes

Anyway thanks for all the help.
_________________
Buy a kit, Build a Dream !www.meyersmanx.com.au

64sandscorcher · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject:

DavidB · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:24 am Post subject:

http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcnsreg.htm
Vehicles
A "home-made, specially constructed, or kit vehicle" is a vehicle that is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. These vehicles may be built from a kit, new or used parts, a combination of new and used parts, or a vehicle reported for dismantling (junked) that, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle that was dismantled.

A specially constructed vehicle (SPCNS) does not include a vehicle that has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts or a vehicle modified from its original design.

Example: A Volkswagen "Beetle" with modified fenders, engine compartment lid, and front end, but still recognizable as a Volkswagen is not considered a specially constructed vehicle.

NOTE: The registration requirements for kit commercial vehicles are the same as for specially constructed vehicles.

The Registration Requirements are:

•A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343).
•A vehicle verification done by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). You must start your application process with the DMV prior to contacting the CHP for a vehicle verification. DMV verifies trailers with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less.
•A completed Statement of Construction (REG 5036).
•Proof of ownership, such as invoices, receipts, manufacturers’ certificates of origin, bills of sale, or junk receipts for the major component parts (engine, frame, transmission, and body).

NOTE: A motor vehicle bond is required when proof of ownership cannot be obtained for parts valued a $5,000 or more.
•Official brake and light adjustment certificates. When an official brake and light station that inspects specific vehicles such as motorcycles and large commercial vehicles is not located within a reasonable distance, DMV will accept a Statement of Facts (REG 256) from a repair shop attesting that the brakes and lights are in proper working order. Brake and light certificates are not required for off-highway vehicles or trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
•A weight certificate for commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less.
•An emission control inspection (smog check) by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Station. Click here for information on SPCNS Certificates of Sequence . To make an appointment at a BAR Referee Station, call 1-800-622-7733.
•All fees due.
•Visit your local DMV to begin the application process, make an Appointment(s) for faster service.

Register it legally and you won't have to face felony charges for improperly representing your vehicle to the DMV. Yes it is a felony
all those buggies that don't look like a vw bug, but are registered as such, hum
David Barrett
manxchassis.com
_________________
work hard

JustBuggy · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:31 am Post subject:

When I 1st read this thread, I thought the same thing. I just didn't want to "Rain on your Parade" so to speak.

I had to go through the above steps for my kit car. It really wasn't a big deal, just took some time. The main thing is to make sure that there are no stolen parts so the CHP doesn't confiscate the whole thing!

Tom_Kathleen · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:58 am Post subject:

I have a question that may point out a real problem for Brad to get a Buggy (or any car) registered in CA. In Connecticut, you have to have a valid Connecticut drivers license to register any car. Is that the case in CA? Can you get a CA license if you are not a US citizen? Tom
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Manxter #16, 1962 Manx & Kick-Out SS #16 (WIP)
Manx Club, CVA, SCCA & RBC

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Building and Registering a Manxter in CA - Help / Info neede
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