CA DMV and SPCNS (Specially Constructed Vehicle)

StevieC · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:07 pm Post subject:

I just registered mine in CA
It says 1970 VW but the date first sold says 00/00/000

Autoclub insured it no problem as a sedan

jeffh355 · Samba Member Joined: January 14, 2005 Posts: 51

I read through this entire thread and a question comes to mind. My Buggy title says 57 VW 2 door. BUT, on the body of the buggy is a little steel replacement vin tag that the CHP issues that is pop rivited to the fiberglass by my left knee sitting in the drivers seat. My insurance company has it as a 57 VW dune buggy and has lots of pictures and a copy of the registration so I'm not concerned about the liability issue.

I'm going to ASSUME the title is incorrect but it does have a CHP vin sticker and correct insurance?? I'm feeling like I should leave well enough alone for now. Thoughts?

BL3Manx · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:11 pm Post subject:

The number on the title should match the VIN number on the CHP tag. If they don't match then your title is no good. If the numbers match, then whether they call it a 2 door or no door is of no importance.

Just make sure the insurance company has it listed as what it really is.

StevieC · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:30 pm Post subject:

Steve, That answer was for Jeff, but yes, you should double check that the insurance company knows its a buggy or you could definitely have a problem if there is an accident. If they get a chance to deny a claim, they have been known to do it for even more minor issues than its not what they were told it is.

StevieC · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

yeah I purposely told them it was a sedan so they would cover it
I also told them it was my daily driver so I would save money by not listing my full coverage diesel pick up as my commuter
I may have went about this the wrong way

jgreen61 · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:58 pm Post subject: SPCNS

It seems odd that so many people seem to think that just because they have their dune buggy registered and they have insurance that they are legal and OK.... I personally think the rules in CA's smog and environmental laws suck big time and my TDI Beetle has the EGR valve defiantly ripped out of it, but it is a cold hard fact that if you have a dune buggy it absolutely needs to be registered as a SPCNS vehicle to be legal, just because you have it registered as something else that does not make it legal. Technically you can have your dune buggy impounded and leave you standing at the side of the road..... no I don’t think this will happen any time soon but it can. CA just had a amnesty for improperly registered vehicles a couple years ago and that tells me that they see the problem and it is not just dune buggy’s. Just saying hey your OK as long as you have a registration and insurance is just plain silly. Unless you have a Baja Bug your Chopped up VW Bug better say SPCNS on the title if you want to be CA legal., hell the pink slip I have from 1972 is a SPCNS title, that person did it correct back in 1972 so this is not new news. Rolling Eyes

HillBuggy · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2014 9:47 am Post subject:

In 54 years its always been my experience that law enforcement and DMV’s main concern is always first formost what the chassis is.

As far as the insurance company is concerned
I can’t believe that as long as they know what it is (a buggy) there would ever be an issue because of what the reg says.

Its also been my experience
The last thing you want to do is ask the DMV what the rules are …. Ask 5 people there and you will get 5 or more different answers …. and most of them will involve you paying fees that you could avoid.

StevieC · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:42 pm Post subject:

I just got back from the DMV, my car is registered as a 1970 VW sedan
My tags had expired and I went to pay for the new ones... made an appointment and everything
The lady at the window said my transfer was never completed
I said there's a mistake, I already got the pink slip in the mail, paid the fee's the whole nine yards and the registration is in my name
She said that's not what the computer says and she can't help me
I asked for the manager and he looked it up and said the title was pulled by the computer system and looked up to see if the vin has a hold on it, but nothing showed up
He was able to do something in the computer and fix it up, and said I'll be getting a new pink slip in the mail in thirty days
I hope I don't have to go through this every year

Dale M. · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:50 am Post subject:

Well it's CA DMV... Keep you fingers crossed.... First thing you do is validate the fact the numbers (VIN) on your title match the number on your ride when new documents arrive....

California's "computer systems" are archaic and a joke, and no matter how much money they spend it never seems to get fixed.....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

StevieC · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 10:14 am Post subject:

Thanks
Where are the vin numbers on my car?

BL3Manx · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:03 am Post subject:

On top of the tunnel a few inches forward of the shift coupling access cover

StevieC · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:08 am Post subject:

Thanks, is it stamped in?

I don't recall seeing it and now the whole thing is under 3/8" of herculiner

Dale M. · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:09 am Post subject:

Usually here if it's the original VW assigned ... Its about 1-1/2 inches forward of screw hole that holds down shift coupler cover plate...

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

IF its a DMV assigned VIN it could be anywhere, either a riveted on plaque or stickie back "decal"....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

Dale M. · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:10 am Post subject:

2mAn · Samba Member Joined: October 17, 2005 Posts: 34

bumping this up.

I am just beginning the project, should I get started with the title also? If I were to get one of the 500 SPCN #s but the car isnt complete until next year would that pose a problem? I have AAA and plan to have the VIN verified. I will have the actual title and, hopefully, proof that the VIN is clear.
_________________
function follows form

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 4:51 pm Post subject:

The car has to be complete when you take it to the CHP for Special Construction VIN assignment

californiacaterhamclub.com/howto.doc‎

Dale M. · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:50 pm Post subject:

StevieC · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:55 pm Post subject:

I'm about to ditch AAA as well, I love having it but I pay five hundred a month for all my vehicles including my buggy.
They used to cover a couple hundred miles into Mexico but now they have zero coverage there. I go a couple times a week. I'm gonna a find a new insurance that covers me, might even save a couple hundred a month

Dale M. · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject:

We keep the AAA road service, BUT when the buggy was broken down with broken clutch pedal, they (call center) would not send the tow truck because it was modified vehicle.... Few day later spoke to drive of flat bed tow rig that AAA uses in my area and he said "no problem" and he was standing there with me admiring the repaired buggy....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...


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CA DMV and SPCNS (Specially Constructed Vehicle)
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