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VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN
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TonyInCA
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:18 pm    Post subject: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

Many buggys in California are titled simply as Volkswagen (whatever year). I was recently reading something that implies if it no longer resembles the original car, then it must be titled as SPCN.

But, what about all the buggies that have been titled as VW for decades? Does this technically mean that one could have an issue if pulled over? It would also seem impossible to 'switch' these to SPCN as one likely wouldn't have all the build details, etc. Although, I am not completely clear on that.

I ask as I am looking to buy a buggy. Is there a risk in buying something that is titled as a VW?

Thanks
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slayer61
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:54 pm    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

Tony,
the samba has a great search function.....

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611474&highlight=california+title
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TonyInCA
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:59 pm    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

slayer61 wrote:
Tony,
the samba has a great search function.....

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611474&highlight=california+title


It does, but that doesn't answer my question. That's about converting a green stickered vehicle.


Last edited by TonyInCA on Wed Aug 31, 2022 10:49 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Dale M.
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:12 pm    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

There is a phrase buried in the CAL DMV that states if the vehicle does no physically resemble and can not be recognized by accepted body style it is a SPCN....

There is also a section in DMV codes stating to misrepresent the vehicle type on registration and or moving VIN tags is considered fraud and said vehicle can be impounded....

https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_CA.pdf

I could have posted the "links" but they are old and Cal DMV has rebuilt and change its web sites several times and I can no use old links For proof.... BUT...

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=veh
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y2kbaja
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 7:16 am    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

I just went thru vin inspection with DMV twice. Had the supervisor come out because the first guy had never seen a dune buggy, supervisor was old school and knew exactly what it was...a 1968 VW Bug. I got a new title (pink slip, not new vin) to my 1968 VW bug with a buggy body on it. Warning on 1968. While a 1968 is smog exempt 1968 and new need an emission label on the fan shroud. This is only available thru the manufacture per CARB. Waxhead in the classifieds has them available.
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TonyInCA
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:51 am    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

y2kbaja wrote:
I just went thru vin inspection with DMV twice. Had the supervisor come out because the first guy had never seen a dune buggy, supervisor was old school and knew exactly what it was...a 1968 VW Bug. I got a new title (pink slip, not new vin) to my 1968 VW bug with a buggy body on it. Warning on 1968. While a 1968 is smog exempt 1968 and new need an emission label on the fan shroud. This is only available thru the manufacture per CARB. Waxhead in the classifieds has them available.


Was this an out of state purchase, listed as a 1968 VW on the out of state title?
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EVfun
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:58 pm    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

Dale M. wrote:
There is a phrase buried in the CAL DMV that states if the vehicle does no physically resemble and can not be recognized by accepted body style it is a SPCN....

There is also a section in DMV codes stating to misrepresent the vehicle type on registration and or moving VIN tags is considered fraud and said vehicle can be impounded....

https://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_CA.pdf

I could have posted the "links" but they are old and Cal DMV has rebuilt and change its web sites several times and I can no use old links For proof.... BUT...

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=veh


That kinda leaves open one of Tony's questions though... What is a person with a beach buggy that has a VW title supposed to do to change that to SPCN in CA? If CA SPCN is anything like WA KITV titling requirements they will expect to see receipts for the major parts. How can one satisfy that requirement for an existing buggy?

Here in WA I simply don't see any requirement to retitle older kit cars that were built under the previous rules. Up into the '90's the correct way to title a kit car made from a vehicle of a "recognized manufacturer" (already titled car) was to retain that title.
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y2kbaja
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 8:38 am    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

TonyInCA wrote:
y2kbaja wrote:
I just went thru vin inspection with DMV twice. Had the supervisor come out because the first guy had never seen a dune buggy, supervisor was old school and knew exactly what it was...a 1968 VW Bug. I got a new title (pink slip, not new vin) to my 1968 VW bug with a buggy body on it. Warning on 1968. While a 1968 is smog exempt 1968 and new need an emission label on the fan shroud. This is only available thru the manufacture per CARB. Waxhead in the classifieds has them available.


Was this an out of state purchase, listed as a 1968 VW on the out of state title?


My buggy's title was junked/salvaged/scrapped in CA, I had the junk cert with a bill of sale from PO, that went a long way with DMV as every time they looked at the paperwork they looked at the junk cert and read the bill of sale. The junk cert/pan was for a 1968 VW bug. The reason for the junk on the pan was the PO was going to go SPCN but once I got it I contacted DMV and they said the way to go was to reinstate the vin as a VW bug with the buggy body on it. I had that conversation (email) recorded also. There was no trickery between me and DMV, I was straight up.
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repman23
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2023 7:19 pm    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

Currently building a Berrien Buggy - not sure about SPCNS in CA - the buggy will be completed this summer and figure all 500 permits will surely be allocated. Thinking of by buying an old bug and going that route?

Seems like things have changed over the years- will call a vehicle registration specialist but looking for updated guidance here. Thanks in advance!
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Bub
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:34 am    Post subject: Re: VW buggy title in California - as VW versus SPCN Reply with quote

Would it be feasible to get a title through Vermont?

I just went through the B.S. State Patrol inspection with an old bug, owner long gone, etc etc.. W.S.p. basically screwed me and made is such a huge pain in the ass for what is a simple "Ownership in Doubt" title situation that I gave her the middle finger and got a registration from Vermont.
They do not register non 'roadworthy' cars, but they ask for no evidence.
If you have a valid chassis # you apply for VT registration *--they do not title vehicles older than 15 years, you get a registration which is the equivalent of legal title in every other state--* and use it to title it in your state.

I've done it before, and there no huge tricks and it's perfectly legal.
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