might pick up a almost complete project
might pick up a almost complete project
i have a chance to pick up a buggy project that been redone that just needs the finishing, and to have it titled. the owner bought it complete but the pan was bad so swapped it with a pan from a junkyard (dont know if theres a title for that). this is what he has told me still needs to be done and what i need to do to get it registered here in CA : "1. Mount Seat Belts. ( I have them ) 2. Mount and wire Turn Signals (I have them) 3. Mount and wire Horn ( I have it. Auuuga style) 4. While I have the tail headlights wired and working, I purchased some IronCross Tail Lights for it that I have but haven't mounted. If you want them, I will throw them in. 5. Mount Windshield. ( I have it, Brand new) 6. Mount windshield wiper motors and blades. (never got around to getting these.. But findable in any junkyard for 50 bucks or less) 7. CHP inspection. The CHP will check the serial number of the pan to make sure its smog exempt, the turnsignals, brakelights, headlights, horn seatbelts etc, then issue you a pass to take to DMV. You take that there and fill out the paperwork for a custom vehicle, show them the build documentation and the receipts for the engine and transmission and presto.. i photo documented the buggy from start to finish, plus kept every receipt so there would be no question as to if I was legit or where the parts came from when I went to DMV and or CHP, plus I have the original bill of sale and the original title that I got from the guy I purchased it from it Phoenix. A friend of mine who builds $50k sand rails helped me every step of the way, and guided me on how to pass DMV first try." ive been reading other threads on here and have mixed feeling about getting a buggy that hasnt been registered yet, let me know what you guys think and if i should try it or wait it out for another or what i should do
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5150bossman
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:00 am
- Location: So Cal
[QUOTE="5150bossman;15217"]What year is the new pan? It needs to be '75 or older to qualify for smog exempt status. Once the CHP does their safety inspection, if you have AAA, they can help you get it registered. The DMV is extremely hit and miss, depending on the mood of the employee trying to help you that day.[/QUOTE] Yea I believe it's pre 75, good thing I do have AAA and use there DMV all the time. Thanks for info
The process he outlined really isn't correct. Any uniformed police officer can verify the chassis numbers. If you find a friendly cop who is willing to fill out the verification form(DMV form REG 343) saying its a Volkswagen 2 Door(DMV computer doesn't understand the term sedan anymore) and who will also confirm the odometer reading, you'll be fine. Problem is, you're asking him to lie. If the cop you have verify the numbers doesn't say its a VW 2 door and confirm the odometer, then just thank him and when you get out of sight, throw that form away and look for another cop. If he does complete and sign the verification form, that's all you need. Don't bring the buggy or any extra pictures or receipts to the DMV. It will only confirm its not a VW. Never tell or give the DMV anything they don't ask for. Just tell them you have a pre-76 VW 2 door to register and give them the old title, Bill of sale and verification form that was completed by the friendly cop. CHP doesn't check lights. You get that done at a brake and light inspection station. You don't need that done unless the car was declared salvage before you got it. The DMV can also verify the numbers, but if you roll it into the DMV to have it done, there's a good chance that even though it was originally a smog exempt VW, now they're going to say its special construction vehicle and will issue a 2009 Special Construction title. once your chassis number gets into the DMV computer as a special construction, you're screwed, there are no do overs. Then unless you get one of the 1000 exemtions issued on the first day of the year, you're SOL for ever getting it registered. The only sure way I've seen to get it all done at the DMV is to get the title, registration and plates issued while its still unquestionably a pre-76 Volkswagen, then when you have everything in hand, swap bodies and shorten the chassis, etc. That means unless you know a friendly cop, you may need to go find a junk bug body someplace, chop it to size, bolt it on, install and hook up the odometer and take it in to be verified.
Yes, its been my experience that when the DMV verifies it, they will say its no longer a VW that now its a Special Construction. However, you might get lucky with the DMV official you get and they might say its still a VW. I'm sure there's someone who will say that's what happened to them. A lot depends on the DMV official. My recommendation is that if you want to avoid the hassle, buy a buggy that is already titled as a smog exempt year and is currently registered or is PNO.