VIN inspection, california bureaucrats Options

[nimblemotorsports]

I took my 914 into the California DMV to get a VIN verification on it, since it did have a title and is out of the DMV system. They refused to inspect it, saying it must be a 'complete car'. Now it didn't have an engine, trans, doors or hoods or seats or a dash, but the VIN isn't on any of those parts, and the reg 31 form has a checkbox for 'missing' on the engine and odometer.

This really had me angry. I know there are 3rd party licensed VIN verification people, will they give me the same dismissal? Join AAA and have them to do it?
Any other ideas? Get Nevada title first and then xfter to CA?

[nimblemotorsports]

The CHP officer called me back today. He confirmed the rules changed and the car has to be 'complete', which I pressed him on the meaning, and said it must look like a complete car with doors, hoods, windows, and engine and transmission, suspension, but doesn't need to run. The engine doesn't have to be original. "Can I put any engine in it?" YES he said.

Then he said I should not take it to the CHP, but take it to the DMV unless they required it be inspected by the CHP.

Then he also said I just needed to do a lost title transfer because he checked the VIN and the car was put on non-op in 2005. So basically the DMV has records on it.
This means I need to find the last titled owner's name and address to get title transfer,
and they don't release this information, so the guy I bought it from (which is not the last titled owner) needs to find that info or no-title-for-me. So will be just racecar in that case.

Or I can chop out the existing VIN info and get a brand new title as a "specially constructed vehicle", which entails more paperwork and costs and will need referee to inspect everything including the engine block to determine what year it is, just like is done for new kitcars.
Given the new body plan for it, that might make sense.

Hope that helps someone.

[larryM]

oh, my..............

I can chop out the existing VIN info and get a brand new title as a "specially constructed vehicle",

chopping out the existing VIN is ILLEGAL - wiil get you a lot of grief from CHP

a better solution is to buy a junker-roller with a title for $500 and do some creative artwork

p.s. - i have CA VIN certified '75 paperwork signed off by Jim Moore - i sold the body for parts long ago - dunno if the new complete car rules would apply

[nimblemotorsports]

oh, my..............

I can chop out the existing VIN info and get a brand new title as a "specially constructed vehicle",

chopping out the existing VIN is ILLEGAL - wiil get you a lot of grief from CHP

a better solution is to buy a junker-roller with a title for $500 and do some creative artwork

p.s. - i have CA VIN certified '75 paperwork signed off by Jim Moore - i sold the body for parts long ago - dunno if the new complete car rules would apply

What? That car? I got rid of it and bought another one that was damaged and cutup and didnt have any vin or paperwork to use it for donor parts of my newly built car.

Not sure what you mean by having a vin but no body? If you have the title (pink slip), then no inspection is needed.