SEMA and the state of California now in bed together. Life for hot rodders in California and by extension, the rest of the country, has just taken a major hit. The state is putting in place new laws for titles and registration of speciality vehicles. The details are too long for this post, but essentially if you registered your "new" car as a '32, for example, but it was built and registered in say 2001, you may well be liable for back taxes and penalties because you registered it as a 1932 and not a 2001. To make matters even worse, it must pass all emission tests for a 2001 vehicle. Don't worry though, SEMA has made it possible for you purchase an emissions "kit" that will "maybe" get it to pass the test. The cost is reported to be around $6000. Yes, with three zeros. And for another 5 grand you can have it installed by a certified installer. This means no more carbs, only EFI. Thanks SEMA for all your support. One thing SEMA got the state to concede is that it will "give" the first 500 vehicles to apply a pass on the emissions if the back taxes are payed. Now let's see .......that leaves how many rodders having to face the new law? Any more input on this from you folks out there?
I've been a SEMA member since Dean Moon was prez and I get daily email updates and this is news to me. For the record, SEMA has made it easier to register hot rods in any number of states. Sounds like a rehash of the crap that tripped up Boyd and Jesse James.
You must have no clue as to the other stuff our great state is up to...this seems pretty small in comparison. One thing to keep in mind....why build as new when we have barn fulls of original non-rusted cars to choose from.
I agree you do have that option for the title and registration, bit it seems there will be no pass on the emissions. This info came to me from some pro-builders in California, I'll see if I can find the full link. As I understand this the info was just released on Monday.
when you say pro builders do you mean guys that are using all new parts such as frames and crate engines?If so this is nothing new.Its been that way for years.Its to keep guys honest.Besides how can you call a SO-CAL framed fiberglass bodied ZZ4'd 32 roadster a 32 roadster?(no offense to the SO-CAL guys intended......
I haven't heard anything about this. But, if you register your 2001 car as a 1932 it is fraud and has always been wrong and against the law. Specially constructed vehicles have always had to pass smog. My buddy built a 1957 speedster replica and had to get smogged several years ago. This is why Factory Five Cobras are so popular in the State. They pass smog. Believe me, I am not trying to defend California politics, but are the rules changing or are we getting tougher with inforcing the existing rules? BTW, I am more upset about having to start smogging my diesel truck!
I looked at the msot reent news on the SEMA site and did not find anythign related to this. I did find this article in Hot Rod. Based on the article this is the same stuff we have had here in Cali except the part of incorrectly registered. not sure how you knwo if your car is oncorrectly registered. Will post more if I find more. http://www.hotrod.com/thehistoryof/hrdp_0901w_california_hot_rod_titling_registration_bil/index.html
I know here in CO there sticking us for $100 fee if you dont register and newly purchased car right away. For example, if you bought the car and the seller dated it 11-1-09 but you dont register it until 11-1-2010, there is a penalty. Hope the emissions deal doesnt come this way!
OK, here is some information. The new rules only apply to cars "previously registered under erroneous or illegal circumstances". So, if you built a brand new car and register it as a 1932 (which is illegal, but possible via buying titles) to avoid taxes and avoid long standing smog rules, you just got busted. This doesn't change my life at all as I have always follwed the rules. But, I might be on the look out for some Brookville '32's for cheap. http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com...ling_dilemma_for_hobbyist_vehicles/index.html
It was'nt crap, I am not familiar to your reference to JJ, but Boyd plead out to committed crimes. "Laundering" titles, and the publicity that fiasco got, didn't help anybody that is honest. As far as increasing title fees, Cali ain't alone. The vultures in the state legislature just increased our registration fees, mine TRIPLED from last year. Talk about an entity that used to 'serve the public', evolving into a method to rape automobile owners because they can afford it, then 'level the playing field' and give the ill-gotten loot to lazy assholes that are on the dole. Socialism has broken out of it's original borders (Boulder) is not just a threat, it's now a reality to our way of life. As far as "environmental" concerns, our cars have just as much effect on the planet as people, if they were all walking, not riding. Don't worry about that either, the academics will figure out a way to start thinning us out too! You can put that in the bank.
. Sounds like a rehash of the crap that tripped up Boyd and Jesse James.[/QUOTE] Jesse had nothing to do with this.
What I discovered on the Calif. DMV's own website when I was trying to register my car in 2004 is that most of this smog stuff for "special construction" vehicles only applies to kit car manufacturers and professional shops building for customers. An individual, building a car at home as a hobby is exempt. The problem came in the fact that nobody, including the supervisor, in the DMV knew that and we still had a hassle. So you need to do your homework and keep hammering away at it until you find a DMV type who knows their own regs. Or, you can just get out and move to TN like we did! No registration issues at all here.
I agree, Screw California. Don't move here. Stay away and leave us alone. We like it and we don't need people like you to come out here and screw it up any further. .
I was the Director at SEMA that worked on this issue when it started. The State initially was going after new construction replicas, such as the Cobras and hot rods got involved. According to the law in effect at the time i was there, if the vehicle was built in, say, 2002, it is a 2002, no matter what it looks like. Then that vehicle needed to pass emissions and safety requirements for a 2002. Imagine a deuce with speed bumpers! And all those who purchased titles and then built a vehicle with all new parts and frame, registering it with that purchased vehicle were subject ot having their car taken away. SEMA worked with legislators to stop actions and I even had a mix of hot rods tested at the AAA facility in Diamond Bar to establish common emissions for such vehicles. As far as I know, nothing much has progressed, though I do think they will go after those who said their 1932 Ford was only worth a few thousand, when it actually was a builder car worth 100,000. Taxes are taxes. I wont go on, but suggest you visit http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?ID=/content/SEMASANcom/HomePage, this will keep you up to date on all the legal goings on across the country. And yes, SEMA is our friend. Serves no purpose for them to go along with laws that hinder the industry, that is what they are about.
Thebigdaddyo: Thanks for the clarity but do you have any insight as to what 2002p51 said about the law only applying to special construction vehicles built by pro-shops or kit cars and not applying to some one buying a repop body and frame and building one themselves in their backyard? The Rod and custom article that Bad Rod posted was the better of the articles I read http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/...les/index.html
I just went to the Calif DMV website. Read this: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm And this: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcns.htm Which contains the following quote: " . . . .the owner may choose emission control inspection based on the model-year of the engine used in the vehicle . . ." So if you use an 8BA flathead as I did in my car, (Or just about any other pre-'70 or so engine.) there are no smog devices required.
I'm currently trying to do this the right way. I'm building a 34 coupe with an SAR body and a Pete & Jakes frame. I want a vintage look hot rod, not a crate EFI GM motor. I've no sympathy for those that play games with titles or understated the value of their cars to avoid taxes. I may be in the minority, but I'd pay the fair taxes if they'd allow something "reasonable" (a 32 without airbags, a vintage engine that doesn't have to meet 2009 smog...) I think SEMA is our friend and this news sounds like part of a solution (but not HAMB-friendly We also have Senate Bill 232 (SB 232) pending which removes the 500 limit on the Specialty Constructed Vehicle Sequence certificates. I've been following it and I am not optimistic that it will pass soon. In recent years, the 500 per year limit is reached the first day of the year the DMV office has been open. Given the usage of these cars (and the actual smog outputs) I think the environmental arguments against SB 232 are meaningless. I consider myself an environmentalist and a business man. Taxes suck, but I pay them. The current system in CA encourages games like buying titles and leaves tax money on the table. I wish those in power would see that, recognize the value of the enthusiasts and create more solutions that can be good for everybody. --steve
I'm confused. Maybe somebody can clarify. I have a 1934 pickup cab, no title. I'm building my own frame. I'll be using some form of older engine, maybe a 60's 215 Olds or an 80'sTurbo Thunderbird. Let's say I finish in 2010. Will I have to register as a 2010 or a 1934? Will I be liable for emissions standards for the engine I use (1962, 1987) or year of registeration (2010)? If for the year of engine it would make sense to use a pre-1964. If the frame is an issue maybe I should buy an older frame and modify it rather than a complete new build (or incorporate the part with the frame number from an older frame, I have a 1936 I could sacrifice). Thanks for any clarification. gary
Here's an article that lays it all out... Happy Reading http://www.competitionplus.com/inde...-solve-titling-dilemma-for-hobbyist-vehicles- JrFuel
Yep Yep. In colorado you have 60 days to plate your vehicle after title transfer. And if you don't, it's $25.00 per month more on your registration, up to $100.00 more at time of registration. I don't plan on plating my hot rods until I finish them for the road. So I figure I will save on insurance until then. Cause you can't register or plate them without insurance. I am sure it is just another way for states to generate funds to pay there bills.
Clear as mud. What qualifies as a "specially constructed vehicle"? If this affects the hobbiest/homebuilder it doesn't sound very positive to me. gary
Hey Ghost: As far as increasing title fees, Cali ain't alone. The vultures in our state legislature just increased our registration fees, mine TRIPLED from last year. Talk about an entity that used to 'serve the public', evolving into a method to rape automobile owners because they can afford it, then 'level the playing field' and give the ill-gotten loot to lazy assholes that are on the dole. Socialism has broken out of it's original borders (Boulder) is not just a threat, it's now a reality to our way of life.
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