CA Plating an out of state 912

[G50911]

Hi California Pelicans.

I just purchased a 68 912 project and am about to start a 2.7 conversion. Has anyone done this and how difficult is it getting plated?

Is this smog exempt? Is it as easy and going down to DMV with the title and getting a basic inspection?

I read somewhere a guy ended up having to sell his project cause he wasnt able to get it plated for some reason.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jaems]

The Renegade section over at the 912BBS, can probably help you. They are the ones that do the engine conversions. We are more or less stock and original 912's here.

Also you had better talk to the California DMV, first. They will be the ones that will be the final deciding factor. I think that it would be better to have the car plated first before doing a conversion. If it is just a roller and you bought it from out of state. Then you may be just SOL.

Good luck, California can be a tough state, too many anti-everything live there.

[G50911]

thanks, i found the renegade guys right after i posted this (search is a wonderful thing). im finding that a 68 is an inspection only. i'm dropping a stock 2.7 so i think it *should* pass. the guy at my local DMV is pretty low key so i have high hopes.

[WFBowen]

The only inspection for California would be for any registration/ownership questions such as lost title; out of state vehicle entering CA; unpaid back fees (if car wasn't put on non-op status) or if the car has been off of the system for many years. I'm sure there are many more, but these are the basic ones.
As far as smog, a 68 is totally exempt from any tests in all counties, since 1976 is currently the oldest Model Year requiring smog tests.
I'd recommend getting the car licensed or at least transferred to your name before investing in the conversion, just to be sure there are no surprises down the road from DMV. An out of state car might require a visual verification or a chassis # tracing to match the out of state title. Make sure you have as much paperwork when you go in to DMV; released vehicle title; bill of sale with $ amount, name/address/phone of selling party, current or latest vehicle registration, license plates, etc.

[Sarastro]

Registering an out-of-state car is straightforward. The only thing beyond the usual is that it requires an inspection by the DMV guy or any police officer. They just check to make sure the body no. agrees with the title and other paperwork. Still, there can be individual glitches so it's best to get that little chore out of the way ASAP. It will not require a smog inspection.

I bought my 912 out of state, as well. It's no big deal.

[Cruikshanks]

I recently plated a stock Ohio '68 912. All I did was present the Ohio title signed over to me, they verified the VIN and I paid them $700. I would do that before you convert anything. There is no smog on cars that old. RC

[G50911]

thanks for the feedback guys. one thing i forgot to mention is it currently doesnt have a motor. can i put it on a trailer and do the title transfer and plate it still?

[WFBowen]

I'd guess yes, but if you haven't already, try a transfer of ownership with just paperwork. If they need more, they'll take your money and give you the required forms, etc. to return, but the registration process (and fees) will be started with everything in your name on the computer.
Bill.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by G50911

thanks for the feedback guys. one thing i forgot to mention is it currently doesnt have a motor. can i put it on a trailer and do the title transfer and plate it still?

No need to unless you have extra money laying around you want to donate. If you buy a car out of CA & register it within 90 days you have to pay CA sales tax. You are also going to get flaged to have the engine inspected before completeing registration & obtaining plates.

Install engine & get car shipshape before going to DMV for VIN inspection. They won't know what engine it should have. Remove any stickers that indicate what engine it should have. If you want car insurance before you register it any company will accept your money.

[djdsc]

If the out of State registration is not current or it is out of the California system longer than like 7 years, then it might need what DMV calls a "light and brake" certification. You need to take the car and have this done at a certified test station. The VIN certification, there is a dedicated form, technically needs to be signed by a peace officer certified to do so (or designated DMV employee), not all police are certified as so even if they don't know it. DMV usually will accept any signed form with a name and badge number.