The Issues

Read the vehicle code for yourself:

California Vehicle Code

• Read Division 3 of the Vehicle Code on Registration and Certificates of Title
• We are talking about specially constructed vehicles.
• Read vehicle code 580 (definition) and vehicle code 4153. This is where we get into problems. What is reasonably required to properly register the vehicle?
  • The year of the vehicle, the make and model and the mileage
  • The year of the vehicle is a combination of the chassis, the body and the engine.
  • If the vehicle is all new construction but a replica of a 1932 Ford or a 1948 English Anglia Thames is is a 1932, a 1948 or a 2005?
  • Is the vehicle an actual 32 body and chassis with no engine to start out?
  • To make the vehicle run did the owner use a pre-65 engine or put in a new crate motor?
  • Once the year of the vehicle is established, smog equipment becomes the issue. 1965 and older vehicles generally did not have smog equipment. For 1966 to 1975 some of the information in the emission applications manual has been called into question. Additional safety features are required on newer vehicles (example fenders and airbags)
• In other words, establishing the year of manufacture establishes the equipment required on the vehicle.
• If emissions equipment is required on the specially constructed vehicle what standard is the vehicle required to comply with

What Will Be Next?

• Anticipate some form of legislation to establish a more clear cut procedure to determine the year of the vehicle and establish what emission standard the vehicle is to meet.
• Anticipate that the legislation will grant amnesty (for a period) to the alleged 70000 vehicle owners with fraudulent titles. Further expect that the legislation will require some form of re-registration of those vehicles
• The actual form the re-registration takes is as of this point undefined.
• SEMA is in duscussion with the State as to what form this legislation takes. There are multiple issues to negotiate so give that legislation sometime in the 2005 legislative session.