Erich,
I'm a retired cop in Reno, NV. First thing you want to do is call DMV and talk
to one of their vehicle inspection folks. I'm assuming there has never been a
title issued. Anyway, they are going to have to inspect the VIN and run it
through NCIC to assure the vehicle is not entered as being stolen from
anywhere. Because of the age, if there is no VIN (other than an Arch Motors
frame number) they can stamp a VIN in your frame. Since your in California you
might have to smog the car one time (even though its a '55), but I don't know
for sure. DMV can tell you. If you were in Nevada, a cop in Nevada can sign
off a VIN verification, but I don't know about the "State of Confusion".
Next thing, once DMV is assured the car is yours and not stolen it should be a
simple matter of paying exorbitant fees and being issued registration and
license plates. Oh.... not sure about Calif... in Nevada you would need proof
of insurance in your possesion before DMV would do ANY processing on the car.
One final suggestion, and I've done this in Nevada with race cars. I've had
the VIN inspected (actually, I was still working so I just filled out the form
and took it to work and had one of my buddies sign the form) then went to DMV
and obtained a Nevada Title for the car. Once you've proven to the state that
you really do own the car, going back at a later date to register a car like
this is really little more than a registration renewal.
When you get this all completed write back to the net and let us know what all
you had to do...
Good luck!!
Carl
----- Original Message -----
From: Erichreich@aol.com
To: vintage-race@autox.team.net
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 10:01 PM
Subject: Ca. Vehicle registration
Hello to the List:
I have purchase a 1955 Lotus via a bill of sale only. The car has been off
the road for close to 20 years and has never been registered in the state
of
Ca., where I live. As far as I cab tell, the car has never been licensed
in
any state. While I intend to use the mainly for vintage race events, I
would like to obtain valid Calif. road registration as well. If any one
has
experience in this process, I would greatly appreciate any insight as how
to
accomplished this goal as expeditiously as possible.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Erich
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