I know that IM is located in British Columbia. Does this imply import and/or registration problems due to the car's coming in from out-of-country? Any smog, sales tax issues?
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I know that IM is located in British Columbia. Does this imply import and/or registration problems due to the car's coming in from out-of-country? Any smog, sales tax issues?
Hey goofy, depends on where your taking it and the rules in your state...
Barry:
I received my IM on 12/31/04 and the purchase price Henry gives you includes all import and duties. You are responsible for sales tax and registration fees at the DMV when you register the car in CA, just as you would any other auto.
There are a few extra hoops you need to jump through to get a non-VW frame vehicle registered in CA, but to tell you from my experience, it was will worth it. If you check some of the posts, you will see the SB 100 requirements that CA makes you go through to register a specially constructed vehicle. I think Bill Steele is the current expert on this, so it would benefit you to talk to him. I certainly would not rule out an IM, due to the extra paperwork. I am glad I didn't, and I enjoy driving mine everyday I can.
Oz
I received my IM on 12/31/04 and the purchase price Henry gives you includes all import and duties. You are responsible for sales tax and registration fees at the DMV when you register the car in CA, just as you would any other auto.
There are a few extra hoops you need to jump through to get a non-VW frame vehicle registered in CA, but to tell you from my experience, it was will worth it. If you check some of the posts, you will see the SB 100 requirements that CA makes you go through to register a specially constructed vehicle. I think Bill Steele is the current expert on this, so it would benefit you to talk to him. I certainly would not rule out an IM, due to the extra paperwork. I am glad I didn't, and I enjoy driving mine everyday I can.
Oz
Barry.
IM is in Canada, but Henry works it so that the car is assembled in the U.S., or something like that, to avoid the issues you are asking about.
I'm sure there are others on this site who will be able to add more information on this.
IM is in Canada, but Henry works it so that the car is assembled in the U.S., or something like that, to avoid the issues you are asking about.
I'm sure there are others on this site who will be able to add more information on this.
Barry, when we get together I can explain it all to you.
The short answer is there is nothing different about registering an IM in CA than any other Specially Constructed Vehicle (e.g. Speedster Replica).
The good news is, regardless of the manufactruer you select, it should be pretty striaght forward getting the car titled and licensed.
BTW: OZ taught me everything I know. He speaks fluent DMV.
The short answer is there is nothing different about registering an IM in CA than any other Specially Constructed Vehicle (e.g. Speedster Replica).
The good news is, regardless of the manufactruer you select, it should be pretty striaght forward getting the car titled and licensed.
BTW: OZ taught me everything I know. He speaks fluent DMV.
Bill: There was a car advertised on a website called Autobahnpower. An 1835cc CMC-bodied car built on what must have been a Beck frame. Lots of goodies. Car in Kansas with 3k on the odo. $28,500 price. I was VERY interested, but DMV said it would be impossible to register it without adding smog equipment, since (as reported by the seller) the car was originally registered as a 1999....in Missouri as I recall. I would love to check this car out, but the Calif DMV consultant to whom I had e-mailed the question of smogging and registering an out of state car painted a dark picture; that is, having to smog the vehicle. The engine was an original VW as I recall. Car is still for sale, but the owner is anxious to sell, since he offered to pay for my plane fair back to Kansas.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Barry:
First problem is whom you are getting your information. When I went to the DMV and told them what I wanted to register, they looked at me like I had three heads.
Do your homework, talk to me or Bill and you will know more then the employees at the DMV, which will not be very hard, based on the gene pool they pull from.
Oz
First problem is whom you are getting your information. When I went to the DMV and told them what I wanted to register, they looked at me like I had three heads.
Do your homework, talk to me or Bill and you will know more then the employees at the DMV, which will not be very hard, based on the gene pool they pull from.
Oz
Barry, I looked at that car. It's chassis was by Metal Craft, of which not very many were made. That in itself does not mean it's a bad design, Alan Merklin can probably explain all about that chassis to you.
Regardless of the chassis, $28.5K for that car? Tell me again why you would consider that car and pass on Stan Galat's?
As far as registering it. You can register it as a Specially Constructed Vehicle in CA.
I think in this case, the guy in the DMV did you a pretty big favor.
Regardless of the chassis, $28.5K for that car? Tell me again why you would consider that car and pass on Stan Galat's?
As far as registering it. You can register it as a Specially Constructed Vehicle in CA.
I think in this case, the guy in the DMV did you a pretty big favor.
Bill: I am passing on Stan's car only until I get the dope on the TT and JPS cars, and maybe the IM as well. I have written Stan off-site (today, BTW) and want to rule-out the JPS/TT cars first, before taking up Stan on his offer. I also asked some questions of Stan and am waiting for a reply. I will talk to you (hopefully at the end of next week), have you iron out the questions I have, then make a decision. As you mentioned previously, I need to do just a bit more research before I bite the bullet. When I buy a car, I want to make darn sure I get the one I want. Don't get me wrong, though. Stan's car is very appealing.
One good thing about Stan's is that he had already registered it here in California. It just might be very easy to re-register it.
One good thing about Stan's is that he had already registered it here in California. It just might be very easy to re-register it.
Barry:
I understand your approach. I researched the heck out of this before I pulled the trigger on mine. Knowing what I know now, these cars are not very water tight, with the exception of Bill's Roadster.
If I lived up north, and did not already have my IM, I would pull the trigger on Stan's car in a heartbeat. Its a clean car, from a guy who knew what he was doing when he had it built, has worked out all the small details and most of all it has a rare hardtop to boot. If you plan on driving your speedster in all weather conditions, that hardtop along is valuable. By the way I have a 1776 T-1 like Stan's and it has plenty of HP and Torque to get me into trouble (low maintenance too). Well that's just my two cents.
Oz
I understand your approach. I researched the heck out of this before I pulled the trigger on mine. Knowing what I know now, these cars are not very water tight, with the exception of Bill's Roadster.
If I lived up north, and did not already have my IM, I would pull the trigger on Stan's car in a heartbeat. Its a clean car, from a guy who knew what he was doing when he had it built, has worked out all the small details and most of all it has a rare hardtop to boot. If you plan on driving your speedster in all weather conditions, that hardtop along is valuable. By the way I have a 1776 T-1 like Stan's and it has plenty of HP and Torque to get me into trouble (low maintenance too). Well that's just my two cents.
Oz
I agree with most of these guys. I had a Beck and now a IM Speedster, but Stans JPS sounds like a top notch build and a hardtop to boot, at a GREAT price....If you don't want to wait 6 to 8 months for an IM build and spend close to or more than $40k, then Stans car is a deal.
If you want to wait until August or September I may be selling a great IM Speedster, but the price will be close to $38K or more...makes Stans car sound even better doesn't it.
If you want to wait until August or September I may be selling a great IM Speedster, but the price will be close to $38K or more...makes Stans car sound even better doesn't it.