Some good news came to us by way of the SEMA newswire. It seems that there is a bill being considered by the California legislature that would increase the allowed number of “specialty constructed” registrations and titles from 500 to 750 per year. Sure, that’s not exactly Earth shattering change, but it is a move in the right direction and would mark a good victory for gearheads in California.

In California if you want to register a homebuilt, kit built, or otherwise specially constructed vehicle you need to get an exemption from the DMV if you want to register the car as, say, a 1932 Ford. If you don’t get an exemption, you need to register it as a current year model and pass current smog regs. Since only 500 of these exemptions have been given each year, lots of people have skirted the law in getting stuff registered. Kicking it up to 750 would open the door to more hobby builders to get their stuff on the books legally. This specialty constructed class does not cover modified original cars, only scratch built stuff. Here’s some specs on what it takes to qualify a car for that consideration.

Here’s the info we got from SEMA:

CALIFORNIA BILL TO INCREASE “SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED” CLASS FROM 500 TO 750 VEHICLES PER YEAR TO BE CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE

Legislation (A.B. 1740) in the California Assembly to eliminate
the requirement that specially constructed vehicle registrations
be limited to only the first 500 vehicles per year was not
approved by the Transportation Committee on March 22.  However, a
modified version of the bill will be reconsidered by the
committee on April 5, 2010.  Under the amendment, the
registration limit would be increased from 500 to 750 per year.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Assembly Transportation
Committee (List Attached) Immediately to Request Their Support
for the Amended A.B. 1740

·Under current California policy, specially
constructed vehicles that do not receive one of the 500 sequence
numbers are subject to a “muddied” titling, registration and smog
check process.

A.B. 1740 will help mitigate the “black market” value
of these 500 sequence numbers which are often sold on e-bay and
other on-line auction sites.

A.B. 1740 recognizes the minimal impact specially constructed
vehicles have on air quality.

A.B. 1740 recognizes the fact that specially constructed
vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently
driven.

A.B. 1740 will help allow vehicle owners to confidently take
advantage of a newly-enacted vehicle registration amnesty program
for specially constructed vehicles that were previously
registered or classified incorrectly.  Under the new law, the DMV
will grant amnesty from prosecution to vehicle owners if certain
conditions are met, including the owner filing a completed
application with the department.

DON’T DELAY!  Please contact members of the Assembly
Transportation Committee today to urge support for the amended
A.B. 1740.

California Assembly Transportation Committee

Bonnie Lowenthal – Chair
Phone: 916/319-2054
Email: [email protected]

Kevin Jeffries – Vice Chair
Phone: 916/319-2066
Email: [email protected]

Bill Berryhill
Phone: 916/319-2026
Email: [email protected]

Bob Blumenfield
Phone: 916/319-2040
Email: [email protected]

Joan Buchanan
Phone: 916/319-2015
Email: [email protected]

Mike Eng
Phone: 916/319-2049
Email: [email protected]

Warren T. Furutani
Phone: 916/319-2055
Email: [email protected]

Cathleen Galgiani
Phone: 916/319-2017
Email: [email protected]

Mary Hayashi
Phone: 916/ 319-2018
Email: [email protected]

Jeff Miller
Phone: 916/319-2071
Email: [email protected]

Assemblymember Connie Conway
Phone: 916/319-2034
Email: [email protected]

Roger Niello
Phone:  916/319-2005
Email: [email protected]

Chris Norby
Phone: 916/319-2072
Email: [email protected]

Anthony J. Portantino
Phone: 916/319-2044
Email: [email protected]

Jose Solorio
Phone:  916/319-2069
Email: [email protected]

Thank you for your prompt attention.  Please e-mail a copy of
your letter to Steve McDonald at [email protected]