Cal. VIN # on tube chassis?

[Perfect Race]

If I build a tube chassis for a 73 VW Thing, does anybody know what it takes to get a California VIN number so I can register it and get Ca. plates? I can probably find a pan to go with my body but it will be pricey and I will cut it all up. I would rather spend it on material and then it won't have the tunnel. If I could find a pan I can weld the number section on but just wondering if there is an easy way so I don't have to find a Thing pan with numbers. I want a normal title and what about smog laws with a new VIN if it can be assigned?

[Bill]

I believe as long as you have a brake and lite cert and receits for the major parts being trans and engine and the body you are using you should be able to go to DMV first and then the CHP will verify all of those and install a VIN tag.Don`t hold me to this tho.

[nismogizmo]

I would call your local DMV and see what they say, Id imagine there would be a saftey inspection and a smog test, but since the VW thing is an older vehicle im not sure.

[Chris_Wilson]

I've done this twice, for a Class 8 and a 4 seater. Find a good private registration consultant and follow their advice. Their fees are low.

[partybarge_pilot]

Find a pan with a title and cut out the VIN. It's located on the rib to the tranny tunnel behind the driver seat. You do not want to DMV to ever see it or know that it's not a stock frame anymore. It will lead to nothing but problems. Trust Me, I'm going through this right now......... Also, avoid special construction titles if you can. As of 2005 ALL SC titles must be smoged every 2 years and upon sale regardless of year. Granted, if you have a 65 VW motor that runs it will pass the old standards but it's still a major pain.

[Perfect Race]

The Thing pan section with numbers is probably the best way to go just a little hard to find. I was afraid of a new assigned number bringing it up to new requirements. I already have a bug pan with numbers but I better not use those with a Thing body. I had a friend police officer verify the pan numbers on a fiberglass dunebuggy and went to AAA . They never looked at the car and I walked out with license plates. Probably what I need to do with this project. Thanks, let me know if anybody has any other experiences with this.

[uncledirty]

Right on Lee, you got another Thing project. How wild are you going to go with it?
Chris had a Thing pan out at Small Car.

[CRAIG_HALL]

Better not be my Thing pan I'm trying to find/get back.. (someone sold it...)

[Steven_Tolbert]

I've done this twice, for a Class 8 and a 4 seater. Find a good private registration consultant and follow their advice. Their fees are low.
Where would I be able to find a private registration consultant?

[Chris_Wilson]

Where would I be able to find a private registration consultant?

On line White Pages under the business category of Registration, turns up lots of hits in San Diego. Maybe someone in your area can suggest one?

[Steven_Tolbert]

Cool thank you Chris

[Big Oly TT]

If I build a tube chassis for a 73 VW Thing, does anybody know what it takes to get a California VIN number so I can register it and get Ca. plates? I can probably find a pan to go with my body but it will be pricey and I will cut it all up. I would rather spend it on material and then it won't have the tunnel. If I could find a pan I can weld the number section on but just wondering if there is an easy way so I don't have to find a Thing pan with numbers. I want a normal title and what about smog laws with a new VIN if it can be assigned?
I'm building/finishing up a "street legal" trophy truck :cool:(look at the "Big Oly" TT thread in show and tell). I bought a '71 Bronco frame and the glove box with the riveted on vin# with a clean title. Once I am done, I will weld on the plate portion of the vin# of the tube chassis, probably on to the bulkhead, and rivet on the "glove box" vin# to the tube right in front of the driver. I will have all the front and rear turn signals and brakelights, some kind of front windshield and hand operated windshield wiper and rearview and or side mirrors to appease Johnny law, since you have to have somekind of peace officer, DMV guy to sign off on everything. In my case..............I just happen to know a cool CHP.;)

[bajaxp]

I'm building/finishing up a "street legal" trophy truck :cool:(look at the "Big Oly" TT thread in show and tell). I bought a '71 Bronco frame and the glove box with the riveted on vin# with a clean title. Once I am done, I will weld on the plate portion of the vin# of the tube chassis, probably on to the bulkhead, and rivet on the "glove box" vin# to the tube right in front of the driver. I will have all the front and rear turn signals and brakelights, some kind of front windshield and hand operated windshield wiper and rearview and or side mirrors to appease Johnny law, since you have to have somekind of peace officer, DMV guy to sign off on everything. In my case..............I just happen to know a cool CHP.;)

If you already have the title and VIN numbers, why do you have to have someone sign off? Seems like you just go to AAA or DMV and re-register.

[partybarge_pilot]

If it's been out of the computer a long time they like to do a VIN verification. Then it's either take it to the DMV or get a friendly officer to sign it off.

[Perfect Race]

Dave I want to go big, I have a complete front end set up off my 12 car and I will have to figure out the width. Fenders are a problem with the Things. I will either make aluminum or get some of the fiberglass ones and widen them. The rear will probably be 5x5 arms. I want to do a tube chassis with no tunnel and a fuel cell across the floor below the seats. I might have to make some quick mount mud flaps to keep CHP happy, I will be flat towing it behind the motorhome. The search continues for a pan.

[partybarge_pilot]

The search continues for a pan.

Dude, how hard is that? I just bought a whole Herbie with title for 400$ Parting the rest of it out has just about paid for the title.

[Perfect Race]

I agree with you on bug parts, I even have a bug pan section with numbers already. Thing pans are different than bugs. Have you shopped for Things and or parts? People ask crazy prices for Thing stuff. Project Things are about triple what an old beater bug is. Still waiting on the right deal to come along and I don't want pay a lot to chop up a clean original car.

[partybarge_pilot]

Ahhh, Thing..... So does it differitiate on the titles between Bug and Thing? On the old titles they might both be marked as sedans. You might be able to swing a bug registration on it. The one for the 64 I got just says SED for body type/model.........

[Perfect Race]

I am looking into if the numbers relate to a specific car or if it is a problem. A Ghia pan is the same as a Thing also.

[hooptytank]

Find any pre-75 VW for the lowest price, use the VIN and title. If its already dropped form the record books, make sure to get your donor car inspected and have the plates/reg in hand before anything else.