Reviving a Salvage/Junk Title in California Options

[busterphysic]

Hello World!

I’m working to “Revive a Junk Title” on a 914 in California.
The 914 was registered in California when it was in an accident and
declared a total loss by insurance. I got the car with ABetter.bid from
CoPart Auctions in Long Beach, CA.

I completed the accident related repairs. Yay!!!

Now, I’m focusing on reviving the salvage/junk title. I’d like to prioritize the
work, so I can get a license plate and wheels on the road ASAP. Then continue
with less critical repairs.



The two steps ahead are passing a Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI).
Then the CHP Verification of Vehicle. I'll post about the CHP Verification later.

So, I found the California VSSI manual here:
https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/manuals/VSSI.pdf

Running through the VSSI manual it appears more difficult than I expected.
And I might need to repair a lot of incidentals. Rats!

My neighbor Robert suggested I consult the forum before going overboard.

My 914s concerns:

VSSI 3.4.A Windshield Wipers
A) “Every wiper activates and operates as designed by the manufacturer.”
My wipers only run at a single, slow speed. Fast wipe is slow. Will I fail?

VSSI 3.6 Seatbelt
“If the vehicle is equipped with any seatbelt warning lights or seatbelt alarms,
every seatbelt light or seatbelt alarm in the vehicle must be functioning as designed
by the manufacturer.”
My Seatbelt light and starter interlock don’t work. Do I need to fix the handbrake
switch, seatbelt buckle switches, passenger seat cushion switch, seatbelt dash light,
starter interlock, buzzer relay et cetera just to pass this VSSI???!!!
My current seatbelts are “Worn”. They release and retract reluctantly, and the webbing
was stretched in the crash. I purchased, but haven’t yet installed, Rennline seatbelts: https://www.rennline.com/rennline-retractab...lt-sku-sa-5053/

These seatbelts don’t have Safety switches in the buckles. Will these seatbelts pass?

VSSI 4.2.C Tire Pressure
C) “... inflation specification is normally recorded on label …”
I have 195/55R15 85V Toyos instead of the 155 SR15 tires listed on the OEM
label. Do I need to add a new label? Switch tires?

VSSI 5.8.2 Parking Brake Light
“The dashboard parking brake light turns on/off …”
Seriously??? Rats!

VSSI 7.2.B Bumpers
“... verify vehicle has bumpers (as equipped by the manufacturer)…”
Do I need to but the horns on the bumpers?

VSSI 7.2.D Unibody
“...Inspect for damage that could allow gasses or fumes into passenger compartment”
I have some small tears under the center tunnel. Do I need to fix these now or later?


Thanks All!!! And sorry for the length.

Dave

[JeffBowlsby]

Welcome to 914world Dave. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

My understanding is that car model years 1973 and 1975 are both exempt from CA smog testing requirements. Technically you seem to be Ok on that metric. Lots if not most 914s 1975 model year and before have been modified beyond their original drivetrains, but these cars are on the road, previously approved and its unlikely that an LEO would stop you and require a smog cert.

But that does not mean that your car as a unique condition of reviving title and its inspections may require an initial smog inspection by DMV to confirm compliance with the original requirements as a baseline. This because DMV now has a current opportunity to verify everything.

As nice as your car looks I think the easiest way to prove compliance with smog reqs in this case would be to source a 1973 engine with factory fuel injection to remove any doubt. The smog features are minimal and even if the FI needs attention its fairly easy to trouble shoot and bring up to spec to pass a smog test. Mounting a correct engine can improve the value of the car even if not the original SN, and many prefer the FI.

You might also consider just getting the inspections with the cars current condition even now, and let them generate any list of requirements that they will specifically require. Sometimes it depends on which person you get, to know what will be actually required. Highly unlikely anyone at DMV knows these cars.