Is there someone in the Modesto area who could look at a car for me?

[Alphasud]

I have been looking seriously at a 61 Lakewood project car located in the Modesto area. Would be willing to pay for you time to lay eyes on the car. My concern is rust and this one looks to be pretty solid but a closer inspection is needed before I head 14 hours south to pick this up.

[Phil Dally]

Yes, we (Central Coast Corsa) will go look at this for you.

One of our members is actively looking for a Lakewood.

Must be stick shift, that's why we haven't looked at this.

But he is up on all the ins and outs of the wagon world.

We can probably get it done during the week this week.

I will have to check with everybody and schedules today.

If they are too busy I will go look at it by myself for sure.

[Alphasud]

Phil,
Thank you very much! The seller replied quickly to my initial inquiry but I think he is concerned because of the long distance that I may be a scammer. A mutual friend of us and I are ready for a road trip.

[Vairone]

PM sent to Alphasud.

[Phil Dally]

If you're closer it's all you Vairone.

[jfreez]

I seen this car a year ago at the Turlock swap meet, it seemed well worth it to me. I passed because CA DMV would want back fees on the registration, so make sure you know what your getting into with that.
The car looked pretty good to me, but I did not spend a lot of time looking at it. The guy who has (had) it was really cool and reasonable with me.
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with that price. I am not too far from Modesto, so let me know if the other guys fall through

[Wittsend]

... because CA DMV would want back fees on the registration, so make sure you know what your getting into with that. ...

Alphasud, are you a California resident? Jfeez makes a valid point if you are. The Calif. DMV will charge you three years registration plus fines and fees if the car was registered relatively recent in California (and not Non-Op'ed). You are probably looking at $600-$700 for that on top of the sales tax $90-$100 ($1,200 - base 8.25% more if the county/city applies) and then the current minimum registration of $150-ish. You could be looking at nearly $1,000 just to put the car in your name and register it for a year. AND..., the registration will be based on the original registration date. I waited four months to register my Lakewood because I didn't want to pay a full year for those four months.

Given the New Mexico plates (and assumed last registration) the back fees would not apply (good news) BUT, the "Bill of Sale" is a pain, if not impossible to register without a Pink Slip. I was immensely grateful when I acquired my Lakewood back in 1995 I had a signed Michigan pink slip that was dated 1973. Regardless of those 22 years since the signature/dating I was given a Calif. Pink Slip. But that good fortune doesn't happen often.

To those of you in States that allow a car to be dragged out of a field with an ambiguous Bill of Sale and registered be thankful.

TO ALL THE CALIFORNIA CORVAIR PEOPLE, IF YOU PLAN TO PARK YOUR CORVAIR PLEASE PUT IT ON NON-OP (before the registration expires) AND GIVE THE CAR A FIGHTING CHANCE OF HAVING A LIFE LATER DOWN THE ROAD.

[66vairguy]

Good comments by Wittsend. If the car is "OUT OF THE SYSTEM" in California because it was not registered for a long period (usually drops out after 5 years in Calif.) then there is no back fees/penalty. At least that was true a decade ago as I bought a car that had not been registered in 20 years. DMV took the old Calif. registration as valid, but no unregistered back fees were charged!!! Keep in mind most DMV folks will be totally confused by trying to register an old car "OUT OF THE SYSTEM". I belong to AAA club that does some DMV services. I got lucky and after much confusion a "mature" and knowledgeable woman took charge and got all the paperwork done in short order.

Just a "BILL OF SALE" usually triggers an inspection (DMV is kind of vague on who can do it) usually at a Highway Patrol stations and if there is no up to date registration it must be trailered (not one wheel can touch public pavement or you will be fined). They will inspect for VIN (and hidden VIN) and run a check for it being reported stolen in the past. After all that you are good to go.

IF the VIN tag is missing (even if hidden VIN is readable) they will assign a special Calif. VIN plate. If the hidden VIN and VIN plate don't agree --- RUN away from the car!! While it can be sorted it may not be worth the effort.

Now, keep in mind I have not checked recent yearly DMV changes, so if I am incorrect feel free to say so.

[cnicol]

I seen this car a year ago at the Turlock swap meet, it seemed well worth it to me. I passed because CA DMV would want back fees on the registration, so make sure you know what your getting into with that.
The car looked pretty good to me, but I did not spend a lot of time looking at it. The guy who has (had) it was really cool and reasonable with me.
I honestly don't think you can go wrong with that price. I am not too far from Modesto, so let me know if the other guys fall through

I'm speaking a little out of turn here but I do know "Alphasud" does not live in California so being out of the system isn't a factor. It does have to have a valid title for transfer to his state.

[Alphasud]

Fortunately I don’t live in California. I served my time between 2005 and 2010. California was the only state that made me pay sales tax a second time on a truck I purchased several years ago when I lived in PA. Needless to say I wasn’t happy and double taxing should be a felony.

[Alphasud]

I thought I would post an update and hopefully this journey will have a happy closure. Steve Lovejoy volunteered to go look at the car for me and he was very helpful taking pictures and talking to the seller. There is a lot of work to be done but it looks to be a real solid foundation.
We are heading down this weekend to pick up the car and head back north to Idaho. Looking forward to the journey and meeting fellow Corvair enthusiasts.

[Wittsend]

Being the Lakewood is going to Idaho a lot of "California" problems are eliminated. Not sure how only a Bill of Sale works in Idaho (hopefully easier). As a wagon owner I'm always interested in other wagon projects. Please keep us posted.