Deli Dream Dead for California

Kyre said:
That links pertains to direct imports only.

Maybe I did get lucky but if you get your vehicle verified outside the DMV and have the paperwork ready they shouldn’t question anything (besides the smog but remind them it’s pre 97 Diesel

I’ve heard the trouble within the DMV happens when it needs to be verified, then they don’t know what to do and will hand you off to CHP.

I had a friend who dealt with this and it took him multiple DMV trips and CHP. He eventually still got it registered. When I got my van he told me to go to the verifier. I did and was out of the DMV in less than 3 hours (no appointment) with plates. They had to have a manager override the VIN in their system (11 rather than 17) but they can do itm
Small town DMVs will question everything, in SF I think they see all kinds of weird vehicles so know how to handle it. Plus I know at least 4/5 Delicas/hiace have been registered here in SF.
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I'm super thankful for your input man, much appreciated! I just got off the phone with DMV Arizona and the lady said I'll walk out of there with plates and tags. Going to go that route and then try in California after some time.

Thanks again
 
Will AZ register anyone’s vehicle even if you don’t live here? Interesting.

Yeah so it sounds like you must have imported direct? That’s the reason the DMV is giving you a hard time. You’ll never get it registered in CA as a direct import unless it’s from like 1975 or older (something like that)

Good luck!
 
Kyre said:
Bought in PA through DelicaUSA so it was titled and registered there first. It HAS to be titled and registered in another state before brining in CA. Was yours? That could be the problem?

Doesn’t need a 17 digit VIN. Doesn’t need CA emissions sticker if it’s a pre 97 Diesel. It it’s petrol, then yes it needs a sticker which you most likely won’t get.

Verifier is in SF called DMV Vin Verifier (guy named Michael Doyle) great guy and super simple. He’s seen multiple Delicas and hiaces so as long as it’s diesel and registered in another state first you should be good.

Then take your paperwork to the SF DMV. They’ve seen quite a few of these now.
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Hey Kyre,
I'm having a hard time with CHP in Santa Barbara they wont sign off on it...I purchased it from DelicaUSA. They said even though it meets the epa in PA, it is not compliant in CA. Any ideas on what I should do....

Brian 805 637 8928
 
Kyre said:
Bought in PA through DelicaUSA so it was titled and registered there first. It HAS to be titled and registered i
Kyre said:
Bought in PA through DelicaUSA so it was titled and registered there first. It HAS to be titled and registered in another state before brining in CA. Was yours? That could be the problem?

Doesn’t need a 17 digit VIN. Doesn’t need CA emissions sticker if it’s a pre 97 Diesel. It it’s petrol, then yes it needs a sticker which you most likely won’t get.

Verifier is in SF called DMV Vin Verifier (guy named Michael Doyle) great guy and super simple. He’s seen multiple Delicas and hiaces so as long as it’s diesel and registered in another state first you should be good.

Then take your paperwork to the SF DMV. They’ve seen quite a few of these now.
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n another state before brining in CA. Was yours? That could be the problem?

Doesn’t need a 17 digit VIN. Doesn’t need CA emissions sticker if it’s a pre 97 Diesel. It it’s petrol, then yes it needs a sticker which you most likely won’t get.

Verifier is in SF called DMV Vin Verifier (guy named Michael Doyle) great guy and super simple. He’s seen multiple Delicas and hiaces so as long as it’s diesel and registered in another state first you should be good.

Then take your paperwork to the SF DMV. They’ve seen quite a few of these now.
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Do you Michael's PH#
 
I took mine to chp in Ventura.
All he told me that he need to see is that it was legally imported and old enough to pass the safety standards.
 
Just take all the papers you got from the seller.
I had some of the emailed to me by Dennis at delica USA. You will need declaration of import And declaration of EPA.
 
Yeah I would try a different DMV, it’s unfortunate you have to deal with CHP now.

That’s the main reason I had my VIN verified through a private verifier. I didn’t need to show any import papers or EPA info and no CHP.

Wonder if you can start the process over, get it verified then go to a different DMV with all paperwork filled?
 
I did a direct import of a Delica from Japan last year and was told a direct import to California was impossible. The 'typical route' is to pick a different state and do a state-to-state transfer afterwards. I did set up a Montana LLC (http://www.mymontanallc.com/) which owns the car and I drive around in California with a Montana license plate with my 'company car'. They were pretty helpful with the import, which is a pain if you do it the first time. I didn't bother to do another vin-verification and re-titling just to have a CA license plate after that.
 
I'm trying to purchase a mitsubishi delica from Canada, I'm wondering if its hard to register it in Cali since they told be it won't be titled in Canada. Is there anyone who import it from Canada and register it directly to CA?
 
fermiench said:
I'm trying to purchase a mitsubishi delica from Canada, I'm wondering if its hard to register it in Cali since they told be it won't be titled in Canada. Is there anyone who import it from Canada and register it directly to CA?
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So the van is in Canada but hasn't been inspected or registered yet?
 
Not having a Canadian title might be an issue for the importation. I would contact US customs to clarify.
 
Yes it'll be hard to register (impossible maybe?) in CA without first being titled and registered in another US state first. I'd find one in the states already. Yes they're cheaper in Canada and if you lived in any other state I'd say go for it but California won't accept a direct import.
 
Kyre said:
Yes it'll be hard to register (impossible maybe?) in CA without first being titled and registered in another US state first. I'd find one in the states already. Yes they're cheaper in Canada and if you lived in any other state I'd say go for it but California won't accept a direct import.
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Do you have connections with good mechanics for Delica scheduled service maintenance within the bay area?
 
fermiench said:
Do you have connections with good mechanics for Delica scheduled service maintenance within the bay area?
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Yup. P&K Automotive on Bayshore Blvd in SF does all my major work. They know Delicas now (They've worked on at least 5/6 now) and they're very trustworthy and reasonably priced family run business. You need to buy all the parts and bring to them but they've replaced all the seals in my injection pump 6 months ago and did my timing belt/water pump etc and all my fluid changes..
 
I recently got my van registered in California. Just wanted to put what I did for people for future reference
1. Bought my van from delicausa.com. I researched importing one from Canada or Japan and a direct import into California from another country is nearly impossible. Even though getting it already titled and imported may cost a little more. The piece of mind of a sound vehicle was worth. Since They do a thorough inspection.
2. Had them(Delica USA) set me up with temporary in transit plates. They referred me to Pacific Coast Auto out of Oceanside and to contact Emily. I I thought ok, maybe.
3. After they shipped it. I called my local Statefarm agent. Who we have our other policies with. Told her what it was, that it had a short vin and wouldnt show up in her system, etc. She said ok. I had my proof of insurance within the hour.
4. Checked around for closer vin verifiers in my area. After researching that since it does have a short vin that that is the way to go. Also anything I could do to not go the DMV. None of them seemed to really no anything and would send me straight to the CHP.
5. I decided to call Emily at Pacific Coast Auto. Some people on some forums said she was rude. I found her to be nice, hilarious but also kinda of a stern bad ass. She told me the cost, which included paying taxes to CA (which I thought about lying about my bill of sale, but wanted no hiccups) Told me to send her all my paperwork and fill out a power of attorney form so she could sign for me. Allowing me to never drive the 5 hours to Oceanside. She said she has registered about 30 Delis 2 of which had to go to CHP for vin verification and inspection. I asked why that was, sounds like a luck of the draw sort of things. Mine however made 3 that had to go CHP.
6. CHP. After receiving that news I thought I was fucked. The CHP in Ventura does not take appointments. First come first serve Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7am. I got there at 7:30. I read the office opened at 8. But turns out they start Vin/Inspection stuff early. There were 3 people ahead of me. I waited a hour and half. The line grew quite a bit in that time. I had all the appropriate paperwork back from Emily. The officer asked who had prepared it because I guess there were things that were good to have filled out on hand. I drove to the back area. Popped "the hood" and went back out front to wait another 45 minutes. Officer Thomas came back up front gave me the paperwork all signed and I was on my way!!
7.Sent it back to Emily. 3 days later I had my plates and registration. Never once went to the DMV. Worth every penny. Deli dream in California is alive for me!
 
Whats the extra cost that you paid to Emily? I did everything at the DMV minus the inspection at CHP but nothing took any longer than any of my other vehicles I have owned. Just Curious
 
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