CA SB100 experts: Registering a Dynacorn body in CA?

[JohnK]

Totally off topic... I've been kicking around an idea in the back of my head for a "next build" for a bit. I currently have a '67 Mustang convertible that a previous owner has turned into a Shelby 'tribute'. I love that car but it suffers from the typical Mustang rust in all the typical places. Some are relatively easy to fix (floor pans) while others are much more complicated (vent cowls, torque boxes, etc.). I've looked into having the chassis chemically stripped and repaired, and the cost of that adds up pretty quickly. Dynacorn makes full replacement bodies for several years/bodies of Mustangs that are pretty compelling, both from a cost standpoint as well as being able to start with fresh steel and eliminating all the hassle of having to deal with disassembling and repairing a nearly 60 year old chassis. I wish Dynacorn made a '67 convertible chassis, but they only make the fastback (https://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/1967-ford-mustang-fastback/) for that year. It's the same body that Revology uses for their builds. I know some people will buy a wreck and transfer the VIN to register the Dynacorn chassis, but that seems pretty sketchy to me.

I know that there are some folks here that are pretty well-versed in the CA SB100 process, so my question is: if I was to buy a Dynacorn chassis and build it up, would the registration/titling process be basically the same for that as for the roadster, i.e., it gets titled as the year of car it most closely resembles?

[David Hodgkins]

The first question I'd ask Dynacorn is if the chassis comes with an MSO. If it does then I don't see why you couldn't build it up and register it via SPCN/sb100.

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, I've just been through the process a few times.

:)

[JohnK]

Ah, perfect. Thank you! Per the FAQ on the Dynacorn site (https://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/faqs/):

How do I register the vehicle?
We provide you with an MSO (Manufacturer Statement of Origin) Certificate that you will take to your state’s DMV. You can register the vehicle in one of the following ways:
1. Special Construction – The vehicle is registered as a special construction vehicle.
2. VIN Transfer – If you have a donor vehicle, you can do a VIN transfer.

[David Hodgkins]

Yep, you will register via option 1.

:)

[J R Jones]

John, Back in my days of SCCA racing we ran a 66 Shelby and 70 Boss 302. We were clever about adding chassis rigidity and even fabricated "stub connectors" before that was a thing.
I knew of another approach which was to put a fastback body on a convertible chassis because the convertible had structure in the bottom of the chassis to make-up for the open top.
So....you might ask Dynacorn about convertible structure, maybe they incorporate it in the fastback, or can add it.
jim

163259

[JohnK]

Thanks Jim. Yes, looking at the underside of my '67 convertible, it definitely has more structure underneath to try to compensate for the lack of structure in the roof. There are now some companies making full subframes for the early Mustangs, which gives them a lot more rigidity, but adding the convertible structure to a fastback is an interesting idea.

I spoke with a gentleman at Moonlight Drive Classics (http://www.moonlightdriveclassics.com) today. They are just down the street from Dynacorn and are a reseller of Dynacorn bodies. He told me that Dynacorn is really struggling on the Mustang bodies because even though they are assembled in Camarillo, all the parts come from overseas and are massively backlogged at the moment. Their current lead time for a complete body is over two years. :eek: He also said that the reason that Dynacorn isn't currently listing the 67/68 convertibles for sale is because they're retooling the tub area that the convertible top folds into, and that they will eventually re-introduce the convertible bodies. No idea when that might be, though.

[progmgr1]

I spoke with a gentleman at Moonlight Drive Classics (http://www.moonlightdriveclassics.com) today. They are just down the street from Dynacorn and are a reseller of Dynacorn bodies.

Do you know anything about this company? The address on their website goes to a nice home in a nice neighborhood about a 20 min. drive from my house. I tried to go visit their 'shop' (before Covid) after seeing their booth at a car show. Maybe they are just importers / resellers and don't do any value addition in the USA? Just curious - nothing definite in mind.

Keith HR #894

[JohnK]

No, not really. I came across their website when searching for Dynacorn '67 Mustang convertible, because I knew that at one point Dynacorn did have the convertible body. They still listed it for sale on their website so I called and left a VM. Someone named Greg called me back about 30 minutes later and we had a good chat. He said they're located very close to Dynacorn, and he seemed to have a lot of knowledge about their products and current lead-times etc. Beyond that, I don't know much about them.

[SnakeBitten14]

I would think it would be the same process. Just be ready to answer questions and give yourself a bunch of extra time. Make sure you bring all your paper work just in case.