In Alberta, the process is:
- apply for a custom VIN for a "homebuilt or u-built" vehicle
- an inspector comes and verifies that:
- you own all the parts of the car
- there are no parts used from a car listed as either a) non repairable, or b) are from a car listed in the registry as "salvage" and which has not been repaired
- If the above requirements are met, the inspector assigns a new VIN and affixes a VIN plate to the vehicle.
- The VIN will list the car as a "Homebuilt", year 2019, type Lotus 7 (mine, not yours)
- The car now has to pass an "out of province" inspection, and has to meet all the equipment requirments that current 2019 vehicles have to meet, including:
- lights
- windshield wiper and cleaning system
- front windshield defroster connected to the engine cooling system (!)
- all lights and reflectors, including side markers, turn signals, high mounted brake light
- license plate light
- horn
- bumpers (removable for repair)
- collapsable steering
- DOT compliant seat belts
- full set of lighted instruments (mine will be really cool Autometer guages), including high beam indicator, brake warning light, 4 way hazards, etc.
- clutch interlock so car won't start in gear,
- dual hood latching system
- noise compliant muffler
- and a bunch of other nigggly things.
- after passing the inspection (btw, there is aproximately one shop in Calgary that will do this on a custom car, I checked!), take the inspection back to the registry and get the car registered, and plates.
- Oh yeah - insurance - not many companies will insure a homebuilt vehicle... but there are a few.