How does one register a car that is not in the system?

[timster]

Saw an online add for a car that was listed as a parts car. So I emailed the seller, and asked why, had it been wrecked, problems with the paperwork, or some other reason it is a parts car. Was told the car had not been registered for 18 years when they bought the car. They bought the car 2 years ago and only got a bill of sale from the previous owner. When they tried to register the car with a bill of sale, was told by the DMV the car was not in the system. This is in California, but have seen cars listed this way in other places as well, with the same reason given. This particular car is an 80's car so would need to pass smog. The seller also told me since the car is out of the DMV database due to 20 some years of not having been registered, there are no smog records on the car either.



So, is there a legitimate and reasonably cost effective way to get such a car registered, or it now only good for parts? Does it depend on whichever DMV or even whichever clerk at the DMV one happens to get? Would I maybe need to get in registered in another state and then try to transfer it back to CA? All these barn find cars, a lot of them don't have paperwork anymore, seems like a similar situation to me, other than the smog records crap.