Yep, I agree it's much easier with a clean title.
Sure is a hassle, but if your patient, have the gift of gab and plenty of time to waste.
DMV and CHP will try to send you back and forth, if they can. don't take No for an answer.
if you jump thru the hoops the right way. once the Vin check is done, the DMV will give you a new title.
In California they go by the Vin/Year of body and Smog starts with 1976, a pre-smog 1952 has No Smog worries, Hot rod it.
