Weird vehicle registration question - transfer from NV to CA with expired NV registration

I am interested in buying a vehicle that was bought in Alaska, later driven to Nevada and registered there, then the owner died a few years ago and it went through probate, and now it is being sold by the person in charge of the estate, and the Nevada registration is two years expired.

I would like to buy it and register it in CA.  Any ideas of what to expect? 

I know finding a different vehicle would be the best choice, but I have been trying since October and this one is the best out of a dozen I have looked at (and ~$3k cheaper than I could sell it for registered here).  I do want to be sure what I'm getting into before buying it though, because if it's too much of a mess I am ok with passing on it but I want to be sure it's not easily dealt with first.

Not sure if Ca or NV still have this but there is a thing called Non-OP (operated) or Non-Insured certificate. Basically you affirm the car was not used during the time it was not registered.  Probably other ways to get similar result too.

CA is the only state I know of with the planned non op and requiring people to get up to date on all the reg fees for the car to register under a new owner.  
 

since this was a nv registered car it should just be as easy as getting the title and doing whatever ca requires you to do to register a new to you car there should not be any additional fees.  

Given my experience with buying selling various vehicles to/from various states around the west coast, I would think the title status would be the important thing, and lapsed registration shouldn't be a major concern.

Instead of asking us faceless strangers on an Interwebz forum, ask the CA DMV. The rules do change over the years, so even if someone knows that answer, it may be different now. The answer may even be in their online FAQ.

I'm going to do that too, I just looked it today and hadn't had a chance to call yet since it's Sunday so I figured asking wouldn't hurt.  The price is probably 40% off what someone could flip it for so I will have to do it quickly if it's going to happen at all.

To register an out of state car it will need a VIN check at DMV or a private VIN checker.

 I always ask for title only , planned non-op.

If you have AAA , call them

Good luck

I think your main issue is going to be getting the thing through smog in CA. 

The CA DMV walked me through some downright shady title transfers without batting an eye, as long as smog and title were clean. 

Will this non-CA car be required to pass CA smog testing?

Can it pass CA smog testing? 

Edit: written while Rev was writing too.