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nine14cats |
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Bill Pickering -- 914-6 GT aka....Leeloo ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2,618 Joined: 10-February 03 From: Campbell, CA Member No.: 287 Region Association: None ![]() |
I decided to burn up 5 hours of time today to understand the new CA smog law that goes into effect April 1, 2005 here in California. I have a 1976 2.0 that I don't want to smog anymore.
AB2683 has some language written in it that gives some wiggle room to 1976 cars. 1975 and older cars are exempt from smog tests as of April 1st. Non-ops have no problem either. On the DMV website and in some of the language of the assembly bill it states "manufacture date" and "model year". Since my car was built in November of 1975 I am trying to have the car declared smog exempt per the AB. I talked and/or visited the following in order: 1. DMV 2. Smog Referee 3. Bureau of Consumer Affairs -- Automotive Repair Not to anyone's surprise, DMV didn't know what to make of the language in the bill. After speaking with 3 nice people at the local office (a main DMV I might add), they referred me to the CA DMV Smog Referee station. I spoke with the Smog Referee. Surprisingly, they were well prepared for the answer. The gentleman I talked to said that to his knowledge, the law is being interpreted as "model" year not "manufacture date" by the state government. He explained that my car was classified "model year" and therefore would need smog tests till the end of time as we know it. (He was actually pretty funny, a pleasant fellow). He did say there were some loopholes that might be exploited, and referred me to the Bureau of Consumer Affairs -- Automotive Repair. I called the Bureau. The have a very easy phone option menu to follow, and was connected to a nice lady. She reiterated the Referee's position, but patched me through to THE GUY at the Bureau. I spoke to Glen. Glen was very polite and started to laugh when I told him my story, not out of disrespect but because he said I was about the 100th guy to call him over the last month. He said the biggest majority of calls are from RX-7 owners, it costs them an arm and a leg to keep their cars smogged. Anyway, he had a very prepared statement, the same as the referee and his assistant. The "model year" determines smog. Ahhhh....but the loophole....given that the legislation does not take effect until April 1st, all cars needing to renew registration from Jan 1st through March 31st get the FREE PASS....SMOG EXEMPT....even if they are model year 1976. I explained to Glen that my car is not due for registration until November 2005. He responded politely that "you're SCREWED" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) He then went on to say that the AB was a POS and that the guys who drafted it couldn't be car guys because why would you chop up a model year like that. I explained to him my 914 V8 desires and he actually said he's worked with several people on the 914, Mazda RX-7 and Datsun Z car SBC conversions. He said normally they are done really well and he likes working with people on getting them to pass smog. He said to give him a call and he'd help me anyway he could when I started my project. So....If anyone's 1976 914 registration is due Jan 1st through Mar 31st, you should be able to get a smog exemption. You may need to end up talking with Glen at the Bureau, but he says he'll back the exemption. Looks like I still have to sell my '76....bummer. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif) Bill P. |
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nine14cats |
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Bill Pickering -- 914-6 GT aka....Leeloo ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 2,618 Joined: 10-February 03 From: Campbell, CA Member No.: 287 Region Association: None ![]() |
I'd try getting the car registered without the smog cert first and see what they say. As Mike Z says, you can call the Bureau to see if you can get clarrification.
Felix, Let me know what your V8 friends say about the ref. I'm debating on going for it with a smog legal V8. Some plusses to it in one sense since the car would be injected and have a CARB sticker from the referee. Still doesn't mean much as they can always change laws later, but at least I would be legal in CA eyes. Ask your friends what is a good swap candidate (i.e. 1989 Camaro 350?). I haven't started looking at donor cars yet. Problem is I have a line on a freshly built SBC 283 with manifolds, dizzy, intake, carb...whole enchilada, that has pretty decent price. I could do a little work on the motor to make it a revver and keep the 901 tranny. Most of the specs on any of the injected 350's say they are torquers. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't want the expense of building up my 930 gearbox right now. I've got too many bills to spend on for the completion of the race car build. Thanks, Bill P. |
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