CA Smog Laws -- you gotta love it...., I talked to everyone in the state today Options

[nine14cats]

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.

[tesserra]

Wow Bill, good info. I now wonder if I should have sold my 76 2.0. With this info I could, maybe, have kept it.

George

[Joe Bob]

Got a last name and number for "Glenn"?

[Mueller]

wow...what a lot of leg (phone) work (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

QUOTE

Looks like I still have to sell my '76....bummer.

so putting a smog legal conversion motor in the car is out of the question?? I'd think any of the chevy motors from the last 10 years or so would be a nice swap...plenty of smog legal hot-rod parts for them....

the new Z06 is going to have 500hp direct from the factory (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mueba.gif)

[Allan]

If your car is due for registration between 1/1 and 3/31, is it exempt forever or until it's due again in '06?

[nine14cats]

Mike,

Glen's number at the Bureau of Consumer Affairs -- Automotive Repair is:

1-800-952-5210

You need to hit the button for the Automotive Repair section (I can't remember it).

Bill P.

[nine14cats]

According to Glen, the FREE PASS on smog is good for life for cars with Registration between Jan 1st through March 31st. I would get that in some kind of writing. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

As far as newer SBC swaps, he was all for them. He said just collect CARB approved aftermarket parts (exhaust headers, manifolds, etc.) and make it work. I didn't go into with him about a crate motor. He recommended pulling everthing needed from one donor vehicle and supplementing with CARB approved parts.

Like I said, nice guy.


Bill P.

[Twystd1]

OK,
Here's a far fetched idea....

Sell the car to your wife, brother, best friend or close relative.

At the time of the purchase, They will may force the new purchaser to smog the car...

Great..!!! Doesn't matter..........

Then turn in the plates for new ones... This is important. Starts the date over from your new purchase date.

That means the smog exempt status will revert to that purchase date... (before the deadline) (I hope)..

If you get all of this done before March 31st...

The TAG on the plate will then be a Feb. or March tag.
Therefore you are exempt from smog.

This is just a guess and I haven't really thought it through...

Just might work..!!!!

Twystd1

[nine14cats]

Twystd1,

I love your train of thought, but I already tried going there. The Bureau said they are not keying off of the smog per se on change of title. It is by date of annual registration. I can sell the car tomorrow, but the annual registration date remains November for my car. I would just pay transfer of title and produce an updated smog certificate.

Nice try though..... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

Bill P.

[ppickerell]

Bill,
That sucks. I will give you a set of 74 vin number tags.

[Twystd1]

Her's another one for ya..

I have Lien purchased 3 cars in the last year...

The date of transfer was the date that the lien tranfer happened.

And I got new tags for that the month of transfer...

This fulfills the loohole law that the DMV guy said you can use...

I essence. If I understand you correctly.

The loophole will allow a 76 car to be registered as a 75 "IF" the tags/registration date is before Mrch 31st..

The whole game is to get the tags and the registration changed to a BEFORE March 31st date...

Therefore you comply with the loop hole..

Or am I on crack?

Twystd1

[Twystd1]

Stole from another thread...

You're right, it's not in the CVC. It's in Health and Safety:

39038. "Model year" means the manufacturer's annual production
period which includes January 1 of a calendar year or, if the
manufacturer has no annual production period, the calendar year.
In the case of any vehicle manufactured in two or more stages, the
time of manufacture shall be the date of completion of the chassis.

I like this.....

Twystd1

[MarkG]

"the assembly bill it states "manufacture date" and "model year"

Fight the law as being "un-constitutionally vague"...that's how they got rid of the 'speed for conditions' law.

Starting to look like I'm gonna have to move 10 miles away to register mine due to emission laws here in Colorado.....feel your pain!

next start working to get Arnold out of Sacto next election as payback.

[Joe Bob]

Arnold is toast....he trying to screw with public sector retirement....no one screws with the teachers, fire weenies and cops and lives.....

[bd1308]

if you want my 74 vin tags, just trade me......mine are good. I WILL NOT TAKE SEEING ANOTHER 914 DROPPED BECAUSE OF GOV'T

[Mueller]

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Feb 23 2005, 08:52 PM)

if you want my 74 vin tags, just trade me......mine are good. I WILL NOT TAKE SEEING ANOTHER 914 DROPPED BECAUSE OF GOV'T

highly illegal and shouldn't even be discussed....

[Joe Bob]

Yup....not a really good idea to discuss on the list....

On an another note...a buddy with a 76 930 built in 75....like it matters, is gonna try the exemption thing. I gave the link to this thread...he has a pristine roller sitting in his garage with a 10 year non op on it....ready to register.....if it works he owes Bill a dinner.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

[xitspd]

Bill P.

Great job!

Thank you (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[nine14cats]

Mike Z.,

I hope your buddy can get it through. Update us if he is able to use the loophole.

Now on to plan "B" for the V8 conversion. Problem is, I don't have a plan "B". (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

I hate giving up on clean cars.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)

Bill P.

[Joe Bob]

Thanks....

BTW....if you take a COMPLETE motor from say a late 80s V8 that was a STICK...not an AUTO, the ref will pass it...it has to have the STOCK intake and exhaust with cat IF it had one....do some research...you should be able to find one....