Welcome Al,
I hope have lots of patience. dealing with DMV you'll need it. There are 2 ways to register your car in Ca.
1. Wait in line on 2 Jan 05, and get one of the 500ea SB100 #'s that they issue annually. This will allow you to choose the year of your car, and you can go with 65. 65=no smog! All #'s are gone for this year.
2. Smog to the year of the block.
jdog
P.S. see you in line at DMV in Jan
