Smog

[Roam31]

Hello, Looking to buy an out of state (Superformance) Cobra at a great price. I’m a little worried about the smog check for California. The car is currently registered as a 1996 with a 1973 engine that has passed smog in his state. Is this going to be impossible for me to get done in Calif? I would hate to pass up this great deal.

Please Help!!!

Thanks, Brad

[Randy Rosenberg]

Hey Brad,

First off, Welcome! I see that you're in SJ (I work in SJ). Please read up on the posts about our Breakfast Club on Saturdays in Dublin. There you will not only meet a great bunch of guys, but it's a good place to discuss such sensitive issues as titling and registration.

That being said, you might want to research the revised/updated version of the SB100 (SB1758, I think?).

Good luck, and hope to see you soon,
Randy R...

[jeffmort]

Brad-
I'm trying to the same basic thing. I live in California, I am looking at an out-of-state Superformance titled as a 2000 with a new crate motor installed. I have done a lot of research on the internet and plan to visit the DMV, CHP, and BAR referee this week
to understand the process further.
You want to look at Senate Bill (SB) 1578 which is the update to SB100. The bill has passed and has been signed into law by Governor Davis on Sept. 18, 2002. My inderstanding is that it is supposed to go into effect Jan. 1,2003.
As I read it, you will be able to register, after BAR referee inspection, a previously registered specially constructed vehicle (your Cobra). By inspecting your engine, or your vehicle model year, the BAR referee shall only require those emission control systems that are applicable to the engine model-year, or vehicle model-year. The referre shall compare your engine, or vehicle, to engines/vehicles of the era that the engine most closely resembles. Next , the referee shall assign a 1960 model-year to your car.
In summary, it looks like you (and I) should be able to register our cars in CA based on the language of the new bill.
Don't take my word for it - do your homework yourself.
I will keep you informed with my progress. Let me know what you uncover as well.
Hope this helps.
Jeff