Wanted:SPF,ERA,or Contemporary in Calif.

Raceco · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 01:59 PM

Bill,

There is no doubt that your car is what I'm looking for. But having talked to a rep. from the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, I understand what is required to buy an out of state car. and that's why I'm adamant on finding a Calif SB100 car. Your car is beautiful, and you would've heard from me a couple of months ago had it been easy to register. Thanks for the reply Bill.

dlang14 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 03:02 PM

Bill,

I suspect you already know this, but SB100 is not required here in CA. You can also smog based on year of engine block, so a nice 64 or 65 SO block is an option. Now you will have to pass a sniffer test, so if it's got a big cam it probably wont pass. Also it wont be exempt, you would have to re-smog every two years, but as long as your not looking to upgrade to 600 horses down the road you may not care.

Hope this helps.

Daryl

Raceco · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 09:07 PM

Daryl,

I know you are knowledgeable about CA registration, having read your threads and posts. Perhaps the official I was talking to didn't steer me in the right direction. My understanding is, interstate transfer will not require any inspection, providing the vehicle is of pre-73 vintage. You are taking matters into your own hand, because of registering a Cobra as a 1967 Ford convertable or just a 1967 Ford. But out of state will require smog inspection and pass a visual and sniffer because it's out of state. Again there's the gray area of calling it a vintage Ford. I'm confused about this matter, and the SB100 is the ultimate way out. I've read your chronicle of your experience and learned quite a bit from it. I don't want to go through the SB100 process, and will deal with the biannual inspections if necessary. What are your thoughts and do you know the exact procedures going the other avenue? Thanks Daryl.

Steve

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 10:41 PM

Registering a replica as 'other than' the year it was built could lead to BIG trouble, don't go there. Those that seek a 1965 or 1966 year on their title as model AND year of build aren't fooling anyone anyway. My title is 1965 MODEL year, but year of construction is when the car was built, no foul there.

I believe the reference to bringing in an out of state car requiring a smog check is only for the "Gross Polluter" check (assuming it's a 60's vintage motor). It doesn't matter WHAT year the car is it has to pass that. Unless you got a really radical monster motor it should pass. I'd bet money on MY car passing that AND any applicable smog check rules for year of block requiring a check every two years! In fact I believe MOST replica Cobras could pass it if their a 'reasonable' street build and tuned properly.

High compression and a cam that 'comes on' at 4000 rpm would be a problem. I HAD an engine like that and it was miserable to drive on the street! I rebuilt it to 'street friendly' specs, lower compression, a conservative cam and street type vacuum secondary carbs (by the way, that dramatically improved gas mileage as well as drivability).