It looks like all of us Californians need to get historic plates and register our cars as classics, because there is no way mine will pass smog.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=6330970&section=news

-Ben

i hope not! damn scharzeneggar (sp). that's why i didn't vote for him (among other things). if this happens then i am moving to AZ

Umm, I think it did happen. He signed the bill. What we need to figure out is what has to be done to avoid being affected by this. Register as a classic car? Get historic plates? I am at a blank here guys. I hope I am reading this wrong.

-Ben

There are counties within California that the only time a smog is required is upon transfer. Set up a P.O. box or a mailbox (MBE etc.) in one of those counties and have your registration mailed to it.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/ftp/pdfdocs/Program_Map-Dec_2003.pdf

The grey areas on this DMV map are the ones that require only at change of ownership.

Man, guys...I feel badly for you. It sucks to have a law directed at what I perceive to be such a small contingent of cars in such a large state (at least that's how it appears to me from the East Coast.)

Here's a brief analysis for other non-Californians like me:

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2651-2700/ab_2683_cfa_20040524_183247_asm_floor.html

:Trying to make lemonade: At least it only reaches back to 1976...

:subliminal message: Ummm, Z Clubs in the Southeast are always looking for new members, and the Atlanta job market ain't that bad. Maybe you could visit???

X

It looks like all of us Californians need to get historic plates and register our cars as classics, because there is no way mine will pass smog.

Your car is safe Ben.

AB 2683 SUMMARY:

Repeals the "30-year rolling exemption" that applies

to the Smog Check and Smog Check II programs. Specifically,

this bill :

1)Declares the intent of the Legislature that vehicles of the

1975 model year and older shall be permanently exempted from

smog check requirements and that the Departments of Motor

Vehicles (DMV) and Consumer Affairs be afforded adequate time

to implement this bill's requirements.

2)Repeals the exemption for vehicles 30 years old or older from

vehicle maintenance and inspection programs, effective April

1, 2005.

3)Provides an exemption from those programs for vehicles that

were manufactured prior to the 1976 model year, effective

April 1, 2005.

the current progran has (had) a rolling 30 year requirement for vehicle to be "in" the smog check program, after which they became exempt from testing.

Now it will be simply that 1975 and earlier model year cars are exempt.

Memories of living in California! (Pleasanton, Livermore)

My favorite smog memory was when I had to take my 70 Europa to the referee in Walnut Creek. The local shops weren't familiar with it and were also a bit worried about the ringers being sent out to nab them for fraudulently passing cars.

On the way there the "chase" vehicle blew a cooling hose and had to be abandoned on the side of the freeway. That was the *reliable* new car. Laugh!

At the referee my turn finally came and I carefully pulled out of my parking place. I was moving to the inspection bay when a pickup with a flatbed conversion came ripping through the parking lot. The guy drove *through* the front end of my Lotus. Big explosion of shattered fiberglass. I am guessing the car was so low that he didn't even see me.

Two cars to arrange towing for. Picked up a rental car. Not a real good day.

Long, long fight with the insurance company. They wanted to give me $1000 and total out the car.

Let's see, that was about 14 years ago and I have since dragged that sad car across the country to FL. Has not been back on the road since. Long term project -- at least I got to drive it a few miles.

the current progran has (had) a rolling 30 year requirement for vehicle to be "in" the smog check program, after which they became exempt from testing.

Now it will be simply that 1975 and earlier model year cars are exempt.

Carl

Thanks for pointing out what is in the legislation to everyone. I heard about this earlier in the week and went to the bills web site did not see any issue with my 71. What I find interesting/funny is that last year there was a bill to allow collector cars driven under 10,000 miles/year to be exempt but the nuts out there got the wrong info to the public and the bill was killed.

Personally I new something like this had to happen because by the late 70’s emissions systems were becoming more refined and sooner or later they had to put a stop on the 30 year rolling exemption. Personally once I have my 71 running it will be driven only once or twice monthly because:

• it’s old,

• it pollutes the air we all breathe

• I would hate getting T-boned by a SUV

Now how many are going to go off on me about the 2nd statement. :dead:

I have a 76 Z built in 12/75, and I'm wondering if there's ANYTHING I can do to get around the newly passed CA smog bill. Anything please?? *On knees*

I have a 76 Z built in 12/75, and I'm wondering if there's ANYTHING I can do to get around the newly passed CA smog bill. Anything please?? *On knees*

I think there are a few counties in remote parts of California that don't require smog testing.

Of course, you could just move out of state, period.

I have considered moving out of California. But, we just bought a new house, probably the last one I'll ever buy. I'm 55 now and by the time it's paid off I'll be 85. So, I guess I'll just have to play the game every two years. We have three vehicles that have to be smogged so actually I play the game 3 times every two years. If anyone knows a way around it, please tell me!