Are pre '76 Euro market cars exempt from BAR in California? | FerrariChat

Are pre '76 Euro market cars exempt from BAR in California?

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by davemqv, Mar 13, 2018.

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  1. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2014
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    Dave
    Asking this here as I'm guessing many of you live in CA or have have done business with vintage owners in CA.

    Is a Euro market car that was built before 1976 (normally the smog exempt cut off in CA) still exempt from those an other import restrictions?

    I'm asking if one could buy a pre-'76 euro car (either from Europe or a Euro car already residing in the US) and register it legally for regular road use in CA without going through BAR. I don't even know if you'd have to conform to Federal DOT for a pre-'76 car at this point.

    Any info appreciated. Thanks.
     
  2. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
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    Jay
    No smog, so you're good to go. I've imported several 60s, 70s cars from Europe and got them titled, etc.
     
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  3. kdf398

    kdf398 Formula Junior
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    Keith
    1967 or earlier is okay. However, even with smog exemption, you may have a problem if the car is MY 1968 through 1975. CARB will require that the car comply with USEPA standards in effect for the model year. See here:

    https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/frequently-asked-questions
     
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  4. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
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    Steven Robertson

    Do you know if grey imports have to be 1967 or earlier in New York too?
     
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  5. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

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    Thanks, I'll read up...
     
  6. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2014
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    Thanks. Funny, they list the cut-off year as '74. I always thought it was '75. But maybe '75 is smog and '74 is grey market?
    Anyway, I think that answers my questions.
     
  7. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
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    Cough, dealers license, cough. Solves all problems- especially that insanely high sales tax and license.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  8. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2014
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    I'm not an expert but I do currently live in NY and our laws are much more lenient than CA. At least as far as emissions goes, we have a rolling 25 year cut off (much more sane than CA in my opinion!)...so right now anything stamped 1993 or earlier is exempt from smog in NY state. From what I can tell from the following link, since anything pre-'93 would be smog exempt you'd just need to pass a safety exam, which in my experience is making sure the tires have tread and the brakes work, etc. $20 at any accredited garage and they slap a sticker on your windshield, and you have to renew it every two years with your registration. Maybe there's more too it but it doesn't seem like it...

    https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-imported-vehicle
     
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  9. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
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    Steven Robertson
    Thank you for your reply and the informative link.
     
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  10. mdw3

    mdw3 Karting

    Jan 2, 2005
    194
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Michael
    Forget 1975. It will be near impossible. 1967 or earlier will be no problem at all. 1968-1974 cars that were built for USA market (and still have all of their originally delivered emissions equipment in place) shouldn't pose problems either. As a practical matter, based on my experiences having lived here for over 20 years, any 1974 or earlier car that is already owned and titled in the USA should pose no special problems or raise any eyebrows for new initial registration here in California. Now, a fresh import could be a bit trickier . . . .

    Michael
     

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