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California Registration Hassles

Discussion in 'California & Nevada (Northern)' started by hgraham, Jan 28, 2016.

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  1. hgraham

    hgraham Rookie

    Oct 26, 2010
    22
    Petaluma, California
    Full Name:
    Hudson Graham
    #1 hgraham, Jan 28, 2016
    Last year I bought a 1973 Euro version Lamborghini Urraco on the East coast and am now getting ready to bring it into California. Well apparently there's been a long standing rule that European cars made after 1967 need to conform to US emissions standards as they existed in 1972. They've also just recently started enforcing this rule with new registrations and I'm lucky enough to have been noticed (and denied registration). Has anyone here successfully gotten through this process and/or know any knowledgable sources?
     
  2. dino2X6lover

    dino2X6lover Karting

    May 26, 2015
    91
    Los altos, CA
    Full Name:
    . . .
    #2 dino2X6lover, Jan 28, 2016
    Whoa, I plan to register my out of state European 1973 246 GT next week! Will be following this thread to see what others have to say!


    CC
     
  3. hgraham

    hgraham Rookie

    Oct 26, 2010
    22
    Petaluma, California
    Full Name:
    Hudson Graham
    #3 hgraham, Jan 29, 2016
    I don't think they're very effective at finding these yet. My big mistake was using a registration service, which deals directly with Sacramento. In hindsight, if I had taken the paperwork to my local Podunk DMV and acted casual, they would have given me plates on the spot.

    Here's the DMV page on the subject:
    Registering an NON-USA, out-of-country, or "Grey Market" car in California
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,108
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Jan 29, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2016
    That may or may not be true. Jerry Brown appointed a woman to head the ARB that is a smog zealot. Her stated goal is to drive fossil fueled cars off California roads via increased costs and regulation. It is very possible you are getting caught up in that. Mary Nichols was his Chair for the ARB in his 1st rein of terror from 79-83. She came back in 07. Car owners are in for a ride on a very bumpy road as long as she is around.

    I would investigate a Montana LLC. In the end will be cheaper and easier and might be the only way.
     
  5. HMB-Dino

    HMB-Dino Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 28, 2010
    2,284
    Pebble Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    RonG
    #5 HMB-Dino, Jan 29, 2016
    Beware the Montana LLC route. With the values of classic cars what they are today (esp Dino's), I'm not sure anything in an LLC would be considered part of your estate (i.e., in your Living Trust). Better investigate if assets in an LLC are subject to Probate before going down that path.
     
  6. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Mar 10, 2011
    1,661
    Palo Alto,CA,USA
    Full Name:
    Walt Kimball
    #6 Redneck Slim, Jan 29, 2016
    I don't think so,Hudson. The VIN tells the DMV computer system the background of the car. You are learning why some Californians have to set up out-of-state registrations for certain cars and motorcycles. Extremists have been in charge of this state for years,and one result is increasingly irrational and oppressive smog laws.
     
  7. hgraham

    hgraham Rookie

    Oct 26, 2010
    22
    Petaluma, California
    Full Name:
    Hudson Graham
    #7 hgraham, Jan 29, 2016
    I completely concur, but the VIN on any Euro car makes a local DMV drone's head spin. I've found that arriving at the DMV with a completed VIN verification form in hand stuns them into handing over plates. I'm sure it would still get caught in Sacramento in a matter of time though.
     
  8. 1974gt4

    1974gt4 Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 19, 2009
    1,504
    in my garage...
    Full Name:
    Dr. Italiani
    #8 1974gt4, Jan 29, 2016
    Oregon.
     
  9. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
    3,203
    Beverly Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #9 jlonmark, Feb 4, 2016
    no smog though
     
  10. dino2X6lover

    dino2X6lover Karting

    May 26, 2015
    91
    Los altos, CA
    Full Name:
    . . .
    #10 dino2X6lover, Feb 4, 2016

    I just left the DMV in Los Gatos and successfully registered my 73 Euro 246 GT.

    The out of state title had an additional 0 at the end of it. Even with the slightly wrong VIN on the out of state title, they inspected the car and gave my Cali plates. The inspector simply wrote on the inspection that the out of state title had an extra 0. To be honest, I was nervous given your post and the fact that my out of state vin had the wrong number on it.

    In the end, it was all good!

    I would suggest, filling out all the documentation, booking an appointment online (so you only wait 10 minutes), bring the car to the DMV, and try again in person.

    Good luck!


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  11. dino2X6lover

    dino2X6lover Karting

    May 26, 2015
    91
    Los altos, CA
    Full Name:
    . . .
    #11 dino2X6lover, Feb 4, 2016
    Oh and no smog was required


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  12. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

    Dec 17, 2003
    2,037
    San Francisco
    #12 xs10shl, Feb 4, 2016
    Your existing out-of-state title may have made a difference. Was it already in your name?
     
  13. dino2X6lover

    dino2X6lover Karting

    May 26, 2015
    91
    Los altos, CA
    Full Name:
    . . .
    #13 dino2X6lover, Feb 5, 2016

    Title was not already in my name.

    I asked my mechanic about the possibility of me getting rejected and he didn't seem the least bit concerned. He was actually surprised a pre 75 car was knocked back - he thinks it may have been a mistake or another issue.




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  14. teej

    teej Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2009
    475
    Pacific Palisades
    #14 teej, Feb 5, 2016
    once you have a title from another state, the local dmv office doesnt care and you'll get calif plates and registration.

    Show up with import docs and you have to go through carb. I think there is some leeway for '72 and prior, based on what a friend is going through.

    I am dealing with an imported '73. If it goes through in a few weeks I'm happy to share who and how we got it done over PM.

    tj
     

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