TJKirby82CE

I know the 1973's are smog exempt here. In 2004 do the 1974 become exempt. I thought with the new laws when your car hits 30 years old you are exempt from smog. Am I right? Remember when it had to be a 1968 or older? ....come on 2012!!! :D

Alwyn678

not sure but it has been in Georgia for some time....Only 25 years here :cheers:

Tom73

I am not from CA so take my comments with a grain of salt. My understanding is that cars built in 73 and before are expempt from emission testing for licensing purposes. Then when the 74 models reach 30 years old they too will be exempt from testing and this will roll forward at the 30 year mark.

Please note that the cars are not exempt from the emission standards, just that they do not have to pass a test before you can get plates for them.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 1:02 PM 1/23/2003]

terryrudy

From my understand, Tom is correct.
-terry

R. Bruno

:iagree: Cars are not truly exempt at the 30 year mark, but do not have to pass a smog test again. Draw your own conclusions regarding the practical application of that rule. :thumbs:

Bob Turner

Yes. 1974 model year cars are exempt as part of the 30 year roll forward part of the 1997 law.

Read this faq:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/STDPAGE....ONS_PART_1.HTM

Bob :cheers:

TJKirby82CE

Ok let me get this correct, they are not exempt from emmission standards but there is no test to check to see if the car is in emmission standards.......soooooo here comes the big block, dual exhaust, gas guzzler! :D

Sleestak

Mine's not a '73 by accident ;)

Tom73

73 and earlier cars do not have to pass an emission test to get their plates, but they are still subject to the emission standards. So you could still get nailed at a road block or by road side sniffers.

Can the police order up an emission test? If they see a "gross poluter" can they give a ticket that requires the car to be tested? If so, they could also get you this way.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 3:29 PM 1/23/2003]

TJKirby82CE

Good old CA. I am looking at a 1974. I plan on upgrading to the 80-82 front and rear end like my CE. -TK

ykp53

Heres my question, here in texas after 25 years the car is not tested for emmisions any more, but what are the chances of getting buy with side pipes. dont they have to look for the original smog equipment anyways?

Sleestak

I've thought about picking up a '74 project myself. Something I could start now and by the time I was done would be exempt from testing. Heck, as fast as I do things I could probably pick up an '82 project and it would be exempt before I was done. :jester
Like Tom says though an exemption from testing isn't an open invitation from the DMV to go hog wild. I've never heard of anyone getting nailed on it but your car still does technically have to be able to pass an emissions test.

The Dude

They? You mean like traffic cops?

Let me put it to you this way. Are the powers-that-be going to start requiring every LEO to carry with them a book or other device that details every piece of emissions equipment ever installed by every manufacturer on every make and model of car--"Federal" and "California"--during the affected years? And then supplement it every year as a whole new model year becomes exempt from Smog Check?

And that's just for starters.

How many CHP officers, for example, could tell you definitely and beyond any doubt that your 1972 El Camino, for example, ought to have an EGR valve? (Or should it?)

Catch my drift?

Vetterodder

`73 and earlier are now exempt from testing UNLESS there is a change of ownership. If a car is sold, a smog test is still required before the new owner can register it. Keep in that most California cars had emission controls since 1966 and federal cars since 1968. As already posted, the exemption from REGULAR testing will apply to later cars after 30 years.

Tom73

Texas has a Catch-22. Cars 25 years old and older are not emission tested. But in the safety inspection, one item to be inspected is for the presence of the factory emission equipment. So it may not be tested for emissions but the safety inspection will look for the emission equipment.

tom...

Bob Turner

It comes down to this. They can pass whatever emission laws they want. I will drive my "classic" car with the motor I want and will swap in a smog motor just to pass emissions when the time comes.

Conlusion: I win!

Bob :lol:

geological

There seems to be a lot of double talk from the CA DMV. A 1974 Corvette doesn't have to be tested, but still needs all the factory installed smog device components to be legal? If this is in fact true, then probably every 1974 Corvette on the road in California is illegal. Try to find the original Rochester carb for a 1974 Corvette? Or the air pump or exhaust manifold with the air injection ports. The smog system on the 1974 included a metal ring and rubber seal that seals the carb to the underside of the hood. The metal ring and seal won't fit a Holley, I tried. This is all part of the smog device system. I have lived in California since the 60's but the government is driving me out. Moving to Arizona next year and trailering my Corvette until the State Line.

cv67

Law has been like that forever wouldnt worry about it unless youre acting the fool at 3am. If anyone would ever ck it would be CHP
Scary part is they have the right to tow it away right then and there this state has some bs laws. New Fiats cant pass the new noise regulation, up to 1000 fine on the spot for loud exhaust. What next.
Wanting to get out too, cost isnt worth it.

Oldwino

i purchased a ‘71 last year. No test required

carriljc

This is a really old post and that 30-year rolling exemption rule does NOT exist anymore. That went away quite a few years ago.

1975 and earlier do not have to get smogged checked.

1976 and newer generally gets smogged every other year.

General info: https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog...e-a-smog-check