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For the California Folks

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roscoe

roscoe

Jedi Knight
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Please excuse the CA specific post, but I can't think of a better way to get this question to someone who has "been there, and managed to do that".
I am getting close to finishing the restoration of my '56 BN-2. The DMV documentation I have consists of a bill of sale and the pink slip (title) signed over by the previous owner. There is no computer record for the car in the DMV data base. It was never put into "non-operational" status, and not registered since 1974 (I also have the last registration and renewal notice). I know what the code says I have to do to register it and get it on the street, but if any of you have had direct experience with this process I'd love to know what, if any, glitches I'm likely to encounter. I've got good data plates on the engine and body and am the third owner. Thanks for any tips you might have. I'd be happy to e-mail privately.
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Roscoe, based on some limited experience I think the only requirement that you may face in this registration is, DMV may require an inspection of the car at one of their local facilities to verify the car's vin number.---Keoke
 
Hi Roscoe, I live in the SF Area, California. My car came from Maryland. I drove the car to the DMV, with the bill of sale from the previous owner in Maryland. The DMV took down the mileage, and engine number. I filed out the paperwork, which included my name, address, drivers license, proof the car was now mine and that was it. It was really easy. The business at hand was done in about half an hour. The rumor of having to wait a long time at the DVM is, well, sort of true. A lot of people came over to look the car over. Talked Healey stories for about an hour. I used to have a Healey, or I had a friend who had a Healey, etc etc. Sweet.
 
I realise that this is not the place to put this question but can not find where else to put it.Warning this may be painful to read but feel I must ask.There are increasing signs that our cars (along with others of our vintage) may be forced off the road due to environmental laws.What experience have Forum members had in installing non-standard engine/transmission packages which will meet these laws and leave the cars body untouched.
 
Roscoe,I just went in with the bill of sale and all the numbers. They just looked at it and said nice car and handed me the plates. Being exempt from smog there was no hassel. I'm still trying to get the old black plates on my car (I have a nice set) but they won't do it after 1962. My AH is a 64. Arbitruary rule since the blacks went on to 69. They are getting less friendly to collector.
John, jet skis and snow mobles and other off road vehicles would also be effected and they have strong lobbies. There are companies like Hagerty Insurance that keep abreast of these bills and notify many of us to write or email our politions of out feelings. Strenght in numbers. Jay Leno helped stop the last one.
 
tH, What last bill did Jay Leno help stop!---Keoke

TH,See Randy's response all the muscle raised including SEMA did not stop the Assembly Bill from passing and poor Jay got a lot of bad press for standing up against it! So just do not buy a car later than 1975.---Keoke
 
Hi John Morralee, your concern is warranted.However, we here in the state of California have not reached that point yet.On the other hand, a fellow by the name of Lambert in the state of Tenn dropped the Datsun Z engine directly into the Healey without even changing the motor mounts. His intent at the time was to forstall losing the ability to drive the old cars because of environmental controls.So if at some future point they shut the old engines down we have at least one available way out.Of couse Lambert was castigated by the Healey community for even thinking about the swap must less doing it.OH I almost forgot my late friend Jim Albeck put a new modern V6 fuel injected engine in a Jensen Healey GT it looked like it came from the factory that way.So if there is a will we will find the way.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Keoke, about a year ago there was a bill which would have had ALL cars be smog tested. There is an old post somewhere on this forum there we tried to get everyone in CA to write in protest. Got nowhere until Leno got it to it.
 
I was in a similar situation. I called the local police and had to pay a small fee (~ $25) to have someone come out and inspect the car. It was not in drivable shape at the time but near roadworthy. They signed a document to verify the vin numbers which had originally been a combination of chassis number plus engine number (old Oregon title). I also had a bill of sale (hand written) from Idaho. California DMV used the chassis number only and thats the way my current title has the VIN. I obtained a set of plates, and ordered custom plates (BIG HLY) which I later traded for the original plates.

Hope this helps.
 
New California law went into effect in January of this year. If your car is '75 or older you are subject to emissions regulations testing - the testing requirements vary with the year of manufacture. Earlier cars are exempted still and will probably always be in this state. Bad luck for '70s muscle car guys though. My neighbor has nearly $30k in his late mid-sixties Pontiac engine. He'll NEVER pass smog test.
Best,
Randy '66 BJ8 '68 E-type OTS
 
If you are a member of AAA you might see if they will take care of it for you. A few years ago, I transferred title on the '74 Chevy work van (no more smog!) we inherited from my dad to my name and requested passenger plates be issued (the yearly renewal fee on commercial plates was twice the amount of it's current passenger plates). They were really pleasant and nice about the transaction, and didn't even bother to go out and look at the vehicle, whereas I could just picture in my mind the DMV interrogating me on what I would be using the van for, inspecting it, admonishing me it should be used for carrying passengers only, etc. etc. etc.

Sharon
BN1

PS I love that van! It's my second favorite vehicle to drive, the Healey being #1.
 
Ooops! I didn't mean "1975 or older" must be smogged, I meant 1975 or NEWER must be smogged. Anything built prior to 1975 is California emmissions test exempt. Too much coffee.....
Randy
 
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