Dave240Z Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 It appears, that the senator responsible for the drafting of SB 708 was inundated with phone calls, e-mails and letters about his proposed changes to the CA smog program. These individuals and organizations seem to have had an effect. Keep your fingers crossed. ******** FLOREZ REVERSES ON CLASSIC CAR SMOG RULES By VIC POLLARD, Californian Sacramento Bureau e-mail: vpollard@bakersfield.com Tuesday April 15, 2003, 10:56:17 PM SACRAMENTO -- With Jay Leno and the rest of California's classic car buffs on his case, State Sen. Dean Florez has dropped his proposal to require smog checks for cars as old as 1958 models. Leno, "The Tonight Show" host who has a large collection of vintage autos, personally called Florez's office to lobby against the plan. The lawmaker was also inundated with letters, e-mails and phone calls from many other members of the highly organized hobby car community. One of their tools was a cartoon depicting Florez in his state-leased SUV chasing classic cars out of California. Florez was forced to back down on the bill, one in a package of 10 bills aimed at cleaning up the air in the Central Valley, before it even got its first legislative hearing. The bill, SB 708, isn't dead, but it has been amended to crack down on cars that emit visible smoke. Originally, it called for requiring regular smog checks and repairs for cars up to 45 model years old. If in effect this year, it would apply to cars made in 1958 or later. That would have replaced the state's existing exemption for cars older than 30 model years, which this year is 1973. "Given all the fights we have on all the other air pollution bills," Florez said, "it wasn't going to help to push that one." He said classic car fans made a convincing argument that most of the oldest cars on the road, while they may be some of the worst polluters, aren't usually driven to and from work daily. "We told the classic car folks that we're going to continue to talk to them," Florez continued, "but that was just too much of a detailed type of proposal." Florez's legislative aide, Michael Rubio, said Leno called after reading a newspaper article about the smog bills. " He said he wanted to know what the deal was with (SB) 708," Rubio said. "Several days later, he called back and said, 'You've got me thinking now.' And I said 'Can I start at the beginning?'" He said Leno listened carefully and discussed his thoughts on the smog problem and the bill at some length, urging Florez to carefully distinguish between older cars that are driven for basic transportation and those that are merely exhibited most of the time. Other problems, he said, are the difficulty of getting repair parts for older cars and the fact that emission controls were not mandated on cars until the late 1960s. The same arguments were made by the classic car community's chief lobbyist, Steve McDonald of the Special Equipment Marketing Association, a trade group of manufacturers, retailers, publishers and restorers. "Obviously we're thrilled that the senator has agreed to modify the legislation and refocus the target on what we believe is a more effective one, that being smoking vehicles," McDonald said. So are hobbyists like Jan VanderPool of Bakersfield, who, with his fiancÈe, owns three vintage Ford Mustangs. " That's definitely a big relief to me," he said. VanderPool said it took years and a lot of effort to get the rolling exemption from smog checks for cars that are more than 30 years old enacted in 1997. Florez and his staff appeared surprised, if not shellshocked, at the size and aggressiveness of the lobbying campaign against the smog check proposal. But it was no surprise to VanderPool, who has been through similar drills before when legislation was proposed that helped or hurt car hobbyists. "A lot of us have had to get pretty political," he said. "We've had to get active and kind of watch our backs." ********** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Great news...one more reprieve....until the next moron tries this again!!! I bet Jay Leno's voice went a long way for 'our cause'!! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudge Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 That would have replaced the state's existing exemption for cars older than 30 model years' date=' which this year is 1973. [/quote'] Not 1974, which I've seen stated on this site, unless the articles author is braindead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73BOTIZ Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I just bought an early 74 260z for a good price. Fortunatly it is all stock because when I went to the DMV I was told it had to be smogged. I also read a post that someone said 74 models are exempt. Maybe next year. Mike D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave240Z Posted April 21, 2003 Author Share Posted April 21, 2003 I just bought an early 74 260z for a good price. Fortunatly it is all stock because when I went to the DMV I was told it had to be smogged. I also read a post that someone said 74 models are exempt. Maybe next year.Mike D. I believe that is because the regulations only allow for exemption from the smog checks, but don't apply when the car is sold. Anytime any pollution controlled vehicle (currently 1965 and newer I believe) is sold, it must pass a smog test. Once passed, however, it does not need be smogged again unless you are pulled over and cited for not having the smog equipment installed at which time you will have to get a smog check by the state smog referee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Directly from the California Health and Safety Code: 44011. (a) All motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that are registered within an area designated for program coverage shall be required biennially to obtain a certificate of compliance or noncompliance, except for all of the following: (1) Every motorcycle, and every diesel-powered vehicle, until the department, pursuant to Section 44012, implements test procedures applicable to motorcycles or to diesel-powered vehicles, or both. (2) Any motor vehicle that has been issued a certificate of compliance or noncompliance or a repair cost waiver upon a change of ownership or initial registration in this state during the preceding six months. (3) (A) Prior to January 1, 2003, any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1974 model-year. ( Beginning January 1, 2003, any motor vehicle that is 30 or more model-years old. (4) (A) Any motor vehicle four or less model-years old. ( The department, by regulation, may increase the exemption provided by this paragraph to include any motor vehicle up to six or less model-years old. C) Any motor vehicle excepted by this paragraph shall be subject to testing and to certification requirements as determined by the department, if any of the following apply: (i) The department determines through remote sensing activities or other means that there is a substantial probability that the vehicle has a tampered emission control system or would fail for other cause a smog check test as specified in Section 44012. (ii) The vehicle was previously registered outside this state and is undergoing initial registration in this state. (iii) The vehicle is being registered as a specially constructed vehicle. (iv) The vehicle has been selected for testing pursuant to Section 44014.7 or any other provision of this chapter authorizing out-of-cycle testing. (5) In addition to the vehicles exempted pursuant to paragraph (4), any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles exempted pursuant to subdivision ( of Section 44024.5. It is the intent of the Legislature that the department, pursuant to the authority granted by this paragraph, exempt at least 15 percent of the lowest emitting motor vehicles from the biennial smog check inspection. (6) Any motor vehicle that the department determines would present prohibitive inspection or repair problems. (7) Any vehicle registered to the owner of a fleet licensed pursuant to Section 44020 if the vehicle is garaged exclusively outside the area included in program coverage, and is not primarily operated inside the area included in program coverage. ( Vehicles designated for program coverage in enhanced areas shall be required to obtain inspections from appropriate smog check stations operating in enhanced areas. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudge Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Anytime any pollution controlled vehicle (currently 1965 and newer I believe) is sold, it must pass a smog test. I have a 73 and was never asked for smog documentation from the DMV, just registered it December of last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 I just bought an early 74 260z for a good price. Fortunatly it is all stock because when I went to the DMV I was told it had to be smogged. I also read a post that someone said 74 models are exempt. Maybe next year.Mike D. Mike, this should be the case next year unless the smog Nazi's get their way--but it looks as if they are losing, thank the Lord. That car will be great to convert in any event, especially if it is good condition. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Cool guys!! ya know that reminded me about our anti street racing/customized car law that I mentioned up here finally got killed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Here is a very clear page directly from the State of California that illustrates that 1974 and older is exempt. I would suggest anyone with a '74 car that is being required to smog test, challeng that request. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zline Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 now if leno could get us some better gas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1320the260 Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 Here is a very clear page directly from the State of California that illustrates that 1974 and older is exempt. I would suggest anyone with a '74 car that is being required to smog test' date=' challeng that request. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536[/quote'] i read that website too!!! hehe when i register my 260 i'm sure as hell not gonna smog it! heheh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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