THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

og wrote:
From: http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2535

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?

I'm glad you found this. Neither the DMV nor CARB officials could quote me this, didn't seem to know where to start on this kind of question, and both in fact contradicted California policy. Good to know.

OG, you miss the point of law, regardless of your 75 being registered here.
Ca Gray market importation laws trump CARB or AQMD rules.And just to be Crystal Clear, it would run you $12,000, $15,000 to get a Pinz tested(only one certified test facility left in the state and it still would not be legal to register) as Scott at E.I.(a licensed dealer)can confirm. There is no debate you can win on this as the State importation Statute is very clear on what is and what is not allowed regardless of previous registration in another state 12/31/74 is last production date allowed by law.
So if you are done beating this horse to death it would be nice to see some real problem posts.
Find a truck you like, find one in state already registered and do a simple title transfer. It's not rocket science

Though there seems to be a contradiction.... that link is on a FAQ page ( no legal standing) and what is exemped from smog TESTING. What Jim has posted is probably based on Registration. It could be a fine little loophole that if a "gray" year gets registered, it eliminates the testing issues as I stated earlier.

The FAQ page states that diesel are exempt from testing... TRUE, BUT diesels newer than 1975 are subject to CARB approval for registration. This I learned after the Pink Cow was registered here for 3 years....talk about inneragency yelling.

So what you read on an "official" websites may be correct, it does not mean that another agency doesn't have stricter guidelines.
Look at it this way: The police enforce laws from other governing bodies.... the DMV is pretty much the same. They are suppose to make sure all the laws from all governing forces are met before issuing a registration.

How about this (Move to another state).


Sorry just could help my self.
Dave good to see you're still here thought another protozoa finally got you.

Also on a side note... In the US , the 1975 MODEL year began in Sept of of '74, so some of this is beating a horse to death, and is why some vehicles get through, and others may not.

In most foreign country, they went by calender year as model year, and some use the YEAR SOLD as the model year.

And again, to be SAFE, find a Pinz registered as a '74 and earlier..... and avoid all this drama. If you get into a pissing contest with a government employee.... guess who's life will become a living hell .

[/quote]Erik712m wrote:How about this (Move to another state).

I would, but afraid I'd find you there

I'm safe in Cal, and know how the game's played

David Dunn wrote: And again, to be SAFE, find a Pinz registered as a '74 and earlier..... and avoid all this drama. If you get into a pissing contest with a government employee.... guess who's life will become a living hell .

Agree with you on this. I'm not interested in tempting fate on something like this. I was merely glad somebody found at least something in writing from the goverment about the issue--even though its just a FAQ on the internet. I'd like to find the statute now.

og wrote:I guess we can agree that pretty much any Pinzgauer can be registered in CA but the question is whether it will need smog or not?! Correct?

Uh, I think the only one agreeing that any Pinzgauer can be registered in CA is you.

Well, obviously, if smog is required and Pinz cannot pass it, then it cannot be registered. It appears there are no issues with registering 716 in CA. There is one
in Belmont, CA . Not a gray import? I know it is a diesel, and so no smog, but it was imported after Dec31, 1974 as it was made in 1986.
Question to those who know (guessing crowd, please do not comment): Can stock,
say 1979, Pinzgauer pass the smog in CA at all?

You know there is a California Pinzgauer Yahoo group. I know this because I regularly get emails for viagra and dates from it. you guys should take this there or general chat:)

Now ask me not to post again:)

OG why don't you just buy a 1979 and import it? It would end all the debates! You know you can do it.

Holy crap two pages on importation In Cal. Something really wrong with this picture!

og wrote:..... It appears there are no issues with registering 716 in CA. There is one
in Belmont, CA . Not a gray import? I know it is a diesel, and so no smog, but it was imported after Dec31, 1974 as it was made in 1986.
Question to those who know (guessing crowd, please do not comment): Can stock,
say 1979, Pinzgauer pass the smog in CA at all?

OG,
You are quite new to this group and have no idea of the 716s that have been and are registered in Cal.... First off, the Pink Cow is a 716K that has been registered in Cal snce 2002. The prior 2 716K were here for research into importing them to the US in the '80s and both were sold and exported, one in the mid 90s, and the other circa 2001. The Pink Cow has been recognized by both DMV and CARB 3 years after it was registered, and grandfathered it into legality. The truck in Belmont was registered a couple years back.... if and when DMV or CARB will say anything about it, no one knows.
Forget anything you read on that link about smog testing because most all of it does not apply to gray market vechicles after 1975. There is a BIG difference between what can be registered and what requires smog testing. If and what gray market vehicles ( gas or diesel ) made after 1975 that can be registered in Cal would need to be on a case by case basis, and different factors weighed in.

Do not assume that because one person has a "later than '75" gray market vehicle registered here, they all can.

As far as a '79 Pinz, read my previous posts! And if you still don't know....the answer is NOT Legally ( as of this date, and into the future until CARBs changes there policies.... more likely, pigs will fly first) ...or Erik learns to spell.

I have heard that the 2012 Pelosi Edition will be mandatory driving for all Cal. Drivers. Jim L. is on the waiting list! Scott at I.E. is working on the air freshener.

GOTTA SAY, I ENJOYED THIS ONE. AGAIN.

Wow. I'd never thought it possible.

This thread is making Pinzgauer ownership in WISCONSIN sound simple, by comparison!

How did it come to be, that CA seems to have the most anal-retentive laws regarding our trucks, yet still finds itself home to so many Pinz owners and specialists? Are you guys just nuts?

I hate to say it, but Eric's suggestion of moving might be the easiest. That or overthrow the DOT out there...

In answer to the question. I purchased the vehicle in Nevada and it formally had a Nevada title and plates. As I said, there was no problem registering the vehicle here in California. Listed as a Pinz. 7 digit VIN.

INsurence is the problem. Liabilitiy is easy through anyone but the other coverages ( collision) is tough unless you can keep the vehicle garaged. It to tall for my garage door.

Take care.