Importing 1959 split to California - smog check?

[dubin]

I am moving to California from the UK and will be taking my 1959 split with me, I exported it from New Mexico 2 1/2 years ago so re-import is not an issue.

What I am wondering is about CA smog rules.
If the engine is original and the vehicle is older than 1976 then smog does not apply......but if I have swapped the engine for a subaru EJ20 from a 94 Legacy then what is the deal then?

Anyone done or doing Subaru Engine swaps in splits in the USA, it is quite common in the uk.

Have phoned a few VW garages in CA for similar advice. They all said at registration the DMV will not check anything so I can have any engine in there, but I am up sure whether this is just getting round the system or that it is legal?

I guess if I come to sell it that might invoke the rule? though i doubt i ever will sell it as it has taken 2 years to build!

If needed to get a smog test done on it, what is the difficulty in getting it passed? I have read you need the original ECU with the engine. I have that but not planning to use it, better and easier to fit a custom programmable ECU.

thanks for any advice you can offer.

[joe56vw]

not sure about califroina but most of the US states don't do smog checks for any vechile over 25-30 years old

also there is only a few states that do a statewide smog check most of them are by county only
like in washington you only have to do smog checks if you live in the major 3 countys
_________________
'60 15 window walkthrough
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559931&highlight=

why is there no sarcasism button on here?

[Hansolo99]

Only 1975 and older vehicles and I have never heard of them checking the motors in these.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm

[CoastalAirCooledVW]

Even though CA has a lot of laws a car that is 1975 or older doesn't really need anything to be on the road. There are no safety checks (headlights ect) and no smog checks. Kind of scarry to think that no one needs working brakes, headlights, turn signals, horn, or anything else in CA to get it registered
_________________
1966 Velvet Green Standard

[66311]

I will need pictures of your 59, including the engine.
Then I can give you my answer.

[TinCanFab]

[Braukuche]

Most people actually run VW engines in their VWs here.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[RHD Notch]

I believe all you'll need is a VIN verification at a CA DMV field office, the U.S. Customs/Homeland Security docs and proof of insurance to get it registered in CA...NO smog and NO nosing around the powerplant...not sure about the brake and light inspection. I had a car that was hit (not bad), but my insurance company deemed it totalled...I bought it back for $200 and had to get a salvage title...the CA DMV mandated a brake and light inspection in that situation...GOOD LUCK!
_________________

[slayer56]

[Fish]

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 the following:
(1) All motorcycles until the department, pursuant to Section 44012, implements test procedures applicable to motorcycles.
(2) All motor vehicles that have 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) All motor vehicles manufactured prior to the 1976 model-year.

And it keeps going. I think #3 should answer your question. Here is the link to the code book if you have any more questions.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/veh_code.pdf
_________________
Prosit!

.·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><((((º>
.·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><((((º>

# 303 and #156

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[marksch]

I just brought my 66 from Florida to California and had no problems at all. I went to the DMV with some YOM Black plates and my Florida title. The biggest confusion was that the VIN wasnt on the dash but overhead of course. He didnt have a check box for this. lol

This was just last month, you will have no problems, definitely no smog or anything like that. I just got my new title and stickers last week.
_________________
http://66split.com - My 21 window Seebau / Cumulusweiß bus restoration project and the crazy drive across the country that followed.

[otis_bartleh]

When I registered my bus, I had the lien sale paperwork, and needed plates. Like mentioned above, get a back seat! They asked if I had one in, I stupidly said, not now, but have one going in. The dumbass' at the dmv made me go have my bus weighed before they would register it. And that was after talking to a supervisor.

Then I had to have it "inspected" at the dmv, but they didn't check any of the lighting, the guy seemed to just verify the VIN (I only showed him the M-code plate) and speedo milage...
_________________
-Adam
'59 Mango Bus
'69 Bug - Cobalt Blue

[woodslat]

[woodslat]

[Sniperx]

Post-68 fix: Register it in another state then bring it to CA...then its not a foreign vehicle any longer.


Score one for the greenie weenies. Wait till new CARB rules start kicking in and old cars are no longer exempt and CA requires low carbon gasoline.

End chicken little transmission....


Edit: Another fix might be to just go in with a "bill of sale" from a friend and basically treat it as a barn find that has dropped out of the system.
All moot as this car is a 59.

F___ California

[otis_bartleh]

[dubin]

Thanks for all the advice, this ties up with what a few garages have said within CA, looks like the 59 is an easy import into CA, and as it came out of USA a few years back and I have the original title then customs is easy too.

Interesting about the Landrover thing, I was thinking about getting a whole 40' container to bring over possessions + van and was looking to buy a 70's landrover from Germany to import and sell to bring the costs down; will need to look into that a bit more I guess. I suppose I could still do that and never register it for use on CA roads, just sell it to someone out of state straight off.

Anyone got any other ideas of cars that people are importing in USA right now i could get hold of easily over in Europe?

[Sniperx]

Anything pre-89 diesel. This gets you past EPA and DOT safety problems.

California has different rules, but it can be worked around by registering in another state.

Early minis or vin modded late minis would go well especially commercial or odd ones.