Philippe, right you are. It was Jill Claybrooke(?) who ran Carter's(?) National Highway Transportation Authority(NHTA)(?) who ruled chrome must go. Probably a sensible rule like many of others at the time. HOWEVER, there were lots of dumb ones. And let us not forget, NHTA was responsible, I believe, for running the Grey Market federalization program for our cars.
The rules were applied depending on the mood of the inspector. My Italian delivery coupe has(sadly) only the rear side markers. However, the PO would have been required to have it brought up to CA smog standards if he had moved it from NY to CA. A mortal sin in my book. So he sold it to me.
Please, anyone, correct any and all of my inaccuracies.
Steve