Registering direct import car in california (currently in texas)

posix

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i've been looking at a few e9s to purchase, one of them is 1973 euro 3.0csi that is currently in Texas but I'm a resident of california. I haven't owned a direct import car before and have not tried registering one in California and from reading a few sites this is what I have gathered. Most of them say this blurb.

California does not recommend the purchase or importation of these years of NON-USA vehicles, even if currently registered in another state. These vehicles require compliance with USEPA requirements in effect on the specific date of 11/15/1972. This provision when written, was considered by the California legislature as a gradual phase-out of very dirty "non-collectable" types of imports, as this specific requirement was understood to become increasingly difficult to meet. Today, this requirement, while not impossible to meet, would require testing expenses and modifications that far exceed most vehicles value and would make little sense from a collectors standpoint to attempt. Some limited exemptions apply to individuals moving to California with vehicles of these years registered in their home state for at least a year before moving to California. Contact us for more information.

Does this mean that if I were to purchase the car, I would need to make sure it meets USEPA requirements if the manufacturing date is after 11/15/72 or if I'm trying to register it in California after that date?
 
While not the expert on this, I believe the answer to your question is yes. I also live in the Bay Area and just went through the research on this issue a couple of months ago and decided it was not worth trying and probably failing to register a Euro or Canadian market car in California. Read the thread I reference below because it has a good summary of the requirements. I boils down to needing the two US specific stickers referenced in the thread unless you want a long expensive process with no guaranteed outcome. I ultimately found a US market car. There are CSi cars registered in California under previous rules and they can be purchased without a problem. https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/letter-stating-that-my-car-complies-with-emission-standards.33650/
 
@HB Chris, so if I move to California with my 1970 Alfa that I imported from Italy in 2015, I can't bring that car with me? Same for my 73 CSL that was imported into Colorado from Netherlands circa late 90s/2000?
 
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@HB Chris, so if I move to California with my 1970 Alfa that I imported from Italy in 2015, I can't bring that car with me? Same for my 73 CSL that was imported into Colorado from Netherlands circa late 90s/2000?

Alternatively, you could sell your fleet and use the funds to purchase a tiny bungalo in socal. You might miss the humidity and the snakes however. :D
 
@HB Chris, so if I move to California with my 1970 Alfa that I imported from Italy in 2015, I can't bring that car with me? Same for my 73 CSL that was imported into Colorado from Netherlands circa late 90s/2000?
I’m not saying it can’t be done, it’s just more difficult. Out of country is almost impossible. Legitimate owners bringing it in most likely not a deal breaker.
 
Or beg someone out of state to let you use their address for registration purposes?? Of course it could be a muck up if insurance company asks you where it is garaged rather than is it garaged
 
Read the ENTIRE missive from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles regarding gray market cars and you will see that a owner of a gray market car that MOVES to California after owning and registering that vehicle in another state for at least one year may bring that vehicle to California and register it in California. Consider that as an accommodation and acknowledgement of the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution violations that California already lost in trial back in 1999.
 
Read the ENTIRE missive from the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles regarding gray market cars and you will see that a owner of a gray market car that MOVES to California after owning and registering that vehicle in another state for at least one year may bring that vehicle to California and register it in California. Consider that as an accommodation and acknowledgement of the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution violations that California already lost in trial back in 1999.
Don, very helpful! One day we may move to Carmel Valley, at least for the summers.
 
Moving to Sonoma in the second half in 2021. When ever I see a euro spec import for sale I always ask myself "would I be able to register it in CA?"
 
California Air Resources Board:

If the Model Year of the vehicle is:

1967 and older:
no modifications and testing are required to register the vehicle in California.

1968 to 1974: California does not recommend the purchase or importation of these years of NON-USA vehicles, even if currently registered in another state. These vehicles require compliance with USEPA requirements in effect on the specific date of 11/15/1972. This provision when written, was considered by the California legislature as a gradual phase-out of very dirty "non-collectable" types of imports, as this specific requirement was understood to become increasingly difficult to meet. Today, this requirement, while not impossible to meet, would require testing expenses and modifications that far exceed most vehicles value and would make little sense from a collectors standpoint to attempt. Some limited exemptions apply to individuals moving to California with vehicles of these years registered in their home state for at least a year before moving to California. Contact us for more information.
 
And if importing a BMW from Canada they were the same as US models with DOT/EPA and FMVSS stickers. If they are missing, like one recent purchaser found out, he had them made and all is well.
 
Hi,
Is this a new requirement? When I imported my CSL from Italy in around 1994, it came to Oxnard, and all I had to do was to take it to a local inspection in Oxnard for a test for pest or something like that. Then registered it with absolutely no issues.
 
Hi,
Is this a new requirement? When I imported my CSL from Italy in around 1994, it came to Oxnard, and all I had to do was to take it to a local inspection in Oxnard for a test for pest or something like that. Then registered it with absolutely no issues.
In the last couple of years, yes
 
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