1975 CSi Title Question > California Experts Please

E911

E911

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I have a 1975 CSi (Charlie B's old Coupe) that I've been going through and finally ready to title it. It was titled as a 1971 in California so I have two options here in Minnesota; 1- Just push it through as a 71 or 2 - Have it corrected and get the correct year on my MN title to match the Vin.

I suspect the CA titled as a 71 was related to emissions and or import issues as this would have been a big miss if it was an error. Question; If I get the title corrected to 1975 would it be a problem later if it went back to California?

Thanks- Richard
 
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can't address the california thing, you want to hear that from our resident expert @HB Chris. Richard, what is the VIN so i can make sure its in the ancestry project. i feel certain that it is, just want to verify color + number

thanks,
scott
 
If or until Leno's law passes, a 1975 car should be no problem in California. It is 1976 that is the problem.

Vehicles older than 1976 are generally exempt.


your vehicle does not need a smog inspection if your:

  • Gasoline-powered vehicle is a 1975 year model or older (This includes motorcycles and trailers.)




www.hotrod.com

Leno’s Law Is Back. Here’s What Changed This Time.

A detailed look at California’s reintroduced Leno’s Law and how the new bill differs from the previous proposal to create a 35-year rolling smog exemption for classic cars.
www.hotrod.com www.hotrod.com
 
Richard so my records show it was July 1975 sienabraun, delivery in Italy, imported to USA in mid 80s, owned by Charles Baldonado in Santa Monica in ?? to 2005 to ?? - repainted anthrazit (at some point), and now you. how long ago did you buy it? has it been returned to sienabraun?
 
HB Chris said:
Bringing it to CA requires a ViN inspection so title as a 75 is a problem as you don’t have FMVSS or DOT/EPA stickers. Even a 71 will have the same issue.
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According to Google the FMVSS cutoff is at 25 years, which would be 2001. Newer than 1975 would need CARB approval, just like any car
 
HB Chris said:
Well Google is wrong, there is no cutoff on FMVSS as it applies to a 71 or 75 vehicle. The CHP wants to see that it complies to CA vehicle code.
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I agree with Chris. A friend has a '72 Lancia Fulvia that he imported from the UK which he is currently trying to register/title in California. The DMV's procedures say that every car '71 or later has a DOT/EPA plate. But this car does not have that plate, either because it is too early (my US-delivery 1970 e9 doesn't have a DOT/EPA tag) or because it is a European delivery car. So now he is going around in circles.

E911: Does your '75 e9 have a plate, either in the drivers side door jamb, or underhood, that gives the model year? If so, then you certainly want the Minnesota paperwork to match that year. But if it lacks such a plate, then calling it a 1975 might lead to problems in California, since it lacks the DOT/EPA plate. I can't say how things would work in Minnesota.
 
Jay, German delivered cars not intended for export to the US do not have this sticker, that is the issue and makes it a grey market car. My 70 2800 has the sticker.
 
HB Chris said:
Jay, German delivered cars not intended for export to the US do not have this sticker, that is the issue and makes it a grey market car. My 70 2800 has the sticker.
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Where is your DMV/DOT sticker located? Darned if I could find one on my '70 2800. Luckily I registered it in 1989 when things were simpler and have kept the registration current since then.
 
Your issue is going to be the Euro VIN Number. Calif. DMV remains very angry after the Grey Market imports of the 1980s with regards to Euro only market cars. It is highly likely your car will be flagged at registration and not registerable.

The one possibility will be if you have an old Calif. DMV registration document. If you have that, you have a good chance of getting back in the Calif. DMV system. Or and old copy of the calif. "Pink slip''.
 
I would take your reg. docs. down to an independent DMV agent and have them run your VIN No. thru the CA DMV database. What comes up will determine your near term future. Keep us posted.
 
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paul cain said:
I would take your reg. docs. down to an independent DMV agent and have them run your VIN No. thru the CA DMV database. What comes up will determine your near term future. Keep us posted.
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Hi Paul, can you recommend one such agent? I see many in an online search and I would like to choose one familiar with this situation.
 
If you are still looking for a San Diego area independent DMV service, I recommend Shaundra at Finest City Registration.
FCR handled three out of state transfers and registrations and VIN verifications for me, one SOMO, one BaT, and one GPC. She also ran DMV searches on vintage license plates I was purchasing on Ebay to confirm they were 'clean' and useable. I was referred to her by Grand Prix Classics.
[email protected]
 
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Guys- thanks for all info here… I didn’t realize so many additional posts were made.

Rporche- car is still the color it was when I purchased it from Charlie. It’s actually a Mercedes color but can’t remember the name off hand but it looks great on an E9 IMO.

I’ll have to take another look for a California sticker- I believe I might have one.
 
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