Reply to "Any GT5-S owners in California?"

The smog issues are why we normally advise Californians to acquire 1971 - 1974 models that have been converted to GT4, GT5, GT5-S spec. Life is much simpler.

I have a friend here in Ventura, George Walker, who owns a 5-S; George is hooked up with a smog shop that is not too particular about the visual inspection as long as the car passes the tail pipe inspection. Here on the forums Jim Coyne, i.e. Techno-sound, is a fellow GT5-S owner. Also remember, Kirk Evans, i.e. Amerisport, is the guy behind the smog equipment for all of the 1980s grey market cars. His knowledge on the subject is immense.

One question to ask the DMV, are the laws for bringing a car into California as stringent in the parts of the state that don't require smog inspections? Many Californians don't realize only greater southern California and the Bay Area require smog inspection. My brother who lives near Modesto doesn't have to have his cars smogged.

I've heard quite a few hot rod enthusiasts own Mail Boxes at a Mail-Box center (or is it a Post Office?) near the Salton Sea, simply because there is no smog inspections required for that zip code. They use the Mail Box for all their automobile, insurance and DMV related transactions.

If Arizona registration turns out to be a dead end, there are other western states that may be a better choice, such as Nevada.

David, what ever you find out, please share it with us here, I for one will find it educational. Folks are always coming to me for guidance, and I don't have all the answers.

If there's anything I can do, let me know.

-G