Has anyone had any luck registering a GT5S with the California DMV?
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Where is the car coming from? California has a process for bringing in a car that is out of state. I have not tried to bring in a car that is out of the country. One definite issue with a GT5S or any car starting with 1976 is that it will need a smog test. I have registered two 1971 Panteras along with a 1975 Porsche from out of state using Auto Club (AAA) and only minor pain was inflicted. With the Porsche the person at AAA was certain that I needed a smog test but eventually let it go. It seems a little like a roll of the dice when bringing a car into California.
You can register in CA, but you can't get license tabs for street use if it doesn't pass smog. I have a 1981 GTS and couldn't register it in CA because of lack of smog equipment, aka it has zero. I'm a dual resident(CA & WA) so I registered mine in WA state, no smog. Best of luck, they are sticklers!!
I registered mine in 2004 and was surprised how easy it was. PM me and I will be happy to talk to you.- Jim Coyne
I hear people speak of registering all sorts of cars in CA (yes, I am a resident) that in theory fail the smog rule of pre-75 cars only are smog exempt. Some loopholes existed for not having to smog your car based on where in the state you lived (specific rural areas). Someone just told me the other day "his guy registers all his exotic cars and he never needs smogs and has a GT40 replica that is not registered under the SB100 rules". I really would love to know their secrets and what "their guy" knows that the rest of us don't.
But to your question, didn't some GT5-S cars have cats in the mufflers? Could it be they would pass a smog? My Pantera used to have to be smogged when I first got it. That was when they even had the rolling dyno which it went on. It passed every time but had to have all the smog equipment correct for the year which was the air cleaner with PCV, the heat tube off the headers, etc. I would have to "set it up" each time to look correct and then take it to the station for the test. Thank god that requirement ended!
Exactly why I love my 73 GT5S conversion with Fontana race engine. Good luck with anything beyond 1975. I've been sent to the state referees on another car in the past and they are brutal.
My 1974 Pantera from Europe is registered as 1975 and is exempt from smog tests.
From the California DMV website:
Your vehicle does not need a smog inspection if your:
- Gasoline-powered vehicle is a 1975 year model or older
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/...on/smog-inspections/
Originally the law was that any car 30 or more years old was exempt. Then they changed that in 2005 or so and froze it at 1975.
Correct. Until they try to force us to electrify them all.
Amerisport Pantera's use Cat's too , not very difficult to add Cat's on the exhaust system.
Simon