The weaponization of the DMV

[73Coupe]

Long story short, I imported a car from Canada last summer. Went to the DMV in August to register it. They gave me a temp sticker that was good 'til October, when it was assumed that I would receive registration and plates. Since this was an import, the local DMV had to package the information and send it up to Sacramento.

Nothing happened.

I finally had time to go and spend an afternoon at the DMV again (today), where I got an update.

Turns out that they didn't like the customs forms, the title from previous owner, or the lack of "emissions" sticker in the engine compartment.

First two things on the above list are more likely to be resolved. The last one regarding emissions, however.....

The gal said I need to have Chrysler send me a letter "on Chrysler letterhead" (LOL) with an explanation that this car is "ok" for Federal or California use, in other words that it meets the 1971 standards.

Anybody have experience with contacting Ma Mopar for such a request?

According to Performance Car Graphics, this is the correct sticker for my car (1971, 440, 4bbl):

Emissions Instructions Decals Chrysler Plymouth Dodge

My DMV gal, who was very helpful, said this is the first time in her 17 years that an import car was blocked. I jokingly asked her if the DMV was being weaponized against dissenters, she said "all state agencies are being tasked with things outside of their purview".

 

[Justin Plant]

Good luck sir, you've begun an uphill battle. I hope it goes well for you and your car.

 

[Big_John]

Can you buy a sticker, throw some dirt and grease on it so it looks original and say "Like this sticker?"

 

[SportFury70]

Long story short, I imported a car from Canada last summer. Went to the DMV in August to register it. They gave me a temp sticker that was good 'til October, when it was assumed that I would receive registration and plates. Since this was an import, the local DMV had to package the information and send it up to Sacramento.

Nothing happened.

I finally had time to go and spend an afternoon at the DMV again (today), where I got an update.

Turns out that they didn't like the customs forms, the title from previous owner, or the lack of "emissions" sticker in the engine compartment.

First two things on the above list are more likely to be resolved. The last one regarding emissions, however.....

The gal said I need to have Chrysler send me a letter "on Chrysler letterhead" (LOL) with an explanation that this car is "ok" for Federal or California use, in other words that it meets the 1971 standards.

Anybody have experience with contacting Ma Mopar for such a request?

According to Performance Car Graphics, this is the correct sticker for my car (1971, 440, 4bbl):

Emissions Instructions Decals Chrysler Plymouth Dodge

View attachment 576091

My DMV gal, who was very helpful, said this is the first time in her 17 years that an import car was blocked. I jokingly asked her if the DMV was being weaponized against dissenters, she said "all state agencies are being tasked with things outside of their purview".

Thanks for posting this, because we too just imported a car from Canada that my stepdad bought that got here last night that does not have the sticker you posted. I will let my stepdad know about it. I honestly got a strong feeling, although I could be wrong that your state did that because of all the strict wanting to ban of gas stuff and go to electric bs now. Just my thoughts though. Does your car have to go through a VIN verification? I ask because in my state of Connecticut it has too if it's from out of state or the country. Oh boy this has me a bit nervous, I hope this don't happen when we go to register our new car.

 

[Davea Lux]

The morons in CA have already banned semi trucks built pre-2010 from operating in California starting Jan 1, 2023. An all electric or zero emission passenger fleet is supposed to go into effect starting Jan 1 2035. How long do you think it will be before they start screwing with vintage cars?

Dave

 

[SportFury70]

Thanks for posting this, because we too just imported a car from Canada that my stepdad bought that got here last night that does not have the sticker you posted.

Nevermind my mistake, our car does have the emission decal but it's faded a bit. Its a different year than your car so the decal is different. I'm still a little concerned about the other stuff though

 

[SportFury70]

The morons in CA have already banned semi trucks built pre-2010 from operating in California starting Jan 1, 2023. How long do you think it will be before they start screwing with vintage cars?

That's the point I was making. I'm so glad I don't live there

 

[DeltaV]

Just grease the skids with some greenbacks. You know...graft and corruption.

 

[CBODY67]

First, with that 900 rpm hot base idle speed spec, that leads me to believe that that particular label is for a 440 3x2bbl motor rather than a normal 440 or 440HP 4bbl motor.

CA has always been a bit stricter on "imported" cars, as to emissions regulations, whether from non-CA states, Canada, or otherwise. Even requiring such cars to have retrofit kits to make them more compliant to CA regulations. Including late-model vehicles! Nothing new about that!

In one respect, it kind of sounds like somebody in the state was having a flaky day at work, hence the rejection situation. Or they mis-read the applicable regulations! Especially for a vehicle older than 25 years old (or possibly 35 model years old).

That request to have Chrysler send a letter stating the vehicle was built to comply with emissions standards for its model year is definitely out of whack. Chrysler has no way of knowing if the vehicle still has its original parts on it or if there is something else in their place.

Rather than taking her word for it, do your OWN research of the vehicle registration regulations yourself. Usually available online from the state DMV. Then present YOUR findings to the local office and ask for a second opinion. Much better to know the game rules lest some "umpire" do something not totally correct!!

All of these things were in place wwaaayyyy before the more recent electrification orientations. So no "weaponization" involved.

In TX, over the years, we have observed that most local DMV office people do not fully know or understand many of the intricacies of registering an old car in TX. Different answers from different offices, by observation, so finding a DMV operative who knew what was going on was great to find.

Respectfully,
CBODY67

 

[SGT FURY]

I believe the California emissions
Code is N95 on fender tag.

 

[Dan Scully]

Any time I have had an issue with the DMV in Ca, I either go back and try to get a different person or try a different DMV office. Never seem to get the same answer twice. I go with the best answer that helps me.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Any time I have had an issue with the DMV in Ca, I either go back and try to get a different person or try a different DMV office. Never seem to get the same answer twice. I go with the best answer that helps me.

Too late, the paperwork has already been sent to Sacramento.


Alan

 

[saforwardlook]

John, I would do what @Big_John is recommending. I would put on the inner fender a federal emission label that would be green and white because Canadian cars back in 1971 were built to federal specs (not California that would be a blue and white emission label like the one you are showing - also the one you are showing is for a CA 440HP engine and if yours is the standard 440 the part number of the blue and white decal would end in 74, not 76 like you are showing - reproductions of those are not available anywhere that I have found at least). Yours would need to be green and white.

I would put a green and white federal label on the inner fender maybe in a spot where it would be hard to see and grease it up a bit with fine dirt sprinkled in a bit too. Then take it back to the VIN verifier at the DMV office and just say that the first inspector missed it and when you looked closer, you found it (maybe place the federal label behind the battery area or fairly low down on the inner fender below the hood hinge area perhaps - you get the idea).

The car probably would sail through then.

I do not believe a car initially built for Canada though would even require an emission label but if it did, it should be the federal green and white one.

Also, I know a lady at an independent private company that knows how to get this car through the CA DMV process and I can contact her if you would like as well. It would cost maybe $50 to $100 to get her to do the job but might be worth it in your case. She knows all the ropes better than most any DMV clerk and what she would recommend would be legal. That is why I use her in many instances.

For all the others who claim they know what California will in time do with old cars, I can only state that SEMA has considerable clout with the California legislature and they contribute a great deal to legislators' campaigns and I can be pretty certain old vehicles will never be forced off the road in this state since there are many collector vehicles and SEMA makes very good money off of them. SEMA was also an ally in keeping vehicles built before 1977 out of the California smog check program. I seriously doubt CA will ever force old non-commercial vehicles off the road and in the case of semi trucks built before 2010, if the owner of such a vehicle was to install an aftermarket particulate filter on the truck, they would still be able to operate one of their trucks in CA. if the retrofit installation is approved by the Air Resources Board for that use.

And the ban on vehicles that is mentioned above starting in 2035 pertains only to new vehicles being sold in the state.

Lots of folks "know" all about the California program, just ask them but few ever get it right.

If you end up needing to contact the certification group back in Auburn Hills, MI I can also get you the right number to call or where to address a letter to them. I had to work with them in my last job.

Call me if you want to discuss the options in more detail.

 

[Unix]

It's always been baffling to me how two major countries in north america have these silly import laws/duties, and make things difficult for themselves.

 

[3175375]

Kalifornia leads the country in something!
I had a terrible time getting my 65 Mustang off of the books there when I escaped from the golden turd state back in 2018. I did find that I got several different stories from each person that I spoke to about getting the registration renewal dropped.
It finally got resolved by dealing with the state via US mail.
Good luck!

 

[Carmine]

It's always been baffling to me how two major countries in north america have these silly import laws/duties, and make things difficult for themselves.

It's a side effect of never having to face real problems for several generations. The next generation probably won't have the leisure time to be so petty.

 

[CBODY67]

Thanks, @saforwardlook for the comments on how to get things done in CA. Glad to see that what we have experienced in TX is more common than not, but still not "good".

EVERY vehicle "imported" into CA has regulations to meet if it was not manufactured to CA emissions specs, even people moving there with newer vehicles. More intense in prior times, though, that what they now are, by observation.

SEMA represents vendors and parts manufacturers for the "car culture" nationwide. THEY know how much economic impact the companies they represent add to the state and national economies AND tend to not be bashful to quote those figures when needed. Yet they know that the legislators and parts vendors/manufacturers BOTH have things to accomplish and seek to work together to do the best for both sides of the equation.

Although the C.A.R.B. regulations are still in force, many of our vehicles can now be classed as "antique/special interest" (with annual mileage limits of use), if desired, and get an easier situation, in many cases, than daily-use vehicles of the same model year. BUT . . . you have to know the "rules of the game", how to use them, and go from there. So . . . homework is needed BEFORE the process of registration is necessary for the new buyer, rather than after the fact. Which can smooth many of the bumps and potholes many experience in these things, by observation. Just like finding a good parts person, finding a good DMV person who knows the system and how it works is always good.

Just some thoughts and observations,
CBODY67

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Wow, the sticker is not right. No mention of any concern for the hundreds of modifications that could have been done in the last 51 years.
Why not just test the air coming out of the tailpipe and not sweat a sticker color. Oh wait that would not be knee jerk reaction, which is always govt approved. Don't do it right, just read the book and make the consumer suffer.
Sorry about your plight.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

The car has already been inspected, adding a sticker will not change things. The only thing that will help is additional documentation, ie the letter. Now if there is a code on the data tag that will help then a picture of the tag and a reference to the code might.


Alan

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I know you could not get a tipped exhaust on later California cars. Like the 71 Challenger R/T could not be had in Ca with tips it had to have turned down exhaust. Also, prior to when it showed up in 1972 in almost all US cars the vapor canister or some sort of not vented to the atmosphere was present on Ca emissions cars (my 70 Challenger has a tube in the trunk). My point being if you can find some documentation as to why it was different, maybe that would help.