[DeTomaso] DMV registration question for fellow Kalifornians.

[Bill Lewis]

Always hate "Red Tape" stories.  In Texas, years ago, all registrations (we call them license plates here) renewed on the same day (maybe April 1st).  You can imagine the crowd at the court house - especially in cities like Houston - as people stood in line to renew.  They finally figured out to have them renew on the date that you registered your car the very first time.  Also, now you can renew by mail, for only $1.00 extra.  Also, we live in the county next to Harris County (Houston) and the annual Auto Inspection is sooo much simpler.  --Bill




> Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:39:25 -0700
> From: peter-kovacs at sbcglobal.net
> To: detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] DMV registration question for fellow Kalifornians.
> 
> Hello All, 
> 
> I took my 72 Vega out for a drive a couple of Sundays ago. Not too much of this 
> car is still 72 Vega and it's primarily used for charity events, car shows and 
> every few years a trip to the drags. Although it hasn't been my daily driver for 
> about 20 years, it has been registered and insured. A motorcycle officer in a 
> speed trap I was well aware of (but not that day evidently) pulled me over and 
> issue a ticket. He radio'd another officer who had been through the 'smog 
> course' who asked that I open the hood. The educated officer said as a 72 it 
> only needed the pcv valve and with a closed system and not the breather cap on 
> the valve cover but recommended against the citation for it. He didn't notice 
> the PCV valve on the other valve cover. The 'uneducated' officer ignored his 
> recommendation and cited me for the smog violation sending me to a referee. 
> 
> 
> I went to the referee today who seemed not to know what to do with a 72. He made 
> a phone call to a manager and came back with change the manifold, carb, headers, 
> gas tank, add a smog pump, thermostatic air filter housing and put it on the 
> dyno. Huh??? I declined the inspection but they took pictures of the car 
> and sent them to Sac. I assume this is so they can reconcile my data with the 
> street racers they have on video.
> 
> So...options? What are the requirements and benefits for a historical vehicle? 
> Is there a reasonably inexpensive way to fight the citation? Proof of correction 
> would be $8.25. Not correcting it and just paying it would be just under $500 
> but would also leave me open to the 'habitual' violator status in the future. 
> Hmmmm
> 
> I could pay the fine and pull the plates saving insurance and registration costs 
> in the future and just trailer the car to the events but I would likely just not 
> participate in the events. 
> 
> 
> There must be a better way and I'm sure someone in this group knows it.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> 
> Peter Kovacs
> 209 345-6708 
> 209 436-2000 fx
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