[DeTomaso] Panteras for Rob

[Fresno Finches]

Rob,

Short answer, you will not have any problems or issues registering a Ford-era Pantera in California.

My experience with my 1972 Oregon-sourced Pantera being registered here in CA was thus-

Arrived with old signed-by-seller registration papers and my proper ID, my checkbook and the Pantera.

I was asked questions, including what was the purchase price. I told the young girl at the window a figure, to which she exclaimed “Wow, that is a lot of money for a car so old.” I “may” have even understated the purchase price. CRS seems to cloud that memory a bit. I was not asked for any bill of sale or purchase receipt. 

With paper work finished, a visual inspection of the Pantera was made. The gal, and the young man who accompanied her, had never seen a Pantera. I showed them the dashboard VIN plate and I think opened both the trunk and engine bay. And that was it. 

No smog equipment inspection. No requirement to visit a smog inspection station. No visit to the CHP for any reason.

No issues or smog requirements since.

This was in 2002, so perhaps some of this has changed. I suggest you briefly answer any questions, pose none of your own and your visit should be quite painless.

But I’m sure a Ford-era Pantera is still exempt from any emissions/smog requirements in CA.

Larry