Some hope for CA residents?

[garion]

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/23/cali ... smog-bill/

[SunnySideUp]

Glad all we need to do in AZ is get classic plates to be exempt!

[spidernut]

This is proof that California is governed by a bunch of morons.

"owners must still to get a vehicle that's from 1976 or newer smog checked, and if the model fails, they must make the necessary repairs. After a second unsuccessful test, the drivers could then fork over the $200 to keep the car on the road. The cash would go to the Air Quality Improvement Fund, just like a portion of present vehicle registration fee"

1. Make the "necessary repairs" - you can't get the emissions parts any longer so this is often impossible
2. The second failure $200 fee shifts the money for the needed repairs (from the parts suppliers and mechanics' pockets) to the politicians. That doesn't improve air quality or fix the car...it just steals money from people who are earning it and gives it to the state politicians to spend.
3. Keep in mind that you'd have to go through this process every two years - $35-$55 for each smog test plus the cost of the first set of "necessary repairs", then the $200 waiver.

This is more proof that this state will do anything to get their money grubbing hands into your pockets. Truth be told, they really need to pass the rolling 25 year exemption and be done with it.

[RRoller123]

Maybe the pols will buy water with it?

[aj81spider]

In defense of California, although a bit draconian, they had a pretty difficult problem to clean up. I went to school in Pasadena in the early 80's in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains (think 8,000 foot mountains 30 miles away) and on bad smog days you couldn't see the mountains. It hurt to breathe if you exercised outdoors (exercise being a brisk walk).

I have a great set of pictures out my apartment window from that time. A smoggy day where there is just gray sky visible and then a clear day where the window is filled with the mountains.

Our poor hobby got caught up in the actions to address it, and the regulations seem much less reasonable today because the problem isn't in your face (literally) any more, but something needed to be done.

[scrapironchef]

Reading it I can't tell if I'd be forking over $200 a year or just one time if my 79 failed smog. I suspect it would be every year, ab it steep if you ask me. Something mileage based might be more palatable.

[spidernut]

I recall vividly 3rd stage smog alerts. Yes, it was horrible in multiple ways. The changes in environmental laws were directly responsible for the improvement. However, this proposal has nothing to do with reducing pollution. It is designed for one thing - bringing in more money. Based on the proposed law, I could belch oil and fuel smoke all day long as long as I pay the fine. That fixes nothing.

I always felt that there should be a max emission standard per mile driven. As long as your car is within that standard, you should be able to do whatever you want to it - headers, racing cams, different fuel systems, motor swaps, etc. Most of the emissions components on these old cars don't function any longer and aren't available - they cause greater pollution than if the parts were removed.

[So Cal Mark]

I was an official Smog Test shop for decades in Calif and the reason they don't have a law that allows max emission per mile or home built emission systems is that the standard emission testing is only a small sample. If smog tests were the same as EPA testing of new cars, then your proposal could make sense, but a smog test would cost thousands instead of $50. Once you figure out the operating conditions of the two speed test, it's pretty easy to get a car to pass.
I do agree that most of the cars from the mid 70's that are still being tested aren't contributing much to air pollution, but we can blame Arnie for the fact that 1976 cars still have to be tested

[spidernut]

Sure I can blame Schwarzenegger! Here's the quote from a news story:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill requiring that cars 30 years and older be tested under California's strict smog regulations, closing a loophole over the protests of classic car collectors"

He signed it...he owns it.

[sptcoupe]

Legal extortion.

[scrapironchef]

Has anybody else signed into the bill and left reasoned comment/objections/suggestions for the author? It helps to let Sacto know that people are paying attention.

[azruss]

Glad all we need to do in AZ is get classic plates to be exempt!

All I had to do was show classic car insurance. When they wanted an extra $25 for classic plates, i just got the regular 7 digit plate. Car is over 30 years old, so no smog test.