rjtw

Foz,
Welcome, and congratulations on joining the community. I must second Jim's and other comments however... you are fighting a losing battle. Even IF you can somehow squeak by this time (big if, and I don't buy the proposition that merely slapping on a converter will get you a pass) you'll have to play the cat-and-mouse game forever after. Sell it out-of-state and buy a CA-registered car that the seller has already smogged.
Be sure to let us know though whatever you decide!
Rick

Foz

It was a charitable donation from a guy who moved from Florida (probably because he couldn't get it registered here). They were selling it for him and donating his proceeds to some charity.

rjtw

PS don't expect that an out-of-state registration will buy you anything. It is an infraction to drive an out-of-state car in CA for more than 10 days without getting CA registration. You will eventually be pulled over and forced to deal with it.

kary4th

So basically, it's illegal to drive to California for a two week vacation?

Nice.

rjtw

(Laugh) good catch. I assume the rule only applies to residents, though that begs the definition of "resident". I can tell you that one of my co-workers was pulled over only about two weeks after moving to CA and cited for not having CA registration!!

Bill51sdr

CHP derives a lot of their funding from registration fees. They are very **** about such things, and yes, it only applies to residents.

Jim bailey - 928 International

From the OFFICIAL DMV website "....."CHEATERS" - Californians Help Eliminate All The Evasive Registration Scofflaws



Report Vehicles with Out-of-State License Plates to the CHP

Did you know that the State of California loses millions of dollars a year in revenue from California residents who unlawfully register their vehicles in other states or countries?

Did you know that vehicle registration fees are due immediately upon accepting employment or establishing residency in the State of California?

Did you know that California law permits only 20 days to complete the process of registering your vehicle without paying a penalty?

The three most common reasons for not completing the registration process are:

People are unaware of California registration laws.
People are evading payments of registration fees and taxes.
People are unable to comply with air pollution control laws. "....... The CHP are the ones who REALLY look for bad registration since that IS THE source of their funding. So get stopped with a California drivers license and a car registered out of state and there can be a LOT of questions ! As an aside donating to a charity NO LONGER works because the deduction is now limited to the ACTUAL sale value and NOT "market" value. This car really should NOT have been offered for sale in California and I think the auction company put themselves at risk...

anonymousagain

Foz - License is what determines the 2wk rule. If you get an Arizona License and drive an Arizona tagged vehicle, CHP cannot force your CA registration.

If CA license with out of state tags, you'll get the fix-it ticket to re-register in CA. BUT, if you have CA license with out of state tags registered to your Mother, then you're still okay...just keep in mind that the Insurance needs to match Registered owner <your Mother as well>. Has worked with Utah/CA snags many times.

So, you're still in an uphill battle, but you do have options that should allow you to work around the issues. Still, it will never be correct and that may unsettling to live with and/or likely cause other issues later down the road.

Good Luck !!

rjtw

>> Foz - License is what determines the 2wk rule. If you get an Arizona License and drive an Arizona tagged vehicle, CHP cannot force your CA registration.

Only true if you pretend you are not a CA resident. If this went to a court for some reason and facts came out about being employed in CA, residing in CA etc. end of game. Goes back to point 1 that this would be an ongoing issue. Plus, registering in mother's name can make her legally liable for damages arising from accidents etc. (not to mention opens up the can of worms for fraud against both CA and insurance company. I don't know but there may be some criminal in addition to civil issues here.)

Don't go there.

Dan Bise

Hey Jim,
Could you expand on this "special green" '86 Euro version? Seems like quite an odd duck. Could the greens in the fatherland have been gaining traction that long ago?

Was it a factory option? Any idea how many might be out there?

Dan
Pasadena, CA
83S

Airflite40

Hey Foz, sorry about misleading you with the pics. I was sure that the non S euros retained the same breather system from the pre 80 cars. sorry and good luck with the car!

anonymousagain

rjtw - it seems he's already going there, but good concerns if going the AZ license route, yes, he must pretend to NOT be a CA resident. Known many that have done it w/out issue, although, your point should be respected --> it can be a gamble if circumstances turn bad.

The legal gamble diminishes if his Mother "completely" owns the vehicle, however, where he is merely driving it; albeit she is sole responsible party for any issues with the vehicle, aside from normal driver accountability. He would be driving her vehicle as if visiting AZ, or taking a trip together where she authorized him to drive (expect her Ins allows for him to drive as well).

Bottom line remains = it isn't the correct way to go about it - I surely wouldn't do it with my Shark. Nevertheless, if looking for options that would allow him to keep the vehicle, with known risk(s) attached, these are some that have worked for others, but as an eyes-wide-open choices.

Pure Caveat Emptor.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Dan there were incentives for enviornmentally friendly cars so a special low compression 32 valve 5 liter with all USA emissions in a Euro body was offered but very few sold a couple have turned up in the US.

Foz

Airflite40: No worries -- Would have been nice if it was a Euro S, but no harm done. You and everyone else have been more than helpful, for which I am truly grateful

I don't think everyone here fully understands my position: I have no problems with CA emissions -- I like my air clean just like everyone else. But I completely agree with Dave (SharkSkin): If it makes smog specs and has a charcoal canister, it's nobody's damn business what's under the hood -- Nuclear power, alien technology, whatever.

The purpose of 'pre-titling' in AZ would ONLY be to get rid of this stupid NY/Porsche VIN mismatch before attempting to title/register in CA. I would not keep it titled in AZ in someone else's name for long -- In the absolute worst case, long enough to fix the broken glass (driver & passenger doors + windshield), add an S4 wing, and repaint it silver, at which time it would be sold on eBay to someone in a smog-friendly state (WA, VA, TX, etc.) who I'd drive it to them as long as they pay for my plane ticket home. Then I'd take the proceeds and buy a real CA 928, and start the cycle all over.

I've done the family title thing before inadvertantly (when my old 944 turbo bombed and it wasn't worth it to get it fixed at the time). So I borrowed a car from AZ, and got **** from the CHP everytime I got pulled over (which fortunately wasn't that often). It's too much mental hassle to always be lying that 'I just borrowed it last week' plus you risk other stuff like California residency (important for college tuition). So that's not a permanent option for me.

I talked with the guy selling the complete 928 exhaust for $50 today: It turns out he is converting his 928 into an electric vehicle. I'm picking up the exhaust tonight. BTW, he is selling an entire '84 engine & tranny for $500, and a 928 computer for $40! If anyone in Northern CA is interested, the Craigslist ad is here:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/201541216.html

I know people are going to suggest that I swap the entire engine, but to be honest, it's just too big a job for me. I just traded my old busted 944 turbo for a sport bike, and I have another 944 parts car to get rid of... Too many things on my plate right now. Trying to get this registered will only cost me $50 (plus some time at a shop tweaking the mixture), and I'm willing to risk that for a chance to have a legit CA 928 (well, semi-legit).

funxman

I just bought a 86.5 Ca car here for 7K. There were some pretty good non ca deals out there, but I have always lived in ca and know what a pain the smog laws are here.

ALL smog station computers are registered and logged-in to the department of automotive repair (BAR) during your inspection. If they enter your VIN number in the computer and it does not come up, then they will have to send you to the referree. They have no choice. A smog cert is issued by the state bar, not the check station. the referee will tell you what is required, and if it is even possible. You will have to make the repairs and alterations. Then you'll have to go to "test only" stations who-trust me- will make sure everything is legal.

There are ways to get around some minor details if your buddy runs a smog station, but until your car is at least in the states system, thats not possible either.