by TTait » Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:02 pm
Generally any car coming into the state needs to be inspected by CHP to ensure that (A) the title matches the Vin, (B) that it was manufactured to federal safety standards, and (C) that it met the federal emissions standards of its year.
As a AAA member I will get the inspection done at their offices instead. If the inspection is simple, they can sign off. If they find issues they have less authority to make judgement calls, so they defer to a secondary CHP inspection. I think that's likely their way of avoiding drama, send the owner to settle it with the police if something isn't up to par.
The rules aren't entirely clear. If the sticker is missing is isn't an automatic fail, they do write this in the official website. So long as the documentation is readily available so that a smog inspector can do a test, then the inspector can pass it at his or her discretion - but a 1975 car will never get smogged in CA, so it may be a non issue. I can have the tuning data sheet in the glove box and that could count as having the information readily available as well. It depends on the inspector.
The process is also about checking Vins and ensuring that the car met federal safety standards. It's a broad process then meant to cover all years of cars which may or may not get smogged, as well as limited production and imported cars which would be less likely to have the certifications to show they met federal safety and emission standards. One might presume that for a Chevrolet built for the US market that missing or defaced safety or emissions stickers aren't technically an issue and its just a matter of having a proper VIN, but the rules don't properly clarify that.
Its may be a question of the experience and mood of the person doing the inspection. Clearly Chevrolet was building cars that met federal safety and emissions standards. Perhaps it was a 49 state car not California compliant, but that doesn't matter anymore to California on a 1975 model. Hopefully the sticker is there anyway - I'm just not sure if its supposed to be on the Radiator shroud or the underside of the hood, or ???
On my third H Body - 1975 Monza 2+2 4.3L Orange/Black (Current State: Running great - needs the AC finished before summer hits hard)
76 Monza 2+2 L4 (1982-1987)
77 Starfire V6 (1987-1987)
82 Delorean - Universal Raffle Car (2005-2013)
81 Delorean 2009 - Present
17 Chevy Bolt 2017- Sold back to GM for almost a full refund
22 Mustang Mach E on order