About a month ago my "new" 1975 Volvo C303/TGB11 -- call it a distant cousin of the Mog -- cleared EPA, DOT and Customs in general in Port Hueneme California (it came directly from Sweeden). I drove the truck home and then to the California DMV where they inspected the VIN and such. I paid my fees and they explained my papers would go to Sacramento before they could release the new license plates.

Well.... I was notified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and was told I cannot register or drive the vehicle on California highways unless I replace the engine with one from a Volvo of the same or newer year, originally equipped for California specifically. And I would have to fit the truck with evaporative emissions system (vacuum line from fuel tank to charcoal canister). Needless to say this is a rather expensive and inconvenient option. Anybody know of any other ways of getting a 1975 Mog/Pinz/TGB registered in California???

PLEASE HELP! I wanna go wheelin'

Its already in the DMV computer in CA. You've been bitten by the CARB bug that everyone selling these 1975's into CA, claims does not exist! Your mistake was that the vehicle is considered a direct import used vehicle. Had the same vehicle been registered in another state prior to CA, more than likely you would be fine. PM me off list and I have a few suggestions, but at this point it is questionable whether or not you will be able to get it registered in CA for at least the 7 years it takes DMV's computers to purge.

Cheers,

Scott

i have a friend who is going through the exact thing his mog has been blue tagged and will not likely be able tp register it in CA ,he will more than likely go to another state first, but keep us posted

Consider moving to a state that dosn't sound like a big suck fest on paper. I'll let you live in my backyard for a while as long as you work on my jeep.

Pm me..
I can guide you to the promised land..(I can try anyway)

its a 75 the smog requirement starts at 76. give ur local smog rep a call.

WeeMan006,

You know not what you speak. Yes a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, etc., is smog exempt in CA if it is a 1975. However, a "used direct import" Volvo will require EPA certification at a minimum. It would be nice if CA bureacracy made common sense...unfortunately that went away long ago. The key here is to have the vehicle come in as an "out of state" vehicle, and not a used direct import as the author of the thread did.

Cheers,

Scott