Bringing a Spider in From NV to CA

**wutdhec** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 07:22 PM

Has anyone purchased a car in Nevada and registered it in CA? I'm thinking of checking out a spider in NV, but I'm wondering how I handle the smog issue. In another forum, I found out from Enrique that sometime in the 70s all Spiders were "50 state" emissions cars. But what I'm concerned with is getting stuck with a smog fix-it bill when I try to smog it in CA.

Is it possible to check for CA emissions compliance during the pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks,

slyalfa · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 08:07 PM

for starter what year is it?
I think there is no smog at all for 74 and older.
years after that if the spica had been removed you might have problems.
some where they also had a air pump.

**wutdhec** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:04 PM

Its a 91 Veloce. I don't think its been changed at all. Picture of the engine shows the Motronic injection still there.

bianchi1 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:56 PM

it should be no problem.. the cali. 1991 spider and the nevada 1991 spider are the same....good chance the car came from california anyway..

**Geezer** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 05:11 AM

Have the seller e-mail a pic of the emissions label. It should state CA emissions. It had been a common practice for imported cars to be CA spec cars when shipped to the western states. It was too costly to make a small number of CA only cars.

When I serviced imported cars in Arizona a CA spec car was more common than a 49 state car.

**wutdhec** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 09:46 AM

Thanks everyone...I'll ask for a picture of the sticker just to be sure.

Anyone know a good shop for PPI in Vegas area?

**Zunige** · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 10:45 AM

By 1991 Alfa had long switched to producing a "50 state version" only. All Owners Manuals that came with the Spiders actually state, in large letters on the cover, for which states they apply. Manuals for the 49 state Spiders said "49 State version". Of course, looking for the emissions sticker is good, but it is a mute point, as there just aren't any emissions variations for these years. What would be good to know, is if the emissions equipment is still fitted to the car and when was the car last passed an emissions test...

Best regards,

**wutdhec** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 10:47 AM

Thanks Enrique. So, this is probably a dumb question, but is an emissions test in NV exactly the same as one in CA?

**Zunige** · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wutdhec

Thanks Enrique. So, this is probably a dumb question, but is an emissions test in NV exactly the same as one in CA?

**Geezer** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:48 PM

I believe CA emission testing ends when the car is over 25 years old. Up until then everything has to be in place and operating. When I lived in NV all of the emission equipment had to be in place and operable no matter the age of the car. That was a PITA with my 30 yr old Datsun Roadster.

**wutdhec** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 09:17 AM

Thanks guys...as always excellent information.

As Bianchi1 guessed, it turns out it was originally a CA car anyways!

BTW, I've been using CarFax quite a bit the last few weeks and I've found it very useful. Seems to have caught odometer problems and accidents pretty well (most sellers have disclosed, but it did catch one on eBay up for sale now that was said to be a 1984 spider with 32K miles but actually Carfax showed an odometer change at around 60K...and a couple accidents).

Regards,

Pat Braden · #12 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geezer

I believe CA emission testing ends when the car is over 25 years old. Up until then everything has to be in place and operating. When I lived in NV all of the emission equipment had to be in place and operable no matter the age of the car. That was a PITA with my 30 yr old Datsun Roadster.

**Cali Duetto** · #13 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 06:15 PM

The california smog requirements exempt any car that is 1975 or older. This is not a rolling rule currently so next year it will not be for cars 1976 and newer. It is fixed at 1975 is exempt. I assume that the year of exemption will change as time goes on....but I am unaware of any plans to change that in the near future.

Hope that helps

**wutdhec** · #14 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Duetto

The california smog requirements exempt any car that is 1975 or older. This is not a rolling rule currently so next year it will not be for cars 1976 and newer. It is fixed at 1975 is exempt. I assume that the year of exemption will change as time goes on....but I am unaware of any plans to change that in the near future.

Hope that helps