[italiansedanman]

I've tried to get an answer to this question a million times, but never suceeded.

In the US, is it still neccessary to keep a car's federal-spec rubber bumpers and side marker lights to register it today, if it was originally sold that way?

I see so many photos of nice cars here on the BB that are (IMO) spoilt by those nasty big, black bumpers and side markers cut into the guards.

A few years ago, I sent a set of Euro-spec bumpers for an Alfetta GTV to a fella in California for a resto' because ofcourse, he couldn't get them there so I suspect its another of those state-by-state issues.

Very interested!

 

[sh0rtlife]

not in most states......problem is finding something else localy to replace them with

 

[italiansedanman]

So what you're saying is that, you could remove the side markers, and install euro bumpers and the car would be registrable in most states?

 

[sh0rtlife]

yeah..most states are VERY open for body mods...here running without bumper or side markers is almost normal

most states have very limited inspections and those that have heavy inspections would be the only ones that may pose an issue....but ill let them speak up

 

[dcalfa]

I was just pondering the same question because of my cracked and ugly rear bumper on a 78. The problem is finding a new one: more than $800 for reproductions of the Euro rear bumper alone! Parts car/junkyard is probably the best hope..But I'm sure I'll just attempt dress up the old one.

I would highly doubt that any DMV attendant is well schooled enough in obscure 30-year-old Italian sports cars to know what exactly was stock in 76 versus 72. I know it's common to do this to a lot of late-70s cars.

 

[italiansedanman]

About five years ago I was pulling Euro-spec bumpers from wrecks here in Australia and sending them over the US. Most buyers were requesting that I sent them via fedex who would charge something like $250US for freight alone! But it didn't seem to quell the demand...

Now that wrecks are drying up here it isn't so easy.

So, I cant understand why more of the US cars that get restored are not having the side-markers blanked off and Eu bumpers installed.

 

[sfalfa]

Hey! I am the guy in Cali that you sent bumpers to!! Twice! I got a third set from someone else in Australia as well. Yes, people gag when I tell them how much I've spent on stainless bumpers over the years, but it's usually the first feature everyone remarks on when they see my cars. Not only are the black bumpers ulgy, but they weigh 75 or so pounds each!
When I do the full resto on the sedan, I plan on blocking out those side markers, they drive me nuts! They are so very wrong...

As someone pointed out, it is technically illegal (in CA at least) to alter the original safety equipment of a road car from it's original state as sold. However, obscure foreign makes are not on most people's radar, so it's quite easy to say "it came that way" and they won't have any back up literature to prove otherwise. Technically, my '75 was a 49 state only car, banned from being sold in CA new until the '76 model year with the air pump was introduced, but I smuggled it in and when they inspected it, they didn't know what they were supposed to be looking for and cleared it with no questions asked.

 

[sh0rtlife]

yeah i think cali is the WORST for trying to get stuff to fly....but unless your dealing with another alfa owner at the dmv there not going to be any wiser

when i get around to it my gtv6 is loseing its markers and ill be doing something about the bumpers as well but god knows what just yet

 

[La Voce]

Doing a resto on my Alfetta GT, dumping the US bumpers, but keeping the side markers...I like the look actually.

 

[soccersimon]

I don't know why anyone in thier right mind wouldn't blank out the US side marker lights on spider's ANYTIME they are going to do a respray? Would be FIRST on my list, of things to do. Bumpers too. Then carello headlight covers, then Cromodora Daytona's. NICE look!

 

[italiansedanman]

Doing a resto on my Alfetta GT, dumping the US bumpers, but keeping the side markers...I like the look actually.

Bzzt. I cant understand that. Surely, the Alfetta GT is better unadorned and straight in its lines?

Anyway, each to their own. I was looking at darth dino's images from another thread in the picture room and I saw the side markers on Dinos, Lamborghinis, Alfas and others and it strikes me as a real shame that they have to be there!

We have a lot of ex-USA Fiat 124 Spiders out here in Australia and they too should have their side markers deleted... IMO.

 

[sh0rtlife]

course in the same right..alot of owners dont upgrade to H4 non sealed beam headlights...wich were not allowed in the states untill the late 80s...yet are a HUGE improvement for night driveing

theres few cars that look good with side markers unless there WELL molded into the body or bumpers....most cars befor 68 dont have em period

 

[Alfajay]

ShOrtlife had written: "yeah i think cali is the WORST for trying to get stuff to fly...."

Geez ShOrtlife, what did we Californians do to offend you?

Having lived here since 1975 (and in Massachusetts before that), I would say that California is pretty mellow about everything EXCEPT emissions. You should see all the '32 roadsters on the roads here with no fenders, windshield wipers, or bumpers (needless to say, they don't have side marker lights either, though of course, they weren't required 75 years ago.)

Any state with no "safety" inspections - like California - would be no problem for a car with non-original bumpers or blanked-off side lights. No way a cop is going to stop a car on the road - they can't distinguish a '60's Alfa from a '70's Alfa. And again, the bi-annual inspection inspections here are just for emissions - a car could have no brakes or lights and it would still pass.

Besides, it rains all the time in Oregon. So there!

 

[Peter]

again, the bi-annual inspection inspections here are just for emissions - a car could have no brakes or lights and it would still pass.

Besides, it rains all the time in Oregon. So there!

it's the other way around here in Texas...no emission testing on cars over 25 years old (used to be no emission testing at all until a few years ago), but they do test lights, brakes, horn, wipers, etc

 

[sh0rtlife]

up here only cars made after 75 get a sniffer

ive just heard so much about the dificulty of immisons, junker laws and all that other BS that well i personaly think cali is just got there heads stuck somewhere LOL

your right tho atleast the west coast doesnt have actual full inspections...that would SUCK

 

[78-AR-SPIDER]

To remove a federally mandated safety feature(5 mile bumpers/side marker lights) is illegal in any state. That being said very few inspectors would know the difference or even care. In Oregon we only have emission test but in some states they have safety checks in these states in may be harder to make the change.

 

[italiansedanman]

Its an interesting thing. I mean, the US was the most anal country about safety and initiated a lot of the items that I referred to in the first place yet, it seems as though you can get away without most of it!

Here in Australia, our "ADRs" are basically based upon what cars had WHEN they were new, and like America there are differences between states. Similarly, you're not about to get pulled over because some trivial detail on your car is missing etc..

 

[scootergeek]

Its an interesting thing. I mean, the US was the most anal country about safety and initiated a lot of the items that I referred to in the first place yet, it seems as though you can get away without most of it!

The rules were made by government bureaucrats while the inspections (for the most part) are done by private garages and there's very little money for public oversight. It's not a perfect system, but it seems to work for enthusiasts somewhat (though everything I hear about California is BAD).

cheers,
scott

 

[sfalfa]

Here in Australia, our "ADRs" are basically based upon what cars had WHEN they were new, and like America there are differences between states. Similarly, you're not about to get pulled over because some trivial detail on your car is missing etc..

That is precisely the how it's done here as well. It's based on how they left the showroom floor. Again, the average American doesn't even know what an Alfa is, let alone will be able to date it correctly, so it's quite easy to say "it came that way" and no one is going to challenge you. Additionally, even if a cop does see something illegal about your car, it's highly unlikely you'll be pulled over just for that (though you may get an add on to a speeding ticket, if you piss him off).
That said, I've twice been pulled over for my '79 being "too loud". I just played dumb and was given a short lecture each time.
As a native Californian, I can't speak about inspections (thank God), but emmissions on '76 and newer vehicles is very strict, and fast becoming a good reason not to own late '70's cars. Hopefully, they'll continue to allow '75 and older vehicles to be exempt from emmissions testing, but one never knows when the tide will turn again.