The California State Assembly voted to approve legislation to increase the registration limit for exempted specially constructed vehicle (kit car) registrations from 500 to 750 vehicles per year. The bill will next move to the Senate for consideration, where it is likely to have a much tougher journey. Current law provides for emissions-system certification and a model-year designation for specially constructed vehicles.
Under the law, vehicle owners choose whether a smog test referee certifies the engine model year or the vehicle model year. To determine model year, inspectors compare the vehicle to those of the era that the vehicle most closely resembles. If there is no close match, it is classified as a 1960 vehicle. Only those emissions controls applicable to the model year and that can be reasonably accommodated by the vehicle are required.
The Department of Motor Vehicles provides a new registration to the first 500 specially constructed vehicles per year that meet the criteria.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.