General New member w/‘89 126p in California…. Can’t register in state…

[Ckkrause]

Any one in California who was able to register their Polski here? I’ve been trying for months w/DMV, REFEREE, & CARB and it’s a no go…. Need help or I’ll have to sell it

-Chuck

 

[gt alex]

Not in California but don't understand. Is it a blanket NO on that model? or have they tested something that needs improvement to pass.
I have been slow spotting this so I hope it's already sorted.

 

[Ckkrause]

At this point it is a blanket NO due to Smog Equipment regulations… I received a quote of $14k to bring up to 1989 smog standards. They have otherwise accepted it into the CA DMV registration system due to it having been registered in New Jersey by the previous owner.
Big sigh….

-Chuck

 

[Ckkrause]

Good news! Instead of going to my large, very active local DMV office, I went to a tiny rural office with just 2 employees. I showed them the BAR rule book which says cars w/2 cylinder motors are exempt. 5 minutes later I walked out with new license plates/tags and registration! My Polski is now legally on the road in California!!

-Chuck

 

[scagda]

Hi! I registered for Fiat Forum after reading this post. I fell in love with Fiat 126p's after visiting Poland, and it's a dream to have one here in California. Ckkrause, if you have any tips about how you first acquired yours I'd love to hear them. I go to Poland once or twice a year and there are some real beauties over there, as a number of people have taken to restoring them.

 

[Ckkrause]

Hi Scagda,

I bought my Polski Fiat on BringaTrailer.com from a gentleman in New Jersey. He had imported it into the US, but I don't really know the details. If you're interested and you live in Mt View, (near me in Palo Alto), you should come by and look at the paperwork he generated. My issue in getting it registered in California was that the DMV wanted me to get it smogged before they could proceed to register it even though regulations said that as a 2 cylinder motor it was not required to get a smog test. That's when I went to a remote DMV office and got it through... Let me know if I can help in any way.

-Chuck

 

[scagda]

Hi Chuck,

Thanks for the reply. I'll keep an eye out from BringaTrailer.com or others who have already imported them. Possibly I need to start investigating what it would take to import one that buy in Poland on some future trip. I appreciate your offer to check out your paperwork and other hints on getting it registered in CA. If I can figure out how to direct message you I'll do that.

-Scagda

 

[the green vanper]

I know there are possibilities to ship cars from the US to the EU, so I'm more than sure it will also be possible the other way