Leno law passed, Good news for 76 914’s in California Options

[Steve]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/16/governor-...rider-heritage/

https://www.google.com/search?q=lenos+law&a...F-8#lfId=ChxjMe

[Superhawk996]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[wonkipop]

yeah. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

someone send a six pack to jay leno. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[gonzo54]

That's really good news!

[Jack Standz]

Yes, very good news for those who register 1976 914s in California!! The new rules go into effect in 2028.

This is especially true for those that have 914s that have been modified to run carbs. Which, as you probably know, has been done to many many 914s over the years (we have two such modified 914s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

Currently, if you don't have all the original equipment on your 1975+ car (914 or otherwise), you fail the California visual inspection and don't pass the emissions testing. It doesn't matter what emissions actually come out of your tailpipe or that 50 year old catylitic converters usually don't work and are not available. For those of us that care about air pollution, but still want to drive our classic cars, this really doesn't seem fair.

Wish the new law had covered "newer" classic vehicles, say ones manufactured in the 80s that are now 40 or 40+ years old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Dynosoar11]

"Leno's" Law will phase in cars annually up to model year 1985. Then the exemptions stop.
Other restrictions
No daily drivers (1,000 miles year max) OR
Collector insurance required (A bunch of other restrictions based on insurer)

What we need is a rolling 30 year exemption like we used to have.

Dyno (Peter)

Yes, very good news for those who register 1976 914s in California!! The new rules go into effect in 2028.

This is especially true for those that have 914s that have been modified to run carbs. Which, as you probably know, has been done to many many 914s over the years (we have two such modified 914s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

Currently, if you don't have all the original equipment on your 1975+ car (914 or otherwise), you fail the California visual inspection and don't pass the emissions testing. It doesn't matter what emissions actually come out of your tailpipe or that 50 year old catylitic converters usually don't work and are not available. For those of us that care about air pollution, but still want to drive our classic cars, this really doesn't seem fair.

Wish the new law had covered "newer" classic vehicles, say ones manufactured in the 80s that are now 40 or 40+ years old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

I have had JC Taylor insurance for many years. No mileage restriction.

[Dynosoar11]

I have had JC Taylor insurance for many years. No mileage restriction.

Do you have a "Locked Garage" restriction? Hagerty Ins. demands a "Locked Garage"

[JeffBowlsby]

yes.

[Jack Standz]

"Leno's" Law will phase in cars annually up to model year 1985. Then the exemptions stop.
Other restrictions
No daily drivers (1,000 miles year max) OR
Collector insurance required (A bunch of other restrictions based on insurer)

What we need is a rolling 30 year exemption like we used to have.

Dyno (Peter)

Yes, very good news for those who register 1976 914s in California!! The new rules go into effect in 2028.

This is especially true for those that have 914s that have been modified to run carbs. Which, as you probably know, has been done to many many 914s over the years (we have two such modified 914s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

Currently, if you don't have all the original equipment on your 1975+ car (914 or otherwise), you fail the California visual inspection and don't pass the emissions testing. It doesn't matter what emissions actually come out of your tailpipe or that 50 year old catylitic converters usually don't work and are not available. For those of us that care about air pollution, but still want to drive our classic cars, this really doesn't seem fair.

Wish the new law had covered "newer" classic vehicles, say ones manufactured in the 80s that are now 40 or 40+ years old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

OK, we hear you, but would like to see much better relief.

The new law helps some, but falls way short of covering 30+ year old cars.

1985 cars aren't covered until 2033! 1985+ car owners get no relief at all under this law.

How about the lawmakers allow 1980+ (some will be exempted on a rolling annual basis until 2033) cars that actually don't pollute (verified with an emissions test) and do away with the visual inspection? Very hard to find a place to get an emissions test for 1980s cars, especially rural areas.

[Ninja]

In my book they would have to give you credit for reducing the pollution that your 1975 car is LEGAL with.

You reduce the emissions 50% and get XXX back.

Hit 90% and it's worth more.

Not only are you making the "mass polluter" cleaner, the pollution of building the new replacement car is never created!

Reparations for old cars...

[wonkipop]

down here in north antarctica historic car provisions quite generous.

rolling 25+ years old.
historic plates registration $90.00 or so AUD depending on how many days.
think its two variables. either 45 day reg or 90 day reg = days of use/no mileage restrictions. daily use verified by log book which must be kept with car.
(allows for left hand drive vehicles as a side benefit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) - too bad for me as i put my 914 on road years and years ago before all this as a private import and had to convert to RHD).
and you have to be a member of a registered car club to access the historic registration program.

thats it. apart from it undergoing a full road worthy check by licensed tester prior to transferring to historic plates. can sometimes cause a few hitches if you get an overly fussy roadworthy tester not up on which historic ADR (legislated standards) to apply to the vehicle. ie can cause a pain with headrests, seat belts etc if you get into an argument. the kooks don't always know their federal legislation dating back in time.

no emissions tests. no annual checkups. one time only and then drive on.

[eric9144]

While its, sort of, a step in the right direction, don't get too excited about that '76 GT conversion car or an LS or subie swap because "it does not act as a blanket exemption that makes noncompliant engine swaps or illegal emissions modifications legal" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

This is why my cars are older than 75 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[bkrantz]

Great news. Until California bans gasoline. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Maltese Falcon]

...Can't wait for Cali's new State Law on the New Tire replacement mandates; gonna drift around Mulholland on my new Stoner'ellies

[infraredcalvin]

While its, sort of, a step in the right direction, don't get too excited about that '76 GT conversion car or an LS or subie swap because "it does not act as a blanket exemption that makes noncompliant engine swaps or illegal emissions modifications legal" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

This is why my cars are older than 75 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

There is no blanket exemption for any year car, your noncompliant pre 76 cars are still illegal…. The only difference with lenos law is the mileage limit/collector insurance requirement….

They only exempt the biennial smog check/inspection.

I say, take the win!

[Jack Standz]

While its, sort of, a step in the right direction, don't get too excited about that '76 GT conversion car or an LS or subie swap because "it does not act as a blanket exemption that makes noncompliant engine swaps or illegal emissions modifications legal" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

This is why my cars are older than 75 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

There is no blanket exemption for any year car, your noncompliant pre 76 cars are still illegal…. The only difference with lenos law is the mileage limit/collector insurance requirement….

They only exempt the biennial smog check/inspection.

I say, take the win!

So, exactly how is California enforcing this law against your "illegal" pre-1976 car with a jet engine or other "non-compliant" engine?

This is a serious question, as the state of California will never (unless it changes the law again) inspect these cars unless there is a change of ownership along with a need to perform a VIN inspection or you're bringing one in from out-of-state.

.

[wwheelock]

What's the penalty if you exceed 1000 miles per year? How will the state keep track of your mileage?

[infraredcalvin]

While its, sort of, a step in the right direction, don't get too excited about that '76 GT conversion car or an LS or subie swap because "it does not act as a blanket exemption that makes noncompliant engine swaps or illegal emissions modifications legal" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

This is why my cars are older than 75 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

There is no blanket exemption for any year car, your noncompliant pre 76 cars are still illegal…. The only difference with lenos law is the mileage limit/collector insurance requirement….

They only exempt the biennial smog check/inspection.

I say, take the win!

So, exactly how is California enforcing this law against your "illegal" pre-1976 car with a jet engine or other "non-compliant" engine?

This is a serious question, as the state of California will never (unless it changes the law again) inspect these cars unless there is a change of ownership along with a need to perform a VIN inspection or you're bringing one in from out-of-state.

.

They don’t, don’t have the resources, that was one of the arguments against the new law to begin with. Technically you can get a fixit ticket in a non compliant vehicle, but they don’t enforce it. The mileage/classic car insurance is basically a toothless concession made to push over the final hurdle, if you followed it, they had a few other cockamamy requirements, but they were stripped away, assumingely due to cost of implementation and enforcement.

They might request mileage verification, but again, resources…. We won’t know exactly how it’s going to work until they roll it out Jan ‘28, but chances are it’ll be exactly the same as how they handle pre 76 cars. Honor system on the mileage and insurance, until you get in an accident , then the insurance companies will look for reasons not to pay, that’s when it’ll make a difference.

[wonkipop]

...Can't wait for Cali's new State Law on the New Tire replacement mandates; gonna drift around Mulholland on my new Stoner'ellies

yeah - i read a news story on that down here.
i gather though it means you have to fit original equipment tyres to any car (or equal) that pertain to and were fitted at its year of manufacture.

theoretically you are supposed to do that down here already. its somewhere in the road registration rules and legislation from back in time. original equipment rims and tyres or equal. its not enforced. how could it be? way too much wiggle roon in the "or equal" bit legalistically speaking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

but in the end just another thing for tyre manufacturers to work out the chemistry on - and exceed standards. they will find a way.

california sure has fallen from grace since leading the world on emissions standards.
which was a good thing in the end. but now it really is starting to get a bit desperate looking to still be at the vanguard of efficiency and waste wherever that is? if you are down to tyres you really are at the desperate end of the string?

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the 1000 mile limit seems a bit tight with the Leno Law. down here a couple of good rally runs in a year would exceed that. some clubs regularly do interstate jaunts. you could go close to 1500-2000 miles on just one of those. pity they chose mileage as the limiting factor. days of use is a far better and more practical model. its enforced too. you have to carry the log book in the car down here. and the cops can stop you and demand (politely) to see the book. if its not signed and filled out for that day you off the road instantly and rego is suspended. because the cars have special plates instantly identifiable you are a bit of a target for a random cop stop if they have nothing better to do. so it works quite well.