You may have heard about Jay Leno’s backing of a law that would expand the exemption from regular or any “emissions” and “safety” inspections from the current gotta-be at least 50-plus years old (1975 model year and older) to 1976 and newer, on a rolling basis, beginning in 2028. That would be the year cars made in 1976 through 1980 would be grandfathered into the exemption. Come 2029, 1981 model years vehicles would be exempted and come 2033, vehicles made through the 1985 model year (by which time the latter would be just shy of 50 years old.
The benevolence of the state astounds.
Of course, the state has certain conditions attached to its benevolence. To begin with, to qualify for the exemption, the vehicle must be “covered” by an antique/collector vehicle insurance policy. These usually come with restrictions as far as how many miles you’re allowed (there’s that word, again) to drive annually and the state would impose its own in addition. No more than 1,000 miles per year and this would verified by a “process” to be conjured by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, which is just that (a bureaucracy armed with the Authority of the state).
No one seems to be asking how the state would verify how many miles an antique vehicle is driven. Or where. In addition to the mileage limit there are to be other limits. A news story says “The rules would limit the vehicles to being used primarily for shows, parades, charitable events, historical exhibitions, maintenance, and preservation.” This implies the rules would bar pleasure driving, as I do when I feel the need to shake off some of the depressing effects of having to drive new cars with eye-movement monitors, Lane Keep Assist and the multitude of Driver Harassment Technologies all new cars now come standard with. I fire up my ’76 Trans Am and drive it just because I want to drive it – and I can (for now) drive it wherever and whenever I like. If I were only allowed to drive it to “shows, parades, charitable events, historical exhibitions” and for purposes of “maintenance and preservation” there would be (for me) not much point in owing it.
Which I think is the point behind the state’s benevolence.
This circles us back to how the state will “verify” that the rules are being complied with. Fifty-year-old cars are free-range cars. They have no built-in capability to transmit (or receive) any “data,” such as odometer readings. Also, their odometers are purely mechanical things; there’s a cable that runs from the transmission to the back of the speedometer, which is also entirely mechanical in analog-era cars. The cable is driven – mechanically – by a little gear inside the transmission that “transmits” (mechanical sense) “data” about how fast the transmission’s output shaft is rotating; the number of teeth the little gear has fine-tunes the “reading” you see in the speedometer and also the odometer. It is a simple thing to disconnect the cable – causing the speedometer and the odometer to cease moving. It is also not at all difficult to adjust whatever the odometer reads. This “rolling back was once commonly done by shady used car dealers and curbstoners – because it was easily done.
It is much harder to do it with an electronically controlled car. The odometer is controlled by the computer; very hard to just turn it off – or roll it back. And modern electronically controlled cars do have the capability to transmit and receive data, such as odometer readings. It is easy-peasy for the state (and the insurance mafia) to know how many miles you’ve driven anytime they want to know it.
The only way to read the odometer of an analog car is to read it – with your eyes. Someone has to look at it, in other words. The state could require annual or semi-annual odometer checks but – they will likely say – that won’t be good enough because some awful libertarian type could disconnect the speedometer cable (that drives the odometer) and “cheat” the state-imposed mileage limitations. Can’t allow that. So, what will probably be required – in order to qualify for the exemption – will be some kind of connected device that enables the state to monitor and keep track of how many miles the car is driven and also when, where and how (that part about the “shows, parades, charitable events, historical exhibitions” and for purposes of “maintenance and preservation”). In other words, your old car will have to be aa connected car, just like the new cars. 
If you are discovered to be in violation – cue the Flock cameras – there goes your exemption.
So, arguably, this is not a benevolence. In fact, it is an attack masquerading as a benevolence.
If this were actually about “emissions,” it would be a non-issue – because the “emissions” of 50-plus-year-old vehicles are a non-issue because there are so few 50-plus-year-old vehicles in operational condition. When was the last time you saw a car made in 1976 on the road? Or 1980, for that matter? You probably haven’t seen a car made in the ’90s in some time, either. The “emissions” of those cars, by the way, are a non-issue because they weren’t when they were new. They have computer-controlled fuel injection, oxygens sensors and catalytic converters – the three things that eliminated almost all of the meaningfully harmful exhaust emissions that caused or contributed to air pollution. It’s been chasing after angels dancing on the head of a pin since then.
The bottom line is don’t ask the state for favors. It’s something like expecting a rapist to be gentle as he does his thing.
. . .
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Typical California nonsense. Useless antique vehicles exempt from BS. So what? In quirky Oregon a vehicle is de facto free on its 21st birthday. No smog, no thafetee no nuthin but registration fee. In stupid Oregon of all places?
Yes, a real useful superior tech 2005 vehicle is yours to do with as you please today. I owned useless 70s made to break trash in times before Nissan Toy and Mazda, they’re inferior noisy stinking hobby junk to me. They were DESIGNED to f you.
I still see a lot of 90’s cars. Though Cash for Clunkers did lower the amount of them by quite a bit.
Never let a good myth go to waste
I imagine most serious car collectors in California have their cars registered in Montana anyway. Though California has been hassling those with Montana plates. But legally the cars are registered to your LLC which is located in,,,,,, Montana. So they don’t have much of a leg to stand on, but it won’t stop the harassment. Laws are for you, not them ever…..
Even here in Indiana, you see lots of collector cars with Montana plates. Indiana is planning on cracking down on Montana plates as well. I know a serious collector who has his cars registered in Montana (some of his cars are not old). it saves him money and he doesn’t have to take his newer cars (mostly Corvettes) to emission checks.
‘You probably haven’t seen a car made in the 90s in some time, either.’ — eric
That’s because you haven’t driven down my street, where two of them are parked in my driveway.
Both qualify for antique plates. But ‘conditions apply,’ and I’m not interested.
My 30-year-old unconnected vehicles are just everyday workhorses. They don’t break, like the hybrid owned by a colleague who missed a meeting today because every time its electric assist engaged, ‘it sounded like a coffee grinder.’
But it didn’t piss out any mocha caramel latte for my woefully inconvenienced buddy. 🙁
Roger that, Jim!
I am trying to finagle another anolog car. Not a treasured toy (my TA). but just for back-up transpo.
Leno’s original bill was much better, it was just that any car past a certain age (of which there aren’t many) is exempt from all this BS. What we ended up was nearly neutered, because the state is is a ratchet strap of oppression. It’s tightening constantly, and this one time, it happened to skip a tooth.
On the flip side, we now have rules about rolling resistance for tires. A huge number of aftermarket tires are getting banned, the good, grippy ones. The state is telling us hoi polloi that this will save us money on gas.
Coming up next, are particulate “emissions” rules for tire dust and brake dust, modeled after Euro-7 particulate limits. The tire ban was also modeled on EU efficiency rules.
We’re all
PalestiniansEuropeans now. 🙁Jeez! Pack your cars up and move to Texas. We have the most open roads to drive fast on anyway.
Just don’t pack no demon weeeeeed.
Willie Nelson gets left alone cuz he’s rich and famous and old. My brother-in-law, who got busted in west Texas for possessing commercial indica gummies purchased in Colorado for his freaking mom, spent thousands beating that rap.
Texas remains ankle-shackled by its old time religion. Ask me how I know — I grew up with them bible-thumpin’ hypocrites.
*blows a lazy smoke ring contemplating his deliverance*
“Don’t mess with Texas” really should be changed to “Don’t mess with Israel” at this point. Texas is the most ZOG’d state in the US, even worse than Florida, as in Florida the control is mostly due a way too powerful (((minority))) in Palm Beach/Dade/Broward counties, while in Texas it is mostly due to the idiotic megachurch cucks who joyfully rejoice in being slaves to a hostile foreign entity.
The Mexicans and dot Indians that are taking over Texas are are probably an improvement.
There is truth in that, MQ –
Lots of holy rolling evangelical mega churches in Texas, notably the loathsome John Hagee.
I spent a couple years in Plano and a year in Austin. Texas is for native Texans. You’ve been warned.
The old speedometer cables were great, one time my parents were away on a trip and left me with the family car but dad wrote down the mileage before they left. Disconnected the cable and drove all over the place, then put it back on the last day before they returned so it would show some mileage and not be suspicious 😆 Good times.
Jump through this hoop, now climb this ladder, now through this tunnel.
Are we men and women, or trained animals?
“ When was the last time you saw a car made in 1976 on the road? Or 1980, for that matter? You probably haven’t seen a car made in the ’90s in some time, either.”
You really ought to get out of VA a little more often. The east coast bubble you live in is not some sort of universal reality.
I see cars of these eras on the road daily. They aren’t rare on road by any stretch. I daily drive a 91’ and a 97’.
CA has a massive vintage car culture. Lots of vintage Beetles, Buses, old cars of every sort import and domestic. They just had to be 75’s or earlier to make life easier in CA before this law.
Maybe get the TA out for a cross country road trip. It would do you good to see how the rest of the country operates.
What state do you live? In my neck of the woods of NC we see a good bit of all eras. Wish the weather was dryer that’s all
Yeah, different ballgame on the lefty coast. I just watched this video on Youtube the night before last where this dude drove around a few neighborhoods in southern Commiefornia, pointing out all of the vintage cars parked on the streets that were still being daily driven. There were tons of them from the 50’s-70’s. (And he ignored all of the square-body Chevy trucks, because they’re too common there.)
And there used to be this site called OldParkedCars where they’d take pics of vintage cars in OR. parked on the streets. Places where the rust doesn’t get ’em, those cars last forever.
You’re going to fund the Betty?
Arizonas is only 25 years. My 02 T-bird qualifies for a copper plate next year. A bigger threat is the longing by the Bolshevik in Maricopa county requiring every county have smog checks, or cattle tags, as I believe you call them. Ridiculous that we have to live like this.
As to an annual milage verification the dummies will go right along with that. 95% of every person in Murika already carries their phones with them at all times. The deep nanny state thanks you for your service. And fuck Jay Leno, may his chains set lightly.
’02 T-Bird?
COOL!
Many years ago I used to like Leno’s stand-up. Today I can’t stand the sight of him. Was watching a video a while back (I forgot why) where he was gushing about what a great guy Joe Biden was…
Compared to Trump, things were better 4 years ago. Even 2…
I hear you.
Do these celebs like Jay not realize they can say NO? How much money, status, and power do they really need?
Should have been a righteous denial of lending his legitimacy and name to a Garbage elite, cocksucker politician. All it took was Biden being like, “Come on Jay, lemme take you for a ride in my cool boomer mobile to get an ice cream.”
And just like that, instead of brave pushback, we get fan fiction.
You have only one soul to sell.
I wonder if the phrase “historical exhibitions” is the equivalent of a cruise in or a cars and coffee? If so then it’s just a matter to pick one that gives you a nice long drive although if you picked up your groceries on the way home from your local Piggly Wiggly would that make it a criminal offense? Inquiring minds want to know. (Sadly no Piggly Wigglys in CA but I like the cute name)
I’m also curious about how that law affects restomods and cars that for example have a ’57 Chev body dropped onto a ’97 Chev frame and drivetrain.
Either way asking GovCo for help is like seeing a loanshark and expecting to get a good deal.
I’m also curious about how that law affects restomods and cars that for example have a ’57 Chev body dropped onto a ’97 Chev frame and drivetrain.
You’ve got it backward.
In CA it goes by the chassis date.
So up until now in CA if you have a 75’ chassis – it was easy to drop in a modern engine, upgrade the suspension, brakes, etc. and avoid the emissions nonsense.
Oops – sorry. I misread your comment – I thought you were implying dropping in the 57’ powertrain.
Where’s my caffeine!
You could drop a ’97 body on a ’57 frame and confuse the heck out of the DMV. It’s their rules.
Or build it one piece at at time
https://youtu.be/uErKI0zWgjg?is=6Wg5PH9BjV6e1AKx
OT: Hackers reveal how Flock cameras really track cars and people
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/09/hackers-reveal-how-flock-cameras-really-track-cars-and-people/
Don’t forget the humble TV set, now a definite 1984 grade item, MH.
https://www.theverge.com/tech/991190/lg-tv-spying-standby-recording-wi-fi-scanning-gamers-nexus
Doesn’t affect me, if passed.
By the time my ’89 F150 gets “covered” I will likely be deceased.
No thanks, folks.
I will continue to pay my annuat registration fees and get my pickup smogged every other year, as i always have.
And I will drive as many miles as I like, any damned where I choose, from now until the end of my existence on this planet. End of story.
If you are discovered to be in violation – cue the Flock cameras – there goes your exemption.
Set up a preemptive Go Fund Me account and get build up a legal defense fund. Raise enough money to hire OJ Simpson’s legal team and take the case to the Supreme Court. Get the stupid law repealed.
Because that’s really the only way to end this. Unfortunately. The people who’ve been playing the long game in California, slowly ratcheting up the oppression through ecological “good vibes” legislation have been funding themselves through taxation for decades. We’re not going to be able to win at the ballot box because the uninterested masses are so easily manipulated by marketing and propaganda, so time to take ’em to court. And not in the “Oh, but we’ve got the Bill of Rights on our side. That ship’s forever moored on a sandbar of pretzel logic case law. We need an F. Lee Bailey type to argue twist a few pretzels for us. Overkill? Heck yes. But the people who are prosecuting you have been overreacting for 50 years.
Who is Jim Dalton Bell?
Who is Baby Killer? An agent provocateur? Sounds like it to me.
In the second photo of Leno doesn’t the windshield of his firebird look a lot like the AMC Pacer Garth and Wayne drove. I never realized how closely the Pacer and the Firebird were in character and performance.
That was a low blow, Brosi!
The Mirthmobile is now a serious piece of automotive history.
https://www.abc15.com/news/state/the-original-waynes-world-mirthmobile-sold-for-71-500-at-barrett-jackson-in-arizona
I swear I remember reading that the Mirthmobile sold more recently to Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” as part of an episode.
Among AMC products, only Dixie from “The Dukes of Hazzard” comes close to the Mirthmobile for being instantly recognizable and desirable for Xer collectors, but a lot more examples of the CJ survive.
As Bugs would say “thems fighting words” 😂
@Eric – Ben Jones of “The Dukes of Hazzard” died recently. If you’ve never been to one of his Cooter’s Place stores in Luray or Nashville, both locations double as mini museums for the show as well as the associated late 70s pop culture and feature customized vehicles identical to those used in the production of the series.
If you haven’t been, try to go soon. I got the impression that the stores were more a labor of love for Jones and his staff than an attempt to make more than just the money to keep the lights on.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
But actually the Pacer is kinda like a Firebird that got accordioned in a rear ender.
Besides it was RWD and even had a V8 for a while
https://carbuzz.com/forgotten-american-v8-hot-hatch/
I go tlaid in the front seat of a Pacer once (her car).
Never got laid in a Firebird, though.
Must be the console. 🙂
Pity that California is so bat shit crazy. It really is a lovely state.
I don’t know about pitying California, but the foolish voters in Virginia voted in the lunatics to run the state. The retards running the state government are just as bat-shit crazy as those in California and will emulate what they do in Virginia. All because they fell for the “affordability” bullshit hook, line and sinker.
Never trust a vote, I highly doubt that. California was a solidly red state until a few decades ago. All the blueness and all the votes come from a few concentrations where it is easy to cheat and get away with it. A political machine only works in a high population density.
Yes. Welcome to the Truman Show, where everything is a lie.
Early November 1992. Owner of my California company is a 4th gen native who knows everyone. His wife was a long time personal secretary for a Superintendant of schools. On the “morning after” his first comment was “My wife and I haven’t met one person who supports or voted for Clinton. These elections are so obviously fake”
I will never forget my gut reaction affirming his words.
We have Smart TV’s, Smart toasters, Smart meters, Smart Phones when if ever will we develop Smart people?
Smart people are a threat to democrat party rule. Sorry, I meant “our democracy”. Anyway, do you want a glimpse of the future? Watch the sci-fi comedy “Idiocracy”. That movie is becoming a documentary of the future coming into play now.
The problem isnt so much the crazy, stupid dems. A bigger issue is the cucked and obedient, enforcement loving republicans. If they were actually loyal opposition they would be reversing every encroachment wrought by the crazies and would win a lot more elections. But they all worship the false god that is government and covet its’ power.
The hive mind (demoncrazy) is a wonderful thing. Cucked squared.