My understanding is that it will have to meet the smog requirements for an
equivalent California car of the same year.  However, there is a limit to
the amount of money the state can force you to spend if the car is in
"stock" condition.  This amount declines with the age of the car until it
gradually almost disappears.  I would bet that the charge for a '85 would be
about $50.

This assumes that the car is relatively clean and is not a "gross polluter"

I have never brought a car in from out of State, but this is what I have
found with non-compliant vehicles that I have acquired at auctions, etc.

 Your biggest headache will not be the money, but rather the paperwork and
red tape.  I suggest that you deal with a DMV in a small town rather than
going to a DMV office located in a big city (i.e. San Francisco or San
Jose).  I notice a big difference just between Santa Barbara and its smaller
neighbor Goleta.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Walch" <bwalch@akonline.org>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 4:26 PM
Subject: Move to CA - emissions?

> There is a good chance I will be moving to the Bay Area in the very near
> future. I live in Alaska now, and own a '85 Westy that I am pretty sure
came
> from AK - it doesn't have AC. I know there are different emission controls
> in CA - what will I have to do to make it "registerable" in CA? How much
am
> I looking to spend?
>
> Also, if you are knowledgeable on the subject of CA emissions: Are newer
> cars going to work in CA? If I buy a relatively new car up here and have
it
> shipped down (we'll hopefully drive the Westy) will it pass emissions in
CA?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Brian
> '85 Westy
>
>
>