He wouldnt have had to do anything special, at that time they were not enforcing the Regs in place. Now they are enforcing what was always there. California requires a Cert. of compliance from the manufacturer for DOT and Smog compliance and since they didn't import cars after 68 i belive there is no Cert available hence no registration possable. I'm not sure if you could even still do the "Grey Market" import for the mini which is the ARB Lab route as DOT required parts would not be available?

I purchased my 1973 Innocenti Cooper 1300 about 12 years ago here in California from a man who had just brought it from Italy. It was California registered when I bought it and I've had no problems registering it each year....thankfully. Not sure what he had to go through to get it registered here.

 I would just register in another state.. forget spending $5k , because do NOT think you will EVER pass CARB now with VIN 2014. 14 in effect..

So far here's where I'm at. I called ARB, they require  1968 to 1975 direct imports to be certified by a licensed lab before they can be registered, there are two in california. I'm taking mine in, prices for an ARB "conversion" and certification for a mini are around $5k. At the DMV they didn't even know about such requirement, in fact the employee was trying to convince me that a pre-75 car needed no smog check whatsoever and could be registered easily. After I told him all about it he eventually gave me two moving permits, one for the DMV verification and one for taking the mini to the lab. I'll keep posting as I go through the steps

jim.. just call me at home.. 1.704.487.6797  I HATE email as much as I do CELL phones..

ok, thanks on all that, maybe you could email me off line as i have several more questions and dont need to use up board threads with them, thanks

jim. I recommend NOT to import to charleston sc .. as they have steam cleaning SCAM .. they can /will charge $1950 for this service per car/truck  and NOT do the work..  btw.you know. when you export from Italy . you will only get a copy of the TITLE.. no original  of the CARTA DI CIRCOCOLAZIONE..  no problem in NC..as we have to provide title bond for almost all foreign titles.  ( and also non title states ) also.. get EXPORT Customs broker in ITALY that has filed a US CUSTOMS 10 +2 ISF.. as this is $5000 fine now if NOT filed 2 days prior to boat sailing.. you have to have one in the USA prior to boating saling now ..  note on the title . make sure the engine number matches. and it is the ORIGINAL engine..  

so i know you are the expert on this bill, what is the current process like to bring in a 1971 from italy? any ports better than others for roro? broker at the port still the best way to walk the papers through? not bringing to california.

I think on direct imports has to be PRE 1968 now. with new CARB rule..  VIN 2014. 14..  

I have some questions about exporting from Italy. Could you please send me a private email. My address is in my profile

fill in your profile, my get more replies

I'm afraid your really not going to be able to register this car in CA legally, Since a 74 mini was never in compliance with Smog or imported into the USA by Leyland/BMC So no certificate of compliance is available. There are of course plenty of illegal ways to do it but not recomended by me! As stated you are probably best off selling this one outside of California and buying an already titled and registered CA car. it seems that if the car is already registered here then it will continue to be able to be renewed at present but for how long before they decide that any post 68 car will need to show compliance?

 

If you have friends or family in another State register it there California seems to be the hardest State to register anything in. The other alternative is to sell it on and buy a Mini already legally registered in California.

hi, i post not to contribute any answer to your quieries but to say that you have a very nice mini, the body color and the chrome bumpers and mustache looks fantastic,its an old car but you maintained it really good.

definitely one of the nicest mini ive ever seen. it just wows me!  good job and good buy.

//youtu.be/RuW1f6FI18g

Hi everybody! just joined the forum. I've read a couple of posts on here and around the internet about registering imported pre-76 minis in Cali but I'd like to hear directly from anyone who's done it. I recently brought over a 1974 innocenti mini 1000 from Italy. cleared customs, got epa and dot forms and all, it's now sitting in my garage. So apparently it's smog exempt, however, CARB requires it to be brought up to the 1972 emission standards through "extensive and expensive" lab testing to be legally registered. So this brings me here, asking more experienced California mini owners if there are any loopholes or other options to register my car. thanks in advance, any help is appreciated!