E testing

I have a question. If a replica is licensed based on the VW frame, it does not have to be e-tested?

What about a replica that is registered based on the year it is made e.g. 1993? What base line do they use for e-testing that car? In other words, against what year/car do they e-test a Porsche replica?

In Ontario any car newer than 20 years old must be e-tested every two years, and your car is tested based on the year your car was new. A 1995 Volvo would be tested against data for a 1995 Volvo, etc.

Thanks

Robert Carley
Ontario, Canada

Almost every state in the USA has different laws concerning emissions testing. In my state (Maryland) people on the north side of the Patuxent River in Calvert County have to be tested and people on the south side in St. Mary's county don't - go figure. And many states don't require testing for cars over 20 years old. Check with your local Canadian registration office.

We have E-Check in Ohio, from what I understand you have to get the engine inspected by an "expert", i.e. at a VW dealer. You need a letter from the dealer verifing the year of the engine design. Then when you go to you first E-check they will use the letter to give the car a "lifetime exclusion"

Havn't done it yet so I'm not sure if this is exactly how it goes.

Jerome

My 84 IM is registered as a 1969 VW Porsche. When I bought the car and insured it I tried to tell the clerk that there must have been an error, and that it should have read '1969 Porsche' (the VW shouldn't be there). She didn't buy it. Too bad; then I could have ordered collector plates and saved a pile of $$ on lower insurance premiums.
Ron

I have seen the future and it stinks.

I live in NV. Any car registered as newer than a 1965 is tested each year. The licensed test stations are electronically hooked into the DMV. Each car is tested against emissions standards for the year of registration. It is difficult for a stock air-cooled VW to pass the emissions tests. If you have a modified air-cooled VW it takes a miracle. (I know a miracle worker!)

Fortunately, I own a 1964 VW Speedster. I know that there is no such thing, but I gots the registration babeee! I do not have to be tested each year. I have to pay $39 in license fees each year. Of course, there is a catch. Yes, my 1964 VW Speedster is a 1964 VW for insurance purposes. Thus, I have to pay the going rate for 1964 VW insurance (cheap).

My advice for builders is to obtain an early VW pan and have it restored (even updated to IRS) with the original VIN. Have it licensed as an early VW. (You may have to go hand-to-hand with the DMV over this. If the DMV clerk will not play ball; walk. There is always another day and another DMV clerk.) Once you get the car registered, you are home free. (Always carry copies of the various legal documetns in the car for the fuzz who did not get the word.)

If worse comes to worse, register the car in another state. A car registrered in any state is registered in all states; that is the law. Once again, you might have to go hand-to-hand with the DMV, but it is worth it.

It is, at least in NV the chassis year that determines the registration year. The engine year is unimportant.