1990 Mercedes-Benz van in CA

[BeardedTacoma]

Not mine, just sharing.

1990 Mercedes-Benz van

Plz check with your wife , your husband or significant other to get the ok to spend cash this holiday season! I have had this van “SOLD” 4 times , 1 solid deposit & 7 week interaction back & forth to...

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Info from the ad:
Plz check with your wife , your husband or significant other to get the ok to spend cash this holiday season! I have had this van “SOLD” 4 times , 1 solid deposit & 7 week interaction back & forth to back out last minute. 2 others with 7 day hold on good faith . & 1 guy with tied up funds & couldn’t pull all the $ together. I’ve owned the van for 14 months now & have put less than 200 miles on the van . Very rare vehicle in the U S . Gas powered 410 4x4 G wagon conversion. Very low mileage due to being a country rescue vehicle in Switzerland. Stored inside & serviced by the rescue department. Very cool van ! Must see to appreciate. Van is registered in Montana due to important reasons & cannot be registered in Ca unless you want to jump through ca . Smog regulations. Van in located in Long Beach ca . Maybe interested in presmog 911 or 912 Porsche. In running condition.

 

[VinceAtReal4x4's]

Just so people know, this isn't ever going to be a Ca. legal vehicle. No way.

 

[Channelmarker]

Just so people know, this isn't ever going to be a Ca. legal vehicle. No way.

Begging the question, why? Can you point to the specific California statutes, rules, and regulations, along with the specific state and federal agencies to obtain a sign off on California emissions and registration? I've been researching this area recently and I'm always interested in hearing from more knowledgable people on the subject. I'm interested in bringing into California related vehicles ultimately myself and have a legal background to make the push if possible. But you gots to know the rulessss.

 

[Roverchef]

It can be legal anywhere you want it to be...just cost $$$!

 

[plh]

unfortunately not a diesel

 

[VinceAtReal4x4's]

It can be legal anywhere you want it to be...just cost $$$!

Not actually true. Lots of experience talking here....

 

[VinceAtReal4x4's]

Begging the question, why? Can you point to the specific California statutes, rules, and regulations, along with the specific state and federal agencies to obtain a sign off on California emissions and registration? I've been researching this area recently and I'm always interested in hearing from more knowledgable people on the subject. I'm interested in bringing into California related vehicles ultimately myself and have a legal background to make the push if possible. But you gots to know the rulessss.

Sometimes you just have to trust a stranger... don't bother; life is way too short to get involved with Ca. gov. You will end up hating everything and everyone by the time you're into the process a year deep. Even if you do luck out with an ignorant DMV clerk, you will likely get a letter later on about how your auto needs some made-up emissions letter/exemption letter that absoltely does not exist, and you can't get registration until then, etc.. There will always be some legend or exception and the 1000 guys who try this every year will use the one lucky guy's story as a reason to gamble, and it's a mistake 99% of the time.

You can easily google the info yourself. Start with the Air Resources Board. Each agency within the state is absolutely confused about the laws and will quote nonsense, or just say no to keep from doing the research work. The DMV have nothing to do with CARB and vice-versa, and neither knows what DMV's Technical Compliance office wants (and it's those 100% IDIOTS who are the only ones that can give you a title in Ca.), and no one will ever answer a question the same way someone else does. Sometimes they will tell you to call someone else, like the Bureau of Automotive whatever.... its a joke! The people there are more ignorant than anyone else. Then they will tell you to call the last "Emissions lab" that is approved to test and modify CERTAIN engines for smog but those guys will confuse you, or not know if its possible or not, then won't call back, and if they do they will tell you it's $12,000 to do the work needed, and so on. I've been doing this stuff for years and have finally figured some things out but I'm also leaving the state finally.

NOT WORTH IT.

 

[Roverchef]

Not actually true. Lots of experience talking here....

Ooooh I believe you Vince. I Remember when you just got your white 300GD SWB years ago. I thought I remembered you having issues even with that which should have been a "no brainer".

I was only stating that I've "squeezed" a few thru with the Compliance officers overs the years. It basically meant the "Good ol boy brown bag" under their driver's seat when they came out of work.

Never thought you would ever leave the Republic...must have found something good?

 

[Regcabguy]

Just so people know, this isn't ever going to be a Ca. legal vehicle. No way.

Agree but maybe a referee can say yes or no.

 

[gator70]

I've been through this with grey market Porsche imports - Too many people lie. The BAR in California just stops you. And they read PDF's and are not technically astute, they just say NO.

 

[VinceAtReal4x4's]

Agree but maybe a referee can say yes or no.

Not sure if that is some old thing in Ca. that I don't know about or not, but as of 2024, you are dealing with the "tech compliance" people ONLY and it's all by phone or emails, and again, they do not know what they are talking about, at all. My informed theory is that their office suffers very high employment turn-over rates so there's no manager in there with experience to make informed judgement calls. Been dealing with them for two straight years and I ran into different names endlessly! One guy named "Dave" said he'd help me, and then a year later was still not returning calls, sending paperwork back for no actual reason, refusing to answer emails, dropping the ball, etc.. then they handed me off to some 25yo temp or intern and another 6 months of work was lost!

Anyway, I think I'm done with even talking about Ca. anymore. It's a one-party state with too many people and will continue to become more and more irrational for those in business, or anyone doing anything slightly unique.

Chef, yes I did find something far better. Sierra-NV! The new MOG project will be an off-road rescue/logistics rig for hire in the region. Follow it here: (better updates to start up soon) MOG Off-Road Rescue