Russian Lada - Can I register foreign car in California?

The car is 1984 with 1.3L regular gas engine and I am not sure if it has all other components on it.

Can you tell me if it's posible to register this car here in California and if it needs some smog equipment added if there are stations who might customize the car for that.

Also, if it's impossible, can I put a more modern engine into it and have the smog passed this way?

Answer:		Your Lada may not meet California emissions requirements. Vehicles from other countries are less likely to meet U.S. specifications. Vehicles that were not built to meet U.S. specifications must be imported as gray-market vehicles. This can be extremely expensive and time consuming. If you are considering importing a foreign vehicle, you should review what the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has to say on this subject, as CBP controls what vehicles may be brought into the United States. Your intended vehicle must clear customs before it can be registered in any state. The costs for a laboratory to modify and certify the emissions and safety equipment on a gray-market vehicle are considerable. You may also wish to contact the California Air Resources Board for its brochure on gray-market vehicles. The ARB number to call is (800)242-4450. posted by SmogTips Support