Tucson/Phoenix Residents

[MyFlat6]

Question for folks who live in Phoenix or Tucson. My wife and I are considering purchasing a home there and it appears that these areas in AZ may actually have emissions testing more rigorous than CA (can that be?!). It appears that you need to have cars newer than 1966 go through emissions testing? Is this accurate? I have a '72 hotrod that is exempt from emissions in CA and have no idea how it would do in an emissions test and also an '82 SC. I am used to testing the '82 here in CA, but was hoping I would no longer have to do this if I moved out of CA.

[sc]

Re-printed from here:
https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/got-collector-car-insurance-smog-test-no-longer-needed/article_b1903320-9fcd-5e1b-b56f-ccaafa538bf6.html

As of 2007, Arizona legislature and the EPA have agreed to allow Residents of Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with collector cars, that are at least 15 years old but newer than 1966, to receive emission testing exemptions. Cars produced in 1966 and earlier are exempt from emissions testing altogether. There is one caveat to this allowance, however. The vehicle owner must acquire Collector-Car insurance. While less costly than traditional coverage, collector car insurance comes with its own guidelines, including limitations on the number of mileages allotted each year and is a confirmed limited-production vehicle. This law is ideal because many car collectors have difficulty with historic cars passing the emissions test, mostly due to their age.

For my 1979 911sc I use Hagerty with a Guaranteed value and have not had to have it smogged since 2007.

No special plates are required

Also...in AZ, an owner may register a qualifying vehicle for a five-year period. Any vehicles not subject to emissions testing for the entire five-year registration cycle are eligible for five-year registration.

[MyFlat6]

Very helpful! Much appreciated! I have had both of my cars on collector car policies for years - so no issue there. I wish CA would consider something like this - they haven’t budged on their position even though there have been many attempts to make changes to the 1976 cutoff date.

[MyFlat6]

Hoping there is a decent car community in the Oro Valley area. I know there is in Scottsdale.

[Sboxin]

Originally Posted by MyFlat6

Hoping there is a decent car community in the Oro Valley area. I know there is in Scottsdale.

I'm not sure what you plan for car activities - - but, the PCA Southern AZ Region is active and have a nice group of Porsche owners; they usually have a track day or 2 at INDE in Wilcox a private track the club rents - - - the AZ Region in Phoenix is very active during the winter months with Autocross, DEs, breakfast gatherings, Sunday drives (on Saturday) etc . . . - - - for more serious tracking your 72 HotRod there are the NASA AZ group that we race with and the ProAuto group who also do DE track days . . .

Oro Valley is a beautiful high desert location and out of the high traffic areas of Tucson and Phoenix . . . We have track friends who commute from Sedona so no place is too far for driving events . . . The Porsche dealer in Chandler also hosts a PCA meeting once a year . . . The AZ Region PCA events usually fill up fast so registering early is important . . . this year NASA is going to Laguna Seca for Nationals in September, we'll be there . . . we went to COTA in 2018 for NASA Nationals and there were 400 cars racing . . .

In the Tucson PCA Region you might want to talk to Dave Radmaker who recently retired and closed his old Porsche cars shop . . . he is active in the PCA Club. . . you'll have to get his phone number because he isn't on the Pelican Forum . . .

If you want to discuss further send me an Email . . . I am retired and have time to talk.

There is also a new track about to open near Casa Grand - private of course but the NASA club will be renting it for events later this year or next year.

Best wishes with you relocation,
Regards,
Roy T

[Rtrorkt]

In Scottsdale, we have the 4til4 air cooled meet at 3rd and Marshall first Sat, Alpio's C&C on the second Saturday near Jomax and Alma School. 4til4 has a show every Sat and Sun foocused on different cars.

For those with the $$ there is Apex track in Maricopa, AZ, a new track is being constructed near I 8 and 10. In Willcox is the Inde circuit.

Lots of ad hoc get togethers as well.

You will enjoy it out here. I am north of 101 in N Scottsdale. Love it

[MyFlat6]

thanks, guys. we continue to explore and research areas in AZ. glad to know there are active groups out there.

[Synchro Joe]

Look into Prescott (Yavapai Co) area, no smog testing for residents here. 90 miles north of Phoenix,
200+ PCA membership up here. Lots of mountain roads as well and no 110+ degree heat.

[markmalin]

I live in Chandler. I run "Historic Vehicle" plates on my 85 Carrera, so you don't need smog testing. You just need proof of a "collector car" insurance policy and they will allow you to get historic vehicle plates.

[MyFlat6]

thanks again everyone for chiming in with helpful info -- we are leaning towards the Catalina Foothills area outside of Tucson - specifically Tanque Verde. My '82 SC just failed emissions here in CA, so that might be the first car that gets registered in AZ.

[Thomas Owen]

Great area. My wife and I lived for 3 years way out Tanque Verde/Redington road near the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch and McCartneys place.
Good luck to you.

[aston@ultrasw.c]

PCA SAR has a DE coming up at Inde Motorsports

Great track, good people. The title is misleading: it is an instructor school AND all classes DE.

Contact me if you have questions

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/az-pca-track-day-instructor-school-inde-motorsports-ranch-arizona-808106

[MyFlat6]

Originally Posted by Thomas Owen

Great area. My wife and I lived for 3 years way out Tanque Verde/Redington road near the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch and McCartneys place.
Good luck to you.

Great to hear. We will be up near Sabino Canyon. The views all around are wonderful.

[MyFlat6]

Originally Posted by aston@ultrasw.c

PCA SAR has a DE coming up at Inde Motorsports

Great track, good people. The title is misleading: it is an instructor school AND all classes DE.

Contact me if you have questions

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/az-pca-track-day-instructor-school-inde-motorsports-ranch-arizona-808106

This looks fantastic. I may not have my car there by this time -- I might want to come out as a spectator though. I have not seen this track before.

[slow&rusty]

My wife and I are also planning to move (maybe early retirement) to the Phoenix area.

Glad they are "car-friendly" for the collector cars and hot rods, as I own a bunch. I currently live in Houston and it is very easy to register modify cars here.

[MyFlat6]

we closed on our house in Tanque Verde this past week. i promptly registered my 911SC there. appreciate the guidance from the forum - purchased classic car insurance, brought that to the DMV and registered the car without an emissions test. to top it off, it was $72 to register the car for 5 years! my jaw hit the ground when i heard this was the cost to register the car in AZ.

[5495bb]

Welcome to Tucson. You're in great neighborhood. We have a winter place just off Tanque Verde in the 49er's. My 911 is still in Canada but I plan to ship it south soon.

[MyFlat6]

Originally Posted by 5495bb

Welcome to Tucson. You're in great neighborhood. We have a winter place just off Tanque Verde in the 49er's. My 911 is still in Canada but I plan to ship it south soon.

Thanks - we are looking forward to spending more time out there. Looks like we are close neighbors. It is a nice area.

[techweenie]

Hey, can I bump into this thread to ask: who in your area do you trust to do a metallic paint match on a 993 needing a small area repair?

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by sc

Re-printed from here:
https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/got-collector-car-insurance-smog-test-no-longer-needed/article_b1903320-9fcd-5e1b-b56f-ccaafa538bf6.html

As of 2007, Arizona legislature and the EPA have agreed to allow Residents of Phoenix and Tucson metro areas with collector cars, that are at least 15 years old but newer than 1966, to receive emission testing exemptions. Cars produced in 1966 and earlier are exempt from emissions testing altogether. There is one caveat to this allowance, however. The vehicle owner must acquire Collector-Car insurance. While less costly than traditional coverage, collector car insurance comes with its own guidelines, including limitations on the number of mileages allotted each year and is a confirmed limited-production vehicle. This law is ideal because many car collectors have difficulty with historic cars passing the emissions test, mostly due to their age.

For my 1979 911sc I use Hagerty with a Guaranteed value and have not had to have it smogged since 2007.

No special plates are required

Also...in AZ, an owner may register a qualifying vehicle for a five-year period. Any vehicles not subject to emissions testing for the entire five-year registration cycle are eligible for five-year registration.

I actually really like this approach. It's a good mix between allowing people freedom on classic cars and restricting emissions.