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1985 McLaren 5.0L engine (mercury capri prototype) failed the smog check and was labeled as Gross Polluter

We moved to California in 2000 and attempted to register our 1985 McLaren. It was labeled a "gross polluter" and has been in storage since. What must be done to try again to register it? Can it be smog tested again since ten years have passed? If still a gross polluter, what do we have to do to get it to pass? Is there a limit on the amount of money we must spend toward compliance?
Answer:

Assuming you placed your McLaren Capri on non-operational status (non-op) through the California DMV in 2000, all you need now in order to register it is proof of insurance and a current smog check certificate (smog certificates are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance). If you never placed your McLaren on non-op then you'll have to pay some fines, but can still get it registered with a smog check and insurance. To get a smog inspection at this point you need to do nothing but visit a smog test only center or gold shield smog station. You must visit a test only or gold shield smog center specifically and not a regular smog station because your McLaren was labeled a "Gross Polluter". Those two smog station types are the only two which can certify your car. Assuming the state's emission standards for a 1985 McLaren have not been loosened and you haven't performed any repairs to your McLaren, it may very well fail again. You may want to consider taking it in to a smog check repair station, perhaps a Gold Shield smog station who can repair, inspect and certify your vehicle first. Once the smog check is complete and your car is passing you can get it registered. Now in case you're wondering "How do I get it to the smog station? The tags are expired over 10 years"... No worries, if you paid for non-op status in 2000 all you'll need to do is visit the local DMV branch, pay $50.00 for a temporary registration tag and that will allow you to drive your car to and from a smog repair station. As far as any limit on the amount of money spent to repair a smog check failing car, unfortunately there is no limit. posted by SmogTips Support

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