Hi,
I bought a 73 808 sedan in from Canada to build, back in mid 2015. Since then, I've been denied a title from the California DMV on the basis I must prove the car is emissions compliant!!!! Yep, emissions compliant for USA for a car that is smog exempt by 2 years. Unreal! I have petitioned Mazda with little luck, thinking common sense would prevail and they would supply the letter the DMV needs, but nope. The guy I'm dealing with at Mazda USA HQ, has sent an email to Japan in an attempt to verify if Canadian smog was the same as USA!!!!! So ridiculous, but what can ya do. I was hoping someone with a LHD 1973 808 could snap a pic of the emissions label on the strut tower, and send it to me, so I can forward it to Mazda. I'm willing to pay, or do whatever at this point. I've spent over $7000 on a car I can't drive, sell, or modify until I get a letter from Mazda to appease the DMV. Please help!!!!!!!!

 

If worst comes to worst can't you just title it in a different nearby state?

 

Spoke to people that have been through the same thing, and apparently you can, but you have to have an address, and often times take the car for an inspection. It'd be a shame to have to sell it,as it was a pretty rare body style in North America. Any chance you could take a pic of your Rx2 sticker? Want to see what the exact wording is as far as " meets emissions standards of .........."

 

Can do. Also have you tried to contact Juan from vintage rotary decals?

 

If i remember correctly i have the 808 factory emissions book at home. Would that help. Its a Mazda factory book from the early 70's. Let me know.

 

Surem03, I sent all that to Mazda HQ and to the DMV. DMV don't care it's up to mazda to cut the letter. I have the 808 factory manuals from 1972-78 and there's nothing mentioned about a Canada spec emissions until 1975!!! I sent that to Mazda, and for some reason they still won't help me out. So frustrating!!! I thought common sense would prevail, and they'd be like "sure, here you go." I was wrong. I'm putting an injected motor in it, so the 1973 stuff emissions stuff is all redundant anyway.

Rx2fan, thanks I just messaged him on Facebook.

 

Just got off the phone with Mazda after this email. Still in shock at the ridiculousness of this!!

Dear Antonio,

Thank you for your patience.

I reached out to Mazda Corporate in Japan for records on your 808, as well as any information on our end. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any data regarding this. I apologize for the delay but, we will not be able to generate a letter for you. I wish I had better news.

If you have any more questions, feel free reply directly to this email or contact my number below.

 

Not sure if this helps This is the number provided by the epa site to help determine if your can is US and Canadian Compliant. Mazda Customer Relations Irvin, CA (800) 222-5500
X1114

Also read this article from the EPA site.

https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicl...adian-vehicles

This may help as well. This is from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impo.../importing-car


Good luck.

 

PM sent

 

73rx313b- thanks mate. Pmd you back.

Email sent back to Mazda with the strut tower emissions sticker. Fingers crossed