[Mulv]

That 15 year law is for cars that are to be used only for collector purposes, ie car shows and Sunday drives. They have mileage restrictions which are to be enforced as well. Here is the law:

Y. IF AN INSURER NOTIFIES THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE CANCELLATION OR NONRENEWAL OF COLLECTIBLE VEHICLE OR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A COLLECTIBLE VEHICLE, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL CANCEL THE REGISTRATION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE'S EXEMPTION FROM EMISSIONS TESTING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION UNLESS EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE IS PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WITHIN SIXTY DAYS.

Z. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "COLLECTIBLE VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE THAT COMPLIES WITH BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. EITHER:

(a) BEARS A MODEL YEAR DATE OF ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE THAT IS AT LEAST FIFTEEN YEARS OLD.

(b) IS OF UNIQUE OR RARE DESIGN, OF LIMITED PRODUCTION AND AN OBJECT OF CURIOSITY.

2. MEETS BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

(a) IS MAINTAINED PRIMARILY FOR USE IN CAR CLUB ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITIONS, PARADES OR OTHER FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC INTEREST OR FOR A PRIVATE COLLECTION AND IS USED ONLY INFREQUENTLY FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

(b) HAS A COLLECTIBLE VEHICLE OR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE THAT RESTRICTS THE COLLECTIBLE VEHICLE MILEAGE OR USE, OR BOTH, AND REQUIRES THE OWNER TO HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR PERSONAL USE.


So technically you could register and avoid smog checks on a Maseratti MC 12 as they are only making 12 track cars...

Note that this does not exempt kit Cobras... "Original date of manufacture" as that is rarely more than 15 years ago.... you will still need to use the homebuilt vehicle thing...