[Rick 427 Cobra]

The DMV only looks at one thing, paper. Inspections, such as they are, are handled at independent garages. If you can pass the British exams, then the US versions would be a snap. Proper title to the car(paper), a brake inspection (no leaks, adequate lining, acceptable performance, and on e-brake), a light inspection( do they work, headlight aim, hi-beam indicator), and a smog should get you on the road. The brake and light are very simple. Smog in CAL is based on the year of the engine and what was required for that particular engine. There has been a lot of confusion and a lot of horror stories over the years regarding this issue. Hopefully thanks to a new bill that better defines this issue it will be put to bed. Lots of wiggle room in this area.
Many (most, all ?) of the people in the BACC have engine, title, and smog combinations that technically are not "right". Only one guy has had any problems and they have been resolved, (and technically he's still not "right" either!).
What do we do for engines? Basically anything you want, old ,brand new, supercharged injected, nitrous. I have seen all manner of combinations. And they are on the road.

Windshield glass should be marked as AS-1, not that anybody will look.
CAL does not have a safety inspection. A lot of things are required by code (wipers, horn ,mirrors ,belts) but unless you REALLY piss a cop off ,no one is going to look. We have nothing that even comes close to Brit standards, especially that crazy SVA stuff.
Top of the Hill is a top notch shop, expensive and busy. Craig is just one of many. I'll get a list together for you.
Rick