I have been to many car shows and drag events in eastern Ontario and have never personally witnessed any such activity. Everyone has a friend of a friend who heard from there wifes hairdresser that this was going on but I have never seen it.As long as this site has been going there is always a rumour this is going on but untill someone posts a picture of a lineup of 32Fords outside a show being checked by MTO it will remain a rumour as far as I am concerned We have lots of sweeps buy local cops,MTO,MOE and others for safety on cars and trucks but not targeting hot rods. The truck guys usually 80s and 90s get hit all the time and would probably disagree but I have never personally seen a targeted sweep against hotrods at any show or cruse night. Don't be frightened by those who heard from a friend. Ed

MOE does specifically target trucks from 70's up.
The guy told me this when I asked why he pulled me over. This was about 500 yards from the cruise night gathering in Whitby on a Saturday evening.

The emission regulations require all emission controls to be in place. See MoE Drive Clean:

Why don’t light-duty vehicles with the model year 1987 and older require a Drive Clean test?

Light-duty vehicles built in 1988 were the first to comply with strict vehicle emissions and durability standards.

Older light-duty vehicles do not require a Drive Clean test, but are still subject to the Environmental Protection Act.

This means that provincial officers — anywhere in Ontario — are authorized to stop and inspect your vehicle if they believe:

• your vehicle is emitting excessive exhaust smoke
• emission control equipment has been tampered with or removed

In this case, you may be:

• directed to take a Drive Clean test
• subject to penalties including warnings, notices, tickets and summonses

 

Hot rod emission test requirements

Whether your car is a true hot rod or simply a modified vehicle, it has emissions requirements.

The full requirements are set out in the Environmental Protection Act, under the Motor Vehicle Regulation (Ontario Regulation 361/98).

The requirements depend on the car’s original model year:

• 1999 model year or older
• 2000 model year or newer

Definition of a hot rod

A hot rod is any car whose original motor has been replaced by a different type.

Type refers to the motor’s:

• manufacturer
• block size (displacement)
• use in the vehicle’s model and model year*

*Any motor that was available for that model and model year (for example, it may have come as an option) would not be a different type and, therefore, not qualify as a hot rod.

Original Car (1999 model year or older)

Motor replaced before 1999

The requirements are:

• the vehicle cannot operate if there are visible emissions for more than 15 seconds in any five-minute period
• for Drive Clean testing (if applicable), the vehicle is deemed to be a 1980 model year and must meet or exceed the standards set for “1980 and earlier” model-year vehicles
• catalytic converter and emission control equipment requirements do not apply to hot rods altered before January 1, 1999
• without emissions control equipment functioning, the vehicle could fail the Drive Clean test

Motor replaced on or after January 1, 1999

The requirements are:

• the vehicle cannot legally operate if there are visible emissions for more than 15 seconds in any five-minute period
• for Drive Clean testing, the vehicle must meet or exceed what were the emissions standards of the original motor when all original emission control equipment was functioning
• if there weren’t any standards established for the original motor, the vehicle is deemed to be a 1980 model (the standards listed for “1980 and earlier” model-year vehicles apply)
• all emissions control equipment must be attached and functioning (equipment refers to what came with the replacement motor or be equivalent to what would have come with that motor)

-- Edited by fraso on Tuesday 31st of July 2018 12:39:05 PM

I was at Burlington and don't remember anyone being hassled for emissions, but rather for the demonstration of excessive power upon leaving the show. This happens a lot at shows and cruises and often catches the gendarmes eye and spoils it for others.

Warren

Hmm...this topic comes up but This issue never exists. I know 2 guys personally that were pulled over. First guy in a hot rod panel truck yanked ,was told to meet the requirements and report in 90 days to a MTO facility. Well he did the fixes ...the response was great thanks and no one came out to look. So received his compliance paper and away he went..total stupidity.
Number 2 was pulled over in east London in his 80s pick up. Truck was dead stock so no issue. Another 2 been told about but never had the chance yet to speak to the guys in person.
No car show or cruise night BS I know of , and I go to many...