im getting Venture Shield done on my hood right here at the shop, retails at $249 for the hood, add $49 for the fenders too. seems steep until ya gotta repaint the hood.... best protection out there.
i LOVE the fact that you used the car as a generator! ive often wondered how well a car would do on fuel and for providing enough power. no better way to use a car you aren't driving. welcome!
your best bet is to register the car somewhere else if you want to guaranty a pass....
edit
its also for this reason not OBD1, but emission checking in general that i will never live in CC.