Protecting Your Passion
The SAN and Its Members Look to Continue 2009's Successes in the
New Decade
The most powerful tool in protecting our hobby will always be an
informed and active enthusiast. This has been reinforced by SAN
members from across the United States and Canada who continue to
play an active role in supporting hobby-friendly legislation all
across both countries. This yearly issue of Driving Force
contains a snapshot of the victories forged this year by the SAN
and its dedicated members.
STATE ISSUES
California
Emissions Tests: The SAN defeated legislation that sought to
require annual smog-check inspections for vehicles 15 years old
and older. The bill would also have required that funds generated
through the additional inspection fees be deposited into an
account which could have been used to scrap older cars. Pre-'76
motor vehicles would have remained exempt under the measure.
"Gas Guzzlers": The SAN helped defeat legislation that would
have authorized the establishment of a surcharge tax for some new
motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions.
Funds collected under the program would have been used in part to
fund rebates for vehicles including hybrids and electric cars.
The SAN opposed the bill because it would have made popular
performance and luxury cars, as well as SUVs, light trucks and
minivans, substantially more expensive to own without necessarily
curtailing greenhouse gas emissions.
Scrappage: The SAN submitted comments opposing a proposal to
spend roughly $30 million annually to augment the state's
existing scrappage program. The proposal would provide incentives
for vehicles not currently eligible under the Consumer Assistance
Program by removing the existing requirements that vehicles be
subject to and fail smog check to participate; the agency is
targeting pre-'76 vehicles that are no longer subject to
emissions inspections.
Connecticut
Vehicle Noise: The SAN defeated legislation that would have
required motor vehicles and devices to be operated, constructed
and adjusted to prevent unnecessary or unusual noise. The bill
did not define what constituted unnecessary or unusual noise. The
SAN also defeated legislation that would have provided an
incentive to localities to increase the number of citations
issued for violation of vehicle noise regulations.
Indiana
Antiques: State hobbyist groups, working with the SAN and
SEMA-member companies have reached a tentative compromise with
environmental regulators on a proposal that originally sought to
redefine the term "antique vehicle" in order to force more of
these hobby cars into the emissions inspection program. Under
existing law, an antique vehicle is defined as "a motor vehicle
or motor scooter that is at least 25 years old." Under the
initial regulation, the definition would be revised to require
that the vehicle must be at least 25 years old; registered and
plated as a historic motor vehicle; driven a maximum of 3,000
miles per calendar year; and include federally required pollution
control equipment for that make and model year. Under the
compromise, these vehicles would be exempt from the mileage limit
and the pollution-control equipment requirement if they were
insured under a collectible vehicle automobile insurance policy.
Montana
Exhaust Noise: Montana legislation that sought to repeal a
SAN-sponsored law enacted in 2007, which permits vehicles to be
modified with exhaust systems that do not emit an excess of 95
decibels, died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under
the repeal legislation, Montana would have returned to subjective
noise-level determinations when considering whether an exhaust
system is legal.
New York
Taxing "Gas Guzzlers": The SAN defeated legislation that would
have established a progressive purchase or lease surcharge for
some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon
emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge
could have required owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the
vehicle.
North Carolina
Street Rods/Customs: A version of SEMA-model legislation to
create a vehicle registration classification for street rods,
replicas and custom vehicles was signed into law by Governor Bev
Perdue. The law retains the key components of the SEMA-model bill
while relieving vehicle owners of unfair title branding and
inspection concerns. The measure provides specific registration
and titling classes for street rods and replicas; allows for the
use of non-original materials; and creates a titling and
registration criterion that assigns replica vehicles the same
model year designation as the production vehicle intended to be
replicated.
Scrappage: The SAN defeated legislation that would have
implemented a state vehicle scrappage program for passenger
vehicles that were at least 14 years old. Participants would have
received around $1,000-$1,500 to scrap their car and purchase a
current-year vehicle under 10,000 lbs., or one from the previous
three model years. All trade-in vehicles could have been
destroyed, regardless of their historical value or collector
interest. Had this effort been successful, hobbyists could have
been denied the availability of vintage cars and parts for
restoration projects.
Oregon
Aftermarket Parts: The governor of Oregon signed into law an
alternative to legislation that originally sought to prohibit the
sale and distribution of aftermarket motor-vehicle parts if
alternatives are available that "decrease greenhouse gas
emissions from motor vehicles." Under the alternative, negotiated
between the SAN and environmental regulators, the new law will
only allow the state to adopt the present California
certification process for aftermarket emissions-related parts,
allowing parts manufacturers to meet one uniform standard, rather
than a patchwork of multiple state standards.
Tennessee
Antique Vehicles: SAN-supported legislation to amend the state's
current law defining antique motor vehicles to also permit use of
these vehicles for "selling, testing the operation of or
obtaining repairs" was signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen.
The bill had originally sought use for everyday general
transportation. The Tennessee law continues to allow use of
antique vehicles for club activities, exhibits, tours and for
general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.
Utah
Street Rods/Custom Vehicles: SEMA-model legislation to create a
vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom
vehicles was approved overwhelmingly by the Utah State
Legislature and signed into law by then Governor Jon Huntsman.
The new law defines a street rod as an altered vehicle
manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at
least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. The law allows
kit cars and replica vehicles to be assigned a certificate of
title bearing the same model-year designation as the production
vehicle they most closely resemble.
Virginia
Inoperable Vehicles: Under pressure from the SAN, legislation
which would have allowed the city of Newport News to adopt a more
restrictive inoperable vehicle ordinance was withdrawn. Under the
bill, the city could have adopted an ordinance prohibiting any
person from keeping more than one inoperable motor vehicle on
private property except within a fully enclosed building. In
2004, Virginia signed into law a SAN-negotiated bill to exempt at
least two inoperable vehicles being actively repaired or restored
on private property from any local ordinance if shielded or
screened from public view.
Washington
Scrappage: The SAN and its members helped defeat an effort that
would have implemented a vehicle scrappage program for passenger
vehicles more than 15 years old. Under the bill, qualifying
vehicles would have been registered for a 24-month period and in
satisfactory operating condition. Replacement vehicles purchased
under the plan would have been required to have a U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway gasoline mileage
rating of at least 30 mpg. Participants in the program were to be
granted a sales tax exemption for the first $2,000 of tax paid on
the purchase price. All trade-in vehicles would have been
destroyed, regardless of their historical value or collector
interest.
West Virginia
Inoperable Vehicles: The SAN defeated legislation that sought to
redefine "abandoned motor vehicles" to include vehicles or
vehicle parts which are either unlicensed or inoperable, or both,
are not in an enclosed building and have remained on private
property for more than 30 days.
Exhaust Noise: The SAN defeated legislation that would have
provided that the noise from a motor-vehicle exhaust system
deemed "disturbing or unreasonably loud" constituted disturbing
the peace under state law.
Wyoming
Street Rods/Custom Vehicles: SEMA-model legislation to create a
vehicle registration classification for street rods and custom
vehicles and provide for special license plates for these
vehicles was approved by the Wyoming Legislature and signed into
law by Governor Dave Freudenthal. The new law defines a street
rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom
as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured
after 1948. The law allows kit cars and replica vehicles to be
assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year
designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.
CANADIAN ISSUES
Nova Scotia
At the request of the SAN, a regulation that would have required
retailers and installers to provide proof that all suspension
lift products had been approved by a certified engineer has been
put on hold to allow regulatory agencies to conduct an impact
study. Currently, the province has only one certified engineer
available to conduct these inspections. For the time being and
absent an obvious structural deficiency in the suspension
equipment, inspectors will be instructed to not pass or fail a
vehicle based on the fact that it has an altered ride height.
Saskatchewan
The SAN submitted technical comments to a regulatory proposal
issued by Saskatchewan to regulate raised vehicles in the
province. Under the proposal, all aftermarket raised vehicles
operated on Saskatchewan highways would be subject to a raised
vehicle inspection after January 1, 2011. The province intends to
impose tiered frame height limits based on a vehicle's rated
operating weight. In addition, regulators are considering
requiring owners to carry a "Letter of Authorization" issued by
the province in order to operate a raised vehicle. The Letter of
Authorization would signify that the vehicle has passed
inspection and would be shown to law enforcement during roadside
stops to demonstrate compliance with the applicable frame height
limit. The province is also considering restricting the maximum
speeds of raised vehicles with tires that have a loaded rolling
diameter of greater than 35 inches.
U.S. FEDERAL ISSUES
Cash for Clunkers: After months of contentious debate, lawmakers
enacted a $3 billion "Cash for Clunkers" bill that paid consumers
to scrap cars and trucks getting 18 miles per gallon or less in
exchange for a cash voucher to buy a new car. Consumers received
a $3,500 or $4,500 credit depending on the fuel- economy
improvement of the new vehicle. SEMA convinced lawmakers to
exclude vehicles that were 25 years old or older from being
scrapped. The provision served to safeguard vehicles that may
possess unique historic or aesthetic value and are irreplaceable
to hobbyists as a source of restoration parts. The program also
allowed all parts, except the engine, to be recycled. During the
clunkers debate, SEMA argued that a better environmental approach
would have been to support vehicle repairs, installation of
specialty equipment to reduce emissions and increase fuel
economy, and engine recycling.
Car Collector Appreciation Day: Senator Jon Tester introduced
Senate Resolution 97 designating June 1, 2009, to be "Collector
Car Appreciation Day." The resolution recognizes the value in
collecting and restoring historic and classic cars. It also
acknowledges this as a contribution toward preserving America's
technological achievements and cultural heritage. The SAN will
work with the senator to seek its reintroduction in 2010.
Ethanol-15: The SAN submitted comments to the EPA opposing a
request to allow the ethanol content of gasoline to increase to
15% (from 10%). The SAN cited concern that the additional content
could harm automobile parts of all ages, including
special-interest collector and historic vehicles. A number of
other organizations expressed similar concerns. Tests using
ethanol concentrations of up to 20% have shown a notable increase
in wear on vehicle fuel systems produced up through model-year
'95, and especially for pre-'90 vehicles. Fuel pumps, tanks,
seals, hoses and other rubber components are particularly subject
to failures. The EPA is expected to rule on the issue in December
2009.
HEY, THAT'S MY CAR!
A Slammin' 68
1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Owner: Lane Ochi
Beverly Hills, California
Getting my license at the very end of the musclecar era, I
always wanted to own a Camaro. I still remember the day my dad
brought home a '70 Z28. The Z remained a favorite of mine up
until dad sold it. I cried when he sold that car and brought home
a Honda due to higher gas prices
Fast forward years later, after kids and a divorce, it was time
for some "me" time. After a long search, I found the ultimate
Southern California project, a first-generation ragtop Camaro.
The previous owner used it as his daily driver and along the way,
it lost its original block and transmission-so I felt no
obligation to restore it to being "factory correct."
When I first got the car, I just drove it. But soon I needed
"more power," so off to B&N Custom Rods in Canyon Country,
California, to build a motor with some attitude. They stroked a
four-bolt main 350-cid engine that was bored .06 over after
ultra-sounding the walls, then fitted it with a balanced Eagle
crank and H-beam 6-inch rods and 10.7 to 1 compression JE
pistons. The cam is a Comp Cam roller, with 0.520-/.0540-inch
lift, and it's topped off with Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads
and an air gap intake manifold. Fuel runs through an 800-cfm
Holley. The built 388 now puts out close to 500 hp and 500
lb.-ft. of torque. To get the power to the rear, it's running a
10-inch TCI Streetfighter torque converter, a heavily modified
700-R4 transmission and ending with a 3:73 Eaton Posi rearend. To
stop the car, SSBC discs are on all four corners.
The car was then stripped to bare metal and repainted PPG silver
and black Z28 stripes. It was really important to me that the car
looked stock, so there's no cowl induction hood and the
color-matched 15-inch Rally wheels finish off the exterior.
The interior is fairly stock; it has a standard interior with
the addition of houndstooth seats. Of course, having the ultimate
California tanning machine, I needed a sound system to knock your
socks off. A wireless McIntosh head unit, routing power through a
JL 300/4-amp, pushes the sounds through Diamond speakers in
custom kick panels and a 12-inch JL subwoofer in the trunk.
The car is a blast to drive. I love my Camaro!
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
Trans-Atlantic Relations
Irish Car Club Celebrates American Metal
Great American Steel Car Club (GASCC) was formed back in
February 2008 by a small group of American car enthusiast in
Ireland; their aim was to create a club dedicated to the American
car, truck and hot-rod scene.
The club has grown from 12 original members to nearly 100 in
this small space of time. GASCC members come from all ages and
walks of life and attend monthly meetings where members share
knowledge and experience with each other, along with just having
a good time. GASCC has also launched its own website, which was
set-up and maintained by its members, and the site acts as their
main forum for advertising both locally and internationally. The
site provides forums for members to discuss various problems and
has a calendar of events, which the club has chosen to attend
during the upcoming year. It also has a large photo gallery of
club cars and a classified section that allows members to sell or
buy American vehicles and parts in Ireland. Club members are avid
car show attendees and have traveled as far as the United
Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States to see the cars they love.
This year GASCC held its own show and BBQ on the 4th of July
which was such a huge success that it will be made into an annual
event. GASCC club members also made a trip to Las Vegas for the
2009 SEMA Show and reported that a good time was had by all.
Club members come mainly from people within the Munster region
of Ireland, but it is open to all with the only stipulation being
that you must be an American vehicle enthusiast, though, they say
that having a sense of humor is well advised.
DECEMBER 2009 SAN CLUB EVENTS
ARKANSAS
December 5, Benton
6th Annual Toys for Tots Caravan Cruise
Information: George Beyers, 501/776-5155
CALIFORNIA
December 13, Bakersfield
26th Annual Bakersfield Toy Run and Food Drive Cruise
Information: Sherry, 661/399-0340 or Twila, 661/302-0048
FLORIDA
December 6, Bushnell
Sumter Swap Meets, Car Corral, and Show
Information:
www.floridaswapmeets.comTEXAS
December 5, Houston
Coffee 'N Cars
Sponsor: Texas Vehicle Club Council
Information: coffeencars.shutterfly.com
December 5, Burleson
Victory Family Church Benefit Car Show
Information:
www.victoryfamily.com or
http://speedthelight.comDecember 12-13, Belton
26th Annual Texas Swap Meet Winternationals
Information: 254/939-8548
December 19, Houston
Wings and Wheels Saturday Hobby Airport
Sponsor: Texas Vehicle Club Council
Information:
www.wingsandwheels.orgMARYLAND
December 5-9, Timonium
East Coast Indoor Nationals Car Show
Information:
www.eastcoastindoornats.comEARLY JANUARY 2010 EVENTS
ARIZONA
January 17, Phoenix
3rd Annual Wheels of Wellness
Information:
http://wheelsofwellness.orgFLORIDA
January 3, Cape Coral
Corvettes on the Gulf
Information:
www.premiumcarshows.com/corvettes_otg0110.htmlJanuary 10, Sunrise
4th Annual Open Car & Truck Show
Information:
www.renegadecorvetteclub.com