Delivering Up-to-Date Information to America’s Car Clubs and Enthusiasts www.semasan.com MARCH 2008 Y EQ LT UIP IA M C E E N P T S M A N O R I K T E A T I ASSOC Serving the Motor Vehicle Aftermarket Lawmakers Lead the Fight in LEGISLATIVE Protecting Enthusiasts’ Rights QUICK HITS Pending State Legislation Would Allow Backyard Restorations embers of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus are again demonstrating their support for the hobbyist community by introducing legislation that would provide Msafeguards for individuals who restore or maintain inoperable vehicles on private prop- erty. Based on SEMA-model language, the legislation requires that vehicles be concealed outside of ordinary public view. Michigan State Senator Ron Jelinek, “This bill is good for automotive Utah State Represen- enthusiasts and the economy. If it tative Neal Hendrick- Delaware Street Rods: A version of son and Washington is done correctly, there is nothing SEMA-model legislation is moving in State Senator Mike negative for our neighbors, town- the Delaware House of Representatives Carrell have each ships or other legislative bodies. to create a vehicle registration and titling introduced a version It provides a win-win situation.” classification for street rods. The bill of the SEMA model defines a street rod as a ’48 or older vehi- in their respective —Michigan Senator Ron Jelinek cle or one manufactured after 1948 to legislatures. SEMA resemble a vehicle manufactured before Action Network (SAN) members and car clubs in these states are encouraged to contact these law- 1949. Under the bill, street-rod replicas makers to provide support in these efforts. will be assigned a certificate of title “It is vital that we rally behind these lawmakers who are working on our behalf,” said SEMA bearing the same model-year designa- Action Network Director Jason Tolleson. “They face stiff opposition from local governments, tion as the production vehicle it most zoning boards and other municipal organizations that, in recent years, have made increasing efforts closely resembles. to limit hobbyist activities.” In addition to several city and county proposals, state lawmakers in West Virginia have introduced Hawaii “Gas Guzzlers”: In a misguided legislation this year to establish restrictions on these so-called backyard restoration projects. attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emis- Often, removal of these vehicles from private property is enforced through local nuisance laws with sions, legislation has been introduced minimal or no notice to the owner. Elected officials develop these initiatives based on the notion that in the Hawaii House of Representa- inoperable vehicles are eyesores that adversely affect property values or constitute health hazards. Many tives to establish a progressive purchase such laws are drafted broadly, allowing for the confiscation of vehicles being repaired or restored. For surcharge for some new motor vehicles the purposes of these proposed bills, “inoperable vehicles” are most often defined as those on which the based on state calculations of carbon engine, wheels or emissions. Depending on the vehicle “As a car hobbyist myself, I have other parts have purchased, this surcharge could require seen the bad effects that the current been removed, owners to pay up to $2,500 more for altered, dam- the vehicle. If this effort is successful, the ‘crush them’ attitude has had on the aged or allowed effects on a consumers’ ability to pur- availability of restorable collector to deteriorate so chase the vehicle of choice, not to men- cars. We car guys must work together that the vehi- tion vehicle safety, could be impacted. to change this attitude.” cle cannot be driven. —Washington Senator Mike Carrell Iowa Street Rods/Customs: SEMA- “We believe model legislation to create a vehicle that clear legal registration classification for street rods distinctions must be drawn between an owner using private property as a dumping ground and and custom vehicles and provide for spe- a vehicle enthusiast working to maintain, restore or construct a vehicle,” said SEMA Vice President cial license plates for these vehicles was of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. introduced in Iowa. The bill provides The SEMA-model legislation provides such safeguards for hobbyists to work on collector vehicles on that a replica vehicle will be assigned the private property and establish reasonable provisions that vehicles be located out of public view. A copy s s Continued on page 3 Continued on page 2 CAUCUS CORNER Hey, That’s ach month Driving Force will feature members of the State My Car! EAutomotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA- supported caucus is a bipartisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. Here are its newest members: Mild Street Machine 1969 Camaro Owner: Ken & Anita Brown LaHarpe, Illinois ARIZONA ARIZONA Representative Tom Boone Representative Jerry Weiers * For a full list of Caucus members, visit www.semasan.com. Lawmakers Lead the Fight in Protecting Enthusiasts’ Rights Continued from page 1 s y wife and I bought our ’69 Camaro as a birthday gift for “We are working with the me 11 years ago from a friend who towed it each winter Mfrom Illinois to Arizona to be his warm weather cruiser. League of Cities and Towns Being a teenager in the ’60s, it didn’t take me very long to start on this compromise bill to making a mild street machine out of it. protect hobbyists who are The car was equipped with a stock 350, bucket seats and a column shift, and it was in pretty good shape. We did a frame-on res- actively restoring their toration and after rebuilding the engine, it was able to put out vehicles while still being good 310 horsepower at the wheels. neighbors and maintaining As anyone who owns a classic musclecar knows, the fun is in project cars out of view.” the thumbs up and comments made when driving by or sitting at a cruise and park functions. The long hours of working on and —Utah State Representative maintaining this mild street machine is well worth the effort. Neal Hendrickson SPECS of the bill can be downloaded at www.semasan.com. In working to present this issue to your elected officials, our UNDER THE HOOD: experience indicates that it will be helpful to make the following 350 small-block, HEI preparations: ignition, stock pol- ished crank, 10:1 flat ❏ Build a coalition of interested clubs, businesses and local top pistons, Competi- organizations. tion Cams 280H-10 ❏ Host positive and proactive meetings with city, county and 480 lift, push rods, state officials to address the issue. roller rockers, double springs, 202 valves, Edelbrock dual ❏ Propose fair alternative language that benefits both the hob- quad manifold, Edelbrock 500 carburetors, Holley fuel pump, byist and the community (e.g. screened from ordinary public Hedman Headers, Napa Advantage mufflers with 2½-inch view by means of a suitable fence, trees, shrubbery, etc.) exhaust, 1800 stall converter, 350 turbo transmission, B&M ❏ Garner support from local media. shifter, Richmond 3.55 gears ❏ Be persistent in your efforts. OUTSIDE: LeMans blue metallic paint, Competition Engi- neering traction bars, Cragar 15x8 rear wheels, Cragar 14x6 For additional assistance in pursing the SEMA model in your front wheels, Goodyear Eagle GT11 tires area, please contact the SEMA Government Affairs Office at INSIDE: Stock vinyl seats, Sun tach, Auto Gauge gauges 202/783-6007, ext. 39 or by e-mail at [email protected]. 2 DRIVING FORCE MARCH 2008 LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS CANADIAN UPDATE Continued from page 1 s SAN Members Rally same model-year designation as the produc- Against Leaded Fuel Ban tion vehicle it most closely resembles. Environment Canada Proposal Threatens Competition Motor Vehicles New Jersey New-Car Emissions: SAN-sup- ported legislation reintroduced in the New Jersey State Assembly proposes to exempt he Canadian Department of the Environ- newer motor vehicles from the state’s man- Tment has issued a proposal to terminate datory emissions-inspection program. Under the current exemption from environmental the measure, motor vehicles that are five restrictions for leaded gasoline used in com- model years old or less would be exempted. petition motor vehicles. If approved, the regu- lation would require a ban on vehicles using Vermont Scrappage Program: A SAN- leaded fuel by January 1, 2009, resulting opposed bill has been introduced in the in the likely demise of all international drag- Vermont State Senate that would implement racing competition in Canada. a vehicle scrappage program and finance it “In the first call to action by the newly created with a progressive purchase and use tax and SEMA Action Network-Canada, the response higher registration fees for some new motor by enthusiasts, car clubs and businesses has vehicles based on fuel-efficiency ratings. been overwhelming,” said SAN Director Jason Funds collected under the program would Tolleson. “We are indebted to the individuals be used to dismantle vehicles deemed by and groups who have spearheaded the efforts the state to be “clunkers,” regardless of their against this shortsighted proposal.” historical value or collector interest. If this According to government figures, competi- effort is successful, purchasing the vehicle tion motor vehicles use only 1.5% of all leaded New Jersey Historic Vehicles: Hobby- of your choice could be significantly more gasoline consumed in Canada. The aviation friendly legislation that would amend the costly. Further, this proposed scrappage industry, which owns a permanent exemption state’s current law governing historic motor program could deny hobbyists the availabil- from the ban, accounts for the other 98.5%. vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driv- ity of vintage cars and parts for restoration It is also worth noting that U.S., U.K.