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RPM Act Latest in List of Legislative Battles
Please continue helping the effort to “Save Our Racecars” at sema.org/rpm. As the SEMA Action Network marks its platinum anniversary, learn about its history of grassroots engagement on this and other issues: https://youtu.be/tdWhOgfnmLE
Quick Flicks: SAN Online Videos Bring Legislative Topics to Life
Nowadays, a star is born in nanoseconds. Once upon a time, movie moguls and TV studios dictated which faces were seen on the screen. Thankfully, the internet has leveled-out the means in which motion pictures are created, distributed, viewed and even generate revenue. Big budget or no budget, there is now room for recordings of any size and quality. There has never been a better chance to reach fame as an on-screen personality. Many credit the YouTube platform for founding the user-based video movement when it launched in 2005. With billions of views, the website has become one of the most dominant search engines worldwide.
The YouTube universe has also proven to be juggernaut with its appeal to all facets of automotive youth culture. After all, most agree that nothing compares to seeing wheels in action!
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Click here for the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts.
Ken Burns chronicled the story of restoring his ’41 Ford Woodies in an article written for the local Early Ford V8 Club’s newsletter. The story also appeared in the V8 Times, the club’s national magazine.
“Like lots of other cravings, it all starts with that first innocent taste,” notes Ken Burns. “In my case, the ‘38 Ford Deluxe Woodie my folks owned when they brought me home from the hospital in 1943 was that moment.” He spent 24 years in the Navy as a pilot and moved quite a bit as a result. To Burns, owning a vintage car meant that he could easily find a group of like-minded car enthusiasts whenever he moved to a new duty station. In 1969, he saw a ‘41 Super Deluxe Woodie on his way home from work one day and was drawn to it like a moth to the flame. “We were looking for a second car after the birth of our daughter.” When it came time to move from California to Florida, Ken suggested that the Woodie might as well follow along. “I must have had a compelling argument because my wife agreed that we should keep it and the rest is history!”
In 1971, Burns joined the Early Ford V8 Club on the advice of a friend. After moving back to San Diego a few years later, he realized he wanted the Woodie to be closer to the factory build. There were lots of issues that needed attention due in part to the surfer kids who had owned it previously. “During this period, I learned a lot about ’41 Fords,” Ken recalls. He undertook the restoration process little by little while enjoying time behind the wheel. After finally settling in Fairfax, Virginia, the wagon was completed in time for the Northern Virginia Regional Group’s (NVRG) 2007 Eastern National Meet. “I was one of three owners with a ’41 Woodie at the meet. I figured it would do reasonably well in the judging but was surprised and honored when it won its first Dearborn.” Later, Burns found and purchased another ’41 Ford Woodie (pictured above) which also received a complete restoration.
Earlier this year, Ken reached out to his state legislators after discovering a SEMA Action Network (SAN) call to action. Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique from the imposition of local taxes and fees was making its way through the Virginia legislature. “As an owner of a pair of vintage Ford Station Wagons, I urge all of you to support this legislation which will help ensure that these unique pieces of automotive history are preserved for future generations,” he wrote in a message to lawmakers. The effort reached a successful conclusion when the bill was signed into law by Governor Terry McAuliffe.
Congratulations, Ken, and thank you for helping get this bill enacted into law!
Stay Up-to-Date on the RPM Act: Get the latest information on the motorsports bill at sema.org/epa-news.
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