August 2009

 

 

 

 

Throughout history there have been many notable father and son connections. To car enthusiasts, Dean and Kevin Jeffries have each made their mark on the hobby. One in Hollywood. The other in Sacramento. 

 

Dean Jeffries customized television and movie vehicles in the 1960s, such as the Mantaray from “Bikini Beach,” Black Beauty from “The Green Hornet,” the Monkeemobile, and the moon buggy from “Diamonds Are Forever.”

 

His son, Kevin Jeffries has taken a different route to help spotlight and promote the hobby—the California State Assembly. First elected in 2006, he immediately stood out as a friend to car enthusiasts. A few months after being elected, Jeffries joined the SEMA-sponsored State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. There are currently 16 caucus members from the California Legislature, including Caucus Chairman Mike Duvall. The caucus totals close to 400 lawmakers from all 50 State Legislatures.

 

Jeffries serves as Vice Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee which oversees a large portion of bills which have an impact on the car hobby. One such bill considered earlier this year would have increased the smog check requirements for cars more than 15 years old. Jeffries urged his colleagues to oppose the measure as it would have minimal impact on air quality at the expense of car collectors.

 

As demonstrated in the letter below, Jeffries voiced his opposition to the bill and pledged his continued support for hobbyists in the state.

 

“We continue to seek out lawmakers to participate in the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and to actively pursue pro-active legislative policies that work to the benefit of the auto hobby,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs. “Assemblyman Jeffries shares this common bond with his love and appreciation for the collector car community.”

 

 

Fellow Automobile Enthusiasts,

 

You had contacted me earlier this year regarding your opposition to AB 859, which would have increased the smog check requirements for cars more than 15 years old, adding new costs to collectors, while accomplishing very little in improving our state’s air quality.

 

I am pleased to inform you yesterday this bill was held on the “suspense file” in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and is essentially dead for this year. This is truly a victory—but like a bad penny, bad ideas also return over and over again in Sacramento, so we must all continue to be vigilant in protecting our hobby.

 

In the meantime, I will continue to look out for the interests of automobile enthusiasts as vice-chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, and I encourage you to contact me with issues of concern as they come up in Sacramento, and I am always open to suggestions on how the state’s laws may be improved to make things easier for automobile collectors, customizers, and racers in California.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact my office,

 

Kevin Jeffries

Assemblyman, 66th District

 

 

 

 

California Greenhouse Gases: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will grant a waiver to California to allow the state to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Until at least 2016, however, California will pursue the national approach adopted by the Obama Administration. The decision ends a seven-year battle by California to establish standards to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In 2007, the Bush Administration blocked implementation of the California CO2 rule which had been adopted by 13 other states. Since the federal standards will not begin until 2012, the waiver technically allows California and other states to enforce their own standards. More importantly, the waiver will permit California to pursue stricter standards after 2016.

 

California Tire Fuel Efficiency: California has issued a regulatory proposal to establish a tire fuel efficiency rating system. The regulation is based on a 2003 California law mandating a program to provide consumers with information about the fuel efficiency of replacement tires. The law contains a SAN provision exempting manufacturers of tires that have the same SKU, plant, and year, and have been produced or imported in annual units of less than 15,000. California regulators are proposing a program that would assign a “fuel efficient tire” ranking to the top 15 percent of tires with the lowest rolling resistance within their size and load class. All other tested tires would be ranked as “tires that are not fuel efficient.” If implemented, the testing program would take effect in mid 2011. Manufacturers would also be required to report other tire information such as load index, federal Uniform Tire Quality Grading System rating and speed rating.

 

Connecticut Vehicle Noise: The SAN helped defeat legislation that would require 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 persuaded lawmakers not to pass legislation that sought to provide an incentive to localities to increase the number of citations issued for violation of vehicle noise regulations.

 

North Carolina Scrappage: SAN members persuaded North Carolina legislators not to consider legislation that would have implemented a state vehicle scrappage program for passenger vehicles that are 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 pounds, 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 Oregon House and Senate approved 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 SEMA and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the bill would only give the Department authority 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. The amended legislation will also incorporate a California law that requires state regulators to develop a tire fuel-efficiency program for passenger car and light truck replacement tires. As in California, Oregon includes a SEMA-drafted provision to exempt limited production tires (15,000 or less annually), deep tread snow tires, limited-use spares, motorcycle tires and tires manufactured for use on off-road vehicles. The bill will now be transmitted to the governor for his signature and enactment into law.

 

Tennessee Antique Vehicles: 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 contained a SAN-supported provision to allow use for everyday general transportation. In addition to the new allowances, the Tennessee law continues to permit use of antique vehicles for club activities, exhibits, tours and for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

Instructors at the Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Appleton, Wisconsin, decided to give a real hands on approach to understanding automotive technology. They built a 600 hp 1986 Firebird. 

 

While the car spent most of the last 7 years on a drag strip, the students decided to take on a great challenge by taking it to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a top speed run contest. With a 167-mph run under their belts, the students agreed to raise the bar again by driving all 1,200 miles of the 2009 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. They took this challenge one step further by deciding to operate solely on alternate energy; their main source being Ethanol alcohol at a concentration of 85% along with a blend of only 15% gasoline. 

 

In pushing the envelope even further, one advisor helped the students build and design a hydrogen generator which injects pure hydrogen into the engine air intake system at various prescribed periods of operation. Another advisor helped the students build and install solar panels beneath the rear hatch glass to help supplement the electrical needs required to operate the hydrogen generator.

 

“The classes at FVTC bring out a different perspective to the automotive world besides studying fundamental design and repair,” said FVTC student Ryan Brerenton. “Our class agreed that a place to show off some of our ideas and skills would be to complete the Power Tour.”

 

The car made it the entire route with the exception of breaking one valve operating rocker arm which disabled one cylinder. However, with a quick replacement part from Competition Cams the Firebird was back on the road. It completed the tour in Bristol, Tennessee, where the team from FVTC stayed an extra day to participate in a meet at the Thunder Valley Dragway. 

 

“While the college supports my efforts in the classroom, the students raised the funds to take the Firebird on the road,” said lead instructor Dave Sarna. “They did it all on good old fashioned hard work and resourcefulness. I was very proud of them all.”

 

 

 

 

 

Owner: Steve Rowe

Chicago, Illinois

 

My parents had a 1969 Chevelle, which just happens to be the year I was born. As I got older, I decided that I had to get one too. In 1996 I found one listed in the newspaper and bought it for a whopping $1,500. I had to borrow $500 from my then girlfriend and even signed an I.O.U to make it official. We’ll get back to that story later.

 

I had the car towed to her house and it sat in the backyard with the parts search underway. It needed a grille, bumper, fenders and a motor. I found a guy who just happened to have all of the parts I needed. He even had a friend that could help install them.

 

When I pulled up to his friend’s house, I noticed a 1970 Nova in mint condition. The guy told me that he did all the work. I thought I found my new best friend. For the next four months I spent every other day in his garage working on my car. Before the restoration, it had a 396 and a four-speed Muncie, a 12-bolt rearend with 3.73 gears, stock suspension and Rallye rims. Now after the transformation the Chevelle sports a race-prepped 502, which is lit by a MSD-6AL. Air is sucked in through a K&N Filter, swallowed by a Demon Carb, and sent packing via 3-inch Hooker headers through Dynomax mufflers.

 

By the way, that girlfriend and I have been happily married for 10 years now. I did take care of the I.O.U from all those years ago. She has a ’72 Monte Carlo in the garage next to my SS.

 

 

 

 

 

Entry Forms Available October 1 for Annual Eagle One Golden Rule Awards

 

Eagle One has announced the availability of entry forms for its 17th Annual Golden Rule Awards. Car clubs entering will have an opportunity to win a $1,500 grand prize that will be donated to a charity of their choice.

 

Three other winners will receive a $500 cash contribution for a charity of their choice.  The grand prize will be awarded to the car club judged to have performed the most compassionate achievement during 2009. Winners will be selected in four regions—west, midwest, east and south—for conducting the most outstanding community service program in their area during 2009.

 

In addition to a total of $3,000 in cash donations from Eagle One and co-sponsor Valvoline, winners will receive a generous supply of premium appearance care products and motor oil for fund-raising purposes and a custom-designed trophy.

 

Starting October 1, the entry form will be available for download on www.eagleone.com or by calling 818/501-1445. The deadline for entries is December 31, 2009. Winners will be notified by February 10, 2010.

 

Eagle One is part of the Valvoline family of brands.

 

 

 

 

 

August 16, Decatur

3rd Annual Car Show & Block Party

Sponsor: Decatur MOPARS

Information: http://decaturmopars.googlepages.com/ or 256/466-3443

 

 

August 6-9, Truckee

42nd Annual Sierra Trek

Sponsor: California Association of 4WD Clubs

Information: http://www.cal4wheel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=246 or 800/4x4-FUNN

 

August 8, Palo Alto

8th Annual Volvo Car Show

Sponsor: Golden Gate Chapter of the Volvo Club of America

Information: http://www.vcoa.org/events/2009-carlsen/index.php or 800/70-VOLVO

 

August 15, Crescent City

6th Annual Cool Northern Nights on the Coast

Sponsor: The Northern Knights Car Club

Information: http://www.northernknights.us/page8.php or 707/465-1166

 

August 22, Atascadero

20th Annual Atascadero Lake Car Show

Sponsor: Mid-State Cruizers

Information: http://www.midstatecruizers.org/carshow.html or 805/466-3853

 

August 21-23, Pleasanton

23rd West Coast Nationals

Information: http://good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=09-625 or 925/838-9876

 

August 22, El Segundo

12th Annual Main Street Car Show

Information: 310/524-2262 or 310/524-2215

 

August 29, Solvang

5th Annual Wheels ‘N’ Windmills

Information: http://wheelsnwindmills.com/index.html or 805/688-6112

 

 

August 22, Brighton

41st Annual Mountain States Swap Meet

Sponsor: Old Car Council of Colorado

Information: http://www.oldcarcouncil.org/SwapMeet.html or 303/886-7923

 

 

August 2, East Hampton

43rd Annual Vintage Motorcar Meet

Sponsor: Belltown Antique Car Club

Information: http://belltownantiquecarclub.org/shows/summer%20show%20main.htm or 860/267-4617

 

August 16, Goshen

Litchfield Hills Historical Auto Club Show

Sponsor: Litchfield Hills Historical Auto Club

Information: 860/482-4500

 

August 30, Vernon

Chrysler Convention

Sponsor: DARTS

Information: http://www.chryslerconvention.com/index.html or 860/257-8434

 

 

August 1, Macon

1st Annual Super Cruise-In

Sponsor: Middle Georgia Cruisers Car Club

Information: http://midgac.com/2009_super_cruise_flyer.pdf or 478/972-2021

 

 

August 2, Lake In The Hills

Lake In The Hills Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show

Information: http://www.lithcarshow.com/ or 847/658-5676

 

August 22-23, Springfield

31st Annual Mustang & All Ford Show

Sponsor: Central Illinois Mustangers

Information: http://www.cimclub.com/annualshow.html or 217/525-7420

 

 

August 8, Elkhart

26th Annual Mustang and Ford Car Show

Sponsor: Michiana Mustangs

Information: http://michianamustangs.com/carshow.html or 219/874-4488

 

 

August 22, Amana

1st Annual Iowa Model A Day

Sponsor: Hawk A Region Model A Restorers Club

Information: http://hawkamodelaclub.org/images/stories/downloads/amana%20model%20a%20day.pdf or 319/622-3756

 

 

August 5-8, Louisville

40th Annual Street Rod Nationals

Sponsor: National Street Rod Association

Information: http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/evdet/96 or 901/452-4030

 

 

August 14-15, Hebron

37th Annual Downeast Street Rod Run

Sponsor: Downeast Streetrod Club

Information: http://downeaststreetrodclub.com or 207/786-4176

 

 

August 8, Rockville

35th Annual All-GM Show

Sponsor: Metro Chapter Buick Club & Capital City Rockets

Information: http://local.aaca.org/chesapeake/AllGMFlyer09.htm or 240/686-0229

 

 

August 2, Bourne

2009 Blast From the Past Car Show

Sponsor: Cape Cod Classics

Information: http://www.capecodclassics.org/2009blast.pdf

 

 

August 9, Novi

21st Annual Mustang Memories Car Show and Swap Meet

Sponsor: Mustang Owners Club of Southeastern Michigan

Information: http://www.mocsem.com or 313/304-5244

 

 

August 2, Plymouth

23rd Annual Muscle Car Classic

Sponsor: Land of Lakes GTO Club

Information: http://lolgto.com/ or 651/649-4518

 

August 22, Staples

14th Annual Ride The Dream Car Show

Sponsor: Still Cruisin’ Car Club

Information: http://stillcruisincarclub.com/car_show.htm or 218/296-1288

 

August 23, Minneapolis

All Italian Car and Motorcycle Show

Sponsor: Wheels of Italy

Information: www.wheelsofitaly.com or 612/385-3111

 

 

August 1, Springfield

20th Anniversary GOMC All Ford Show

Sponsor: Greater Ozarks Mustang Club

Information: http://www.gomc.org/ or 417/883-2073

 

 

August 14-15, Libby

Ignite the Nites’ Car Show

Sponsor: Igniters Car Club

Information: www.igniterscarclub.com or 406/293-6693

 

 

August 16, Columbus

All Ford and Mustang Car Show

Sponsor: Platte Valley Mustangs

Information: http://www.pvmustangs.net/ or 402/367-4019

 

 

July 31- August 9, Reno

Hot August Nights

Information: http://www.hotaugustnights.net/ or 775/356-1956

 

 

August 14-16, Moultonborough

2009 Granite State Nationals

Information: http://www.rightcoastcars.com/shows/ln/index.html or 603/253-4199

 

 

August 29, Mahwah

2009 GTOAA Eastern Regional Meet

Sponsor: Garden State GTO’s

Information: http://www.garden-state-gtos.org/2009_regionals.htm

 

 

August 4-8, Batavia

2009 Eastern Nashionals

Sponsor: Niagara Frontier Nash Car Club

Information: 716/699-5802 or 585/374-6473

 

 

August 7-9, Columbus

29th Annual Mopar Nationals

Information: http://www.moparnats.org/index.htm or 313/278-2240

 

August 8, Pataskala

Volksfest! 19

Sponsor: Central Ohio Vintage Volkswagen Club

Information: http://www.covvc.org/ or 740/548-6522

 

August 28-30, Norwalk

8th Blue Suede Cruise

Information: http://good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=09-611 or 925/838-9876

 

 

August 1, Prairie City

14th Annual Classic Car Show

Sponsor: Grant County Kruzers

Information: http://www.ortelco.net/~kruzers/ or 541/932-4214

 

 

August 6-8, Wampum

SAAC-34

Sponsor: Shelby American Automobile Club

Information: http://www.saac.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=174&Itemid=100

 

 

August 8-9, Fort Worth

20th Annual Yellow Rose Classic

Sponsor: North Texas Mustang Club

Information: http://www.yellowrosecarshow.com/ or 817/595-6900

 

August 7-9, Beaumont

Texas Style Hot Summer Nites

Information: http://www.txhotsummernites.com/ or 409/769-7599

 

 

August 7-9, Stowe

52nd Annual Antique & Classic Car Meet

Sponsor: Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts

Information: http://www.vtauto.org/carshows.php or 802/279-0686

 

 

August 15, Roanoke

2009 Car Show

Sponsor: Roanoke Valley Volkswagen Club

Information: http://www.rvvwc.com/2009%20VMT%20RVVWC%20Car%20Show.PDF 

 

August 28-30, Richmond

Richmond Nationals

Information: http://www.nsra-usa.com/media/regforms/2009/ENTRY_FORM_RICHMOND_2009.pdf or 901/452-4030

 

 

August 9, Puyallup

17th Annual All Ford & Mustang Roundup

Sponsor: Pierce County Mustang Club

Information: http://www.piercecountymustangclub.com/ or 253/686-2519

 

August 14-16, Spokane

8th Great Northwest Nationals

Information: http://good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=09-626 or 925/838-9876

 

 

August 21-23, Wheeling

17th Annual Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

Sponsor: Ohio Valley Street Survivors

Information: 304/233-7714 or 304/639-1638

 

 

August 2-3, Elkhorn

Summer Elkhorn Car Show and Swap Meet

Sponsor: Madison Classics

Information: http://www.madisonclassics.com/car-shows/summer-elkhorn.php or 608/244-8416

 

August 9, Waukesha

Waukesha Old Car Show

Sponsor: Waukesha Old Car Club

Information: http://www.waukeshaoldcarclub.org/ or 262/547-5212

 

August 9, Berlin

22nd Annual Berlin Car Show

Sponsor: Street Cruzers

Information: http://www.streetcruzers.org/streetcruzers/Car_Show.html or 920/361-0843

 

August 15, Union Grove

2nd Justice League of Car Clubs Car Show & Drags

Sponsor: Justice League Car Club

Information: http://www.bcsm.net/justiceleague/justiceLeague09b.pdf

 

 

August 4-8, St. Albert

Rock’n August

Sponsor: St. Albert Cruisers

Information: http://www.rocknaugust.com or 780/996-4230

 

 

August 2, International Peace Garden

Great Plains International Jeepers Rendezvous

Sponsor: Westman Jeep Association

Information: http://westmanjeep.com

 

 

August 15-16, New Hamburg

30th Annual Moparfest

Information: http://www.moparfest.com/ or 519/342-1284

 

August 21-23, Cobourg

Great North American Land Yacht Regatta

Sponsor: Lincoln Continental Owners Club

Information: 416/757-5647

 

 

 

 

September 12-13, St. Charles

14th Annual Fierorama

Sponsor: Northern Illinois Fiero Enthusiasts

Information: http://www.fierofocus.com or 630/983-6434

 

 

September 4-6, Kansas City

8th Mid-Western Nationals

Information: http://good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=09-624 or 925/838-9876

 

 

September 5-6, Falmouth

Dream Cruise by the Sea

Sponsor: Falmouth Classic Car Club

Information: www.falmouthdreamcruise.com/ or 508/540-7426

 

 

September 11-13, Kalamazoo

Street Rod Nationals North

Information: http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/evdet/141 or 901/452-4030

 

 

September 5, Big Spring

Early Cars

Sponsor: http://www.earlycar.com or 432/263-0693

 

 

September 13, Ixonia

The President’s Cup

Sponsor: Wisconsin Region of Antique Automobile Club of America

Information: http://local.aaca.org/wisconsin/ or 414/236-9961

 

 

 

 

 

We’d like to know what’s going on with SEMA Action Network clubs and enthusiasts across the country; what charity events you’re involved in; when and where the rod runs, car shows, trail rides, rallies and tech meetings are held; and what legislative and regulatory issues concern club members and individual enthusiasts. 

 

One of the best ways to keep us abreast of what’s going on and what’s important to the vehicle hobbies nationwide is for us to receive your club newsletters and updates. Please consider placing SEMA on your mailing list. Send correspondence to: SEMA Action Network, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004-1105. Or by e-mail at san@sema.org.