May 2011

At Mid-term, SAN Stands at the Head of the Class

 

Remember in high school when you would dread the thought of the semester’s report card? Panic would set in, and your mind would race with apprehension as you braced yourself for the news. Had you prepared enough for your algebra final? Did you recall that there are nine planets in the solar system (or did Pluto’s demotion bring that number down to eight)? Relax. This time, the report card brings great news! As we hit the mid-term of the state legislative season, the SAN is proud to showcase an “A+” grade in its efforts to defend and promote the rights of America’s automotive enthusiasts. So far this year, from coast-to-coast, SAN members have dealt with a wide array of legislative initiatives. Some proposals were good, some were bad, but SAN members buckled down and scored high marks on protecting the hobby!

 

Arkansas: SAN defeated legislation that would have allowed cities to remove inoperable vehicles from private property if the vehicle was deemed a 

“nuisance” under a local ordinance.

 

Hawaii: SAN was part of a coalition that opposed legislation to ban the installation, ownership or use of any car with aftermarket speakers more than 6.5 in. in height or depth, any five-speaker aftermarket system, any aftermarket speaker more than 100 watts and any aftermarket speaker installed external to the passenger compartment or in an open hatch back. The bill will not be considered in the Hawaii legislature this year.

 

Nebraska: Governor Dave Heineman signed into law a SAN-supported bill to redefine parts cars and make such vehicles easier to transfer. Prior to the bill’s enactment, Nebraska required a certificate of title when transferring any vehicle. The new law, effective immediately, allows for parts cars to be transferred using only a bill of sale issued by

the DMV.

 

Nebraska: SAN successfully opposed legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state so that labeling is only required when gasoline contains 11% or more alcohol. The bill would have made it impossible for enthusiasts to know whether the gasoline they put into their vehicles contains any ethanol, making it possible to misfuel the vehicle and cause engine damage. While the measure will receive no further consideration this year, it will remain alive through the 2012 legislative session.

 

North Carolina: SAN-supported legislation requiring ethanol content labels on all pumps that dispense ethanol-blended gasoline has been signed into law by North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. Previously, retailers were not required to post labels regarding 

ethanol content.

 

North Dakota: As a result of the opposition mounted by SAN, 

legislation that threatened to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that altered the manufacturer’s original suspension, steering or brake system was amended to remove those restrictions.

 

Oregon: At the insistence of SAN, the sponsor of the legislation bill that would have banned the sale of certain new motor-vehicle exhaust systems has decided to withdraw the measure from further consideration.

 

Oregon: As a result of SAN-opposition, a bill that would have severely limited vehicle suspension, body lift and wheel/tire alterations died without committee consideration. The measure sought to ban vehicles whose bumpers were elevated more than 3 in. over the original manufactured bumper clearance.

 

Utah: SAN-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert. Under previous law, Utah reserved the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older.

 

Washington: Under pressure from SAN, legislation that originally sought to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “collector vehicles” was amended. Under the amended bill, vehicles seeking registration as collector vehicles and the one-time registration fee would still only be required to be at least 30 years old and not 40 years old as the original bill required. The bill also now deletes provisions that would have created penalties for violating the limited-use provisions.

 

Washington: In an agreement reached with SAN, legislation to require annual renewal fees for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates did not receive committee consideration this year. Under the bill, the initial $35 license plate fee for these vehicles would have remained and a new annual $30 renewal fee would have been added.

 

Washington: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles was signed into law by Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 years old and manufactured after 1948. Kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.

 

West Virginia: SAN-opposed legislation to provide that the noise from a motor-vehicle exhaust system that has been deemed “disturbing or unreasonably loud” constitutes the crime of disturbing the peace did not receive committee consideration. Under the bill, violators could have been fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, jailed for six months or both.

 

Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation withdrew its SAN-opposed proposal to prohibit the registration of imported vehicles manufactured after 1967 that do not meet federal safety standards. U.S. law specifically exempts imported vehicles that are 25 years old and older from these safety standards.

 

Wyoming: A SAN-supported bill to ease the burden on hobbyists by providing an exemption from bonded title requirements was signed into law by Governor Matt Mead. By allowing enthusiasts to title vehicles being restored for personal use without posting bond, the exemption reduces costs associated with titling hobby vehicles when an original title was never issued or can no longer be located.

 

As you can see, the first half of the 2011 legislative session has been a busy (and productive) one for SAN and its members. The second half undoubtedly will bring new challenges and opportunities. Rest assured, SAN is on the case, working diligently, doing our homework and preparing for the challenging tests that lay ahead. Be sure to visit www.SEMASAN.com for up-to-the-minute information on the issues affecting the hobby.

 

 

 

 

Last month, Senator Mark Manendo and Assemblymember Richard Carrillo, Nevada Members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, participated in a friendly game of basketball against their Republican counterparts to benefit charities within the state. Founded in 2005 as a non-partisan group of state legislators whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles, the caucus recently enrolled its 500th member.

 

 

 

 

Arizona Emissions Exemption: Legislation that originally sought to exempt all vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s mandatory biennial emissions inspection program was amended and passed in the Arizona House and Senate. Under the amendment, vehicles manufactured in the ’74 model year and earlier would be exempted after approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently, only vehicles manufactured in 1966 and earlier and “collectibles” are exempt. The bill has now been sent to the governor for her signature and enactment into law. While the bill is now not as inclusive as the previous version, SEMA continues to support the measure for creating additional model-year exemptions. 

 

Connecticut Antique Vehicles: The SAN is opposing legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles.” The bill was amended in Joint Committee on Planning and Development to increase the age requirement for registration as an antique to 30 years old and increase the tax assessment amount on vehicles registered as antiques to $2,500. Currently, vehicles 20 years old or older are eligible for antique status and antique, rare or special-interest motor vehicles are assessed at a rate of $500, and owners pay personal property taxes on that amount. The bill will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

 

Florida Street Rods/Customs: The SAN is supporting Florida legislation to correct existing titling laws to include street rods and custom vehicles. Due to the enactment of SEMA-model legislation in 2007, Florida already provides for the registration of these specialty vehicles. The bill will require titles to be issued under the provisions that provide for rebuilt vehicles and be labeled with “street rod” or “custom vehicle” designations. The bill also offers a means for enthusiasts who are unable to provide the DMV with sufficient proof of ownership for a vehicle, or its major component parts, to obtain a bonded title for the vehicle.

 

Iowa Ethanol: The SAN is opposing Iowa legislation to change labeling requirements on gas pumps across the state to only require labeling for unblended gasoline and E85. Current law in Iowa requires labeling when gasoline is blended with ethanol, in any amount. If enacted, the bill would remove labeling requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline containing 15% or less ethanol, thereby increasing the risk of misfueling and potential engine damage. Unblended gas is required to be labeled, but there is no guarantee that unblended gas will be available. The EPA has been urged to create national labeling requirements for ethanol-blended gasoline that are placed as close as possible to the pump’s product selection mechanism, but since such requirements are not currently in place, vehicle owners must rely on state labeling requirements for information about the gasoline they use in their vehicles. 

 

Nevada Emissions Exemptions: SAN-supported legislation to provide that classic vehicles and classic rods would be exempted from emissions inspections if owners pay a one-time $6 fee and submit a certification that their vehicle will not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year was passed by the Nevada Assembly. Currently, classic rods and classic vehicles are subject to a 2,500 mile per year limit to qualify for an emissions exemption and must pass an initial two-speed idle emissions inspection to qualify. Also, each year the owners of classic rods and classic vehicles must fill out a certification that their vehicles have not been driven more than 2,500 miles during the previous year and the certification must be verified by a DMV emissions technician. Under the bill, the initial emissions inspection would no longer be required. The bill will now be considered by the Nevada State Senate.

 

Nevada Old Car Tax: The SAN is supporting Nevada legislation to repeal a 2009 increase in the valuation of older vehicles for the purpose of assessing the yearly government services tax. The 2009 increase raised the tax assessment from 5% to 15% of the initial value of a vehicle nine years old and older. The bill changes the yearly assessment rate back to 5% of the initial value. 

 

Tennessee Emissions Tests: SAN-supported legislation to exempt vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s annual emissions inspection and maintenance program has been sent to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. To qualify for the exemption, these vehicles must be registered as “antique motor vehicles.” Existing law only exempts vehicles manufactured before the ’75 model year from emissions inspections. 

 

 

 

 

 

The SAN submitted comments to a Nova Scotia proposal to regulate altered-height vehicles. The proposal is the policy adopted by the Canadian Council for Motor Transport Administrators. Two years ago at SAN’s request, a Nova Scotia regulation that would have required retailers and installers to provide proof that all suspension lift products had been approved by a certified engineer was put on hold to allow regulatory agencies to conduct an impact study. At the time, the province had only one certified engineer available to conduct these inspections. In its comments, SAN reiterated its support for the 1988 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ (AAMVA) policy as the only model regulation of its kind that gained the support of the car companies, the affected industry and the regulators and is still as valid and effective today as when first adopted.

 

“The SEMA Action Network has consistently supported enactment of responsible regulations in the matter of raised vehicles and has indicated its willingness to work with jurisdictional enforcement groups to assess and improve provincial and state regulations with the assistance of comprehensive data and support,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. 

 

The SAN continues to support the 1988 AAMVA model because it was founded on comprehensive OEM engineering analysis and data and it allows a reasonable opportunity for utility and performance-enhancing modifications. When adopted and enforced, the model prohibits unreasonable height modifications. The SAN is unaware of any data or information otherwise demonstrating that the 1988 AAMVA standard allows modifications which are the cause of accidents or injuries. In fact, if regulated within the current AAMVA standard, the variation in vehicle ride heights, bumper and frame heights due to aftermarket modification is not a factor considering the greater variation between stock OEM vehicles on the road today.

 

 

 

 

 

May 6, Yucaipa

Family Classic Car Cruise Night

Sponsor: Past Pleasures Car Club

Information: www.pastpleasurescarclub.com

 

May 7, Redwood City

American Truck Show

Information: 650/368-8212

 

May 14–15, Davis

Davis Car Show & Swap Meet and Autocross

Sponsor: Golden Gate Chapter & Sacramento Chapter, Volvo Club of America

Information: www.ggvcoa.org

 

May 19–21, Petaluma

Cruisin’ the Boulevard

Information: www.americangraffiti.net

 

May 19–22, Morro Bay

North Meets South

Sponsor: 356 Club of Southern California

Information: 949/697-4499

 

May 21, Suisun City

27th Annual Biggest Little Car Show 

Information: 510/453-6203

 

May 27–30, Anderson Dry Lake

Hi Desert Round-Up

Information: www.cal4wheel.com

 

 

May 7, Putnam

Cinco De Mayo Run

Sponsor: Connecticut MG Club

Information: 860/346-0005

 

 

May 21, Valdosta

5th Annual Super Cruise-In

Sponsor: South Georgia Classic Car Club 

and South Georgia Corvette Club

Information: 229/834-6622 or 229/251-8558

 

May 21, Norcross

Norcross Open Car Show

Information: 770/448-2664 or 770/316-0073

 

 

May 15, O'Fallon

30th Annual Dare Autofest & Swap Meet

Sponsor: Party Tyme Kruzers

Information: stevewittlich@yahoo.com or 618/277-8175

 

May 21, Northlake

"If It Has Wheels" 10th Annual Car Show

Sponsor: If It Has Wheels Car Club of West Leyden High School

Information: rpaczkowski@leyden212.org or 630/989-1610

 

 

May 20–22, Nashville

34th Annual Shelby Spring Fling

Sponsor: Indiana SAAC

Information: 812/988-7146

 

 

May 1, Louisville

NSRA Kentucky 17th Annual Safety Day

Information: 502/741-1229 or 502/969-1370

 

 

May 14, Lebanon

Maine NSRA Appreciation Day

Information: 207/457-1093

 

 

May 15, Charlton

NSRA Appreciation Day & Open House

Information: 508/248-1555

 

May 29, Attleboro

36th Annual Bristol Stomp Rod Run

Sponsor: Bristol City Street Rods

Information: 508/222-7518

 

 

May 22, Warren

2nd Annual Charity Fundraiser, Special Needs Boy Scout Troop 390 Car Show

Information: 586/757-2481 or 586/759-3439

 

 

May 27–29, Springfield

28th Annual NSRA Mid-Am Street Rod Nats

Information: 574/875-4032

 

 

May 27–29, Syracuse

King of Trucks All Truck Super Show

Information: 800/753-3978 or 

 www.RightCoastCars.com

 

May 22, Smithtown

6th Annual Spring Car Show Fundraiser

Sponsor: St. Patrick School

Information: 631/588-2696

 

 

May 15, Coos Bay

Sunset Classic Chevys Annual Swap Meet

Information: 541/269-9871

 

May 27–28, Prineville

Annual Rod & Custom Weekend

Sponsor: Central Oregon Street Rod Association

Information: 541/548-8368

 

 

May 20–22, Carlisle

Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals

Sponsor: Carlisle Events

Information: 717/243-7855

 

 

May 29, Houston

17th Annual People’s Choice Car Show

Sponsor: Texas Gulf Coast Oldsmobile Club

Information: 281/970-3041

 

May 27–29, Dallas/Ft. Worth

29th Annual Lone Star Classic Chevy Convention

Information: www.lonestarchevys.com

 

 

May 6–8, Knoxville

37th Annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals

Information: 303/776-7841

 

 

 

 

 

The contest will reward current SAN members for recruiting new SAN members. If you’re already enrolled in the Challenge, thank you for joining and keep recruiting new SAN members! With more than 60 contestants in the running already, the race is tight!

 

Sign up to compete today for a chance to win the Grand Prize—a FREE trip for two to the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Challenge participants are responsible for identifying and signing-up new members to the SAN. The entrant who takes the checkered flag—enrolls the most new SAN members by September 1, 2011—will win entry into the world’s premier automotive specialty products trade event. Ten runners-up will win a year’s subscription to the Source Interlink Media automotive publication of their choice.

 

Contact us today to qualify for the challenge. Don’t miss your opportunity to win passes, hotel accommodations and airfare for two to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show.

 

Registration of new members for the Challenge can only be made at www.semasan.com/san/join.aspx, and contest entrants must ensure that new members write-in the entrant’s name in the “please specify” section of the online registration form under “How Did You Hear About SAN?”

 

 

 

 

 

Owner: Doug Wheeler

Washington, D.C.

 

I have shared the love of cars with my father since I was old enough to walk and the Shelby Cobra was as good as it got. Two years ago, for my 40th birthday, I decided that I had waited long enough, and this was the solution to a well-executed midlife crisis.

 

A few months later, I was in Atlanta at Planet Cobra gazing over the multiple Shelby Cobras in stock and found mine—a stunning navy blue car. But which motor? A modern aluminum 427FE or a vintage iron block 427FE? The answer to this question led me to one of the coolest experiences of the build. I was introduced to Dwight Powell, an engine builder specializing in Ford FEs since 1968.

 

Dwight’s shop was a bit like walking into a ’60s time warp—a treasure trove of NOS Ford FE parts, with boxes of pistons, rods and heads stacked on shelves, cranks hanging from racks and 427/428 FE blocks stacked in a corner like cord wood. Turns out that Dwight bought up left-over NOS 427 blocks from NASCAR shops years ago after they changed the rules so teams couldn’t run 427s any longer.

 

I knew right then and there that Dwight would build the motor for my Cobra. I took advantage of his inventory, and my motor is almost entirely NOS (a 427 side oiler block, medium riser heads, a steel crank, TRW small dome pistons and Lemans rods). Not the choice some would make, but I love the authenticity. Even the cam is an old school Holman Moody “B” grind flat tappet cam, with solid lifters happily ticking away. The motor has 11:1 compression and makes about 500 hp.

 

Two months later, I met my father in Atlanta for a test drive—900 miles back to D.C. I spent the next two days with my father on the back roads of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. The Cobra was raw, loud and fast. Just the way it should be. We ran the Tail of the Dragon several times and spent many beautiful hours on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a perfect father/son road trip and a memorable maiden voyage.

 

 

 

 

At the request of the SAN, Senator John Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) have introduced and the Senate has approved Resolution 154 (S. Res. 154) in the United States Senate, officially designating July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” S. Res. 154 states that the Senate “recognizes that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.”

 

The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. “Last year, thousands of Americans gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “As we move forward, SEMA’s commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry through its projects and programs is evident in this special day.”

 

Senators Tester and Burr, both members of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, have been strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington. By sponsoring S. Res. 154, Tester and Burr have reaffirmed their understanding of the cultural importance of collector cars. The caucus is an informal, non-partisan group that pays tribute to America’s ever growing love affair with the car and motorsports. The caucus recognizes the integral role collector cars have played in fostering our nation’s appreciation for the automobile’s unique historical place in our history. 

 

Car clubs, individuals and all SAN members are encouraged to organize events to help celebrate the day. For a listing of 2011 Collector Car Appreciation Day events already planned, visit www.semasan.com/collectorcarappreciationday. For more information or to have your event included, please contact Ashley Ailsworth at ashleya@sema.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we all know, our love of cars unites us all to give back to the community we live in. We organize things such as shows, cruise-ins and track days to raise funds for needy causes and to educate the public. For 18 years, Eagle One has recognized the philanthropy efforts of the nation’s car clubs and enthusiasts to show that there is more to car clubs than just a love of automobiles. Eagle One’s Golden Rule Awards showcase the great support of community that local car clubs provide.

 

One such club, the Colorado Springs Corvette Club, won the 2010 western region and was selected as the Grand Prize winner among four regional winners for the most compassionate achievement. Over the holiday season, the club donated baskets with complete Christmas dinners and enough food for a week to feed more than 1,000 needy family members, primarily children, in their area.

 

“Eagle One has been proud to recognize and reward car clubs for the outstanding work they perform in their communities while actively engaged in the preservation of one of our country’s greatest heritages, the automobile,” said Rob McCarter, brand manager for Eagle One.

 

Eagle One and associate sponsor Valvoline donated $1,500 to the club’s favorite charity and donated $500 to the charities of the three other regional winners. In addition to these donations, the clubs received a custom-designed award, Eagle One appearance car products and Valvoline oil for fundraising purposes.