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WEB RESERVES

Summer Tan? Think Summer Plan!

Build Relationships With Lawmakers on Your Home Turf

With state legislative sessions adjourning nationwide, lawmakers are returning to their home districts for the remainder of the year. Make the most of this opportunity by learning about lawmakers in your state that have chosen to be recognized for their support of our great American automotive hobby. This esteemed group comprises the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus, which has representation in each of the 50 states. Check out the 146 newest members in the “Caucus Connection” portion of the Driving Force newsletter’s Summer 2015 edition (shown at right).

To view the entire roster of caucus members, head over to the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) website and find the group’s homepage at semaSAN.com/StateCaucus. The page features direct links to each legislator’s public webpage which contains contact information at the capitol and home districts.

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Legislative Front Lines

• Provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan Proclaim July 2015 as "AUTOMOTIVE HERITAGE MONTH"

• Hawaii Bill to Eliminate Ethanol in Gasoline Signed Into Law

• Oregon Bill to Create Mandatory Car Tax for Miles Traveled Dies as Legislature Adjourns

• Province of Manitoba Again Proclaims July 12, 2015 as "COLLECTOR CAR APPRECIATION DAY"

• Michigan Considers Implementing Road User Fee

• Oregon Bill to Eliminate Ethanol Requirement in Gasoline Dies as Legislature Adjourns

SEMA SAN Strike Force

Robin Cole is standing in front of a 1970 Dodge Duster, just one vehicle from her stable of Mopars. “We had to build a second garage at our home in Elk Grove, California, in order to accommodate my expanding group of cars,” Cole explains. Her current collection also includes a 1967 Sports Fury convertible, a convertible Fury III and a 1969 Dodge Coronet 440. The 1967 Sports Fury convertible was featured on the steps of the state’s capitol at the 2006 Association of California Car Clubs (ACCC) conference.

“I have always loved classic cars and consider myself a Mopar girl,” says Robin Cole. “I think growing up in the early ‘70s and going to high school in Miami, Florida, it would have been hard not to pick up on some of the car culture. I was always around guys who were rebuilding and modifying their cars.” Robin’s first car and project was a 1964 Plymouth Valiant station wagon, complete with push button transmission, which she lovingly hand-sanded and painted. At age 21, every other paycheck was put into to her 1969 Sports Fury convertible. The car was packing a high-performance 383 c.i. big block, good for about 7 miles per gallon. “I finally bought a Chilton’s guide and an owner’s manual, then rented an engine hoist,” exclaims Cole. “I got the engine out and spent the better part of a year rebuilding it myself after work every day. However, dropping back in was a real challenge—I broke the bell housing and had trouble setting the motor mounts but I finally got it running again.” Since then, she’s been able to get both sons and her husband involved in the hobby.

Upon moving to Sacramento in 1992, Robin quickly linked up with the area’s car club scene. She joined the Capital City Mopars (CCM) of which she remains a member today. Within 6 months, she was asked to start attending conferences held by the Association of California Car Clubs (ACCC). Not long after, she enlisted in the SEMA Action Network (SAN) and became the Legislative Director of the ACCC. She was awarded the CCM’s “member of the year” about six years ago and was also gifted a lifetime membership. At this year’s ACCC conference, Cole received the biggest shock of all by being voted “most valuable member.” Recently, she began a group called the California Motorists Rights Coalition to work with state’s legislators on behalf of the auto hobby.

Congratulations on your well-deserved accolades, Robin. Bravo!

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