◄ Back to Driving Force, Winter 2015
By Colby Martin
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| This limited-edition poster was given out at the SAN’s 2015 SEMA Show display. The piece featured my illustration of the newly finished ’31 Ford Model A as well as background information on the build. | |
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Like most car enthusiasts, I don’t recall a time when I wasn’t into cars. Mastering the form of a chopped hot rod coupe through drawing became an obsession early on. Owning one seemed nearly impossible. At a young age, I wondered if I could earn a living using these interests as assets. The results have proven unique.
School brought many interesting subjects, none of which could match my art classes—where hot rods were favorite subjects. Local car shows gave me a chance to showcase my illustrations publicly and design commercially. In college, I began freelancing for the automotive specialty-equipment industry.
While employed by the renowned SO-CAL Speed Shop in 2002, I purchased a chopped ’31 Ford Model A. Driving Force readers might recall seeing an in-progress photo of the hot rod on the February 2012 cover. The project began with a vintage dropped I-beam front axle that I had acquired while in high school. My father, Al Martin, bought a MIG welder and other metalworking tools as the project developed. The ’58 348ci Chevy engine, Muncie M-21 four-speed transmission and ’39 Ford Deluxe coupe dashboard were donated by friends. From there, we spent our spare time collecting parts and hand-crafting the coupe in my dad’s garage over the next 13 years. The finished product made its debut at the 2015 SEMA Show at the SEMA Action Network’s (SAN) exhibit space, as depicted on the cover of this very newsletter. It stood as a visual symbol of the types of vehicles and equipment that many jurisdictions seek to restrict and regulate. The outpouring of excitement and accolades for the car by Show attendees was absolutely gratifying and humbling for my family and me.
It’s appropriate that the ’31 should have its first public exposure through the SAN. I began supporting the advocacy group early in my 11-year career at SEMA. In fact, a pencil drawing of mine appeared on the first SAN T-shirt! When given the opportunity to lead the SAN in late 2011, my decision to accept was natural. Our work to influence automotive legislation and regulations nationwide serves to allow owners of vehicles like mine the full enjoyment of our nation’s roadways. With my lifelong passion for this hobby, it was truly an offer I could not refuse. If it’s not apparent already, I’m not only the leader of the SAN, I’m one of its biggest beneficiaries.
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| Built in my dad’s driveway over the course of 13 years, my “dream car” recently debuted at the 2015 SEMA Show proudly flying the SAN’s markings. | |
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Working with the SAN on a daily basis has redefined my understanding of our shared hobby. As you will see elsewhere in this issue, a slew of legislative victories were once again achieved across the nation in 2015. Several of these victories were the result of hard-fought battles. In Nevada, for example, legislation was introduced that would have negatively altered the requirements for vehicles eligible for registration as classic vehicles, old timers, street rods and classic rods. The bill was ultimately vetoed by the governor as a result of our persistent opposition and with the assistance of our allies in the legislature. After speaking with SAN members in Las Vegas during the SEMA Show, I was reminded just how personal these legislative proposals can be to local communities. After spending so much time, effort and money on my own hot rod, it is easy to sympathize with the threat of greater restrictions.
On behalf of the SAN, thank you for your involvement! Let’s continue to rally others in preparation for the 2016 legislative sessions. Together, we will continue to make a difference for ourselves and for the “gearheads” of future generations.