[bow]

Why do most of you think having Politicians enacting new laws will make everything okay, and all of the people who ae not now following the current laws are going to abide by any new ones.

[bow]

Could it be possible that some Antique and Classic car clubs are actually in concert with the Lawyers, insurance companies and other special interest groups to enact new or tougher regulations and laws. Why should anyone owning a classic car (or any car) have to join a club? I also own two vintage motorcycles. Should I have to join a Motorcycle club also?
Politicians can come up with enough wacky laws without help from people who are merely trying to enjoy a rather expensive hobby that is helping to preserve part of an America already destroyed by the so called servants of the public trust.

[rocketraider]

Don't get me wrong. I'm against stupid, nanny, or revenue-generating legislation as much as anyone and probably more than most.

But if it means being able to keep my antique plates instead of having them gutted because the state keeps selling antique plates for clunkers instead of policing themselves...

Burden of proof should be on owner/applicant first, and if he can't prove his car is driven and maintained as a collector car instead of possible use as daily transportation, then the state should deny the antique plate application.

Take away the financial incentive the Virginia antique license plate affords, you'll see the problem correct itself shortly. In the meantime, the existing antique plates that have been issued to clunker daily drivers have to be dealt with and rescinded. They're permanent plates and that will complicate things. DMV's pat response to complaints is to turn in the plate to local law enforcement. Local LE doesn't want to be bothered with improper registration tickets. Then the damn lawmakers want to swoop down and gut things for everyone.

I still say the DMV should screen every antique plate application that crosses the counter and require the applicant to request the plates instead of suggesting the car is eligible for them.

[R W Burgess]

bow, Virginia's legislative seminars are ongoing. There will be NO requirement to join a car club in Virginia to have antique tags. There MAY be a milage restriction somewhere in the future, but that doesn't look like that's going to happen now either. As I write this, there's still a little stalemate as eveyone imvolved tries the rectify this situation, basically an abuse of the use of the antique tag. It'll probably be after the first of the year before anything actually takes the form of a bill in Virginia.

Wayne

[Dynaflash8]

In fact, in 1960 AACA did recognize cars 25 years old and older, and that was 1935. They also recognized specified "classic cars" up to 1948 at that time. However, the rules said that 1935 was the permanent and definite cut-off. That rule was not changed until 1968 when the rule was changed to allow one new year every other year. By 1974 the 1935 rule had moved up to 1938. In 1974 the rules were changed to again be 25 years old and older, which allowed the 1939 through 1950 cars all to come in at the same time, during that one year. This history is in the front of the AACA Policy & Procedure Manual which can be found in the top yellow line under Publications.

[R W Burgess]

Just when you think things are going well, we have this to deal with;

From our main man, Tom Cox!

Quote:

Hello Everyone,
I am writing to ask that you please have as many people as possible contact ( call and E-mail ) Senator Martin Williams, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee to ask that he rescind his amendment to our bill that would leave the 250 mile limit on pleasure use driving.

All was well until late today when the Senate Transportation Committee decided to amend HB2465 to leave the 250 mile limit in the statute, after it had been removed as a result of hard won compromise in the House. This limitation is unenforceable and may actually make it more difficult to enforce the new statute, allowing parasitic use of our tag to go unpunished.

This is not the end of the world since you may still drive an unlimited number of miles to any club functions or shows. However, this limit on pleasure driving more than 250 miles from your home is needless. Especially given all the other changes that are being made to the statute to eliminate abuse. It is also unenforceable.

Very politely ask that the Senator pass HB2465 exactly as the House approved after long hours of negotiation without amendment. His contact info is below.

This cannot wait!!! Please do this now and pass it on.
Thanks,
Tom Cox

Senator Martin E. Williams
(R) - Senate District 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In-session address:
General Assembly Building, Room 332
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7501

email: district01@sov.state.va.us

[R W Burgess]

It's not getting any better guys, but at least it's moving ahead!
Wayne

Hot off the presses today, February, 20,2007!

Quote:

HB 2465 Alert !!!


Hello All,
I thought before the rumor mill cranked up, I would let you know that HB2465 was amended two more times today by the Senate. In addition to restoring the 250 mile limit late last week, the Senate, at the request of Senator Marty Williams has again ignored us and amended the bill. His amendments today reduced the penalty for misuse to a class 4 misdemeanor (minor traffic violation), which is not really a huge problem for us. It does however put less fear in the hearts of those who would abuse the tags. In addition, he has removed the prohibition against commercial use, which is not really a good thing. Although, there is still specific language outlining the use parameters which prevents the carrying of anything other than passengers, their personal effects, and or other antique vehicles for show purposes. That coupled with the limited use language accomplishes the same goal though perhaps not as succinctly.

At the end of the day we should allow the House to accept these amendments and move on. Further beating this horse next year could prove more perilous, creating as yet unknown problems for us. No it isn't perfect, but I will take it after two years of wrangling. We still avoided annual State inspections, loss of our personal property tax exemption, and far worse possibilities. I have spoken with Delegates Marshall, Griffith, as well as Senator Bell, DMV, and Delegate Wardrups office and they concur. Let's let this rest for now.

Sincerely,
Tom Cox
President Southwest VA Car Council
Chairman Legislative Affairs AACA

[rocketraider]

Wayne, you'll have to keep me posted thru this site as me magic box went terminal a couple weeks ago and at 8 years old I am really not inclined to spend any money on it. I can surf a little at work.

I sure hate our "own" improvements are being slowly gutted. The legislator probably thinks he's doing us a favor, but all that will happen is this will come up again in a few years- probably with worse returns.

I just hope Danny will shut up about it. I may not be entirely civil if he pushes it again. It's interesting that in the newsletters he puts in the local papers, he has not mentioned his efforts to gut a law that didn't need changing, just enforcing. Crows pretty loud about other stuff he does though. That "Earnhardt Day" bill he pushed thru grated on me.

[R W Burgess]

He's no friend of mine either Glenn. I had Steve send him an AACA Magazine (Thanks Steve!) to see what our hobby is about hoping he would join. I haven't heard one way of the other what happened afterwards. I don't expect him to send a thank you to any of us.

I'll keep you informed.

wayne

[R W Burgess]

From Delegate Danny Marshall,

Quote:

2.27.07

Thanks to all of you for your work on the Antique tag bill for 2007. As you may know, the House passed 100% of the bill. When it went to Senate Transportation, they added back in the 250 miles, deleted the "commercial" part. I think we got 90% of what we wanted. Let me know if we want to go back in 2008 or 2009 and try and fix these problems. The Governor can make changes to the bill also. So we are not finished yet.

Danny Marshall

Wayne