Driving Force (SEMA Newsletter) - February 2006

The Driving Force Newsletter is produced by: Specialty Equipment Market Association, Inc. (SEMA) 1575 South Valley Vista Drive Diamond Bar, California 91765

To view the newsletter as it was printed, go to http://www.semasan.com/images/df_0206.pdf.

We hope that the information contained in The Driving Force is useful and informative. We encourage our readers, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and car clubs to disseminate this information in newsletters and in meetings. If material from The Driving Force is used in your publications or in meetings, however, we do ask that you attribute the information to SEMA. Thank you and enjoy!

Copyright 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association, Inc. (SEMA)

SEMA Driving Force - February 2006

Good News in the Granite State!

New Hampshire Lawmaker Introduces Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill

As legislatures across the country are back in action, enthusiasts in New Hampshire are rallying behind SEMA model legislation which will create special titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles. Introduced by State Senator Rob Boyce, the bill (S.B. 288) provides special license plates for these vehicles. Senator Boyce is also a member of the SEMA-sponsored State Automotive Enthusiasts Leadership Caucus.

For many vehicle enthusiasts in New Hampshire and throughout America, building, maintaining and enjoying their hot rods is a favorite pastime, commented Senator Boyce. This legislation represents an opportunity to acknowledge their commitment to the hobby and to protect it for future generations. Working with SEMA, we¹ve managed to craft a piece of legislation that inserts common sense into the titling and registration requirements for customs and street rods. As a car nut who built his first hot rod at age 15, I'm excited by the prospect of having this bill passed by the legislature and signed into law. Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming are among the states whose legislators have also introduced or are considering introducing street rod and custom vehicle titling and registration legislation in 2006. In addition, officials in Oregon are proposing to enact provisions of the SEMA bill through administrative regulations.

The SEMA-model legislation provides for special license plates and exempts rods and customs from periodic inspections and emissions tests. It also provides for the use of non-original materials and requires an initial safety inspection based on criteria established in part by the local hobbyist community. Under the legislation, a replica vehicle is assigned the same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles.

The bill stipulates that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may be used only for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation. The model bill is the product of consultation with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), local police departments, regulators and hobbyists. The bill has been previously enacted in Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana and Rhode Island.

We are extremely gratified that, through the persistence of pro-hobby legislators like Senator Boyce, New Hampshire could join the list of states that recognize street rods and customs as distinct classes of vehicles, said SEMA Vice President, Government Affairs Steve McDonald. This legislation offers the added benefit of also including qualifying replicas and kit cars in these specialty-vehicle titling and registration classifications. Bills like these help avert complicated titling and registration processes that have created confusion among vehicle owners and DMV officials challenged with applying these laws at the ground level. Anyone interested in reviewing the model bill or obtaining information on how to pursue a plan to enact the model into law in their state should contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

Caucus Corner

New Hampshire State Senator Rob Boyce: Resident of Alton, NH. Elected to the State House of Representatives in 1996; served two terms. Elected to the State Senate in 2000; currently serving in his third term. Prior to serving in the legislature, Senator Boyce ran his own computer consultant service and taught part time at the Laconia Community and Technical College. He has also been involved in retail and wholesale sales of automobiles and automotive parts.

New Caucus Members Michigan: Representative Joe Hune Virginia: Delegate William Fralin

* Editor's Note: Each month Driving Force will feature a member of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. The SEMA-supported caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.

Summary of SEMA-Model Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill

Defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948.

Provides specific registration classes and license plates for street rods and custom vehicles.

Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials.

Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections and emissions inspections.

Provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.

Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from a range of standard-equipment requirements.

Allows the use of blue-dot taillights on street rods and custom vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS

Arizona Collector Cars: Legislation has been introduced in the Arizona State legislature for the 2006 session that would provide for a $16 one-time registration fee for vehicles 25-years old and older. The bill also provides for a $50 one-time license plate fee and a one-time $34 vehicle license tax for these vehicles. The measure would further allow the director of the state¹s Department of Environmental Quality to exempt 25-year old and older vehicles from mandated emissions inspections. Under a law enacted last year, qualified collectible vehicles (at least 15-years old) could be exempted from emissions inspection if approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of Arizona¹s state plan for air quality.

California/Virginia Key Information: Pending legislation in both California and Virginia would require vehicle manufacturers to provide a means by which vehicle owners could obtain all information required to enable the reproduction of any key required to operate a vehicle. Under both measures, the information would be accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The bills would apply to 2007 and subsequent model year vehicles.

Illinois Inoperable Vehicles: SAN-opposed legislation has been introduced in Illinois to redefine inoperable motor vehicles to include vehicles incapable of being driven under their own power for a period of seven days. Under current law, these vehicles must be undriveable for a period of at least six months to be deemed inoperable and thus subject to disposal by a county. Last year, the SAN stalled Illinois legislation that threatened to further restrict the ability of Illinois hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. That bill removed historic vehicles over 25-years of age from a list of vehicles exempt from county inoperable vehicle ordinances if they are not kept within a building.

Indiana Taxes: SAN-supported legislation to exempt antique vehicles from the county excise surtax has been introduced in Indiana. The county surtax is applied at a rate of between $7.50 and $25 annually for each motor vehicle registered in the county. Under current Indiana law, an antique vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle or motor scooter that is at least twenty-five (25) years old.

Oregon Specialty: Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has directed the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to write a proposed rule that would require all 2009 and later model cars sold in Oregon to meet tougher tailpipe standards. Kulongoski is seeking a temporary emissions rule by the end of the year, which could later be converted to permanent emissions standards. The governor¹s action has provided an opportunity for us to work with DEQ officials on a program to exempt all specialty vehicles (including street rods, customs, replicas, assembled and reconstructed vehicles) from emissions inspections. Our DEQ contact is drafting a regulation to exempt all of these vehicles in the proposal being prepared for the governor.

Washington Off-Road Access: The SAN is supporting a bill in Washington State to require the Department of Natural Resources to inventory all roads and trails under its jurisdiction. In the future, the Department would have to ensure that there is no net loss of roads or trail miles available when making any changes in public road access. Roads temporarily open for forestry operations would not qualify toward the mileage quota of roads available for public motorized access.

OFF ROAD NEWS

Off-Roaders Gear Up For U.S. Senate Debate On Endangered Species Act

As Congress reconvenes in 2006, the OHV community, land developers and environmental groups are gearing up for the much anticipated debate over the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The SAN has made passage of a reform bill a legislative priority. Since it was enacted in 1973, the ESA has eliminated access to millions of acres of land, including many roads and trails responsibly enjoyed by off-highway (OHV) enthusiasts, while providing little benefit for species.

Just to provide one example of how the ESA impacts off-roaders, a recreation area can be closed to all motorized users while it is determined if an animal or plant is endangered or threatened. With respect to private land, control of the property is limited once the animal or plant is officially listed. While triggering land closures, however, the law has failed to achieve the goal of preserving species. Only 1 percent of the 1,300 species listed have ever been removed from the list. The SAN supports common sense reforms to protect species without unnecessarily depriving the OHV community of recreational opportunities.

A great deal of progress was achieved in 2005. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bi-partisan bill (HR 3824) introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA). The bill would overhaul the existing process for designating endangered species. A key piece of the proposal would replace existing critical habitat requirements, one of the more contentious areas of the existing law and a frequent source of lawsuits, with ³recovery habitats. These recovery habitats would have fewer legal restrictions and be linked into the species recovery planning process. The bill also calls for compensating private property owners for land-use restrictions due to an endangered species. Other features of the bill include the use of the best available scientific data in determining species status, expanding the role of state and local governments in the decision making process, and increasing the openness and accountability of the agencies involved in the designation process.

The Senate is now poised to act in 2006. Legislation (S 2110) has been introduced to lengthen the period of time federal authorities have to consider listing a species for protection and to give tax credits (rather than direct compensation) to landowners who enter into agreements to conserve listed species. More reform legislation is expected later this winter and there will be a push for lawmakers to hold hearings and pass the bills. The SAN will keep you informed about its status. SEMA is also working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the BlueRibbon Coalition in this effort.

Club Spotlight

Youth Program is Grade A!

Mike Silliman

President, Mohican Model A Ford Club

Cazenovia, New York

The Mohican Model A Ford Club, like most other clubs nationwide, has noticed the alarming trend in the average age of its members. The young members are 50 to 60 years old and there are almost no members under 30 years old. The skills and talents of the older generation will be lost if their knowledge is not passed down to younger generations. Even though over the years we have presented many technical seminars on restoration, this has only helped the older members and not the youth. There are many years of experience restoring classic and antique cars in our club and they need to be transferred to younger generations before it is lost.

In 2000 the club's Board of Directors realized that something had to be done to correct this. A special committee was formed to come up with possible solutions and a comprehensive program to help youth members restore a classic or antique car was established.

To date, the youth program has helped with a frame-off restoration of a Model A, assisted with work on a VW Bug and helped put a Lincoln Continental on the road. The club not only helps financially with the restoration, but also provides advice and volunteers to assist in the project. We are currently still assisting with the VW project and are looking at projects for 2006.

In addition, a new scholarship program was established in 2005 with a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of a Model A that was left to the club by long-time member Wally Towne after his passing. The car was sold by sealed bid to a member with the stipulation that it would not be resold for a minimum of three years and would be driven to some of the car club events throughout the year.

In furthering our youth efforts, the club has held a series of five seminars at the local technical high school and have sponsored the local Boy Scout troop at our annual show.

Without the involvement of the youth, there will be no future for our hobby. It is the duty of every club to extend a welcome hand to the youth of the community.

[Editor's note: The SEMA Action Network would like to thank the Mohican Model A Club for their continued support of the SAN and the future of this great hobby.]

Hey, That¹s My Car!

An Olds but a Goodie

1973 Oldsmobile Omega

Owner: Tom James

Pittsburgh, PA

I placed the order for my 1973 Omega on November 28, 1972, the first production year for the Oldsmobile compact series. My two-door coupe, model B27, was the most popular model of the three produced with a total production run of 26,126. The original intent was to use it as my everyday driver and when the time came, trade it in for something else. One thing led to another and here we are thirty-three years later and she looks as good as the day I picked her up at the dealership. I restored the car to showroom condition in 2000/2001 and we have been cruising and showing the car every chance we get. Circumstances permitting, I hope to add at least one more Olds to my collection. In the meantime I¹m enjoying getting reacquainted with the hobby and the great people in it. Specs: 1973 Oldsmobile Omega Drivetrain: Olds Rocket 350; TH350 auto transmission with 3:42 posi rear Wheels: B.F. Goodrich T/A radials on 14 sport III wheels Body: GM #42 Emerald Green with green vinyl roof Other modifications: Holley carb, GM HEI ignition, dual exhaust, and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers

Thanks to all who have sent in or e-mailed us photos. Please continue to send us photos of your trail rides, restorations in progress, rod runs, car shows, charity events and drag races. Kindly submit pictures to: The Driving Force, SEMA, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765. You also may send high-resolution digital pictures (minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch; minimum 5 inches wide) by e-mail to carrw@sema.org.

Get Linked to the SAN

Important information is just a click away

One of the greatest ways to keep up-to-date on legislation in your state is the SAN website, www.semasan.com. Your club can help spread the word by downloading the SAN logo from the SAN website and posting it as a link on your website. Just another way you can keep your club members involved in the legislation that affects the hobby.

And for all you webmasters, forum moderators, and tech-savvy enthusiasts, you can now receive Driving Force through an RSS news feed or through an iTunes podcast. Simply click on the RSS/iTunes icon and have each issue delivered directly to you.

FEBRUARY 2006 SAN CLUB EVENTS

ARIZONA

February 25, Tempe

Annual Catch-A-Wave Car Show

Information: www.kiwaniswave.org

or 480/345-9521

February 26, Glendale

United We Drive Show

Sponsor: Arizona Automobile Hobbyist Council

Information: 623/937-1171

CALIFORNIA

February 4, San Juan Capistrano

3rd Annual Care Car Show

Information: 949/240-1735

February 4-5, Orange

Annual Packards International Show

and Swap Meet

Sponsor: Packards International Motor Car Club

Information: 714/541-8431

February 5, Palmetto

17th Annual Vintage Wheels Car and Truck Show

Information: 941/792-1819

February 10-12, Sacramento

56th Annual Sacramento Autorama

Information: www.hotrodshows.com or 877/ROD-SHOW

February 19, Alameda

Auto and Motorcycle Swap Meet

Information: 510/522-2316

February 24-26, San Diego

40th Annual Big 3 Auto Parts Exchange

and Car Corral

Information: www.big3partsexchange.com or 619/276-7135

February 26, Indian Wells

Palm Springs Car Show

Information: 760/485-4169

CONNECTICUT

February 3-5, Hartford

46th Annual Frank Maratta¹s Auto

and Cycle Show

Information: www.fmautoshow.com or

860/347-3625

FLORIDA

February 9-12, Kissimmee/Orlando

14th Annual Winter National 2006

Information: www.classicchevy.com or

321/385-9703

February 12, Port Charlotte

Southwest Florida Vintage All GM Show

Sponsor: Southwest Florida Region VCCA

Information: www.vcca.org or 941/625-3356

February 23-26, Zephyrhills

32nd Annual Winter AutoFest

Information: www.zephyrhillsauction.com or 813/258-6726

ILLINOIS

February 19, St. Charles

18th Annual Winter Parts Swap

Sponsor: Illinois Region MARC

Information: www.illinoisregionmarc.com or 773/271-9663

February 26, Fairfield

Misfits Swap Meet

Sponsor: White Squirrel Cruisers

Information: whitesquirrelcruisers@gmail.com or 618/847-4906

February 26, Wheaton

British Car Swap Meet and Autojumble

Sponsor: Chicagoland MG Club

Information: www.britishcarswap.info or

630/916-7358

KANSAS

February 3-4, Wichita

Sunflower Swap Meet

Sponsor: Wichita A¹s

Information: www.wichitaas.com or

316/838-5950

MARYLAND

February 10-12, Ocean City

26th Annual Ocean City Hot Rod &

Custom Car Show

Sponsor: Special Event Productions Inc.

Information: www.specialeventpro.com or 410/798-6304

MICHIGAN

February 4-5, Kalamazoo

Winter Swap Meets

Sponsor: Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club

Information: karknut61@msn.com or

269/342-8755

NEW MEXICO

February 3-5, Albuquerque

2006 Supernationals

Information: www.thesupernationals.com

OHIO

February 12, Springfield

34th Annual Auto Parts Swap Meet

Sponsor: Miami Valley Region of Ohio VCCA

Information: www.miamivalleyvcca.org or 937/692-5772

February 17-19, Dayton

43rd Annual Dayton Autorama Car Show

Information: www.daytonautorama.com or 937/294-7805

OREGON

February 17-19, Portland

Portland Rod and Custom Show

Information: www.hotrodshows.com or

877/236-0632

February 18-19, Central Point

29th Annual Southern Oregon Rod & Custom Show

Sponsor: Rogue Valley Street Rods

Information: troyboyd@earthlink.net or

541/770-5892

PENNSYLVANIA

February 26, Gibsonia

18th Annual Indoor Flea Market

Sponsor: North Hills Historic Auto Club

Information: 412/487-1911

SOUTH DAKOTA

February 24-26, Rapid City

7th Annual Car Show

Sponsor: Counts of the Cobblestone Car Club

Information: 605/343-3616

TENNESSEE

February 5, Nashville

AACA Automotive Swap Meet

Sponsor: Stones River Region AACA

Information: 615/890-1144

TEXAS

February 25-26, Amarillo

22nd Annual Make-A-Wish Car Show

Sponsor: Panhandle Council of Car Clubs

Information: squaty@cox.net or 806/858-2024

WASHINGTON

February 11-12, Puyallup

32nd Corvette and High Performance Meet

Information: lwjohnson@corvhp.com or

360/786-8844

February 18-19, Puyallup

40th Annual Earlybird Swap Meet

Sponsor: Tacoma Model T Ford Club

Information: charlieo@foxinternet.net or

253/863-6211

WISCONSIN

February 26, Washington County Fairgrounds

41st Annual Greater Milwaukee Area Winter Swap Meet

Information: 262/554-7058

Check out these early March 2006 events

OREGON

March 3-5, Portland

50th Portland Roadster Show

Sponsor: Multnomah Hot Rod Council

Information: www.portlandroadstershow.com or 503/232-4567

WASHINGTON

March 3-5, Seattle

Seattle Roadster Show

Information: www.hotrodshows.com or 360/225-0275

Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:

ANTIQUE/HISTORICAL VEHICLES

Indiana HB 1150: Allows the use of model year license plates or the reproduction of an authentic model year plate on antique vehicles. Sets a service charge of $25 for the display of the plate.

Nebraska LB 815: Modifies permitted uses of historical vehicles to transport passengers for hire at car shows, club events, and other such uses; permits the hauling of large loads by historical vehicles to and from these events.

Virginia HB 288: Changes the distance one can drive an antique vehicle for ³pleasure driving² from 250 miles to 50 miles from the owner¹s house. Also prohibits work-related travel as a use for antique vehicles.

EMISSIONS/INSPECTIONS

Missouri SB 583: Creates new provisions for the state emissions inspection program. Retains historic exemption from emissions, exempts previously untitled vehicles for four years, and exempts vehicles driven less than 12,000 miles between biennial inspections.

Missouri HB 1207: Proposes suspension of motor vehicle emissions inspection program on or before January 1, 2007.

EQUIPMENT

Maine HB 1325: Protects drivers privacy by clarifying ownership of data recorded by motor vehicle data recorders.

Mississippi HB 119: Requires manufacturers to disclose if a vehicle is equipped with a data recording device.

New Hampshire HB 1367/LSR 2458: Prohibits license plate covers that obscure license plate numbers.

Pennsylvania SB 1050: Requires auto manufacturers to disclose information relating to vehicles equipped with event data recorders or sensing and diagnostic modules.

INOPERABLE VEHICLES

Kentucky HB 69: Makes property owners liable for all fees if a lien has been attached to their property by a local governing body, including fees related to permitting a public nuisance.

Lighting Mississippi HB 489: Allows street rods and antique vehicles (25 years old or older) to be equipped with rear lamps that have been modified to emit a blue, violet, or purple light.

Utah HB 235: Prohibits any vehicle or equipment on a highway, other than a law enforcement vehicle, with a lamp or device that is capable of displaying a blue light that is visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES

New York AB 9179: Provides local municipalities with exclusive power to regulate motor vehicle access within coastal erosion hazard areas.

TINTING

Mississippi HB 45: Changes the light transmittance percentage required for windows of motor vehicles that have been tinted after factory delivery to 30 percent or more.

Missouri HB 1202: Creates the offense of failure to lower tinted windows when an officer approaches a stopped vehicle to investigate a crime or traffic offense. Failure to lower tinted windows would be a Class C Misdemeanor.

New Hampshire HB 1211: Eliminates the prohibition on aftermarket tinting of motor vehicle windows to the left and right of the driver.

Attention Car Clubs, Event Organizers and Enthusiasts!

Put SAN on Your Mailing List!

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 what¹s 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: Jason Tolleson, SEMA, 1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004-1105. Or by e-mail at jasont@sema.org.

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