TomCox

A new television series is looking to feature collections of 20+ cars which are mostly unrestored and in need of work. I have spoken to and vetted these folks and they are legitimate. The premise of the show is to work with people with large collections, who have for one reason or another been unable to get their cars back on the road, and help them prioritize their projects. The goal is to return one of your vehicles to good condition mechanically and cosmetically and put it back on the road. Its an opportunity for you or someone you know to get back to enjoying the hobby. Contact Keith at the email address below, and he will get an application to you or contact you directly. Despite what we all may think of Television as it relates to the hobby, this is a chance for some cars to get back on the road, and for someone to have some fun. This is one of the first postings, so you have a good chance at being contacted if you fit the description. AN EXCITING NEW TELEVISION SERIES WANTS TO HELP YOU GET YOUR TIRED IRON BACK ONTHE ROAD!<o:p></o Do youhave an out of control car collection?<o:p></o Do themajority of your vehicles need restoring?<o:p></o <o:p></o<o:p></o NERD TV isproducing a new television series for a major US broadcaster.<o:p></o <o:p></o<o:p></o Our experts want to view your collection, value it and find some hidden gems. They’ll help you make the decisions you are struggling to make, while featuring you and your collection…and even put your best car back on the road<o:p></o <o:p></o<o:p></o If interested please contact keith@nerdsite.co.uk <o:p></o www.nerdsite.co.uk<o:p></o> *All informationabout you and your cars is kept in the strictest confidence*<o:p></o

Guys and Gals, In a nutshell, GA enacted a title tax last year. They later determined that since they dont require titles for many older vehicles that those vehicles were not being taxed due to that loophole. Now they are trying to close that loophole with this bill. They either want a bill of sale to set the value of the non titled vehicles or they will set a value based upon NADA or some as yet to be determined value guide. GA residents will then pay a tax based upon these values. Below you will find the SEMA alert issued on this bill, and a description of the legislation and potential arguments to use against it. Please read it. Also note that if the state ultimately sets a value on your vehicle using some guide...you will be taxed at the same higher values as restored vehicles even if your car is a basket case. There is no way the state can fairly determine the value of these older vehicles since they know nothing of the condition etc. This means the tax will be levied in an unfair manner, and therefore is unequal application of the law....just one more reason to defeat this bill. Please pass this along to your friends throughout Georgia, so this bill is defeated. Legislation (H.B. 80) introduced in the Georgia General Assembly may effectively raise taxes on untitled vehicles that remain subject to the state’s annual ad valorem tax. As a result of a law enacted last year, vehicles that are sold in the state and re-titled in the new owner’s name will be subject to a one-time tax (“New Title Fee”) beginning March 1, 2013. The “New Title Fee” will replace annual ad valorem taxes for titled vehicles sold after March 1, 2013, including vehicles sold and purchased by enthusiasts. However, pre-1963 model year vehicles are not titled and pre-1986 model year vehicles are not required to be titled, so many vehicles would remain subject to the lesser annual assessments even when transferred to a new owner. H.B. 80 is designed to close the loophole on un-titled vehicles and would alter the definition of "fair market value” to force vehicle owners subject to the annual tax to pay more by assessing their vehicle’s value at the retail selling price or the value contained within the assessment manual, whichever is greater. Since current law requires antique, hobby, and special interest vehicles to be valued in this manual at only $100 for ad valorem tax purposes, the retail selling price will almost always be the greater of the two values. [h=3]We Urge You to Contact All Members of the Georgia House Ways and Means Committee (List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to H.B. 80[/h] For purposes of ad valorem taxes on motor vehicles, "antique or hobby or special interest motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is 25 years old or older or a motor vehicle which has been designed and manufactured to resemble an antique or historical vehicle. Under current law, pre-1986 vehicles are not required to be titled in Georgia and pre-1963 vehicles cannot be titled in Georgia, so these vehicles cannot be subjected to the “New Title Fee,” but would be subject to an increased annual ad valorem tax. H.B. 80 threatens to raise the annual ad valorem tax on pre-1986 vehicles without titles by assessing their value based on the retail selling price. H.B. 80 ignores the fact that many antique, classic and collectible vehicles are owned and maintained by low and fixed income Americans who are less able to afford a higher, annual tax. H.B. 80 ignores the fact that these older cars are infrequently driven (about one-third the miles each year as a new vehicle) hobby cars and should not be subject to increased tax rates. [h=3]DON’T DELAY! Please contact members of the Georgia House Ways and Means Committee immediately by e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 80.[/h]Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them tojoin the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance. [h=3]Georgia House Ways and Means Committee[/h]To e-mail all Committee members, copy and paste the email address block below: mickey.channell@house.ga.gov;allen.peake@house.ga.gov; david.knight@house.ga.gov; Stacey.abrams@house.ga.gov;paul.battles@house.ga.gov; sharon.beasley-teague@house.ga.gov; ellis.black@house.ga.gov; bob.bryant@house.ga.gov;john.carson@house.ga.gov; terry.england@house.ga.gov; virgil.fludd@house.ga.gov;ben.harbin@house.ga.gov; brett.harrell@house.ga.gov; penny.houston@house.ga.gov;chuck.martin@house.ga.gov; howard.mosby@house.ga.gov; larry.oneal@house.ga.gov;votebjpak@gmail.com; don.parsons@house.ga.gov;alan.powell@house.ga.gov; matt.ramsey@house.ga.gov; tom.rice@house.ga.gov;lynne.riley@house.ga.gov; chuck.sims@house.ga.gov; mickey.stephens@house.ga.gov;ron.stephens@house.ga.gov; willie.talton@house.ga.gov; Wendell.willard@house.ga.gov;bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov Representative Mickey Channell (Chairman) Phone: 404/656-5103 Email: mickey.channell@house.ga.gov Representative Allen Peake (Vice Chairman) Phone: 404/656-5025 Email: allen.peake@house.ga.gov Representative David Knight (Secretary) Phone: 404/656-7855 Email: david.knight@house.ga.gov Representative Stacey Abrams Phone: 404/656-5058 Email: Stacey.abrams@house.ga.gov Representative Paul Battles Phone: 404/656-0152 Email: paul.battles@house.ga.gov Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague Phone: 404/656-0220 Email: sharon.beasley-teague@house.ga.gov Representative Ellis Black Phone: 404/656-0287 Email: ellis.black@house.ga.gov Representative Bob Bryant Phone: 404/656-0298 Email: bob.bryant@house.ga.gov Representative John Carson Phone: 404/656-0287 Email: john.carson@house.ga.gov Representative Terry England Phone: 404/463-2247 Email: terry.england@house.ga.gov Representative Virgil Fludd Phone: 404/656-0314 Email: virgil.fludd@house.ga.gov Representative Ben Harbin Phone: 404/656-3949 Email: ben.harbin@house.ga.gov Representative Brett Harrell Phone: 404/656-0254 Email: brett.harrell@house.ga.gov Representative Penny Houston Phone: 404/463-2247 Email: penny.houston@house.ga.gov Representative Chuck Martin Phone: 404/656-5064 Email: chuck.martin@house.ga.gov Representative Howard Mosby Phone: 404/656-0287 Email: howard.mosby@house.ga.gov Representative Larry O`Neal Phone: 404/656-5052 Email: larry.oneal@house.ga.gov Representative B.J. Pak Phone: 404/656-0254 Email: votebjpak@gmail.com Representative Don Parsons Phone: 404/656-9198 Email: don.parsons@house.ga.gov Representative Alan Powell Phone: 404/656-0202 Email: alan.powell@house.ga.gov Representative Matt Ramsey Phone: 404/656-7146 Email: matt.ramsey@house.ga.gov Representative Tom Rice Phone: 404/656-5912 Email: tom.rice@house.ga.gov Representative Lynne Riley Phone: 404/656-0188 Email: lynne.riley@house.ga.gov Representative Chuck Sims Phone: 404/656-7855 Email: chuck.sims@house.ga.gov Representative Mickey Stephens Phone: 404/656-0116 Email: mickey.stephens@house.ga.gov Representative Ron Stephens Phone: 404/656-5115 Email: ron.stephens@house.ga.gov Representative Willie Talton Phone: 404/656-5116 Email: willie.talton@house.ga.gov Representative Wendell Willard Phone: 404/656-5125 Email: Wendell.willard@house.ga.gov Representative Bruce Williamson Phone: 404/656-7859 Email: bruce.williamson@house.ga.gov

Hi Let me know if you still have the Caddy. It screams project ! : ) Tom tntoldcarz@aol.com

There has been a Bill introduced in the Maryland state legislature that will have a substantial negative impact upon anyone with an antique registration, restricting their use, and requiring specialized insurance. I have copied the latest notice from SEMA below as well as information received from Franklin Gage of the Bull Run Region. Please get this out to anyone you know in Maryland as this measure will be decided upon in the near future. Unfortunately, if this passes it may affect other states since they all tend to follow each others lead. Take Care and Thanks Tom Cox <TABLE style="WIDTH: 6.25in; BACKGROUND: white" class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt"> </TD></TR><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt"><TABLE style="WIDTH: 442.5pt" class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=590><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt"> (UPDATE) Senate Version of Maryland Bill to Restrict Eligibility for Historic Vehicle Registration Scheduled for Committee Hearing on Wed., Feb. 29 A Senate version (S.B. 846) of the bill to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “historic motor vehicles” has been scheduled for a Feb. 29, 2012 hearing in the Judicial Proceedings Committee. The bill is identical to House Bill 550, under which the age requirement would be raised from 20 to at least 25 years old and these cars would be prohibited from being used for “occasional transportation.” The measure would also require that an historic vehicle is insured by an historic vehicle, show vehicle or antique insurance policy. It’s time to let committee members and Senate sponsors know how you feel about this bill. We Urge You to Contact Members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and the Senate Sponsors of S.B. 846(List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to the Bill <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>S.B. 846 makes it more difficult to register legitimate historic vehicles, which are now already limited to club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and occasional pleasure driving. <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>S.B. 846 makes no provision for “grandfathering” existing historic vehicles 20-25 years old and allowing them to retain their historic status. <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>S.B. 846 would deny vehicles 20-25 years old from existing benefits, including the special historic license plate and exemptions from equipment and emissions inspection requirements. S.B. 846 ignores the fact that existing historic vehicles in Maryland constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet and are already well-maintained and infrequently operated. DON’T DELAY! Please contact the committee members and sponsors of S.B. 846 to request their opposition to the bill. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Also, please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby! Thank you for your assistance. Maryland SB 846 Sponsors nancy.king@senate.state.md.us; jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us; victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us Senator Nancy King Phone: (410) 841-3686 Email: nancy.king@senate.state.md.us Senator Jennie M. Forehand Phone: (410) 841-3134 Email: jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us Senator Victor R. Ramirez Phone: (410) 841-3745 Email: victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Members brian.frosh@senate.state.md.us; lisa.gladden@senate.state.md.us; jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us; jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us; joseph.getty@senate.state.md.us; nancy.jacobs@senate.state.md.us; victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us; jamie.raskin@senate.state.md.us; christopher.shank@senate.state.md.us; norman.stone@senate.state.md.us; bobby.zirkin@senate.state.md.us Senator Brian E. Frosh (Chair) Phone: (410) 841-3124 Email: brian.frosh@senate.state.md.us Senator Lisa A. Gladden (Vice Chair) Phone: (410) 841-3697 Email: lisa.gladden@senate.state.md.us Senator James Brochin Phone: (410) 841-3648 Email: jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us Senator Jennie M. Forehand Phone: (410) 841-313 Email: jennie.forehand@senate.state.md.us Senator Joseph M. Getty Phone: (410) 841-3683 Email: joseph.getty@senate.state.md.us Senator Nancy Jacobs Phone: (410) 841-3158 Email: nancy.jacobs@senate.state.md.us Senator Victor R. Ramirez Phone: (410) 841-3745 Email: victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us Senator Jamin B. Raskin Phone: (410) 841-3634 Email: jamie.raskin@senate.state.md.us Senator Christopher B. Shank Phone: (410) 841-3903 Email: christopher.shank@senate.state.md.us Senator Norman R. Stone, Jr. Phone: (410) 841-3587 Email: norman.stone@senate.state.md.us Senator Robert A. Zirkin Phone: (410) 841-3131 Email: bobby.zirkin@senate.state.md.us </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> From Franklin Gage of Bull Run Region a Maryland resident Dear Fellow Maryland Auto Hobbyist: As you may know, HB 550 has been introduced in the MD House of Delegates to alter (for the worse) our MD Historic Vehicle statute. Among other things, it would apparently: ---increase the eligible vehicle age to use Historic Plates from 20 to 25 years ---make some currently eligible vehicles of ANY age ineligible, including some limos, hearses, ambulances, fire trucks, wrecker tow trucks, trailers, mopeds and scooters ---require specialty collector/historic insurance (presumably from an approved list; your choice of insurers may be limited if companies decide to withdraw from MD given more paperwork for a limited market) -- eliminate the 'occasional transportation' allowance in the current law which could lead to restrictions making weekday use, occasional pleasure driving at any time, and driving to repair/maintenance shops or events more difficult (possibly illegal) Our wonderful friends at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) are working hard to kill this bill; they have a great record in other states of winning these battles, but to do so elected Delegates need to hear from their constituents. I suggest the following, please: ---Contact your Delegates to express your opposition to any change in the current law and asking them to do their part to get it withdrawn or tabled. It would be helpful to cc a copy, and certainly any response, to Steve McDonald at SEMA (SteveM@SEMA.org). If you are emailing, make sure the Delegate knows you are a constituent. ---Contact ColbyM@SEMA.org to request that you be put on their alert list so you can receive updates on this and future issues. ---Click on http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=a 2012MD2&g=SEMAGAfor more information. It would be helpful to contact members of the Environment Committee, listed there. ---If not derailed sooner, there may be a hearing on this bill on February 28, 2012 in Annapolis and your attendance might help. ---Contact other MD hobbyists or MD friends and relatives (if you belong to a club it may have an email list, but we should include the 'E-Challenged' non-email users too!). As some of you know, in my former life I was a registered environmental lobbyist and U.S. Senate staffer. In my view, while antique vehicle owners are a minority, we are large enough to win this fight, and action now may deter future, even worse, proposals. There's an even larger group that are non-owners but enthusists. I am including the letter I am sending to my Delegates; feel free to plagiarize though your own words will be more effective! THANKS, Franklin Gage cell 703/869-8434 Delegate Justin Ross 6 Bladen St. Annapolis, MD 21401 Dear Mr. Ross: I am writing to ask you to please ask your colleagues on the Environment Committee to withdraw or table HB 550, which amends Maryland's antique motor vehicle statute. I am opposed to this bill because it will discourage the preservation of antique vehicles by reducing the availability and use of Historic Plates by: ---Raising the vehicle age requirement from 20 to 25 years. This would be unfortunate as 20 year old vehicles (and less) are routinely being crushed by salvage yards; it is already difficult to find parts and their very existence in the future is threatened. ---Eliminating eligibility of some vehicles, including some of the more interesting attractions at car shows, parades, etc. such as fire trucks, hearses, limos, mopeds, etc. ---Requiring proof of collector/specialty insurance; most of us with antique cars already have this type of insurance, but compliance with regulations that presumably would have to be promulgated may cause some insurers to withdraw this type of policy from Maryland, reducing our options. ---Eliminates the "Occasional Use" provision of the current statute. This poses many problems, including the fact that if these cars aren't driven occasionally but regularly they are more prone to damage from rodents and to leaking from dried up oil, coolant, transmission and other seals, which could damage the environment. Although the proposal continues to allow use for organized club events, the occasional use of these cars even for non-organized events such as meeting for a restaurant meal is of economic benefit to everyone. I am told this bill was introduced because there is a problem with some people getting the Historic Plates for regular-use vehicles. I don't deny that may be a problem, but it has to be a trivial problem because such a tiny percentage of all Maryland vehicle registrations are Historic, and the abusers have to be a tiny percentage of that. The small percentage of abusers is already prohibited from regular use by the current statute, so the solution to this already tiny problem is to enforce the existing law. I would urge you not to discourage the preservation and use of antique autos in our State; while many of us collect them for our own enjoyment, we also are trying to preserve an important part of our history and share it with others. We contribute to the State in a variety of ways, from parade cars (one of my cherished photos is of Steny Hoyer sitting on the hood of my '51 Chevrolet at a Greenbelt Labor Day Parade!), to charity benefit car shows to scholarships to economic benefits for the state and businesses. Just last year the world famous 'Revival Glidden Tour' was hosted in Maryland. With about 300 cars (including many from out of state) here for 5 days and surely underestimating expenditures of at least $200/day per car for lodging, gas and restaurants, that one of hundreds of events generated in excess of $300,000, all taxable to the State. I am Director of the Free State Region of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America; members at our last meeting expressed unanimous opposition to this bill. In my next Director's Message I plan to report on the positions of our Delegates, so would appreciate it if you would please advise me of yours, and thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely yours, Franklin L. Gage 2A Crescent Rd. Greenbelt, MD 20770 <TABLE style="WIDTH: 6.25in" class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I want to thank Dave Henderson for starting this thread relating to Virginia House Bill 878, and I wish to take exception to comments by Drive AG. It might be good to have some history first. The current House Bill 878 is specifically targeting a previous Bill passed on behalf of hobbyists in the Virginia Legislature in 2004 which requires all municipalities in Virginia to allow the ownership of at least two unregistered vehicles so long as they are screened or otherwise out of public view. This Bill was necessary to stop localities from continually lowering the bar when it came to levying punitive fines etc. and confiscating hobby vehicles that were not eyesores. In some localities public officials were actually entering properties to remove vehicles that were properly screened/stored and were being used for parts or in the process of restoration. At a tax level of only $100 existing Code is not a useful tool to render the resulting code section from the 2004 bill impotent, but at $500 it gives incentive for municipalities to seek out and punish responsible hobbyists who have hitherto been protected by the Bill passed in 2004. Jim is correct in pointing out that there are other means by which municipalities can remove objectionable or eyesore vehicles that are in the public view shed. That is the case here in Virginia as there are plenty of code sections that strictly regulate the keeping of junk vehicles. This Bill is not needed for that purpose, and I hate to think what its purpose could be. HB 878 patroned by Delegate Mark Sickles (D) of Franconia Virginia should be stopped for many reasons, some of which are as follows: Bill HB878 Seeks to undo, through punitive taxation, Bill SB204 passed overwhelmingly several years ago by the House and Senate supporting Virginias Motorsports Hobby, and allowing for the ownership of at least two unregistered hobby vehicles screened or otherwise out of public view. HB878 seeks to discourage participation in the Motorsports hobby by disproportionately penalizing the ownership of legal private property through taxation in an arbitrary and capricious manner. HB878 Will unfairly burden and prevent families of modest means from participation in the automotive hobby as well as preventing those with financial hardship from the time honored tradition of working on ones own vehicle. HB878 is a job killer in an already difficult time. Given that HB878 will discourage the restoration, building, and repair of vintage, race vehicles, and basic transportation it will negatively impact struggling independent businesses such as automotive body and paint shops, upholstery shops, machine shops, and general repair shops. Additionally this Bill will have a negative impact upon the sale of aftermarket repair parts worth millions of dollars in the Commonwealth, which will impact state sales tax revenues in a negative manner. At best HB878 is a disingenuous attempt to utilize punitive taxation at the local level for the purposes of enacting de facto zoning restrictions. It is a deceptive and flagrant misuse of the tax system. Existing laws already give localities the right to police and prevent public eyesores and the keeping of junk vehicles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One other potential issue is the setting of precedence. Currently, to my knowledge no locality in Virginia utilizes the current Code Section. However, once the "tax" increases to $500, I would expect that to change as localities do everything possible to generate revenue. This would likely place yet another target on our hobby. Unfortunately, our tax exempt status for antique vehicles in Virginia has come into question many times by various Commissioners of the Revenue who are mining for dollars. It would be terribly naive to think that they would not be aware of potential revenue which could come with the passage of HB878...after all, they have a state association that meets regularly to determine policy and additional ways of sourcing tax income. Consequently, this could place more attention on the potential for more revenue if there is an opportunity to maneuver around our current tax exempt status in much the same legal yet deceptive manner the $500 tax is a zoning effort by way of a "tax". In my humble opinion it is the height of irresponsibility to refer to requests to stop this Bill by SEMA and others as "fear mongering" as Drive AG purports. It is Bills like HB878, which allowed to pass without opposition, that will initiate more regulation and taxation to the detriment of our hobby. Apathy and lack of action seldom bring forth anything positive from any legislature. Please fight this Bill. Tom Cox PS I am a lifelong resident of Virginia and have been intimately involved with every pro hobbyist law enacted in this state for the past twenty years, including our tax exempt status. I have also worked with many organizations to fight or repeal anti hobbyist legislation in over thirty states. I am anything but a "fear monger". Believe me, if you give your legislators and regulators an inch they will surely take a mile.

Last night, at SEMA’s request (with ARMO’s [Automotive Restoration Market Association] encouragement and guidance), the United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 513 (S. Res. 513) designating Friday, July 9, 2010 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” This may be one of the only things the US Senate has done that we can all be happy about. To my knowledge there are no special events planned to mark the day, but perhaps we can all celebrate in some way. Maybe Hallmark will create some greeting cards for our special day ?

This may in fact be the car James Nance commisioned to be built for his small grandson in or around 1955. Rumor has it that Dick Teague worked on it personally with the help of Studebaker Packard employees??

I have a 31 Graham parts car...I may have some of what you need. Tom Cox

I am pleased to announce that a Car Club Council is being formed in Northern Virginia to work on legislative issues within the state. They will join forces with the other three established councils already working in Virginia through the Virginia Association of Car Councils. I would encourage all in this area to become involved, as we desperately need representation up there. Please contact Bill Haegle at bluesky636@verizon.net to express your interest and get involved. AACA regions across the state are working with other councils in their areas. I encourage all others to do the same in Northern VA. We have a lot of legislative issues to work on including the return of HB288 next Year. Thanks, Tom Cox Eastern Chairman Legislative Matters AACA Member Tidewater Region and Roanoke Valley Region AACA

Hello All, Just thought I would let you know we have not been overlooked by our new Governor when it comes to increasing revenue. I don't think it wise to fight this either, lest we look like malcontents at a time when we still have HB288 out there regarding the Antique registration pleasure use provision. HB288 should be heard by the committee tommorow, and ammended to restore the 250 mile pleasure use provision. I'll post when I find out. Check out the excerpt from the lengthy SB708 below. The lines drawn through the $10 fee did not copy below, but you will notice the $20 next to it. It's still a bargain for a one time fee, but you hate to see it go up anyway. By the way, the increase is not retroactive. Thanks, Tom Cox Member Roanoke Valley Region AACA Tidewater Region AACA SENATE BILL NO. 708 (Excerpted) § 46.2-730. License plates for antique motor vehicles and antique trailers; fee. A. On receipt of an application, the Commissioner shall issue appropriately designed license plates to owners of antique motor vehicles and antique trailers. These license plates shall be valid so long as title to the vehicle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the registration card and license plates of any of these vehicles shall be $10$20. B. On receipt of an application, the Commissioner may authorize for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers Virginia license plates manufactured prior to 1976 and designed for use without decals, if such license plates are embossed with or are of the same year of issue as the model year of the antique motor vehicle or antique trailer on which they are to be displayed. Original metal year tabs issued in place of license plates for years 1943 and 1953 and used with license plates issued in 1942 and 1952, respectively, also may be authorized by the Commissioner for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers that are of the same model year as the year the metal tab was originally issued. These license plates and metal tabs shall remain valid so long as title to the vehicle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the registration card and permission to use the license plates and metal tabs on any of these vehicles shall be $10$20

Hello All, I thought I would send you an update on our antique registration bill HB 288. After discussion with some contacts at VA DMV late on Thursday evening, I left for the General Assembly in Richmond for meetings with DMV, State Police, and individual meetings with legislators yesterday. After discussions with each of these groups, the State Police tentatively agreed to accept removal of the sections of HB288 limiting our use to 50 miles. Subsequent phone calls by DMV officials also received the same acceptance of the removal of the 50 mile reduction from the State Police Chiefs Association. At this time I went for an impromptu meeting (accompanied by DMV) with Delegate Marshall, chief patron of the bill. After in depth discussions with his aide and Delegate Marshall, he pledged to amend the language of HB288 to restore the 250 mile pleasure allowance at the next meeting of the House transportation committee. I do not doubt his sincerity. While the face to face meeting with state agencies present certainly helped our position, it was also most helpful to know that the Delegate had received roughly 40 E-mails from hobbyists. It was great to know we were all on the ball, and helping to plead our case. However, I must unfortunately report that some of those communications were, to say the least, inflammatory. Inflammatory E-mails, calls,etc. do not show the best side of our hobby, and are of no help to our cause. As a result of these meetings Friday, DMV has also pledged to work on their side of the DMV counters to reduce the number of antique registrations given to unqualified applicants. It is my opinion that HB288 will be amended to restore our 250 mile pleasure use provision. Once that has been accomplished, I urge everyone to start supporting the amended bill, as it will retain a tightening of the restrictions against work related use of vehicles with our tags. We do have a problem with parasitic use of our tags by beat up work vehicles etc.. It needs to be stopped or we will be coming back over this issue next year. PLEASE remember that this is not a victory until the bill has been formally amended. It is wise for us to continue to politely ask our legislators to restore our 250 mile pleasure use provision to HB288. Truthfully, it won't be a victory until it has made it through the entire process, since further amendments, while unlikely, can occur until it is passed by both houses. The Delegate may elect to substitute another bill containing the amended language restoring our 250 mile pleasure use provision. If that occurs the Bill number will change. I will continue to keep you updated on changes as they happen. Thanks for all of your support in this matter, and all of the help from Fred Fann, Hal Hartel, Terry, Peter,Wayne and others. Tom Cox Eastern Chairman Legislative Affairs AACA Member Roanoke Valley Region & Tidewater Region AACA

Terry, You were staying on top of this like the rest of us. Bad information gets out there. I know your source, he is a good guy and eager for great news like the rest of us. He just picked up the wrong info, something we are all guilty of from time to time. However,some potentially good news will follow this post.

Peter, Thanks for the kind words. However, I must say we are only as good as the sum of our parts. I've had a lot of help. Over the years that sum has been comprised of support from folks in this crazy hobby of ours. They are good people, and I owe our legislative successes (mine and theirs) to them. It just goes to show what teamwork can do!! but...it would be great for everyone to share in the legislative seminar at Philly. Legislation may not be exciting, but our participation in it is crucial to the future of our hobby. Tom Cox

Please continue to let your representatives know that the roll back of the 250 mile limit is unacceptable. As of this evening it <span style="font-weight: bold">HAS NOT BEEN</span> amended. Keep contacting your legislators. Information posted on the internet earlier today by an unknown individual is <span style="font-weight: bold">erroneous</span> . The roll back of the 250 mile limit is still in. I spoke with the delegate this evening, and it has not been changed. As always, be polite in your discussion with representatives. By the way Rocket Raider is correct. Danny Marshall is <span style="font-weight: bold">not</span> the devil incarnate, but is acting on complaints from a lot of folks. Sorry on that part Rocket. He is listening and will (I think) do the right thing. As far as DMV and law enforcement are concerned, their supervisors and administrators have been very helpful thus far in moving this legislation in our direction. I hope we will reach agreement soon...but only with input to your legislators. Thanks, Tom Cox President Southwest VA Car Council Roanoke Valley Region & Tidewater Region AACA

Tony, Just to clear up any misconceptions regarding your comment "I seriously think you should find a delegate that will well represent the antique car owners if you are going to try and pass legislation that will effect many." ... Delegate Marshall did not act on behalf of anyone in the Antique car hobby...least of all me. He acted on the complaints of his constituents about junky old cars and trucks wearing antique tags, while being exempt from inspections and paying taxes. Fortunately, he did re-think more serious restrictions that were contemplated, and we as hobbyists have the right to influence those restrictions left in the bill. I rarely take credit for anything since all the legislative initiatives I have worked on over the past thirteen years have been full of old fashioned AACA teamwork. However, I am the guilty one who sought out legislators and initiated action to gain some pleasure use provision for our cars in our state where none was extant at the time. I would hardly seek out a delegate to put forth legislation repealing that which I and others worked long and hard to accomplish. Gaining any pleasure use provision in our state was not easy. While our rights to drive our cars for club functions, parades, and mechanical testing are unaffected, I encourage everyone to politely engage their representatives to request that they <span style="font-weight: bold">back away</span> from reducing our pleasure usage limitations from the current 250 miles, while supporting the work usage restrictions. No limitations at all and covering all potential situations would be ideal, but not all our wishes are politically realistic. Thanks, Tom Cox President Southwest Virginia Car Council Member Roanoke Valley Region AACA, Tidewater Region AACA

UBB44-ML-349767-ML- Moved to the Legislation forum.

HB288 is patroned by Delegate Danny Marshall of the Danville Virginia area. This bill is the result of several years of abuse of the antique tag statutes...mostly by non hobbyists. During the past year there have been no less than three articles in major newspapers in VA referencing clunkers and work trucks sporting antique tags. This has become a real public relations problem for true hobbyists, with hundreds of complaints being lodged with legislators and Virginia DMV. Legislation to curb the abuse was inevitable. We hope to influence the current legislation. During the past ten years in Virginia, we have secured exemption from emissions testing and roadside emissions smog dogs,we have been afforded tax exempt status, and we have secured the right to use vehicles registered as antique for pleasure use. Antiques also enjoy exemption from annual Virginia safety inspections, and benefit from a one time registration fee of $10.00. It is not surprising that many would try to enjoy the many benefits we have been afforded in Virginia. Unfortunately they are often old work trucks with ladder racks or station wagons with house painting supplies hanging out of them. The original antique vehicle statutes did NOT include any provision for pleasure use. It ONLY provided for use in parades, mechanical testing, and club functions. About five years ago, VA hobbyists lobbied DMV and the legislature to include a pleasure use provision, so we could go get an ice cream on sunday etc. without fear of bieng pulled over. I was at those meetings with DMV. It was an uphill battle, but they finaly agreed to give us a fifty mile radius of use for pleasure. We all agreed to that at the time. However, during the General Assembly session, a legislator friend,Delegate Richard Cranwell, amended the statute in a late night floor manuver. Dick did this without any prompting from me or anyone else. It was great to have 250 miles instead of 50. Although , either limitation is difficult to enforce. I discussed this recent bill HB288 with Delegate Marshall prior to it's public filing several weeks ago. Originally this bill was going to remove our exemption from annual safety inspections, increase the fee for registration to at least $50.00, increase the eligible age upward from 25 years, and to require proof that the car was collectible. Delegate Marshall and DMV were consulted. The Delegate agreed to leave those provisions out of the bill as presented. However, DMV and the Delegate both felt something needed to be done to limit the abuse of the tags, and they were going to change the statute language to accentuate the prohibition on work use of any vehicle with antique registration. They also feel the pleasure use limit should be reduced back to 50 miles. The bill also includes some housekeeping issues which specify certain details about antique year of manufacture plates. As hobbyists we should embrace the tightening of restrictions on work related use of our tags. They were intended for hobby use...not work trucks or daily drivers. If we do not support this part of the bill, we risk having photos passed out to legislators showing junk vehicles and work trucks wearing our tags. The results could be far worse than you might think. With regard to the mileage limit on pleasure use, we should lobby to have that maintained at its present level, but should also be ready to compromise to 150 or 100 miles. Either way it will still be difficult to prevent us from driving where we wish for pleasure use as there is always a hobby related event we could be going to. Just be polite in your approach to lobbying your representatives and you will be surprised at the potential good results. Good diplomacy and action on the part of AACA members brought us many of the benefits we enjoy here in VA. While it may not be true in other States, most Virgnia legislators have been advocates for the hobby. We would not have all the benefits we currently enjoy if they had not listened and we had not spoken. All Virgnia AACA Region Presidents were advised of the coming of this bill a couple of weeks ago. They have also been encouraged to discuss it with their members and act accordingly. Thanks

All of us learn from our experiences, and the Roanoke Valley Region is no exception. We worked rather hard to put on the show and hope those who attended had a good time. In retrospect we could have done many things differently, but hindsight is always 20/20. We are however, humbled to have been your hosts for the weekend, and hope others learn from our shortcomings. I hope we never miss the oportunity to improve any facet of AACA. By the way, the London Bus was parked for a good reason Saturday afternoon. It seems as though Lucas "Prince of Darkness" visited the bus, causing the ignition switch to overheat and self destruct. The bus was only parked after the driver had burned a hole in his finger trying to keep it together and running. It's very hard to keep all the bases covered sometimes, but we did try.