Here we go again - the joy of being a car hobbyist in Califormia

[Malibyte]

From the SEMA website:

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (UPDATE)
California Bill to Require ANNUAL Emissions Tests for Vehicles 15-Years Old and Older Passes Assembly; Moves to Senate

Legislation (A.B. 616) to require annual Smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older has been approved by the California Assembly and has been sent to the Senate for consideration. The bill would also require that funds generated through the additional inspection fees be deposited into an account which can be used to scrap older cars. You may recall that in 2004 a new law was enacted in California to require the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles. Pre-1976 motor vehicles would remain exempt under A.B. 616. The bill has been now referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

We Urge You to Contact Members of the Senate Transportation Committee (List Below) Immediately to Oppose A.B. 616

* A.B. 616 ignores the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality.

* A.B. 616 could entice vintage car owners into allowing these vehicles to be scrapped.

* A.B. 616 ignores the fact that vehicles 15-years old and older still constitute a small portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.

* A.B. 616 ignores the fact that classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.

* A.B. 616 would increase costs by creating an annual inspection fee for owners of these vehicles.

* A.B. 616 represents another attempt by California legislators and regulators to scapegoat older cars.

Please contact members of the California Senate Transportation Committee immediately by phone, fax or e-mail to request their opposition to A.B. 616.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.

Senate Transportation Committee

Senator Alan Lowenthal (Chair)
Senator.Lowenthal@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4027

Senator Tom McClintock (Vice Chair)
Senator.McClintock@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4019

Senator Roy Ashburn
Senator.Ashburn@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4018

Senator Gilbert Cedillo
Senator.Cedillo@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4022

Senator Ellen Corbett
Senator.Corbett@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4010

Senator Robert Dutton
Senator.Dutton@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4031

Senator Tom Harman
Senator.Harman@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4035

Senator Christine Kehoe
Senator.Kehoe@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4039

Senator Joe Simitian
Senator.Simitian@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4011

Senator Tom Torlakson
Senator.Torlakson@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4007

Senator Leland Yee
Senator.Yee@senate.ca.gov
(916) 651-4008

[zank]

FUCK MAN WILL THEY EVER GIVE US A BREAK !!!!!!!!!!! arggggggg

[lechner]

The supporters hope this will encourage everyone to drive newer cars. In reality, it encourages car-enthusiasts to trade their mildly polluting but still fairly efficient 80's car for a wildly polluting early 70's model.

[Tanya]

Yah, nice and retarded. If WA ever pulls this shit, I'll be going right back to the East Coast.

[Suprabee]

I will send a letter to each and every senator stating my opposition to this bill.

Rick

[pdupler]

The supporters hope this will encourage everyone to drive newer cars. In reality, it encourages car-enthusiasts to trade their mildly polluting but still fairly efficient 80's car for a wildly polluting early 70's model.

Bingo! I have noticed that asking prices for mid-70s era vehicles have been climbing recently. I thought it was because there were no more viable rebuilders of the muscle-car era and middle-income collectors were forced to move up a decade, but I think Lance has a point. I wonder in Kalifornia, if there is a $1,000 premium for a 1975 model vs. a 1976 model that are otherwise identical. Here in Texas, used car ads for cars 25 and older often carry in big, bold type "Emissions Exempt".

[Junkie]

Bingo! I have noticed that asking prices for mid-70s era vehicles have been climbing recently. I thought it was because there were no more viable rebuilders of the muscle-car era and middle-income collectors were forced to move up a decade, but I think Lance has a point. I wonder in Kalifornia, if there is a $1,000 premium for a 1975 model vs. a 1976 model that are otherwise identical. Here in Texas, used car ads for cars 25 and older often carry in big, bold type "Emissions Exempt".



Forced mass transit ..... Typical middle class, lower class income --- Can't afford a "new" car, can't afford to fix the 10yo car, priced out again, when it comes to the "classic" car.

I noticed the 25yo car price jump backwhen I was running in Derby's. As sson as a desirable car " for the derby" hit that magic exempt age, the $100 P.O.S. instantly became a $1000 P.O.S. In 95, I could buy a 75 impalla for $5-100, 98 = $100-700 asking prices, 2000 = $750 - 2000 and up. Find one now to crash ---- I know guys spending $800 for a SHELL ON WHEELS.

[ubara86]

Perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way, now it will be survival of the fittest and those who survive will bask in the abundance of spare parts. Time to start saving some penny's for the harvest thats upon us!!!!!!!

P.S. Im so screwed.........:sadsmilie

[RedP85]

Here we have rust to eliminate old cars
You will have a new law.

It sucks.

[Chrisfrom1986]

Yee was an ignore, Cedillo was a failure, auto-reply from Corbett and Harman.

May not do anything, but it only took 5 minutes.

[WadeT]

Truly proof that all the *(say with a New York accent) LAWYERS have nothing better to do. It's all about regulating people out of their, old, ugly, make my city look bad, gross polluters, this, thanks to Al Gore global and his warming hyperbole and of course; *(say with a New York accent) da LAWYERS!

[TorqueMasterJay]

Sorry. Cars are not the big poluters as many may think. Yes, shitty running cars can be stinky, but Industry is the cause of 90% with their ability to sell "Polution points" to other companies if they dont need them. Global warming is already here...so live with it. Quit blaming everyone else with nice cars for it and point the finger at the government who has industrial lobyists in their pockets!

[WadeT]

You know it's funny, the whole "global warming" thing, most of those hippies don't realise the earth was a much warmer-wetter place in the past. History lesson: http://www.giant-sequoia.com/tree.php

Funny, how the few remaining flora from millions of years ago which thrived in a warm climate can barely hang on in today's dry cool climate. But don't tell that to Al Gore who owns a carbon credit company and actually stands to profit FROM his global warming hysteria. Oh yea, did i mention the fact that Al Gore's family forture was made by coal mining? Ever heard of Occidental Coal? Try to ask these questions of a Prius owning tool who thinks he's helping the environment out by buying a 35k shitbox...

[Junkie]

You know it's funny, the whole "global warming" thing, most of those hippies don't realise the earth was a much warmer-wetter place in the past. History lesson: http://www.giant-sequoia.com/tree.php

Funny, how the few remaining flora from millions of years ago which thrived in a warm climate can barely hang on in today's dry cool climate. But don't tell that to Al Gore who owns a carbon credit company and actually stands to profit FROM his global warming hysteria. Oh yea, did i mention the fact that Al Gore's family forture was made by coal mining? Ever heard of Occidental Coal? Try to ask these questions of a Prius owning tool who thinks he's helping the environment out by buying a 35k shitbox...


Remember grade school in the 70's ..... we were told we were going into a new "Ice Age " .................

[doug82supra]

I know we love our cars, but it doesn't have to be a black-and-white issue. You can't ignore the thawing of the polar ice. I love my car and will keep it going. I know you will be squirming if you've removed the Cat and EGR systems, but you can reinstall if you have to and if you love your car that much.

Besides, all hope isn't lost. Work as hard as you can through the legislature. There's something to be said for not manufacturing a brand new automobile--that is a wasteful enterprise in itself if our older cars are still serviceable. I do, however, feel for you there in Cali. Georgia exempts anything older than 25 years old......

[Malibyte]

Thanks all for the come-backs. Cali people, if you haven't already done so (I plan to, this week) - e-mail your Senator and let them know you oppose this bill.

It's mostly about money. California has had a program through which people who can't afford to fix their gross polluters can sell them to the state for, say, $500 or $1000 - the state then crushes the cars. Well, apparently this has become too expensive, so they figure they'll make US pay for it instead (so what else is new).

/*soapbox

I also think (of course, I can only speculate) that it's heavily backed by new-car mfrs as well, for obvious reasons. If it becomes too much of a pain in the ass to maintain their older car, Grandma and Grandpa will bite the bullet and fork over big bucks for a new one.

soapbox*/

doug82supra: I keep the cat and the EGR on my cars in good working order. You don't understand...this is Kalifornia, the land of the under-hood inspection that has just about nothing to do with tailpipe emissions. Any of us with significant engine mods has to to replace all of the stock parts before a smog test. Even if the car passes the tailpipe test easily, if it has some aftermarket part they can see which isn't "approved" - the car fails. In saner states, this isn't an issue.

[doug82supra]

I hear ya loud and clear and apologize for even sounding off on regulations I don't know much about. I'm sure those regs are most frustrating when you assume it's big business that's behind it all. Also, I haven't any doubts that most any of the old-timers here on the site know how to keep their smog control equipment in order, backwards and forwards (got utmost respect), and the issue of after-market mods being illegal and cause for failure of inspection is ridiculous.

As tempting as it is to remove some of my smog equipment now that I'm in the first year of my 82's 25 year or older exemption, who knows what the future will hold here in GA? And no, I won't be getting an antique tag with the model T motif.....lol

[Darrow]

Instead of complaining how little sense this makes, why not go the other route. Tell the lawmaker that every car older than 5 years old needs to be tested every year with no exemptions for cars pre-'75. Why 5 years: (1) most vehicle emissions warranties run out after 5 years, (2) there are so many people that own cars older than 5 years there would be more support to stop the law.

Knowing Cali, a law like that would pass though and everyone would be screwed.

[kvanderlaag]

I really like Darrow's idea, actually.

[Chrisfrom1986]

Thank you for your e-mail Chris. I voted no on this bill.

Take care,

Tom

[Malibyte]

CA peeps:

The bill has been sent to the Appropriations Committee for a vote on August 20. The list of the Senators on this committee can be found here:

http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/sen/committee/STANDING/APPROP/_home1/PROFILE.HTM

Some of them will only respond to feedback through their own Web sites and only respond to comments from their own constituents. Several of them are from the Bay Area, Los Angeles-area districts, San DIego and the Inland Empire. Please send them your comments if you live there...thanks!

[Malibyte]

Thank you for your e-mail Chris. I voted no on this bill.

Take care,

Tom




Dear Bob,

Thank you for your e-mail. I voted no on this bill.

Take care,

Tom

Well, at least he took time to answer, and that he voted "no". Now, hopefully it'll get killed in the Appropriations Committee.

[zank]

we can only hope so Bob