DeTomaso Mailing List: January 2001, Message #64

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This forwarded post would seem to affect most all Panteras as well as
all of the Muscle Cars of that era....
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From: "Brain Caudill" <brianc@sema.org>
To: <brianc@sema.org>
Subject: Driving Force - January 2001, Email Edition
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 13:09:26 -0500
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Below is the January 2001 email edition of the Specialty Equipment Market
Association's  (SEMA) "Driving Force" newsletter.  As always, feel free to
reprint any or all of the information contained within it.  All we ask is
for attribution if you choose to do so.  If you need any additional
background please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you do not wish to receive any future editions of the email Driving
Force, please respond to this email with "remove" and we will delete your
email address from our
list.

Brian Caudill, Editor
__________________________________________________________

California Looks to Emissions Test Older Cars, Increase Scrappage
Opportunities

	California regulators are at it again. Scant months since California's car
club community and SEMA helped beat back a legislative effort by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) to eliminate California's 30-year
rolling emissions testing exemption comes news that the exemption is under
fire again. Only this time the consequences are potentially much worse.

	California's I/M Review Committee, the group tasked with developing and
evaluating the success of the state's emissions testing program, has issued
a report recommending that 1966-1973 model year vehicles be emissions tested
and eligible for scrappage. For the first time, California regulators are
specifically targeting "muscle-car" era vehicles. From 1966 Chevelles to1970
Mustangs to 1973 Chargers, some California regulators want your car in their
smog check program. This is even more of a head-scratcher when we remember
that pre-1974 vehicles were not originally equipped with pollution control
equipment.

	SEMA has learned that there may be plans afoot to use the committee
recommendations in the coming legislative session to, at a minimum, again
seek a repeal of the current 30-year rolling emissions exemption. At a
maximum, California may try to extend testing back to model-year 1966.

	SEMA Action Network Director Brian Caudill notes that, "SEMA-member
companies, as well as California SEMA Action Network clubs, individual
members and publications, have been encouraged to contact their legislators
to oppose repealing California's emissions testing exemption for older
vehicles. We anticipate a tough battle this year and we will need everyone's
help."

(To read the SEMA Legislative Alert on this matter, go to
www.enjoythedrive.com/cgi-bin/content.asp?read=8923.  For information on how
to turn this alert into a letter you can send to a California legislator,
read SEMA's information on How to Lobby Your Elected Officials
available at www.enjoythedrive.com/cgi-bin/content.asp?id=49&read=821.)


SEMA Seeks Testing and Certification Program to Remedy Exhaust Noise
Enforcement Problem in California

	Working with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Bureau of
Automotive Repair (BAR), SEMA is drafting legislation, for possible
introduction in the new year, to allow California vehicles equipped with
aftermarket exhaust systems to be tested and certified to the state's
95-decibel noise limit.

	Current law in California limits exhaust noise at the 95-decibel (db) level
for aftermarket and modified exhaust systems. However, current road-side
enforcement of this limit is chaotic at best, leading to subjective,
selective and often improper enforcement.

	SEMA has been aware of this problem for some time. Scores of SEMA Action
Network members -- the majority of them in the import performance scene --
have been pulled-over by state and local police and cited for improper
modified exhaust systems. Responding to hobbyist concerns, SEMA worked with
the CHP to produce guidelines clarifying state exhaust noise regulations.
These guidelines made clear that aftermarket exhaust systems do not violate
noise restrictions unless they exceed 95db.

	This partnership with CHP was successful in educating many hobbyists and
law enforcement personnel on the true scope of California's modified exhaust
rules. Nonetheless, enthusiasts continued to be pulled-over and many police
officers simply ignored any compliance documentation hobbyists provided to
plead their case. In a nutshell, many hobbyists with modified exhaust
systems were, and currently are, being told to "tell it to the judge." SEMA
is hopeful that a method for certifying aftermarket exhaust systems to the
95db threshold will help protect enthusiasts.

	Late last year, the California Motor Vehicle Conference approved the SEMA
draft bill. The Motor Vehicle Conference consists of state legislators,
regulators and other agencies and organizations interested in all facets of
the motor vehicle industry. The group meets twice yearly to consider
legislative initiatives for possible introduction in the California
legislature.

	Under the draft bill, authority to conduct the tests would be given to the
Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). The tests would be conducted at BAR's
referee stations for a yet to be determined fee. The upside of this
legislation is that it would allow motorists who choose to have their
vehicles tested the ability to have unfair traffic citations written off.

	SEMA is hopeful that this common-sense pro-hobby and pro-industry
legislation will be introduced in the legislature and not meet with any
opposition. "The current California Code does not prohibit exhaust
modifications, modified tailpipes or muffler tips which increase noise
levels as long as noise levels do not exceed the 95 db limit," said Steve
McDonald, SEMA director of government and technical affairs. "SEMA's goal
with this legislation is to reduce improper citations and encourage
modifications that comply with these regulations. A testing and
certification program could be the answer."


SEMA Urges Georgia to Protect Hot Rods and Kit Cars from Dynamometer Testing

    SEMA is leading an effort to oppose a proposed regulation in Georgia
that would require kit cars and hot rods registered after Dec. 31, 1998, to
be emissions tested using a dynamometer. These vehicles are currently
eligible for special standards (two-speed idle test) under the state's
emissions inspection program.

	SEMA's argument to Georgia regulators mirrors much of what we have
emphasized about collector vehicles in the past: Kit cars and hot rods
constitute a small portion of the vehicle fleet, are generally well
maintained and infrequently operated and have a minimal environmental impact
on air quality. In fact, many states have moved to exempt similar vehicles
from emissions testing requirements with legislative and regulatory actions
of their own.

	In addition, Steve McDonald, SEMA director of government and technical
affairs, emphasized to Georgia authorities that hot rods and kit cars are
not standard production vehicles, but rather, a unique and valuable
assemblage of components and parts. Notes McDonald, "Because of their value,
distinctiveness and unique design, hot rods and kit cars do not easily lend
themselves to dynamometer emissions testing, often conducted by inspectors
that have little or no experience with these unique vehicles."

	Affected hobbyists and SEMA argue that dynamometer tests can result in
pinched tires and damaged wheels, a problem exacerbated by the nonstandard
tire and wheel sizes of the subject vehicles. In addition, dynamometer tests
can cause these vehicles to operate beyond safe RPM limits and can lead to
permanent engine damage. In fact, the potential for damage to these vehicles
is significantly greater than for standard production vehicles, for the
general reason that their design was not considered in the design of most
dynamometer tests.


OHV Enthusiasts Cautiously Optimistic With USFS Ruling, Await BLM Rules

	Capping a year of argument between the pro- and anti-off-highway vehicle
(OHV) environmentalist communities, in early January, the U.S. Forest
Service (USFS) will issue its final rule on road building and maintenance on
58.5 million acres of public land under the agency's control.

	It was originally feared that the regulation would further restrict OHV
access to public land and eliminate regular maintenance for existing trails.
However, in a victory many in the OHV enthusiast community did not predict,
the USFS final environmental impact statement looks to maintain the status
quo, calling for continued OHV access and trail maintenance where both
already exist. East Coast Four Wheel Drive Association's Helen "Sugar"
Fields expressed guarded relief with the USFS news. Said Fields, "We are
pleased, but only cautiously optimistic, about what this means for the
future of OHV access to public land."

	In related news, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to
release its own national "OHV strategy" on Jan. 19, 2001. BLM oversees the
most land of any federal agency (more than 264 million acres) and expressed
the need to develop a policy for dealing with OHV access due, in part, to
concerns over the growth in OHV trail-riding popularity, as well as
environmental concerns such as endangered species protection.

	Not surprisingly, the OHV community's concerns with BLM's proposed OHV
strategy mirror those they initially had for the Forest Service's proposed
Roadless Initiative. That is, OHVers fear that trail access will be
curtailed and OHV recreationists will be frozen out of BLM's land-use
policy-making decisions.

	BLM's proposed OHV strategy is merely an internal policy and will not have
the weight of law or regulation. Nevertheless, the OHV community remains
justifiably concerned about its possible effect.


Pro-Hobbyist Street Rod Bill Introduced in Alabama

	A bill (H.B. 16) has been introduced in the Alabama legislature that would
create a vehicle registration classification for street rods. The
legislation defines a street rod as a vehicle produced by an American
manufacturer prior to 1949 which has undergone some type of modernization.
It also provides for distinctive license plates to be designed in
consultation with the National Street Rod Association. These plates will be
inscribed with "street rod" and be valid without renewal following an
initial registration fee.

	H.B. 16 also exempts street rods from some motor vehicle licensing
requirements and from payment of a license tax for the privilege of
operating the vehicle on public roads, as well as any property tax. Finally,
vehicles registered as street rods would be considered collectors items and
could not be used for general transportation purposes.

	Alabama SEMA Action Network individual members and clubs like the Alabama
Vehicle Club Council and the Shelby County Wheels of Time have been alerted
to this legislation.

(To read the SEMA Legislative Alert on this matter, go to
www.enjoythedrive.com/cgi-bin/content.asp?read=8771. For information on how
to turn this alert into a letter you can send to an Alabama legislator, read
SEMA's information on How to Lobby Your Elected Officials available at
www.enjoythedrive.com/cgi-bin/content.asp?id=49&read=821.)



Restoration Projects Help Teens at the "Crossroads" of Life

    At the Crossroads Teen Center in Tustin, Calif., Barbara Martin and her
staff have developed a program called "Team Crossroads," which includes a
classic car restoration projects of pre-1973 vehicles. The program is
supported by the History and Traditions Foundation Inc., a California
nonprofit organization established by Martin and her husband. All the
participants are between the ages of 15 and 19 years old. Instead of hanging
out after school with nothing to do, the kids come to the center and learn
to repair and restore many of the mechanical components of the cars. Their
current projects are enough to make more than one auto enthusiast's mouth
water. The lineup includes a 1968 Camaro, a 1970 Mercedes, a 1957 Chevy, a
1973 Corvette and a 1950 Chevy pickup. Martin says the participants "enjoy
working with community volunteers and mentors who know what it takes to
restore vehicles to either original, stock or prostreet versions."

	On Aug. 26, the History and Traditions Foundation Inc. and the Crossroads
Teen Center sponsored the third annual Hot August Night Car Show where some
of the cars that were restored through the program were on display, along
with other local enthusiasts' vehicles. The event has grown larger every
year.

	While giving the youth of Tustin something meaningful to do in their free
time and a chance to display their efforts is certainly an accomplishment in
itself, Martin has taken the program much further. She has established a
partnership with Tustin Lexus to help program participants who decide they
want to pursue careers in automotive mechanics. Martin explains, "Once one
of the teens completes a series of repairs and the vehicle comes up and
running, we refer them to a local college to complete a mechanics automotive
repair course. Upon completion of this, the local dealer then again
participates by assisting with job placement into a position which may start
at $50,000 per year or more. All of this for a youth who would otherwise
have not attended college."

	Driving Force commends Team Crossroads' Martin for her efforts in making a
difference in the lives of youths in Tustin. This is certainly a program
that could be successfully duplicated all over the country. That said, it
takes some help to keep a program like this going. If anyone is interested
in donating a pre-1973 vehicle, tools, shop space or any other resources
they think might be helpful to the "Team Crossroads" program, please e-mail
Barbara at barbmartin@worldnet.att.net, or give her a call at 714/648-0248.


Put SEMA on Your Mailing List, Etc.

	We'd like to know what clubs and enthusiasts across the country are up to,
and what issues concern club members and individual enthusiasts. Consider
putting SEMA on your mailing list. Send correspondence to Brian Caudill,
SEMA, 1317 F St., NW, Ste. 500, Washington, D.C. 20004. Clubs can also reach
Caudill via e-mail at brianc@sema.org or by fax at 202/783-6024.


SEMA Government Relations Office
1317 F St., NW, Ste. 550
Washington, D.C. 20004
202/783-6007
Fax 202/783-6024

Brian Caudill: Editor/Director of Outreach and Public Affairs
Steve McDonald: Director of Government and Technical Affairs
Andrew Rasberry: Research Coordinator
Cheryl Werts: Administrative Assistant

For more legislative and regulatory information, check out the SEMA consumer
web site:  www.enjoythedrive.com/san


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