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Re: OT-BAAQMD

To: Bay Area Racers <ba-autox@Autox.Team.Net>
Subject: Re: OT-BAAQMD
From: Johann Schubert <jes@rx7.org>
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 21:48:10 -0700
Carl Merritt wrote:
>> * Who gave BAAQMD permission to access by DMV records?
> 
> They are public.  Any of us could access it.

Sort of...  But it's not anonymous. You would be informed if an individual
requests information about you.

"California Vehicle Code (CVC) section  1810  allows the public to obtain your
DMV information by filling out the Request for Driver License/Identification
Card Information or the Request for Vehicle/Vessel Registration Information form
(INF 70D/70R) and submitting the appropriate fee (provided on form) for each
request.

Any request for information submitted on forms INF 70D or INF 70R, CVC section
1810 (b) requires the department to notify the record subject of the request."
...plus a bunch of other legal drivel...  :-/

>> * Since they did access my DMV record, why didn't they look at the smog
>> test history? My 1 owner car has legitimately passed with flying colors
>> every time w/o any failures or retests.
> 
> Just because it passes the expected emissions of a '81 RX-7 does not mean it
> isn't massively more polluting than a modern car.

I don't think it is. The test results are always barely measurable, with some 
readings at 0. That's part of the frustration. Also I just finished a legal 
swap 
to a '91 engine & ECU, pending the referee's signature. I doubt that will 
remove 
me from the "letter list" :-(

For comparison, we tested my wife's '82 Rx-7 on the rollers for the first time 
before giving it to my daughter. It failed. After replacing the CAT, it not 
only 
passed the test limits for '82, but also passed the limits for '95.

>> * Why isn't this offer available only to *failing* cars?? Wouldn't that get
>> rid of the real sources of pollution?  duh? Probably too obvious for a
>> government agency!
> 
> 
> It probably is offered to failing cars, but they are clearly going further
> than just that since older cars, even one's that emit the same pollution
> levels as when new and therefore "pass" the test, are also a large pollution
> source compared to modern cars.

More frustration... It's not offered to failing cars!? See 
http://tinyurl.com/3q8dw for details...

This is what I have major disagreements with California. To put it bluntly, 
IMHO 
they have a dumb approach to clean air laws regarding older vehicles. IMHO 
older 
cars should have 1 simple rule.
* It *must* pass at the tailpipe. No waivers, economic or otherwise. Fix it or 
scrap it! No 30 year rolling or other age exemption for normal registered 
vehicles. However you should be able to upgrade the emissions equipment with 
any 
modern technology.

As we all know too well, currently it's not legal to replace a carb with EFI, a 
thermal reactor with a CAT or even add a CAT to a car that didn't have one. 
California's laws are hardware laws, not clean air laws... :-/

John






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