[TR] FW: [Nobbc] Update on Emissions Bill A.B. 616 - cars 15 yrs old +

[Paige, Dean]

 An update of California Assembly Bill 616 from nobbc at autox.team.net
lister. Heads up, this would be a very bad thing for all of us who own
any classic car.

Deano

-----Original Message-----
From: nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:nobbc-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of gtwincams
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 6:57 AM
To: North Bay British Car Club
Subject: [Nobbc] Update on Emissions Bill A.B. 616 - cars 15 yrs old +

Hi NOBBCers
For those who have been following A.B. 616, which requires annual smog
checks for vehicles 15 years and older (that's all cars, by the way,
including our currently exempted 1975 or older classics), it has been
set aside for the year, but was previously approved by the full
California Assembly (!) and Senate Transportation Committee. Part of the
money would be used to scrap older vehicles, encouraging even further
reduction in available classic cars, and increasing costs for those
remaining.
So far, the committee members were convinced that these vintage cars
represent a very small portion of the vehicle population, and the extra
regulation would not have provided sufficient emission reductions to be
justified.
What this means is that the bill could be introduced next year, or the
next. I bring this to your attention not to elicit political diatribes
about California politics, but to ask you all to stay on your toes about
pending legislation regarding classic cars, and be ready to add your
voices to those who have worked to sideline this bill (various car
clubs, SEMA, etc.).
Most states retain a rolling exemption, something we also enjoyed in
California until it was repealed a couple of years ago. That has sent
the value of post-1975 classics down (unless they are much rarer,
exotic, or high-performance), and essentially stalling the lower-cost
classic car market in the state. For those NOBBC members with British
classics that will not pass a rolling road smog check, don't have all or
functioning smog gear (much is not available for some cars), this type
of legislation would require selling the vehicle or converting it to
another engine, something that is not of interest to many.
So, please stay aware of the issue, and if you read or hear something
new, please post to this and other groups. It would not hurt to send a
quick, brief letter to your representatives and the Senate
Transportation Committee members now, supporting the abandonment of this
and future similar bills.
Trish and I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, and hope to see you
on the next drive.
Cheers,
Greg Tatarian
1971 Lotus Elan S4
1974 Triumph TR6
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
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