My Concerns -- 12/23/04

My concern runs as follows:

• The way the exemption for 1976 and up was written opens a can of worms that I hoped would never be opened.
• AB2683 refers to a collector car as defined in section 259 of the vehicle code. This was added by Association of California Car Clubs . There is nothing wrong with this as it simply states that a collector vehicle is defined in Vehicle Code 5051.
• The problem is with Vehicle Code 5051....It has no room for modifieds. It refers to "restored to factory specification" If it becomes the basis of the collector definition for pre-1976 vehicles, 90% of the pre-1976 vehicles would not qualify as they generally have very modified emission system.
• Vehicle code 27156 states that the vehicle must have all of its smog equipment on the vehicle.
• Read Vehicle Code 27156 on equipment.
• Read Vehicle Code 5051 on the definition of a collector and special interest vehicle.
• Read Vehicle Code 5004 on the definition of a collector vehicle.
• Read Health & Safety Code 44081 on off-cycle interception of Gross Polluters
• Read SB285 Mountjoy 1999. Go to the California Senate Legislative Site. Select 1999, 2000 Session. Choose SB285 for bill number. This deals with remote sensing and Gross Polluters.
• Go back to the California Legislative Site and select current session. Select AB2683 and read it.
• Go back to the California Legislative Site and select the 1997/1998 session and choose SB42. That is the bill with the 1966-1973 smog exemption in it.
• My concerns may be stated as follows:
  • Vehicle Code 5051 was written at a time before the huge increase of interest in the 1966-1973 hobby car market became prevalent.
  • Vehicle Code 5051 was written by Association of California Car Clubs to serve a need. It was intended for Horseless Carrriage and Historical Interest Vehicles...Vehicles that were restored according to Factory Spec. This definition was written and put into effect before Quentin Kopp gave us SB42. Read SB42.
  • Now try to overlay the definitions for "Collector Vehicle" and "Special Interest Vehicle" on the vehicles at car shows. What you find is that the cars at car shows would not qualify as collector vehicles under the "Vehicle Code 5051 Definition".
  • I WISH TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT I AM NOT,REPEAT NOT CRITICIZING ACCC RELATIVE TO THE DEFINITION. I believe the huge influx of modifieds was never anticipated when that definition was written. THAT IS NOT MY PURPOSE.
  • My concern is that 90% of the 1966 to 1975 cars will not qualify as a collector vehicles under that definition.
  • My concern is that many of the 1966 to 1975 car community have upgraded their engines and could be held to put smog equipment on those vehicles.
  • My concern is that there are many legislators who don't know the first thing about cars. My concern is that they will try to replace the SB42 smog exemption using this "Collector Definition"
  • My concern is that the current Vehicle Code 5051 "Collector Vehicle Definition" needs to be changed NOW.
  • My concern is that if the Vehicle Code 5051 is not changed, the car community code be forced to put back their smog equipment (if they can find it).
  • What you read about Remote Sensing below still holds. If you read SB285 you will realize that NOBODY is exempt from REMOTE SENSING. Remote Sensing is currently in the Study Phase. I have written letters to the Governor and BAR and CARB. They are unwilling to address my questions.
  • Currently no 1966-1975 vehicles are being dragged back into the smog program as the result of either anti-SB42 legislation or remote sensing. AB2683, Sally Lieber, San Jose state it is the intent of the Legislature to make the exemption for 66-75 vehicles permanent. Bureau of Automotive Repair stated at the last California Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee hearing that they have no intention of touching the 1966-1975 vehicles.
  • We must continue to show a strong political force (letter writing) to keep it that way. We will need to keep up that fight indefinitely..
  • Thank you for your support....Len Trimlett...www.smogrfg.com