with all the smog and classic car issues..... Options

[dw914er]

with the bill S.B. 1549 about changing the smog for pre-1976 cars, and the German laws about classic cars in urban areas, what is your input, and feelings. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I have to write a research paper for my English class, and i chose this topic becasue i def. have a stance on it (opposed to these laws) and it does concern me becasue i own an old car. I figured that a great addition to the paper is other peoples opinions and reasons for their opinions becasue this concerns almost everyone. If this smog trend continues, more states and governments will go after our 'polluting' old cars on the road.

So please chime in!!

Thanks in advance for your input!


-Ben

[ericread]

It’s easy to see why the state would consider removing older cars from being smog exempt. In California, smog is a real problem that affects millions of people’s health and quality of life. As a result of smog really getting out of control in the 1960’s, California first required PCV valves to control hydrocarbon crankcase emissions in 1963. In 1969 Air Quality Standards were set by the new California Air Resources Board for total suspended particulates, photochemical oxidants, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. These were important standards that were imposed on the people’s will as a direct result of SMOG getting totally out of control in the larger California cities. Since the 1970’s, there have been numerous requirements placed on motor vehicles that are based on limiting dangerous and potentially poisonous car emissions.

On one hand, we Californians like to bitch about all of the regulations we live under. On the other hand, when I can’t see across the valley, or even a few miles up the road because of high smog levels, I wonder what the hell I’m doing here in SOCAL, breathing this brew of noxious fumes.

As for removing the 1975 and older exemption, I think there is a problem of perception by many local citizens. When most people think of a 1975 car, they probably think of the Buick LeSabre, the Pontiac Vega, the Ford Pinto or a Dodge Dart. The thoughts that this might negatively affect the classic exotic cars such as Porsche, Ferrari, and Bricklin are probably not being considered. Where I think almost everyone would like to see a smoking 1975 Buick LeSabre removed from active service, I do not believe the public has a desire to remove well maintained classic cars from the roadway. The question becomes, how do you make the distinction? Most of us have spent a small fortune in upgrading our teeners from an oil-leaking, smoking old beat-up car to a non-leaking, non-smoking, excellent running classic car. For many of us, this is a commitment. However, the general population does not understand our passion for these automobiles, or even understand what these cars represent.

BTW: California does not currently offer a “Classic Car” license plate, which might be a good answer to allowing older classic cars top remain on the road.

Anyway, lots of words, no answers… just my $.02.