PORSCHE 914 IN DANGER - CORRECTION, SMOG EXEMPTION LEGISLATION Options

[lusemer]

THE BILL THREATENING TO REMOVE THE SMOG EXEMPTION TO CLASSICS FROM 1958 ON IS SB708. TO FIND WHO IS YOUR STATE SENATOR, CHECK:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/memberinfo
HERE IS A SAMPLE LETTER, OR JUST TELL YOUR SENATOR TO VOTE NO ON SB708

Senator XXX
State Capitol Room XXX
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator XXX:

Classic Car owners in California include a good number of senior citizens and retired persons, as well as students, artists, and professionals. Those owners are proud of their classic vehicles. Since restoring and maintaining those cars in beautiful shape is expensive, those persons contribute vigorously to the health of the California economy. Please vote NO on SB708. SB708 proposes to remove the smog exemption for 1960-1974 Classic Cars by changing section 44011 of the Health and Safety Code:. "Existing law exempts from those requirements until 1/1/03, any motor vehicle manufactured prior to the 1974 model year, and after that date, any motor vehicle that is 30 or more model years old. This bill would delete the exemption for those motor vehicles, and would instead, commencing 1/1/2005, exempt any motor vehicle that is 45 or more model years old."

These 60's and early 70's cars are part of a glorious automotive history and should be cherished instead of banned. The real problem is the millions of SUVs that are gas guzzlers and that are on the roads every day -- not the few remaining Classic Muscle Cars. Statistically, Classic Cars (1974 and older, or over 30 years old) contribute a negligible and minuscule amount to total pollution. Again, it is the millions of SUVs, large trucks, and industrial machinery which create 99 percent of the pollution in California.

In addition, Classic Car owners take good care of their vehicles and are proud of them. The many Classic-Car clubs, conventions, exhibitions, and parades in California, contribute to make the State a magnet for tourists and keep a good sector of the economy healthy. Businesses that benefit from the Classic-Car industry include auto parts stores, body repair shops, mechanical repair shops, wax and paint manufacturers, and again, the tourism sector. All over the State millions of older or retired persons spend considerable funds in restoring and maintaining Classic Cars in beautiful condition. California should encourage such healthy activity. The State benefits by collecting sales taxes on every commercial transaction related to Classic Car activities. Please vote AGAINST SB708 and propose another bill which SIMPLY SETS 1974 (or a 30-year threshold) as the year marking smog exemption. Preserve our automotive history and the work of the collectors, mechanics, and restorers who love these Classic Cars.

Thank You,

[anthony]

Now, how they will determine which cars drive over 12K miles per year is a different question.