September 27, 2004

California Smog Rules

Every time a new car emissions law is passed, classic car collectors all hold their breath hoping that it doesn't affect them. In the past, it has never been an issue. Most sensible legislators know that antique cars can not and will not pass modern emissions standards and to force them into such restrictions would devalue these pieces of history.

However, nobody has ever said that California has sensible legislators:

Lovers of California's classic cars, celebrated in the Beach Boys song for "fun, fun, fun," worried that a new state law could take their T-birds and little deuce coupes away.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) has signed a bill requiring that cars 30 years and older be tested under California's strict smog regulations, closing a loophole over the protests of classic car collectors, including "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno.

Read the entire thing.

Comments:

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just a slight correction: "Most of the criticism came from those who misunderstood the bill and thought it targeted all vintage cars, Lieber said. Her bill continues an exemption for any vehicle built before 1975 and therefore singles out cars that already have been passing smog checks. "

which is from this article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/09/24/BILLS.TMP&type=printable

anyway, i think the real problem was the other bill which allows hybrid cars that get 45 mpg or better to use the carpool lane. the car pool lanes in cali are already clogged up enough. if anyone can afford to sit in traffic it's these guys - the gas hogs are the ones you want to get off the road quickly.

this is one of the first big empty gestures by their new governor (backed by the always dumb dems. in the cali state legislature) to appear tough on something. this clearly overlooks the fact that he drives cars which only get 8 mpg.

Posted by: jakec at September 27, 2004 02:26 PM

so, basically, the law will no longer have a rolling date of 30 years, rather, a hard date of 1975 and after. as a muscle car enthusiast, i say, who cares - with the exception of possibly a buick grand national, why the hell would anyone want to own a car from the mid-70s through the 80s? ugly and unpowerful pretty much sums up most cars built after 1970, anyway. even corvettes were ugly in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Posted by: jakec at September 27, 2004 02:38 PM

I would like to offer asylum to any California classic endangered by this new law... ;)

Posted by: Miss O'Hara at September 29, 2004 01:01 PM