Tri-County Mustang Club

For enthusiasts of all years, models, and manufacturers of the Ford Mustang

Ownership is not essential!

Smogfrg.com SB800

A leading and independant resource for further links and an invaluable source of information used by car clubs and citizens alike, about government legislation in a battle to keep our Ponies (and friends) on the road with the shiny side still up and the rubber side down, and not in a recycle bin!

(4-13-01) This section is about the government legislation watched by a passionate and quite involuntary leader in the batlle to keep an uncaring bureaucracy out of the drivers seat of our favorite cars.  A government and industrial coalition bureaucracy which would prefer to drive our cars down a one way road to oblivion, in exhange for pollution credits.

Len Trimlett of Smogrfg.com,  Started a class project 4 years ago, which turned into a crusade when research turned up information that is of importance to anyone driving an older car. I found out about this information rich web site [smogfrg.com] last fall, from the San Diego Mustang Club's Pony Express.

(Editorial) Fortunately for the rest of us, Len is passionate about keeping his own car, which just happens to be a 65 Mustang, out of the scrap yard.  In his concern, he is keeping track of  legislation that all of us can understand, and in his generosity sharing it so that we can oppose or support legislation as we would.  Government and industry leaders believe that the general public [of which we are all a part] will be as apathetic about this as we are about voting.  Then they can write the rules to force us into a blind submission, not all at once, but sediously by taking just one car at a time. ~dmg

A Message to TCMC:

Thanks --- Smogrfg started in 1997 as a class project to build a home page. It has had about 6 major upgrades. The current push began in August 2000. My one goal is to keep the 66-73 exemption together (SB42) at all costs....no compromise. It is my project.

I will to the best of my ability keep this web site accurate and timely in what it presents. The only thing I ask in return is that if you agree with what I say you spread the word and write your legislator. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall.."

I will add you to the list for email, however as I have the full attention of the car clubs now, everything is going out on that front page as it happens!!!

I am a 65 Mustang Owner as well. I am putting up a dividing line in the sand. I know which side I stand on. Only time will tell about others.

Thanks --- Len Trimlett

ACCC position on collecting

- Association of California Car Clubs

(italics added as highlight effect by TCMC)     Editor Note: RSD = Remote Sensing Device

Hi Len:

My present and urgent concerns for the car collecting hobby are:

Get legislation introduced and passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor that will exempt "Collector Cars" from Air pollution testing and RSD TESTING. RSD is by far the greatest concern, even though it is not currently used to test cars for air pollution violations on a stand alone remote test, it has been field tested and is the emissions test of the near future. CARB has stated they are 40% short of meeting the SIP goal for air pollution reduction, and stated that they want to reintroduce the 66-73 vehicles, into the smog check program, and that by so doing will improve their pollution reduction results by 7%.

Obviously the mere testing of the cars will not reduce smog any amount, but by their own statements, these 66-73 cars will NOT be able to pass Remote Sensing Device test. When the car fails the DMV will be notified, the license renewal will be refused. In some cities in California it is illegal to have an unregistered car on your property and is subject to confiscation.

The 30 year rolling exemption is a confusion for many and a mixed bag for others.

a. Many hobbyist were in favor of it because in their minds it ended the underhood inspections which to most of us was blight and major obstruction to our vehicle operation. even though our car passed smog with flying colors, a look under the hood ended the ball game.

b. There are those who decry that they should be able to drive or collect 1975 and later cars. Even though I believe that you have the constitutional right to do so, I have neither the money, energy or will to mount a constitutional challenge to protect that right.

c. If I were to make a choice, and if I had the power to do so I would NOT sacrifice 66-73 automobiles, their contribution to automotive history and the pleasures of many, for any 1975 or subsequently manufactured automobile. CAT equipment or not.

I'm running out of gas,

Frank

::: Last updated: January 06, 2008
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