Here in the State of Maine, we actually have a system of checks and balances. I'm not talking about the budget but about the way shit gets done legislatively. Before I go to far, this a continuation of Wah Wah Wah as a response to the 2nd part of the questions posed to me at that time.
The question was, who made the year break for the street rod end at 1948? Having been still in the pimple popping stage of my life when this happened I couldn't tell you if I wanted to. But the consensus is, the NSRA being newly formed, and SEMA put their heads together and established that year break as a national standard.
In the following years SEMA came up with verbiage and brought forth the SEMA Model Legislation which clearly defines the year breaks for Street Rods and Customs. This has been adopted by many States in one form or another as law and is being pushed in others that have no registration for these speciality vehicles.
The question asked further if this could be amended to allow vehicles, say up to 64 be called street rods. The reason this was asked is, building the vehicle first and neglecting to check the rules governing his build now makes his big girl panties being in a bunch a priority.
In order to change the criteria in the State, would mean staging a coup de tat at the NSRA and SEMA all on the same day. The way it works is you need legislation to make the change. That needs the endorsement of the State Police, Public Safety, EPA and BMV. Then you need the support of the enthusiasts that have already toed the line and have vehicles registered as street rods. Then get your State rep or Senator to write it up.
Then it will get kicked over to the Transportation Committee or some other group of minions that will throw it back and forth then kick it like a cur dog to the Revisors Office. They are the language police of the state and likely to change the bill from what you want to alphabet soup about 5 times before they get it right.
Then it gets put back in committee for public hearing. If all goes well, sometime between the time you asked about it and the day you die it will become law.But the public hearing is the key as both sides will voice their respective opinions. Bring support, lots of support. So no, it will not get changed at the next "meeting" with the state that I attend. Nor will it get my support at anytime. Many have worked very hard to get what we have and like things as they are.
The NSRA had at one time a "Street Machine Division". Somehow somewhere the division was dropped and later went on to be the "Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. The NSRA opened its events nationwide to vehicle 30yrs old and older just few years ago. Goodguys has always allowed up to 1972 through the gates and last year started letting all years through on Sunday.
What this persons problem is is unknown. Going back to a para phrase from Star Trek, "Does the good of the one out weigh the good of the many".
In this case I think not.
11/25/12
11/21/12
Turkeyday
Here is how you could describe a Thanksgiving Feast if you really squint and listen to Guy Lombardo played backwards.
Your Table is set with the finest of silver that gleams like a new set of wrenches. The china could be compared in size to a hub cap and the crystal glassware in combination with the china would put any $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy to shame.
The cream cheese stuffed celery reminds you of tire plugs and the mashed potatoes of a fine polish used on your chrome. The Cranberry jelly says red grease and the olives say valve caps. The table cloth begs to be used as a cover for your seats and the stuffing, although aromatic, reminds you to mouse proof the car.
Your gravy boat with its thick rich contents smells of turkey but screams gear oil. Then as the bird is carved, the soft tender meat makes you yearn for the soft compound tires you saw and drumstick of the new shifter from Lokar or Hurst
After your meal you sit as satisfied as a first time winner at the Auto-Rama and slowly nod off into your dreams of bikini car washes and a never ending supply of Mothers Wax.
As you awaken for dessert the Apple pie ala mode reminds you of nothing because what is more American than Apple Pie, Ice Cream, Hot Rods and Bikini Car Washes.
Oh Screw that! I'm gonna make me a damn PBJ sammich and head for the garage.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May we all be safe and well during this Holiday Season.
Your Table is set with the finest of silver that gleams like a new set of wrenches. The china could be compared in size to a hub cap and the crystal glassware in combination with the china would put any $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy to shame.
The cream cheese stuffed celery reminds you of tire plugs and the mashed potatoes of a fine polish used on your chrome. The Cranberry jelly says red grease and the olives say valve caps. The table cloth begs to be used as a cover for your seats and the stuffing, although aromatic, reminds you to mouse proof the car.
Your gravy boat with its thick rich contents smells of turkey but screams gear oil. Then as the bird is carved, the soft tender meat makes you yearn for the soft compound tires you saw and drumstick of the new shifter from Lokar or Hurst
After your meal you sit as satisfied as a first time winner at the Auto-Rama and slowly nod off into your dreams of bikini car washes and a never ending supply of Mothers Wax.
As you awaken for dessert the Apple pie ala mode reminds you of nothing because what is more American than Apple Pie, Ice Cream, Hot Rods and Bikini Car Washes.
Oh Screw that! I'm gonna make me a damn PBJ sammich and head for the garage.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May we all be safe and well during this Holiday Season.
11/16/12
Finish It
Before I set off on another journey of a mad man I suppose I should finish my year in review.
We had a good season and made some new friends. We probably made a few mumble under their respective breath about "who does he think he is". News Flash I know who I am.
September marked a record year for a couple of shows and Toys for Tots is at the top of the list. An over abundance of cars, trucks and people is a good thing. Add the United States Marine Corp and you get one hell of a day. This has started to become an annual event to actually look forward too. But a bit of advice to the organizers. Save a few bucks and drop those $5.00 Cheap Ass "Thank You" Awards, a Hand Shake and Pat on the Back is good enough. Great Fun was had by all.
The weather played a part as always, but a little show that you should go to is Brewer. With a lot big enough for a battleship, they moved it inside when the weather looked bad. Although the count was down due to the weather the show was fun and the Boy Scouts did a good job. If you went to Bangor you were a day early and a river crossing short.
I actually missed Durham this year and hopefully it will return at some point. But to take its place was Fast Eddies. A clusterfuck even the likes of God has yet to see, but the big part was the people. If you made it fun it was. If you wanted that vestige of penile substitution otherwise known as the $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy, you need to go back to Kansas Dorothy.
WTF is all that will be said about Naples and the Sons of the American Legion. Other than if you were my son it would be off to the wood shed.
As the end of the season was wrapped up at G/NG lions and Maine Oxy could have done better, I need not go into detail. Just go with the flow and make it a good show.
We had a good time as always this year and poked fun at just about every show and tried not to sound to gloomy about all of them. If yours is a different take then lets hear about it. I post all comments and will edit those that need spelling and punctuation as nobody needs to look stupid. I do that well enough for everybody.
Til' next
We had a good season and made some new friends. We probably made a few mumble under their respective breath about "who does he think he is". News Flash I know who I am.
September marked a record year for a couple of shows and Toys for Tots is at the top of the list. An over abundance of cars, trucks and people is a good thing. Add the United States Marine Corp and you get one hell of a day. This has started to become an annual event to actually look forward too. But a bit of advice to the organizers. Save a few bucks and drop those $5.00 Cheap Ass "Thank You" Awards, a Hand Shake and Pat on the Back is good enough. Great Fun was had by all.
The weather played a part as always, but a little show that you should go to is Brewer. With a lot big enough for a battleship, they moved it inside when the weather looked bad. Although the count was down due to the weather the show was fun and the Boy Scouts did a good job. If you went to Bangor you were a day early and a river crossing short.
I actually missed Durham this year and hopefully it will return at some point. But to take its place was Fast Eddies. A clusterfuck even the likes of God has yet to see, but the big part was the people. If you made it fun it was. If you wanted that vestige of penile substitution otherwise known as the $25.00 Cheap Ass Trophy, you need to go back to Kansas Dorothy.
WTF is all that will be said about Naples and the Sons of the American Legion. Other than if you were my son it would be off to the wood shed.
As the end of the season was wrapped up at G/NG lions and Maine Oxy could have done better, I need not go into detail. Just go with the flow and make it a good show.
We had a good time as always this year and poked fun at just about every show and tried not to sound to gloomy about all of them. If yours is a different take then lets hear about it. I post all comments and will edit those that need spelling and punctuation as nobody needs to look stupid. I do that well enough for everybody.
Til' next
11/11/12
Politics
Poli, from the Latin meaning, many, Tics from the English meaning blood sucking vermin.
With last weeks elections we as a group need to be very aware of what we actually have for allies in Bugusta. We as a hobby need to pay attention to what is being served up in legislation, both on local and national levels.
If you have a rookie legislator in your district find out where they stand on the environment and old cars. If they are the radical tree hugger pine nut eaters try to be kind and educate them. If they listen we have a chance. If they are re-elected soulless minions that are on the fence, talk with them and get a feel for their stance, we might have an ally.
Many seats have changed parties in Bugusta and with change you will get some that want to change the world. If it's in our favor support it. You know what to do if it's a detriment to our hobby.
Luckily most or at least a majority of our contacts in Bugusta are in agencies IE State Police and BMV and are not really affected this time. I hate to say it but we might have to embrace one of these elected officials and work with them.
It's still early but keep an eye on these people before their eyes glaze over with the hypnotic trance that Bugusta gives them.
With last weeks elections we as a group need to be very aware of what we actually have for allies in Bugusta. We as a hobby need to pay attention to what is being served up in legislation, both on local and national levels.
If you have a rookie legislator in your district find out where they stand on the environment and old cars. If they are the radical tree hugger pine nut eaters try to be kind and educate them. If they listen we have a chance. If they are re-elected soulless minions that are on the fence, talk with them and get a feel for their stance, we might have an ally.
Many seats have changed parties in Bugusta and with change you will get some that want to change the world. If it's in our favor support it. You know what to do if it's a detriment to our hobby.
Luckily most or at least a majority of our contacts in Bugusta are in agencies IE State Police and BMV and are not really affected this time. I hate to say it but we might have to embrace one of these elected officials and work with them.
It's still early but keep an eye on these people before their eyes glaze over with the hypnotic trance that Bugusta gives them.
11/10/12
Veteran's Day
Observe It.
Reach out your hand and thank a veteran.
They let us be who we are and have what we have.
Observe It.
Thank them for their sacrifice.
It's what we need to do.
Observe It.
Reach out your hand and thank a veteran.
They let us be who we are and have what we have.
Observe It.
Thank them for their sacrifice.
It's what we need to do.
Observe It.
11/4/12
Wah Wah Wah
This is the time of year we take a break from the events calendar. Think about the past season's events and start planning for the holidays.
Not poking the big dog with a stick or stirring up a pot of festering crap.
A question has been raised on the use of old antique registration plates to display on your car in place of the plates issued by the state. Secondary questions on the proper display of single issue plates IE war years that allowed the issue of 1 plate due to metal shortages that lasted until a few years after the war and the vehicles allowed to display them.
First let me state this loud and clear. I didn't write this statute, I don't enforce this statute, and it will take a Legislative Directive to change it.
The statute in question is one that has been a thorn in my side since I became aware of it. It is vague and has almost nothing to do with my aspect of the hobby, that being Street Rods. When Antique Plates were first issued in 19whothehellknows, they were written into statute under Title 29A Article3 Section 457. This statute was put together for limited use vehicles.
Over the years this has been the dumping ground for a State Agency that really has its own agenda and couldn't take the time to separate Street Rods from the limited use category. Thus the vagueness of the statute where in it states," An owner of an antique auto, horseless carriage, street rod or antique motorcycle may use registration plates that were issued in the same year the antique vehicle was manufactured..."
This is the main part that clearly states Street Rod. The rest is where it gets confusing. Pay attention to line "B" & "C".
"... as long as the motor vehicle:
A. Is over 25 years old; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Is registered as an antique vehicle; and [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. Carries a valid antique motor vehicle registration certificate and plates. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]"
If you have a Street Rod and it is registered as a Street Rod how can it be registered as an Antique. But 457 being the all encompassing shit storm of controversy contradicts itself as clearly seen above.
Clearly as Mud
The funny part is it does not include Customs. When they came into being in 2005 they somehow got away from 457.
Here's a thought, You are waving a red flag at a bull who is owned by a judge using a seeing eye dog as it's a case of blind justice, who drives a fucking Prius, that wants the 65dba muffler on all lawn mowers, talking to the green weenie pine nut eating knot hole poking assistant DA who just found out his wife has a " Support Your Local H---- A-----" tattoo on her mangina looking over your case. You ain't gonna win.
I myself feel no need to display a plate older than myself on a car that is no longer that year or even a close replica of its former being. It would make more sense to me to run your issued plate on the road and use the old plate once your at the show as part of your display, thus alleviating the need for bail money when pulled over by some Barney Fife local cop who still plays with his meat puppet.
Not poking the big dog with a stick or stirring up a pot of festering crap.
A question has been raised on the use of old antique registration plates to display on your car in place of the plates issued by the state. Secondary questions on the proper display of single issue plates IE war years that allowed the issue of 1 plate due to metal shortages that lasted until a few years after the war and the vehicles allowed to display them.
First let me state this loud and clear. I didn't write this statute, I don't enforce this statute, and it will take a Legislative Directive to change it.
The statute in question is one that has been a thorn in my side since I became aware of it. It is vague and has almost nothing to do with my aspect of the hobby, that being Street Rods. When Antique Plates were first issued in 19whothehellknows, they were written into statute under Title 29A Article3 Section 457. This statute was put together for limited use vehicles.
Over the years this has been the dumping ground for a State Agency that really has its own agenda and couldn't take the time to separate Street Rods from the limited use category. Thus the vagueness of the statute where in it states," An owner of an antique auto, horseless carriage, street rod or antique motorcycle may use registration plates that were issued in the same year the antique vehicle was manufactured..."
This is the main part that clearly states Street Rod. The rest is where it gets confusing. Pay attention to line "B" & "C".
"... as long as the motor vehicle:
A. Is over 25 years old; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Is registered as an antique vehicle; and [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. Carries a valid antique motor vehicle registration certificate and plates. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]"
If you have a Street Rod and it is registered as a Street Rod how can it be registered as an Antique. But 457 being the all encompassing shit storm of controversy contradicts itself as clearly seen above.
Clearly as Mud
The funny part is it does not include Customs. When they came into being in 2005 they somehow got away from 457.
Here's a thought, You are waving a red flag at a bull who is owned by a judge using a seeing eye dog as it's a case of blind justice, who drives a fucking Prius, that wants the 65dba muffler on all lawn mowers, talking to the green weenie pine nut eating knot hole poking assistant DA who just found out his wife has a " Support Your Local H---- A-----" tattoo on her mangina looking over your case. You ain't gonna win.
I myself feel no need to display a plate older than myself on a car that is no longer that year or even a close replica of its former being. It would make more sense to me to run your issued plate on the road and use the old plate once your at the show as part of your display, thus alleviating the need for bail money when pulled over by some Barney Fife local cop who still plays with his meat puppet.
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