Ring Ring, Hello

"Off the hook", is an expression used by some Camaro driving Chef on TV. Not so at my house. You can take the damn Camaro and park it elsewhere. Loose all that "bling" your wearing, comb your bleach blond hair, make me a dam samich and answer the phone. Because at my house that is what the phone is doing on a regular basis, ringing "off the hook".

All because of somebody with a hard on for State Inspections on Antiques.

Most of the calls are just people who got their respective shorts in a wad when they thought that certain people in my circle were pushing for it. One was from a person who actually wanted to know what was going on. He and I have had many conversations over the years and actually enjoy each others company. He and I conversed well into an hour and will keep each other straight during this political clusterfuck called Democracy.

I told him, so now I'll tell you. The Antique Vehicle Inspection bill is sponsored by Representative Wayne Werts of Auburn. It was requested by a resident of Auburn who shall remain nameless so I am not culpable in his lynching. This is the bill as reported to the Transportation Committee as LD406.

An Act To Require Antique Automobiles That Are Operated on the Highways To Be Inspected


Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1751, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5. Antique autos. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2, an antique auto registered under section 457 must receive an annual inspection based upon standards determined by the Chief of the State Police. The Chief of the State Police may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1752, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.

SUMMARY

Current law exempts antique autos from motor vehicle inspections. This bill requires antique autos to be inspected based upon standards determined by the Chief of the State Police.

After talking with Rep. Werts, he did not realize the complexity of the situation and believes as most of us do that an annual inspection process is not the answer. As a few of us think, he to believes that a loophole does exist and something needs to be done to either close the loophole or tighten it to the point that unsafe vehicles will not be registered as antiques.

The Right Reverend Fudgewhistle is delightfully on screech and for once I can't agree with him more in this latest infringement of our hobby. In an E-Mail I received, he writes.

Freedom Not Defended is Soon Lost!


I have gotten the feeling that many of you have lost interest in protecting our freedom. Perhaps you think the fact that the State fooled street rodders into getting an annual inspection doesn’t really affect you. After all, they like it that way. I tried to explain that they are exempt from inspection, all to no avail. I have testified and worked with people in Augusta for over eight years, trying to protect the rights of antique vehicle owners under Title 29a Sec 457 and 1752. Some of you have helped and deserve the thanks of all!

The State must think we are sleeping because they are introducing two pieces of legislation that would bring the collector car hobby to an end. They are; LD 406 and LD 570. Both will be introduced at the public hearing March 6, 2013, 1PM at the State House room 126.

LD 406 An Act To Require Antique Automobiles That Are Operated on the Highways To Be Inspected That is self explanatory.

LD 570 An Act To Create a Vintage Car Category in the Motor Vehicle Laws

This one is more devious! It would have such vehicles (25 yrs to 50 yrs old) registered under Sec 457 and subject to biennial inspection. That means that only cars 51 yrs (1962) and older would be exempt. How long do you think that would last?

I am attaching both Bills and the sponsors as word files. I have sent contact info for the Transportation Committee before but will send it again if needed.

If you like old cars, now is the time to act. I will be testifying at the public hearing, will you? I will be e-mailing the transportation committee, will you? Will you ask your friends to do something? What will you do to defend your freedom? The importance of this cannot be overstated!

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Now you also see the "Vintage Car Plate" crapola that some Misguided Minion of Satan has on the books. We discussed that one and Rep. Werts feels that one is a dog that won't hunt because of the fiscal impact (cost) to the State. That and the fact that a repeal of the existing year breaks for antiques rather than a seperate definition for vintage vehicles is certainly enough to get my attention

I'm keeping them in the loop Deacon, like I said I would.

Wake Up

As I wipe the dust of the console to write this I realize just how quiet it has been.

Not so any more. After the storm they named Nemo (really?) we had our little gathering of Clubs and got to schmooze with all our friends we haven't seen. We met the new director of Owl's Head Transportation Museum, who in all intents and purposes is a car guy, and hopefully a new era in the Museums history is getting ready to set itself in a forward direction.

A few legislative things have been mentioned as to the Anti-Ethanol bills that some politicians who have decided to finally grow a set of balls, have set forth. Anything that has to do with getting rid of Ethanol is a good thing in my opinion.

On the other hand we need to keep an eye on some of this because as of Wednesday there is in print a bill that would require all vehicles registered as ANTIQUES to be STATE SAFETY INSPECTED. Now don't get your undies all balled into a bunch so tight it changes your hair color. I and a representative of the MCAA have set a meeting with the sponsor of the bill to find out what has inspired him to piss on every ones shoes.

I really hate to say I told you so but the use of the Antique plate as a way to circumvent the rules of state inspection may be over. The antique car and truck hobby has had its chance to police itself and chose to ignore the warnings. So before the crowd decides to hang this politician by the short hairs we need to get his thoughts out so a direction can be sorted out.