Comment Log Display

To: California Air Resources Board

From: Hot Rods & Custom Stuff

Subject: The Proposed Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program
Regulation (Car Scrap).

Once again, we would like to voice our opposition to proposed
vehicle scrappage program increases.  Not only will this proposal
hurt already struggling businesses in California, it proposes to
spend an additional 30 million dollars or so annually—money the
state does not have.  All to achieve a result based on a faulty
premise, that pre-1976 vehicles produce the lion’s share of
pollution in the state.

It is a false premise because it assumes that all or most of these
vehicles are driven on a daily basis.  This is not the case except
for a handful of these vehicles.  Most of them are driven only to
shows or on occasional weekend cruises.  Our business caters to the
owners of these older vehicle and we know this to be a fact.  We
not only perform full restorations here, we service these classic
cars and speak with their owners daily.

Here are some facts not in your report.

1. The restoration of one classic automobile can generate as much
as $20,000 in tax revenue to the state and keep a dozen people
employed for a year.

2. Many makes and models of pre-1976 autos are highly sought after
collectible cars which will change hands many times, generating tax
revenue in each instance.  When no longer restorable, their parts
are salvaged to restore others, generating more tax revenue.  When
these vehicles no longer have value to the industry they or their
remains end up being scrapped by their owners.

3. Pre-76 California cars are among the most highly valued
because, as your report states, “California’s mild climate
contributes to the longer survival rates…”.  In other words, they
tend to be easier to restore, which generally means less rust
repair which requires welding (carbon emissions).  And many of
these vehicles are purchased by out of state buyers where the
climate is not so friendly.  So, restored or not, many leave the
state anyway.

4. Restoration and repair of these vehicle helps support a large
after-market parts industry comprised of companies large and
small.

5. Many towns, like here in Escondido, have revitalized their
downtown summer business by sponsoring cruise nights that encourage
locals to bring out their classic cars and show off these pieces of
rolling Americana, much to the delight of local restaurants and
other small business.

6. Car shows and swap meets generate large amounts of revenue
which will go away when there are no more classic cars left to
restore.

The economic benefits of the classic car industry are many, and
the environmental impacts few, when objectively analyzed.  

And yet, each year, CARB attempts to exercise its bureaucratic
muscle and short-sightedness to put an end to the economic activity
that revolves around the restoration and salvage of these vehicles.
 Instead, it would rather dole out millions of dollars we don’t
have in order to provide the Chinese with cheap steel to build
their economy (yes, that’s where most metal from the scrappers
goes).

We urge the board to drop this scrappage proposal.  If it is truly
concerned about the economy forcing people to drive older cars
longer, do something about California's outrageous licensing fees,
runaway taxes, and excessive regulations (environmental and
otherwise), that make new cars too expensive to buy each and every
year.  Or perhaps CARB could focus its efforts on trying to clean
up the environmental disaster it foisted on Californians in the
form of MTBE as a fuel additive.  

Need we say more?

Randy g. Clark
Hot Rods & Custom Stuff
2324 Auto Park Way
Escondido, CA 92029