In this ever increasingly culture of government attacks on personal liberties and this fee-nation, pay as you go society we live in (some states are worse than others), I have, here in Illinois, experienced more and more restrictions on my beloved hobby. If you live in Illinois and you have bought an antique vehicle in the past few years, you know what I'm talking about. The state has employed gestapo type tactics to suppress our rodding rights. The sec. of state has threatened my friends with felony charges, charged extreme fees and taxes for titles and have made it near impossible to obtain a new title without running through some bureaucratic gauntlet. They are ever increasing the state to state national data base of vehicles, to track down title info. and make it harder and more expensive to run our cars. There are not enough stolen antique vehicles to justify this, and that is their mantra. I'll most likely end up on some terrorist watch list already, for my brief aforementioned statements. All I'm saying is that maybe the time is now for all of us in the "world of old vehicles" to create a unified group or club (similar to A.B.A.T.E. for bikers) to have our voices and concerns heard by our legislators before it is too late. A.B.A.T.E. has worked in Illinois to educate people about motorcycling. They have shown the politicians that all bikers are not thugs and do vote. And they have helped us preserve our right to decide on our own if we do or do not want to wear helmets when we ride. We should organize before it is too late. Maybe this could serve as a platform.
1 week later, 129 views. No replies expressing any concern. The HAMB populace appears to be confident that, their rights to operate their "vehicles" are not being threatened. Maybe, OT or "not traditional" explains the lack of response. Doubtful, the OT, we are "traditional" guardians of the "gospel" usually descend from their lofty perches to let the offender know of their error. For the last month, all the responsible and concerned auto related magazines have cover paged the on going government threat to the old car hobby. Reading any of the articles will give anyone a comprehensive look at the threat and the necessary info about what we can do to defend our rights. The lone response of "SEMA" is a good suggestion. But, SEMA cannot confront all the legislation in all of the United States. That is why they urge us to be active in our individual states, organize and work with old car friendly legislators. Contact SEMA and they may help you organize a group. The ABATE people will be good sources for finding out how to approach and influence legislators. TRADITIONALLY, hot rodders have had to fight for and defend their right to build, modify and operate their cars. In the late 40's and early 50's, the police and citizens groups were attempting to get "hot rods" off the road. NHRA(this is where the historically challenged "traditional experts" might lose their way) was founded and organized to generate postive publicity about hot rodders. Their motto was "DEDICATED TO SAFETY".The success of NHRA's efforts and the efforts of thousands of hot rodders is part of our "TRADITIONAL HISTORY". Wisconsin has created new and additional hoops for those that, apply for a "HOBBYIST" plate. Unfortunately, here in Wisconsin I have not seen any reponse to anti old vehicle legislation from the "rat rod" group or from any of the self proclaimed "traditional" car clubs or individuals. Good luck with your efforts and it's ok to hold governments feet to the fire
I for one am not one that is confident my rights are not being threathened. I hadn't responded to this thread (till now) for a couple of reasons. 1. Since a post made at 11am can be quickly buried 3 pages down by noon, I just don't have the time to wade through several pages of each days new posts to find a thread I would respond to. and . . . Posting here really isn't going to change what is taking place. Most who read this thread already have a little idea of what is going on since most of the main stream car mags have had articles and front covers plastered with it. Instead of getting on here and whinning and crying about what someone is trying to do to us, take the offensive and go after them. If one would take the time to speak to their elected officials, the groups and organizations who represent and fight for our rights, and dare I say get involved themselves, then things might not look like they do today. And as far as what is happening in Illinois (a State were our Governors make our license plates!!) , it is more of a tax collection issue than anything else. Well,at least for the time being.
In Minnesota the MSRA has the "Legislative committee". The commity pays attention to what the state legislator is up to. The committee has a paid lobbiest to watch the yearly session and lobby on behalf of the clubs intrests. With 22,000 members in MSRA the state has a tendincy to listen to our special intrest group. I am a member of that committe and work through out the year. I think every state should have their largest club or group of clubs do the same. Fritz
Yes its a farse in Illinois there are already a couple threads about this crap here is one I started a few weeks ago http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515401&highlight=tax
I too live in IL. I have tried to go along with the rules but I have lost. I in the last three months have bought a 1940 Ford truck I paid my taxs and fees still no title . I last week got a letter to say I must give up my Plates which I transfered from one car to another . I called was treated with very little respect from someone who I (we) pay for . This was the last straw. I will put my house up for sale this spring and hope to move to a place where i can enjoy the hobby without more Goverment telling me what to do . They have threated me with jail time if found guilty of the crime. I told them to get %$&#ed, come and get me . As we speak I have applied for a drivers lic. in another state to avoid the the crap I have had to put up with in IL. It seems like I'm always trying to beat the man .
Yes I am currently in process for my model A title. I have followed their rules but seem to still be with out title. I am waiting for the next hoop to jump through. Since I live next to the state line I have considered moving too. The move sounds easier than it is.
I feel your pain because I feel my pain. I put off my trip to the texas dmv every day. I already have a inch thick folder with reciepts, bills of sales, etc. to try to register my '32 roadster. Body with no numbers, frame with no numbers, engine with a number from 1965. etc. First I have to get it inspected by the DPS and then argue with the bureaucrat that want to title it as a 2010 kit car. We need someone to lobby on our behalf.
The world is full of DEPRESSING s%#t i come to the H.A.M.B. to escape all the worries of every day life and to talk about hot rods and view bitchen pics. Lets get back to the good stuff, any H.A.M.B.ers starting a new build thread?
...it'll be more depressing if we don't try to do somethin about the way these states are titleing cars; what will be the fun of reading about cars getting built but not being able to drive them. (legally) ...my current build is temporarily on hold because of this crap... if you don't wanna get depressed, what are you reading & posting on this thread for?
If you live in areas and or states that have f$%cked up laws than you allready know about them. You need to deal with them on a state to state level, and contact the people who can help to make a change or stop laws from being passed. I don't know how or if members of the H.A.M.B or fellow rodders in another state can help. It seems that some states are worse than others and i sympathize with the IL B.S. and the IL rodders should do what they can. Having a forum like this to vent can seem like a good thing, but these type of threads seem to get closed. Again life sucks sometimes, but sometimes it's GREAT too, hotrodding is one of the best things in my life at my age, and i use it as an escape all when i don't want to deal with every day stress. Thanks Ryan!
Just got my SEMA magazine and there is an interesting feature on the fact that every one of the Source Interlink books has the universal NO symbol on the cover with editorial material on legislation that has negative effects on the automotive hobby, be it hot rods, street rods or four wheelers. About 20 some titles scheduled to hit the mail boxes and news stands in the next week or so. Having fought this battle since the mid-sixties, I'm not optimistic that anything is going to change. I still support SEMA's efforts and I've yet to miss an opportunity to vote since I turned 21`.
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