Uncle Morty's not a happy camper...

hope this helps guys.. my dad is the prez of the inland valley car club counsil. they had a meeting with sema reps. a few months back. Then sema was on the side of the street rodders. now seems they have flipped there story.


URGENT NEWS ALERT
SEMA and California Agencies
Solve ***ling Dilemma for Hobbyist Vehicles

SEMA, working on behalf of California enthusiasts of specialty vehicles (street rods, custom vehicles, kit cars and replicas) and in cooperation with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Automotive Repair, Air Resources Board and Attorney General’s office has resolved a complex and threatening issue to this market segment and the industry it serves. “This breakthrough procedure allows owners of certain specially constructed vehicles (SCVs) to avoid the pitfalls of a previously muddy process for legally registering and ***ling such vehicles in California,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs. “Under this process, vehicle owners can avoid a situation that could have led to confi****ed SCVs and law enforcement action. Further, the program now permits these vehicles to demonstrate state emissions-compliance requirements.”

Over the years, California’s complex vehicle registration laws have created confusion for hobbyists and the state employees who administer the regulations. Consequently, certain SCVs may be erroneously registered or ***led. SEMA has worked with state agencies to address the interests of all parties, including enthusiasts in the SCV market, so that these vehicles can be properly registered and ***led in the state.

“Given the looming threat of prosecution that owners of specially constructed vehicles were facing, SEMA’s charge was to find an equitable solution that provided these owners a reasonable period of time to voluntarily re-***le their vehicles and pay any necessary back taxes and fees,” said SEMA General Counsel Russ Deane. “After five years of work on these issues, an innovative and ground-breaking solution has been created.”

Last year, SEMA helped enact into law a program whereby the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would develop and administer a vehicle registration amnesty program. The amnesty program will be in effect from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and will apply to vehicles that were previously registered or cl***ified under erroneous or illegal cir***stances. Under this new law, the DMV will grant amnesty from prosecution to a vehicle owner if certain conditions are met, including the owner filing a completed application with the department.

More recently, a process was established to allow specially constructed vehicle owners that have been granted amnesty to avail themselves of emissions requirements that recognize the unique nature of these vehicles. While there are still details to be concluded, SEMA has reached a tentative agreement with the state to provide for three methods to achieve compliance.

First, an owner can pay all back taxes and penalties and apply for one of 500 (per year) smog-check exemptions. Under California law, these 500 exemptions for specially constructed vehicles are available each year on a first come, first served basis. For vehicles with an exemption, a smog test referee compares the vehicle to production cars of the era that the specially constructed vehicle most closely resembles to determine the model year. The vehicle owner can then choose whether the inspector will certify the vehicle model year by body type or by the engine model year. Only those emissions controls applicable to the chosen model year are required. California law authorizes a $160 fee for each referee inspection.

Under a second option, SCV owners can pay all back taxes and penalties and then choose to install one of several OEM engines and related powertrain components (including specifications for the construction of a fuel tank and delivery system) that are intended to meet California emissions compliance requirements. GM is currently readying an engine package for this purpose. “In fact, by using one of these engines, it is anticipated that owners of amnesty vehicles will be able to exchange their existing engines for a powertrain that represents the latest in GM’s emissions and performance-related technologies,” commented SEMA Technical Consultant, Jim McFarland. However, McFarland indicated that because certain variables are involved when configuring any engine or powertrain package for emissions purposes, some measure of compliance risk is involved when such components are installed in a range of vehicle types and conditions.

Finally, working under the banner of the “GreenRod Project” and recognizing that the demand for the 500 exemptions greatly exceeds the supply, SEMA configured a kit of emissions-related aftermarket parts that met California smog-check standards during a series of tests on a project vehicle. An owner can pay all back taxes and penalties and, if the owner is not able to obtain one of the 500 available exemptions, a “retrofit kit” of parts can be installed. Major components in the kit include an aftermarket electronic fuel injection (EFI) system, EFI controller, exhaust headers, camshaft, mufflers and catalytic converters. For the purposes of the GreenRod Project, the retrofit kit was installed on a high-mileage 1980 El Camino fitted with a 1986 carbureted, 5.7 liter engine. The 5.7 liter/350 cubic inch displacement small-block Chevrolet V8 engine is one of the most widely-used engine platforms for all types of specially constructed vehicles.

According to McFarland, “While the engine SEMA used to develop the kit was considered a worst case configuration, it still p***ed smog-check requirements. Variables such as engine condition, ac***ulated mileage, and related factors affecting emissions from these parts may, in some cases, cause similar engines not to meet acceptable emissions levels. Nonetheless, transitioning from a carbureted environment to a fuel injected environment while utilizing the latest controller technology and emissions parts upgrades available from the specialty equipment industry resulted in dramatic and unprecedented reductions in tailpipe and evaporative emissions on the test vehicle. The retrofit kit actually improved performance and drivability while not limiting power in a full acceleration mode, compared to a carbureted engine. It was perhaps the first time a package of specialty aftermarket parts has been ***embled for the purpose of reducing tailpipe emissions which did not reduce power or performance.”

“Given the seriousness of the ***le and registration issue in California, SEMA’s work with the state agencies to create practical solutions for specialty vehicle owners, both now and in the future, is an outstanding accomplishment,” said So Cal Speed Shop owner, Pete Chapouris.



*************

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I know if I need to apply for amnesty?

If you have knowingly made any false statement or knowingly concealed any material fact in any do***ent filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles or the California Highway Patrol, you will need to apply for amnesty. Examples of this would be failing to report the actual value of the vehicle and failure to pay the correct sales tax when the vehicle was first ***led/registered in California, or incorrectly stating the actual age of the vehicle. As a further example, a replica of a 1932 Ford built in 2002 is not a 1932 vehicle for the purposes of this California amnesty program. It is a 2002 vehicle. In general, if you have reason to believe that there is erroneous information on your vehicle’s ***le, it should be corrected.


What are the consequences if I do not re-***le my vehicle prior to the conclusion of the amnesty period?

If you understated the value of the vehicle to the extent that the State of California lost more than $1,000 in revenue, you could be charged with a felony. If the amount is less or you incorrectly stated the age of the vehicle, you could be charged with a variety of misdemeanors. Recent prosecutions for this type of offense required owners to pay back-taxes and fees averaging $4,000 per vehicle. In some cases, owners were forced to surrender the ***le to their car. To receive amnesty, any and all back-taxes must be paid in full and the vehicle’s ***le must be factually corrected.


What do***entation should I take to the DMV office when applying for amnesty?

Applying for amnesty will re-start the ***ling and registration process for your specially constructed vehicle. You will need to submit a new DMV 343 Application for ***le and Registration form. You will also be required to file a DMV 5063 Statement of Construction form, listing the origin of the vehicle’s parts and their purchase price. It would be helpful to have a bill of sale for the vehicle or any appropriate receipts for parts/labor that can be used to establish the actual value of the vehicle. If it is likely that your car had a fraudulent ***le and will need to p*** a smog check, it is advisable to apply for one of the 500 smog check exemptions granted per year by the DMV.



How much should I expect to pay for the “retrofit” kit? How much should I expect to pay for the GM engine and powertrain?

The retrofit kit is a collection of emissions-related parts with specifications developed by SEMA for which a variety of aftermarket manufacturers will be able to supply components. On average, the kit should cost approximately $6,000. The labor to install the package will likely cost an additional $5,000. If you choose to use a new engine and powertrain package from GM, the current LS3 package will retail at an estimated $7,900. GM will also offer a number of other emissions-approved engine packages with a variety of performance options and price levels. Estimated installation cost for the GM system is approximately $6,000.


If I use a GM engine, how will I know if I’ve used the correct parts and properly installed them?

GM will include comprehensive instructions that leave little room for error. If you feel that you do not have the mechanical experience to install the package, there are local hot rod shops, independent repair facilities and dealerships capable of installing the parts. Even when parts are correctly installed, there are variables involved when attempting to meet certain compliance requirements, such as engine condition, other modifications and related factors that can affect emissions.


If I choose to retrofit my current engine, how will I know that the parts kit will actually enable my car to p*** the smog test?

The retrofit kit that SEMA developed consists of emissions-related parts intended for a range of engine displacements. It was designed to work with engines typically used in specially constructed vehicles. In general, these would be carbureted V8 engines manufactured by GM, Ford and Chrysler. Although these parts enabled SEMA’s project engine to meet emissions requirements, there is no guarantee that they will allow any engine to meet smog check requirements, depending upon variables that include, but limited to the following: mechanical compression ratio limits, improperly installed catalytic converters, excessive wear (valve guides, piston rings and cylinder bores), piston displacement limits and a mal-functioning EGR system.


Is there a way I can get a pre-certification test check to see if my vehicle will p*** the smog test?

Yes. California law allows any licensed smog-check station to conduct a pre-test on your vehicle to determine whether it can p*** a loaded mode smog test before you submit the car for inspection at a BAR Referee station. The average price for a pre-certification smog test in California is approximately $49. If your vehicle fails the pre-certification smog check, it may be possible to make adjustments that will bring it into compliance. As with any vehicle maintenance, it’s best to use a mechanic you know and trust.


What if I have questions about technical aspects of this program?

SEMA and GM will be available to provide some immediate technical ***istance for enthusiasts who apply for amnesty to help them navigate through the process. SEMA has begun communicating with builders of SCVs and engines, enabling them to respond to the most common questions from enthusiasts. SEMA will also compile additional guidance information. These approaches will help expedite solutions to SCV owners seeking to meet California smog-check requirements.

 

The retrofit kit is a collection of emissions-related parts with specifications developed by SEMA for which a variety of aftermarket manufacturers will be able to supply components. On average, the kit should cost approximately $6,000. The labor to install the package will likely cost an additional $5,000. If you choose to use a new engine and powertrain package from GM, the current LS3 package will retail at an estimated $7,900. GM will also offer a number of other emissions-approved engine packages with a variety of performance options and price levels. Estimated installation cost for the GM system is approximately $6,000.



Wow, SEMA looks like they are out to make some money for everyone but the hobbyist.

 

THE HIGHT CL*** CUSTOMS<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_4619614", true); </SCRIPT>
FNG



This thing was announced at SEMA in November. Done deal.

BTW What they call the "Under a second option," is a (MSRP) $10,000.00 engine and computer system from GM. They had one in a 55 Chevy at SEMA this year.

 

Judging by the info The Hight Cl*** Customs provided, they don't give a **** about the car, they give a **** about the tailpipe and what comes out of it, essentially.

Convert your rod to E85 and the test should be cake I would imagine.

 

sounds to me like it's all about the back taxes and fees and nothing else.

 

Legally, I don't think you can create a new law and then expect people who have already built and registered their vehicle to then go back and rebuild it to match a newly made up law.
That would be like deciding that all new-construction homes in flood plains should be built 4 feet higher off the ground and then requiring the hundreds of thousands of previously existing homes in the same area to immediately be raised up 4' at the owner's expense to match the new law or they will be condemned.
You can make it so that all new SCV's from now-on need to match the new law, but you can't go back and apply it to vehicles that existed before the law did.

 

In comparison ,,With HD's for years folks have been taking motors ( which carry teh VIN ) and putting them in different frames. Never really made the bike any "less" except to maybe a restorer.

Later down the line though ,,the whole #'s thing became a major issue ,,since the rolling frames had no way to ID,,many "legal" motors found there way into stolen frames.

Then in 1970 they stared the matching #'s. I have still heard of folks taking a 70's Shovel and putting it in a different frame,,in some states this can be messy.

After market frames come with an MSO ,,I don't know of any car frame maker who does this..

Should a Knucklehead motor in a new Santee Frame be considered a Knuckle ?


Im surprised that there seems to be a "it's ok " kinda line between the cars and bikes


Also with HD ,,ANY alteration of numbers ,,is instant trouble

 

They could make the case that you intentionally misled the DMV when you registered your gl*** 1932 roadster with the aftermarket frame and the Hemi with the new number plate and old ***le.

And it sounds like they wouldn't have a problem proving that one either.

 

"This will apply to vehicles that were previously registered or cl***ified under erroneous or illegal cir***stances"

If you built a 32 from all new parts, and ***led it as a 32, then according to the DMV, it was ***led erroneously, and you must conform to the new law.

 

I don't understand you guys that see SEMA as some sort of Guardian of the hot rod hobby. They exist primarily to protect and promote aftermarket parts manufacturers and distributors.

Yes, I know we are the end users of this equipment, but I think 'our' segment of the hobby - traditional type hot rods and kustoms - is very small from SEMA's point of view.

The p***age below was borrowed from the SEMA website.

It all began in 1963 when a group of small manufacturers who were suppliers of performance equipment for early hot rods organized their fledgling industry and called it "Speed Equipment Manufacturers ***ociation" (SEMA).

The mission was practical and straightforward: develop uniform standards for certain products used in motorsports compe***ion; promote the industry as a supplier to consumers involved in constructive activities of recreational and hobbyist value; develop programs to encourage improved business practices a**** member companies; and hold regular meetings to achieve unity as a business organization. In those days, all of the members were founders of companies that produced speed equipment exclusively (hence, the organization&#8217;s ***le).


SEMA eventually became the Specialty Equipment Market ***ociation, embracing within its ranks all businesses in the distribution chain: manufacturers, warehouse distributors, jobbers, independent retailers, volume retailers, specialty stores (speed shops), sales agents, subcontractors and publishing companies.

See anything in there about 'protecting the hobby?'

 

Actually, I think it would be more like if someone had a two story house on a flood plain, and they painted the bottom story to look like a one story house on stilts.

My concern is, how are they going to really know what they're looking at. I've seen some pretty good fakes. How many REAL cars are going to get axed because the DMV worker doesn't know what they're looking at? The frame has been boxed, with upgraded parts, and is super clean, leading them to believe that it is a new frame, not the real deal.

 

But if the DMV previously allowed new constructions to be registered as 1932 vehicles...now that they've finally got around to deciding not to allow that anymore, they can only legally apply the new rules to new situations, not retroactivly.
People were registering their SCV based on what was currently acceptable, not on what they perceived future rules to possibly become.
Any decent lawyer (if there is such a thing) could argue right around this stuff.

 

Mark's right. It's SCV today, but maybe us tomorrow.

I just wish there were some solutions, besides leaving california.

 

Simple, if it feels and smells fake it is. Popping a vin plate onto an otherwise mostly new parts car does not make it the real deal. We all know that, let's not kid ourselves. Even getting an original frame + all new and calling that original is BS. I say a car needs to be at least 60% old original parts and must include VIN, frame and major body components to be considered original. Otherwise it is an ***embled car and should be licensed as new at time of application.

But frankly, I don't really care. I am not into this for any value reason and don't care about others who are. Do whatever you want with your car, short of stealing and thieving (and yes, that includes false representation), is fine with me. Take a spec of original Henry paint and glue it to your new Brookville and pretend it is a real '32, I don't care. But, don't expect me to care whether it is or isn't either. I am cool with old original as much as all new recreation, but don't like false representations whether it is meant to try to fool others or just fooling yourself.

 

Some will quibble over your 60% criteria, and what is 60% anyway?

 

I work with the field dmv agents and the detectives, they tell me it is about the lost revenue and to them its the same as some one selling cars without a dealers licence, or washing vins or junk cars, or stolen ones, they see it as its all breaking the law and stealing the governments tax money. Same as saying your ten thousand dollar car cost you 500 bucks. then the problems with identifing stolen cars and the like, as well. Cause they want to help the law abiding people. Then theres all the mumbo jumbo that influences all the politicions, paid off scientist and what have you.

 

Exactly. That is part of why they can't go back.
I myself, being an old car enthusiast, would still have great difficulty deciding what was really new/new, new/old, or old/old.
Now then, try to get a DMV worker to sort it out properly? Unlikely.

 

I agree with Mike. Mort's got a legitimate beef and the California registration process is going to be a mess-suits,countersuits,and bad feelings all around. And SEMA dropped the ball on this one.

No politics involved, but Mort cound have left out the digs:"Equal Op Hire"-what no minority folks can be hotrodders--the DMV employee's a female therefore no women can know about hotrods--he's a blue-eyed white boy, so if you're not you can't be a hotrodder??

It was a very pertinent article, but Mort's cheap shots and demeaning at***ude diminished the impact and set the wrong, political, tone for an otherwise important editorial.

 

I kinda picked up on that too, left me a little cold.

 

I think it's time to close this, mods...

 

yup..gettin off track in a hurry

 

The way I see it is California is and will be broke until they change there ways. This makes all forms of city and state make up rules to tax you with. Every state is and has been doing it for years and will continue to do so until we stop it.Mort had it down pat and I am with him.

 

#1 After reading the SEMA letter I pictured Dan Akroyd on the old Saturday night live show doing this as a joke (too bad it's not) #2 There is nothing racist about pointing out that the state ignores the illegals that broke the immigration law and came over here. #3 I won't say the state spends money like drunken sailors because that would be an insult to the drunken sailors. The state blows thru money like a crackhead with an inheritance fund. #4 As is common in life nowadays - follow the money trail to get your answers & you can form your opinion....

 

Agree 100%....


BUT the real point is that the law (as I have been able to find) does not define what a REAL car is......

This could trickle down to all states....
For instance, it would be illegal in Texas (and I imagine all other states) to build an all new 55 chevy and rivet on a vin....
BUT from there it gets sticky.... original body and everything else new is legal.... OK but what if only the cowl is new??? OR what if just a piece of one inch larger than the vin plate is used??

Bottom line? what is the LEGAL definition of a car???

 

switchkid0...No misinterpretation. It was blatant.
5window...I agree.
Good points, and valid concerns, but a bad mix of fancy-speak and volitile rhetoric.​