It's not an attempt to evade pollution controls, I believe...If a guy like Coddington were to build say, five identical fiberglass street rod '32 FFords from the ground up. I don't know what the 'gubmint uses as a number for a builder of complete, turn-key cars to be considered a "manufacturer" ala GM, but build past that number, he'd have to put not only pollution controls on the car, but DOT-style bumpers, door beams, meet rollover and other crash tests, 2004-spec glass, air bags, and so forth. Whatmore, if an individual builds a car himself from scratch or parts (a rod), it only has to meet besic safety specs, and that's where the NSRA has done a great job of doing there own inspections, which are much more strict than most state inspections, and in fact, can be used in lieu of an official state safety inspection, in some states.
It's been proven by SEMA and other organizations that old cars, street rods. and customs as a whole are better-built, drive better, burn cleaner, and are driven fewer miles than modern cars. Their impact on air quality overall is infitesimal, yet the governments demonize these very same cars as a danger to our health (you know, it's "for the children"!) and safety of the driving public. Insanity has prevailed! Our environment is far cleaner now than any time since around 1880, with more trees (total acreage) in North America today than when our nation was founded 228 years ago, as an example.
It is so very vital that ALL of us get involved in local and State government! Talk to your representatives. Call them, visit them, send a letter or an e-mail. Know WHO represents YOU! If they aren't doing the job you feel they should, elect someone else! If no one runs you like, run yourself the next election! I've run for school board once (got defeated by 2-1, but I just posted signs and didn't go door-knocking! Should have!), and may run for city council if my current councilman gets elected to higher office. Change can be effected from the outside, but it may require change from the inside, as well! (Notice this is non-partisan and I'm not advocating a vote for or against anybody here!)
Get involved!!! You want to keep your property, your money, and your freedoms, you must get involved somehow!!!
Rant mode off. Thanks for your consideration.
