C.A.R.Z. TO ESTABLISH STATE CHAPTERS

Citizens Against Repressive Zoning (C.A.R.Z.) is actively pursuing the establishment of state chapters of their organization. For those of you unfamiliar with C.A.R.Z., it's a group dedicated to opposing senseless or harmful zoning laws around the country. It's not uncommon for automotive enthusiasts to run afoul of local zoning laws if they're in the midst of a restoration and have parts or parts cars around. This organization, and its president Jack Down, can offer invaluable advice for anyone involved in a zoning dispute. Establishing local chapters will help "spread the word" more effectively, and will also provide the means for publicizing zoning cases on a state-by-state basis. The first state chapter has been formed in Wisconsin according to a recent C.A.R.Z. newsletter. For more information on C.A.R.Z. or establishing a chapter in your state, contact them at PO Box 536, Haslett, MI 48840, or fax (517)339-4926, e-mail at malzoning@aol.com.

US EPA TIGHTENS AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

President Clinton announced on June 25 that the EPA is proceeding with its proposal first announced late last year to tighten air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. What does this mean for the classic car owner? More headaches to come, undoubtedly. The new standards will triple the areas across the U.S. that fail to meet clean air standards. And failing to meet clean air standards results in the withholding of federal highway funds unless the areas in "non-attainment" put programs in place to correct the situation. This will of course lead to more aggressive local action, most likely in the form of heavy driving and fuel taxes (to discourage driving, obviously), and possibly no-drive days and "mandatory vehicle retirement" (a.k.a. destroying old cars) programs. Remember, Vice President Al Gore has already stated his "dream" of seeing the internal combustion engine banned! (Perhaps he would be willing to lead by example and not travel in any vehicle powered by such an engine.) Everyone is in favor of clean air, but scrapping older cars (whose daily use continues to decline) is not an acceptable alternative for cleaning up other causes of air pollution. The air gets no better, and old car hobbyists suffer. For those who would like to voice an opinion on this matter, writing your representatives in Washington is always a great way to be heard.

MTBE UNDER INVESTIGATION

In the last issue of Restoration Review, we discussed the potential hazards associated with gasoline fortified with MTBE (reformulated gasoline). It seems now that California has decided to look into the situation. MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) was mixed with gasoline to promote more complete combustion (and thereby reduce emissions). But the additive has been shown to reduce fuel mileage, create formaldehyde as a by-product of burning and to attack the rubber components of fuel systems. Additionally, there is a concern over the toxic vapors emitted by the unburned fuel, and its hazardous effects on water and soil if spilled. Let's see, it costs more, it delivers less mileage, it can make you sick if you breathe it, and it rots your fuel hoses to the point of failure. Did anyone look into this additive before it was introduced as an "environmentally friendly" substance?

CRUSHING MORE CARS IN CALIFORNIA

The California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) continues to prepare guidelines for a statewide vehicle scrappage program slated to take effect in 1999. Between then and now, a pilot program is scheduled to destroy 1000 cars in a "trial" run. In an effort to placate hobbyists, cars scheduled for scrapping would be "advertised" for 14 days on the Internet prior to their destruction. While their numbers are surely growing, we have to wonder how many car hobbyists have access to the Internet, which means this form of "advertising" will not reach the majority of those who would be interested in saving certain cars. Another interesting note on this program concerns the destruction of the scrapped vehicle's engine. The state is currently considering two methods: the first is disabling the engine by drilling a large hole through it with a jackhammer (who comes up with this stuff?). The second involves pouring fine sand through the engine. At least with the sand method, an engine could be rebuilt and reused. (Hey, isn't that recycling? Isn't recycling supposed to be a good thing?) After the pilot program is completed, the full-blown scrappage program is slated to run from 1999 to 2010.

S.A.V.E. KANSAS CITY

Sensible Approaches to Vehicles and the Environment (S.A.V.E.) Kansas City is an organization made up of over 50 car clubs in the Kansas City area. Founded in August, 1996 by the clubs to provide a unified enthusiast voice against the overly burdensome emission testing plan in that city, the group is involved in fighting for all car owner's rights, not just old car owners. Jack Sell, the Director of S.A.V.E. Kansas City, is very experienced in this area, and his leadership should make this group a beacon of common sense and equity in the Kansas City area. Jack and his organization are now hard at work opposing the stricter clean air standards the EPA is trying to force through Congress. S.A.V.E. Kansas City and Jack Sell can be e-mailed at jsellkc@swbell.net.

REMEMBER

There is no substitute for knowledge in the fight for car hobbyist rights. We urge everyone to become educated on all the various issues facing our hobby. Threats exist on the local, state and federal level, and once the weight of the government beauracracy gets rolling in one direction, it's terribly difficult to stop! Get educated and get involved while there's still time. We've listed a few organizations that are actively involved in automotive legislative affairs.

	COUNCIL OF VEHICLE ASSOCIATIONS (C.O.V.A.) 7000 Southwest Highway Chicago Ridge, Illinois 60415 FAX: (708) 361-6166
	CITIZENS AGAINST REPRESSIVE ZONING (C.A.R.Z.) P.O. Box 536 Haslett, MI 48840 FAX: (517) 339-4926
	WORLD ORGANIZATION OF AUTOMOTIVE HOBBYISTS (W.O.A.H.) P.O. Box 1331 Palm Desert, CA 92261-1331 FAX: (619) 568-6354
	AMERICAN AUTOMOTIVE HERITAGE FOUNDATION (A.A.H.F.) P.O. Box 482 Carlisle, PA 17013-0482 FAX: (717) 240-0931

Could this be the future of your collector car? Unless car hobbyist stand up for their rights, its not a question of if - - only when. Learn for yourself what's happening, and get involved or be prepared to see monuments such as this in your front yard.