SEMA ADVOCATES MODEL STATE STREET ROD / CUSTOM VEHICLE
REGISTRATION BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2001) - SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market
Association, will work with the Street Rod Marketing Alliance (SRMA) to pursue
model legislation in selected states. The legislation would provide specific
registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles.
The model bill provides for special license plates, mandates only the specific
equipment required by the state during the vehicle's model year, exempts street
rods and custom cars from emissions tests, and requires an initial safety
inspection based on criteria established in part by the local hobbyist
community.
"Twenty-two states still don't recognize street rods and customs as a distinct
class of vehicles," noted SRMA Select Committee Member Del Austin, of Primedia.
"Rod and custom owners are very proud of their cars and have invested an
enormous amount of time, money and thought into their construction. They
deserve to have their efforts and commitment to the hobby formally recognized -
by a street rod designation on their license plate, for example. By working
together, SRMA hopes to ensure that the hobby and industry are strong and
secure for future generations of enthusiasts." Austin also serves as the SRMA's
legislative liaison to the SEMA Government Affairs office.
The SRMA recently voted to expand its market scope to include custom vehicles,
also known as street-modified vehicles. This action will provide this segment
of the car hobby with a strong united voice and a SEMA council through which
their specific needs can be addressed. Street-modified vehicles are, by the
model bill's definition, at least 25 years old but manufactured after 1948 or
vehicles built to resemble one from that era. Vehicles built before 1949 or
those built to resemble a pre-1949 vehicle and altered from the manufacturers
original design are termed street rods.
"The model bill will be pushed by SEMA in the coming legislative sessions in
states without registration classifications for these vehicles or with laws
that lack sufficient recognition of these classes of vehicles," said SEMA
Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "We've already begun efforts to
work with the state legislatures in Rhode Island and New York on this
initiative. We intend to add Illinois and others in the coming months."
SRMA is a SEMA council dedicated to protecting and developing the street rod
and street-modified hobby. Its members include manufacturers, fabricators,
publishers, dealers and car clubs.
SEMA represents the $24.86 billion specialty automotive industry. The trade
association is composed of more than 4,900 member companies, and is the
authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for
automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides
appearance, performance, safety, comfort, convenience and technology products
for passenger cars, minivans, pickups, SUVs and recreational vehicles. It's a
specialty market as old as the automobile and as new as cutting-edge
technology.