GOOD NEWS!! SB42, exempting vehicles 25 years old or older from smog checks, passed the Assembly Transportation Committee unopposed (17 yes, 0 no, 4 abstentions). Now its on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, to assess its financial impact on the State -losing some of the smog fees for 700,000 autos. (If there are only 3.1% of California's cars 25 years old or older, all they would lose is some number of cars made between 1966 and 1972, and how many could that be?). Many car hobbyists have written letters in support of this bill, and apparently it is doing some good, but a few more can't hurt. If you feel so inclined, hand write a short letter with your name and address and send it to;

Assemblywoman (or Chairperson) Carole Migden   

P.O. Box 942849, Room 2114   

Sacramento, CA. 94249-0001

Mention that you are a fan of older cars and you keep yours in tune and don't drive it a lot, and that the California Air Resources Board acknowledges that there are only 700,000 cars on the road 25 years old or older, or about 3.1% of the 23 million vehicles registered in the state. If the bill makes it through the Appropriations Committee ( four members on the Transportation Committee that voted "yes" are also on this committee), it faces a vote by the whole Assembly, and it's a good idea to also send your letter to your representative in the assembly. If it passes that hurdle, it's up to the Governor. Rumors are that he is not happy with the bill in its present form, so, come to think of it, make TWO copies of you letters. We may have to work on 01' Pete, too! If this bill passes, the entire Volvo 544, 122 and 1800 series, and some early 140s, would be exempt after 1998!!!!!!

REMEMBER! The Car Club Council IS going to have another All Club Get Together and Car Show in front of the Auto Museum on Sunday, July 13 for about four hours, starting at around 9:00 a.m. We would like to have more participation from SDVSA at these events, so if you can spare a couple of hours on Sunday morning, come out and have a free cup of java and a gut bomb or two, and get to meet some interesting cars and people. These events are held to encourage more interaction between the 60 odd auto clubs in San Diego county, and maybe develop some multi-club events, such as rallies, that require a greater number of cars than our club can usually muster up to make them worth while to organize. Also, an expert on pin striping is going to be there to give explicit instructions in that art form with a video presentation called "100 Years of Pin Striping"(?).