Since California plays such a prominent roll in the hobby and smog legislation, we grouped the quotes from its legislators together in its own story.
Rep. John Campbell (R-CA)
"…older cars are not transportation. They are pieces of history. We don't make historic buildings meet all current building codes. Neither should we make historic cars meet current vehicle regulations. I am in favor of further reducing smog. But the extremely small amount of additional pollution from historic cars is more than offset by the addition to our culture and history by leaving them in their original form."
"I have gasoline in my veins. My dad raised me around his cars, which included a '57 T-bird, a supercharged Corvair and a '67 Porsche 911. I have two sons aged 19 and 17 who have attended Skip Barber Racing School and love cars as much as I do. They are constantly putting aftermarket performance items on their cars and doing it themselves."
"My main driver in California is a new 2005 red Corvette convertible. I have three-piece HRE wheels on it that are plus-oned. I have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, Brembo brakes all around (14 inches in the front) and a Corsa exhaust-all aftermarket. In Washington, I drive a new 2006 Audi A3 with TSW 18-inch wheels and PZero Nero for the snow back east. I also have a 2005 Mini Cooper S as an extra car. I am also starting the process of restoring a 1941 Chevrolet pickup, which has been in my wife's family for almost 50 years."
"My dream car is an Aston Martin DB9 Convertible. I love sports cars. And, to me, it's not a real sports car if the top doesn't go down. Aston Martins are beautiful and a great brand."
"Americans see their cars as an expression of their self-image, and carmakers, aftermarket suppliers and consumers all benefit when competition is encouraged. One only needs to look at the cars built by the former Communist states in Europe and the Soviet Union to see what happens when innovation and competition are stifled."
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA)
"I currently own a 1999 Chrysler 300 and a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. My dream car is a 1931 Packard Roadster, 100-point restoration."
Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA)
"I love cars! Being born and raised in California, I grew up around cars-how could you not? In high school, I developed an appreciation of driving down the road behind the wheel of my Chevy Nova 396. Now that was a beautiful car-a four-speed and all cherried out. That car cooked. Of course I spent all my extra money to restyle the body and would spend the weekends tooling around with the headers, mags all around and all that good stuff."
Representative Gary Miller (R-CA)
"I enjoy motorsports and high-performance vehicles. I want to do what I can to support the growing automotive performance and motorsports industry, which has many members in my district."
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA)
"Automotive recreation has always been something I have enjoyed. Growing up in a small town near the mountains, there is always plenty of fun to be had in a truck off-road. I would love a Jeep Wrangler and the time to drive it around the ranch."
Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA)
"My first car was a 1940 Ford 4-door sedan that was 14 years old at the time. I wasn't able to afford any aftermarket equipment. Next I had a 1955 Ford pickup that I owned with my dad and brother. We put some special tail lights on it, and a custom tarp on the bed."
State Representative Tony Mendoza (D-CA)
"We need to work to legitimize nonprofessional racing through programs and events sponsored by auto manufacturers, by the Society of Automotive Engineers and by creating statewide racing tournaments at public race courses. SEMA's RASR program is a great example of how we can try to engage youth and channel their passion for racing to safe and legal track alternatives."