That’s Andy Leach, the builder of this year’s Don Ridler Memorial Award winner

That’s Andy Leach, the builder of this year’s Don Ridler Memorial Award winner, hanging out in STREET RODDER’s photo studio while SR’s Senior Editor, Eric Geisert, photographed the car for a full feature for the September 2013 issue of the magazine. Leach, owner of CAL Automotive in Omaha, Nebraska, spent three years on the project for its owner, Ron Cizek, and it features a one-off custom chassis, a blown Flathead engine, and hundreds of custom touches throughout.

For five years in a row, Powermaster Performance has offered its services at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals.

For five years in a row, Powermaster Performance has offered its services at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals. This year, August 1-4 in Louisville, Kentucky, Powermaster will be at the tech tent to inspect your vehicle’s charging and starting systems, so that you can have a good time getting there as well as cruising out. Want to know something else that’s great about this service? It’s 100% free.

This will all be located just outside the Kentucky Exhibition Center Freedom Hall so get your hot rod revved and ready to go. You can visit the tent on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It’s highly suggested that you make an appointment first before heading on over there, but it’s not required. Have a safe time and remember to always have fun.

"Passion. Pride. Craftsmanship." You're darn right! 

Whether you’re doing a patch on your hot rod, or you just like having more tools around the house, Miller Electric has products for you and also some good news. From March 1 through March 31, 2013, Miller is offering customers a 5% rebate with purchase of select Miller equipment through its Build with Blue rebate promotion. If you’re a big spender (let’s face it, you can never spend enough on tools) and you manage to spend $150 on any Miller or Hobart products in the same transaction, you can receive a 15% rebate as opposed to just the 5%. Want more info? Visit your local distributor or visit www.millerwelds.com/buildwithblue

Here’s an idea of the kind of money you could be saving if you’re looking for a new toy this month:

• Millermatic 140 Auto-Set MIG welder — $626 ($736 before rebate)
• Millermatic 180 Auto-Set MIG welder — $755 ($888 before rebate)
• Millermatic 211 Auto-Set with MVP™ MIG welder — $938 ($1,103 before rebate)
• Multimatic 200 MIG/TIG/Stick welder — $1,637 ($1,958 before rebate)
• Diversion  165 AC/DC TIG welder — $1,245 ($1,465 before rebate)
• Diversion  180 AC/DC TIG welder — $1,664 ($1,958 before rebate)
• Spectrum  375 X-TREME Plasma cutter — $1,132 ($1,332 before rebate)
• Spectrum  625 X-TREME Plasma cutter — $1,420 ($1,671 before rebate)

 Many of you know Eagle One is a company known for its automotive appearance products. Heck, I even use Eagle One 20/20 to clean my glass, but one thing I didn’t know about them is that they’re the only company to recognize and reward car clubs for their outstanding community and charitable activities.

 Today it was announced that the Over The Hill Gang car club of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, took home a $3,000 check which was donated to help the Women With Willpower non-profit organization. 

Hundreds of entries were sent in and the club's entry form was drawn at random by Steve Parker, a veteran for 35 years in automotive/radio broadcasting/journalism. The award signifies the 20th anniversary of Eagle One’s Golden Rule Awards and it will continue to happen for years to come. Any not-for-profit car club can enter for a chance to win this substantial donation for the charity of their choice. Eagle One wants to make it a point to reward automobile enthusiasts who are not in the game for the money.

In previous years, the company has rewarded car clubs in four regions for their community service efforts and it plans to continue to do so. Club winners receive a beautifully crafted Eagle One plaque along with a generous supply of Eagle One automotive appearance products, and Valvoline Motor Oil for future fund raising endeavors.

"Eagle One is very proud of its two decades of being the only organization to recognize and reward car clubs for outstanding community and charitable activities which demonstrates that there is more to car clubs than just cars," said Robert McCarter of Eagle One marketing in a release announcing the award.

If you have a non-profit car club and are looking to give back to your community or maybe donate to a charity, this is definitely something to look into. For more details visit Eagle One.

The editors of Hot Rod are in the process now of building this '68 Chevy Van for the 2012 SEMA Show in affiliation with eBay Motors. Working with Mackey's Hot Rods of Huntington Beach, CA, they not only sourced the love machine, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors.

While they would love for you to vote for them, the key to this campaign is that you can be the winner. Vote for your favorite, even if it isn't the Gasser Van and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 dream garage.

So whether you're into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at www.builtfromebay.com.

The editors of Hot Rod, Lowrider, european car, and Four Wheeler are in the process now of building SEMA projects sourcing not only the car, but every single last part needed exclusively on eBay Motors. Best of all, you can vote for your favorite and at the same time enter to win a $5,000 Dream Garage.

The effort is BUILT from eBay® – A web series that takes four automotive magazines and their selected garages and creates a competition to showcase eBay Motors amazing selection. Each team starts with the purchase of a niche-enthusiast vehicle, and then searches out and purchases each and every part to go with them. Whether those parts be new, retro, performance or new-old-stock, these four teams are being tested to pull it off.

So whether you’re into rally, racing, off-road, or showcars, this competition has everything to offer so join in the fun and pick your favorite. See the entire video series now at www.builtfromebay.com.

It was a bigger leap from Chattanooga, Tn. to Lincoln, Ne. than I realized. Rolling into Nashville I was greeted by two sweeties hanging out of a Harley-Ford pickup snapping shots of the coupe running down the Interstate at about 70-75mph. I wish I'd got a shot or two of them, it'd would have been a lot better than of an old man, driving an old car.

One big problem I was having with the Chadly coupe was the Pabst Blue Ribbon can Chadly used for an expansion tank was filling up and blowing antifreeze all over the windshield and into car. My glasses would get covered with a sticky film, and I'd have to pull over to wash off the mess. This went on through Florida, into Georgia, into Tennessee and on through Missouri, and then Iowa, onward to Nebraska. Needless to say I was getting real tired of the situation. My next stop after visiting Corky and his crew of great guys at Coker and Honest Charley's Speed Shop was to visit my friend Damon Lee at Speedway Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska. As luck would have it I rolled into Lincoln right at closing time and got to visit with Speedy Bill. I got the same great reception from Speedy Bill, and he instructed Damon to help out if I needed anything to keep the Chadly running safe and sound. Bingo, Damon handed me a Speedway catalog, and the search was on for a proper expansion tank.

Speedway lists several options all of them good, I picked out a polished stainless steel vertical tank, and some of that really neat looking red fuel line Speedway stocks. The job of installing the tank went really smooth when Jason Masa, and Brad Nelson blew off taking their break to help (do all the work actually) me install the tank.

The pictures of the coupe in an old 1880's town was in Blackwater, Missouri. In the next couple of days I'll wrap this up with the coupe showing up at Lake Tahoe just in time for HAN, and the Lugnuts car show. Images to follow real soon thanks to Ed "the man" Kimball.

Wow, what a difference a week makes. It was last Tuesday I rolled into Chattanooga with the Chadly Coupe. Here's a shot of the coupe in front of Honest Charley's Speed Shop after Mike Goodman jumped out in the street and waved the coupe in... With a 7 1/2-inch chop it's kind of hard to see where you're going. 

I drove over 4,000 miles across country staring mostly at the coupe's bulkhead above the windshield. In Chattanooga on Tuesday morning I didn't have any real idea how to get to Coker, so I just started blasting around town blindly. Later Tommy Lee Byrd told me they heard the coupe's 331 Hemi roaring up and down the streets before Mike Goodman spotted me flying by Honest Charley's and waved me in. By then one of the six Holley 94s was pouring out gas. Notice in the one photo I used a pair of Vicegrips to squish the fuel line flat and stop the flow.

Check out Corky next to the equipment Coker uses to custom make just about any kind wheel needed in house. I'll get into a lot more detail in an upcoming story to appear in the pages of Street Rodder on genuine paper.

The first day through Georgia was great! I was hoping to blog every night at the end of the day's journey but it would have meant possibly fighting a plus-sized woman for the motel computer, or a little flim-flam at Fry's trying to get an extended demo on one of their computers. Did I mention Georgia has the nicest, coldest, most comfortable rest stops in the whole world?

 I rolled over Lion's Bridge off of Anastasia Island into historic St. Augustine around 6AM. It rained like crazy all weekend, but my friend Marla parked her new car out in the driveway, so I could give the Chadly Coupe a quick going-over. The 9-inch Ford, and the Muncie 4-speed were both low on gear oil. Valvoline was the least expensive gear oil at the new Advance Auto Parts that had just opened on the island the week before. The best price on sparkplugs was Autolite, so I tossed the AC 44XLS plugs that were missing plug gaskets, and... this kind of sounds like deja vu. Let's move on to the drive. From Jacksonville, I entered the extreme end of Interstate 10, or as we call it in SoCal the San Bernardino freeway. After breakfast at an Awful House I made my way onto Interstate 75 that runs from top to bottom right up the middle of Georgia. I have to admit my pre-concieved notions of Georgia were right from 1969's Easy Rider, but boy was I wrong. The people in Georgia were real nice, and the one's that didn't think it was Satan driving the Chadly Coupe complemented the car. What really amazed me was how ice-cold the A/C was in the bathrooms, and they had a big flat screen TV with a log cabin style couch that I could take a nap on. I'll get back on here tomorrow night, and finish off Georgia, and then show some flicks from my visit with Corky Coker, and the guys at Honest Charley's Speed Shop, and Coker Tire. Ed will post some photos to go with this a little later.

Brain Brennan once quoted a guy I don't remember the name of that the difference between a hot-rod and a street rod is: Hot-rods have a speedometer that doesn't work, and tools in the trunk. A street-rod's gauges work, and there's detailing supplies in the trunk... This thing is a hot-rod. I just drank a big cup of coffee that left my teeth Candy Root Beer Brown , and now I'm headed to Georgia just as soon as I get the garage door opend and fire the old girl up. I threw in a new of plugs last night.

First off thanks to Chadly and Jim W. for the encouargement I really appreciate it. The 331 was running kinda of crummy, but I had convinced myself that's normal. I learned the hard way after throwing an old pickup together for Americuise that it really doesn't hurt to at least check the plugs. Sure enough the plugs were missing gaskets, and oil was wicking down the threads. I threw in a set of Autolite 65's and she runs a lot better. I've got a Walker radiator, Power Gen, a real nice gear-drive starter, and a whole bunch of high-tech goodies that sepearate this car from the ususal stuff that looks it on the outside. This ain't a rat rod, it's a hot rod.

The Chadly Coupe has great bones, and that's good news after you've flown from OC, CA. to Jacksonville, FL. just to learn if the radically chopped '30 Model A coupe was the car that you had hoped it would be. The builder did an incredible job of amassing the best aftermarket parts mixed with gennie Ford. This is a car that will go down in hot rod history.

LSD is nothing compared to the dream state this adventure has thrown my brain into. The time is really flying by... we drove out yesaterday to Hastings, piston rings Florida to pick up the Chadly Coupe in the pouring rain. By the time Todd, the guy that bought the car from Chadly and I went over things the sun had come back out. Todd mentioned maybe the bias-ply Coker Firestones were low on air. I pushed in on the top of the left front tire, and after it squished in real easy said "yeah, I don't think that's right." Out on the road a gust of wind shot the coupe out in the path of an oncoming Peterbilt, The steering felt heavy and I thought I'd dismount the front tires if I yanked the car back into it's lane. I nursed it back into the lane, and we (my ride to get the car) pulled into the very first gas station and checked the air pressue. Well, a guy doesn't have to be Corky Coker to know 12-pounds of air in a tire ain't enough. I pumped all four up to 32-pounds and the little coupe isn't so bad to drive. I'll send a bunch of back up photos to Ed Kimball to post to with this. That will by  Monday CA. time. I'll get back on here one more time before I drive across Georgia to get to Chattanooga... hope I don't get stuck behind a chicken truck.

Toad Rour it's gonna be a road trip that requires coffee that covers on the first coat… none of that weak stuff that changes color with cream. I'll be driving a chopped Model A with a '54 Chrysler Hemi sucking gas from 6-deuces. The journey starts in St Augustine, Florida, and will end up at my California home on the West Coast.

Hi, I'm John Gilbert  maybe some of you guys will recognize my name, I've been a contributor to Street Rodder on and off now for the last few years. To supplement my income as a freelance motor-journalist I recently got a job as a used car salesman in Newport Beach, California. Among my duties at Newport Classic Cars is to research each car's numbers, and verify it's as rare as we think it is. Last week Henry, he's NCC's owner told me he'd just bought a '30 Model A Ford off eBay. That's where the story begins, in 2 days I'll be flying into Jacksonville to pick up the "Chadly Coupe" and then head to Chattanooga, Tennessee to visit the guys at Coker Tire. I'll be back on here Saturday night… uh, maybe Sunday morning to post some flicks, and spew a few more words.

All Antique, Classic, and Automotive Hobby Related Items

Friday July 20, & Saturday, July 21, 2012
Los Alamitos Race Course
4961 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA. 90720
East parking lot behind Costco

Admission  $6:00 per person, under 12 free with paid adult

Hours - Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00PM, Saturday 7:00AM to 4:00PM

Free Parking

Sellers spaces available -Call Jeff Hood 562-597-5936 evenings
Spaces are 27' wide X 18'deep, two days-$40.00 advance, $50.00 day of event

 A couple weeks back we headed to Aerotect Protective Films in La Verne, CA, to check out all the newest 3M automotive parts.

 The first product demoed for those in attendance was the 3M Crystalline Automotive film. The window film is different from traditional window tint film, in that it is nearly clear, yet still allows 40% to 90% of the sunlight into your car. The Crystalline Film also rejects 97% of the sun's IR rays and 60% of the heat coming through your windows. The film allows you to keep a near stock look on your car while still having the benefits of tinted windows. The film is also non-metallic, so it won't interfere with radio signals or other high tech goodies.

Next we checked out the Scotchgard Paint Protection Film (PPF). The colorless urethane film is the ultimate paint protection. This durable film protects even the most high dollar paint job, from rock chips or any other road debris. PPF also comes with a 5 year warranty.

3M VentureShield Matte Finish Film is one of the coolest products that demoed for the group. The Film allows you to give any paint job a matte finish, for one of the most current looks in the automotive aftermarket world. The crew from 3M transformed the fender of a Cadillac in a matter of minutes. The film can be washed and waxed as easily as your normal paint job which is a definite plus of traditional Matte paint jobs, while also offering some protection for your paint job.

Next up in the demo, the crew from Aerotect applied the new 3M Scothprint wrap film series 1080. This film is currently available in four matte colors (black, white, silver and military green) and five brushed finishes (aluminum, titanium, steel, steel blue, and gold). The film is long lasting, yet easily removable. The film can be layered to create unique designs, such as the dual layer flame design the guys put on the Cadillac they were doing the demo on.

Last for the day, 3M showed off the Headlight Lens Restoration System. This innovative 3-step process allows you to remove scratches and restore plastic headlights, and taillights. The system uses a standard household drill for sanding and buffing. The benefit of the kit goes beyond restoring ugly headlights, but also increases the amount of light, making night driving safer.

 A number of prominent organizations have formed the "Save the Salt Coalition" to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) from continued deterioration due to salt brine removal from potash mining. The Coalition is now working with government officials, mine operators and others to develop a permanent program to replenish the salt.

 Founding members of the Coalition include the Bonneville Nationals (BNI), Save the Salt Foundation, Source Interlink Media, Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), SEMA Action Network (SAN) and Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA). Doug Evans, Executive Vice President, Source Interlink Media, has been named Chairman of the "Save the Salt Coalition."

"The Bonneville Salt Flats is an essential element of American motorsports heritage," said Evans. "Since 1949, Hot Rod Magazine has covered the August speed trials and worked with government officials to permit continued racing. The legacy of land speed racing covers every imaginable type of vehicle, from hot rods to jet cars, electric cars and motorcycles. These efforts are a proving ground for new technological achievements in power plants, composite materials and aerodynamics."

The BSF is a unique geological formation that is also central to the history of motorsports and the industries that support motorsports. Scores of world land speed records have been set on the densely-packed remnants of a huge prehistoric lake. The area is so flat, it is possible to see the curvature of the earth. The BSF has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Decades of salt removal by an adjoining potash mining operation have damaged the BSF. Between 1963 and 1982, an estimated 11 million tons of salt was withdrawn. By the mid-1990s, the historic raceway had lost over 18 inches of salt crust. Originally 96,000 acres in size, the BSF has been reduced to about 30,000 acres and those lands are threatened unless the salt removed to extract potash is then returned to the BSF. The potash operation is located on federal lands leased by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The Coalition is seeking to protect the BSF and permit continued mining. One solution is to pump brine water back onto the salt flats during the winter and spring, when the basin is naturally covered with water. As the water evaporates during the summer months, the salt flats will increase in thickness and hardness, and the underground aquifer supporting the salt crust will be replenished. A five-year test program begun in 1997 demonstrated that the solution will work. The Coalition is now seeking an equivalent, permanent program.

For more information, please visit the "Save the Salt Coalition" website at www.savethesalt.org.

 Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2011) -- The United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 154 (S. Res. 154) at the request of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils designating July 8, 2011 as "Collector Car Appreciation Day."  The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

 S. Res. 154 was sponsored by Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus members Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC).  Senators Tester and Burr have been strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, and S. Res. 154 reaffirms their understanding of the cultural importance of collector cars.  The Caucus is an informal, non-partisan group that pays tribute to America's ever growing love affair with the car and motorsports.  The Caucus recognizes the integral role collector cars have played in fostering our nation's appreciation for motorsports.  

"Last year, the United States Senate helped launch the first national Collector Car Appreciation Day at our request," said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "As a result, thousands of Americans gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation's automotive heritage. SEMA's commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry through its projects and programs is evident in this special day.  We look forward to even more celebrations this July 8 and in the years to come."

In recognition of the day, collectors and enthusiasts will be hosting events across the country.  ARMO Chairman Laura Bergan said, "On July 8, 2011, collectors and enthusiasts will host hundreds of events across the country.  We will proudly partner with individuals, car clubs and businesses as they organize car cruises, club gatherings and other educational events to celebrate the day."

Rick Love, HRIA chairman-elect said, "The industry endeavors to preserve our nation's automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide.  Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to this industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports."

SEMA will maintain a list of scheduled events to commemorate America's time-tested love affair with the automobile.  Individuals, car clubs and business owners interested in publicizing events should contact Ashley Ailsworth, SEMA Research and State Affairs Manager at ashleya@sema.org or 202-783-6007 x. 39.

 The NEW Steel '57 Convertibles are shipping to customers NOW!!

Car #1 was delivered to Woody's Hot Rodz today.  It will be delivered to its proud owner this week and as they say, the rest is history......in the making here at Woody's Hot Rodz!

Thank you all for your support.

Christopher Sondles
Woody's Hot Rodz LLC / Real Deal Steel Direct Dealer
www.woodyshotrodz.com

 Check out the Hot Rod Fever video Featuring Street Rodder Magazine and the Barry Lobeck built McMullen Roadster Clone.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlwSSkB55jo&feature=fvw

Click the Link above to view video.

 Dear Fellow Car Enthusiast:

It is with great pleasure, and a sense of excitement, that I write to introduce myself as the new Director of the SEMA Action Network (SAN).

 As a lifelong gearhead with roots tracing back to the Motor City, I am very proud to take on the responsibility of leading America's premier automotive enthusiast network in the battle to protect our cherished heritage.  In an era of increasing governmental involvement in the hobby, it is imperative that we remain organized and stand together.  We must continue to ensure that lawmakers, both on Capitol Hill and in state houses across the nation, hear our voices loudly and proudly.  We will not stand idly and allow America's automotive traditions to be legislated out of existence.  In addition, we will promote pro-active policies that benefit the hobby.  As I assume the mantle of this great organization, that is my pledge to you.

I come to this job abundantly aware that the fight to defend the hobby from aggressive regulation may not be easy, but it is a necessary one.  For 14 years, the SAN has staved off attacks from forces seeking to create obstacles to our responsible enjoyment of this hobby and made strides towards ensuring its future.  Continue to stay informed.  Respectfully let your legislators know where you stand on the issues.  Most importantly, spread the word.  Let your friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts know the vital importance of SAN's mission and to join the cause.  As always, joining the SAN at  http://www.semasan.com/san/join.aspx  is FREE and carries no obligations.

I look forward to meeting each of you at events across the country and working together towards the preservation of our hobby.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at miked@sema.org.

Very Respectfully,
Mike Dingell

 Brian Brennan, Editor of Street Rodder pointed out AB-859 as number one in the "10 Worst Bills of the 09-10 Legislation Session" on page 65 of the December issue. This bill was sponsored by Green Idiot, Asm. Dave Jones, who is now running for Insurance Commissioner. (Don't vote for this pinhead) It has passed the Assembly Transportation Committee and is now in the Appropriations Committee. Here are the individuals who voted for it: Blumenfield, Buchanan, Furutani, Bonnie Lowenthal, John A. Perez, Solorio, Torlakson

 The Official Summary:

This bill requires vehicles 15 years and older to undergo annual smog check inspections, and changes the amounts of financial assistant available for vehicle repair and the eligibility for that assistance. Specifically, this bill:

1) Requires vehicles 15 years and older, with certain exceptions, to undergo annual smog check inspections, instead of the existing biennial inspection schedule.

2) Directs any additional revenue resulting from more frequent inspection to be deposited in the High Polluter Repair or Removal Account (HPRR Account).

3)Increases from $450 to $750 the maximum possible payment to an eligible owner of a high polluter vehicle.

4) Restricts eligibility for financial assistance for vehicle repair to "low-income motor vehicle owners."

5) Increases the maximum income for purposes of defining a "low-income vehicle owner" from 200% of the federal poverty level to 300% of that level.

6) Requires BAR, in cooperation with ARB, to perform biennial analyses, instead of "periodic" analysis as currently required, of the statistical and emissions profiles of vehicles subject to smog check.

As you can see, this is more Green Legislation. This could void the current "older than '76" exemption and put collector vehicles into CARB's new smog program. (AB-2289). Estimates run as high as 50% of our cars on the block out of state just for starters. As time went by, CARB would sharpen their pencil to put any remaining vehicles "out to pasture" too. Can you imagine a Model T or a Dusenburg with smog equipment? We would also be paying for the crusher to eliminate our parts cars.

This is just one reason why this election is so important. The California legislature has got to be given a wakeup call to stop this. California is a state, not a National Park and should be run like one. Opression of our hobby, anti-business and jobs, and regulating every facet our lives has got to stop.

GET OUT THE VOTE

Save our cars VOTE - YES on Prop 23

 By Institute for Energy Research, Canada Free Press, October 15, 2010

 Many Californians are concerned about the continuing economic viability of the Golden State, especially with the impending implementation of the California Global Warming Solutions Act, also known as AB (Assembly Bill) 32. The goal of the act is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, through a program administered and enforced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Almost all economic modeling of GHG emissions regulations find that the costs of such programs outweigh their benefits. The estimates have come from a wide spectrum of organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Information Administration, Brookings Institution, consulting firm Charles River Associates and others. Contrary to the economic consensus, CARB has gone the other direction and argues that command-and-control and cap-and-trade will so increase the efficiency of energy use that Californians will benefit substantially by 2020.

CARB's Economic Modeling Is Suspect

A few days ago, the San Francisco Chronicle exposed CARB's estimate of pollution from diesel trucks as a 340 percent overstatement, while independent truckers leave the business rather than bear the costs CARB is imposing on the basis of this calculation. Today, a new paper by Robert Michaels of California State University, Fullerton explains the many ways in which CARB's economic modeling of AB 32 is fatally flawed and how CARB threatens California's economic welfare:

* There are no world climate benefits from AB 32. California's greenhouse gas emissions are only 2 percent of global emissions, and its share is falling as those from China and the developing world rapidly rise.

* CARB's results come from a computer model that is by its own admission unreal. In the model, it is mathematically impossible to have unemployment as high as prevails today, and the model does not allow climate policy to change the rate at which unprofitable businesses close or leave the state.

* To create benefits from costly command-and-control regulations, CARB assumes that Californians do not know best what works for their own lives, but that CARB's choices are economically superior-a heroic and unsupportable assumption.

* CARB assumes its new automobile fuel economy regulation will help California drivers by artificially limiting automobile choices. This assumes that people do not already consider fuel economy when buying a new car-again, another heroic and unsupportable assumption.

* CARB assumes that its fuel economy regulations will cost "only" $1050 per vehicle in 2016 and $2,000 in 2020. Estimates by others are much higher.

* According to CARB, the benefits of a low carbon fuel standard that reduces GHG emissions equal its costs. CARB, however, conveniently excludes over $6 billion per year in federal ethanol and biofuel subsidies from the costs.

* Hidden in the "fine print" of CARB's scoping plan is an admission that to meet the 2020 goals it will need to cut the number of passenger vehicles by 20 percent (while population grows by 12 percent), but the Board does not specify exactly how this will be done.

* CARB misses obvious ways to reduce the world's GHG emissions more cheaply than its own programs can do the job. Its recently-ordered renewable electricity requirement increases will reduce GHG emissions, but at 7 times the cost per ton of simply buying European greenhouse gas permits and not using them.

* CARB's program will intrude on both big and small decisions. It will become active in land-use planning with a goal of increasing density and reducing driving, and it has already issued detailed regulations requiring garages to offer all customers free tire pressure checks.

* A Governor's Executive Order (not yet law) wants to extend the program beyond 2020, so that emissions in 2050 are 20 percent of their 1990 values, and CARB is already formulating plans that include a 40 percent reduction in private vehicles by 2030.

Conclusion:

AB 32 started as "feel good" legislation that would set an example for other states and nations, few of which have actively followed it. Since its passage, California's unemployment has risen to 12 percent, and CARB's claim that its policies will improve our lives becomes less credible by the day. An unelected Air Resources Board has chosen to bet the well-being of millions of Californians on computer models that cannot even give an accurate picture of today's economy.

Read Robert Michaels' full AB 32 economic impact analysis here (PDF).

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/28813

If you are wondering what proposals will have a good or bad impact on our hobby here are some observations taken with our hobby as our primary concern.

 Prop 20; Transfers Redistricting of Congressional Districts to a Redistricting Commission. Allowing politicians to set their own boundaries is how they control the elections. - YES

Prop 21; Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to fund state parks and wildlife programs and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles - NO

Prop 22; Prohibits the state from taking funds used for transportation or local government projects and services. - YES

Prop 23; Suspends AB-32 Global Warming Solutions Act until state unemployment rate holds under 5.5% for four consecutive quarters. - YES

Prop 24; Repeals recent legislation that allow businesses to carry back losses, share tax credits, and use a sales based income calculation to lower taxable income. - NO

Prop 25; Changes legislative vote requirement to pass a budget from 2/3rd to a simple majority. The problem is not the number of votes but the incompetence of government to stay within their means. - NO

Prop 26; Increases legislative vote requirement to 2/3rd for state levies and charges. - YES

Prop 27; Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. - NO

Abraxis Health, a unit of Los Angeles-based Abraxis BioScience Inc,  opened a new plant that will create 200 jobs in 2010 -- in Phoenix. This follows  the company's Phoenix expansions that occurred in 2007 and 2008.

Alza Corp. In 2007 eliminated about 600 jobs in drug R&D while also  exiting its Mountain View, Calif., HQ. At the time the company said that its  1,200-person Vacaville facility will continue to operate. But the Vacaville  Reporter on Oct. 23, 2009 revealed that the plant is being offered for sale by  J&J, its parent company. It's unclear if more layoffs are in the facility's  future.

American AVK, a producer of fire hydrants and other water-related  products, moved from Fresno to Minden, Nevada.

American Racing moved its auto-wheel production to Mexico, ending most of its 47-year operation in California.

Apple Computer has expanded in other states, most recently with a $1  billion facility planned for North Carolina.

Audix Corporation relocated from Redwood City, Calif., and to  accommodate growth moved to a 78,000-square-foot facility in Wilson, Oregon.

Apria Healthcare Group of Lake Forest is shifting jobs from California  to Overland Park, Kansas, a K.C. Suburb.

Assurant Inc. Cut 325 jobs in Orange County and consolidated positions  in Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina.

Automobile Club of Southern California placed 1,100 jobs in Texas.

Barefoot Motors, a small "green" manufacturer, moved from Sonoma and  will grow in Ashland, Oregon.

Bazz Houston Co. Located in Garden Grove, has slowly been building a  workforce of about 35 people in Tijuana. In early 2010 the company said it  expects to move more jobs to Mexico, citing cost and regulatory difficulties in  Southern California.

Beckman Coulter, a biomedical test equipment manufacturer  headquartered in Brea, relocated part of its Palo Alto facilities to  Indianapolis, Indiana, two years ago. In early 2010, it's making a  multimillion-dollar investment to expand and create up to 100 new jobs in  Indiana. The company said the area offers a "favorable business environment and  lower total cost of operations, plus a local work force with strong skills in  both engineering and manufacturing."

Bild Industries Inc., which specializes in business news, directories  and market reports, moved to Post Falls, Idaho, from Van Nuys, a part of the San  Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

Bill Miller Engineering, Ltd., suffering under the "hostile business  climate" in California and Los Angeles County, moved from Harbor City to Carson City, Nevada.

BMC Select has conducted an unusual relocation. The company, which had  shifted its headquarters from Idaho to San Francisco, relocated its H.Q. Back to  Boise in January 2010. The building materials distributor said that regaining  its footing in Boise retained access to high-quality employees while reducing  wage and occupancy costs.

BPI Labs, which formulates, manufactures, and fills personal care  products for the health and beauty industry, relocated from Sacramento to  Evanston, Wyoming, a move the company's owner called "very successful . . . . It  felt good and I've never looked back.

Buck Knives after 62 years in San Diego moved to Post Falls, Idaho.

CalPortland Cement has announced in late 2009 closure of its Riverside  County plant because of new environmental regulations from a state law (AB 32).  The company's CEO wrote, "A cement plant cannot be picked up and moved, but the  next new plant probably won't be built in California meaning more good, high  paying manufacturing jobs will be lost to Nevada or China or somewhere."

California Casualty Group left San Mateo for Colorado, cutting  operating costs to remain competitive.

CalStar Products Inc., headquartered in Newark, Calif., in the San  Francisco Bay Area, in January 2010 was awarded $2.44 million in federal clean  energy tax credits. The company said in the future it expects to build  additional plants in the Mississippi Valley and the East Coast. In late 2009  CalStar opened a plant in Caledonia, Wisconsin.

Checks To-Go moved to Utah where workers' comp rates helped make the  troubled company healthier.

Chivaroli & Associates, a healthcare-related insurance service based  in Westlake Village, Calif., moved a regional office to Spokane, Washington.

CoreSite, A Carlyle Company, is delaying a Santa Clara project while  it expands its data center in Reston, Virginia.

Creators Syndicate may flee L.A. Because it operates like a banana  republic.

Creel Printing Left Costa Mesa for Las Vegas and So Cal loses 60 more  jobs.

Dassault Falcon looked at building an aircraft services facility in  Riverside County but instead located in Reno.

DaVita Inc. Moved its HQ from Los Angeles to Denver; expects to see  millions of dollars in savings over time.

Dennys Corp. the large restaurant chain once had its headquarters  in La Mirada, later in Irvine, Calif, and then moved to Spartanburg, South  Carolina. In fairness, I note the move occurred in the early 1990's. However it's  noteworthy because the company was founded in California and its growth over  time created HQ jobs in another state.

Digital Domain, the Academy-Award-winning visual effects studio based  in Venice, Calif, placed new studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Port  St. Lucie, Florida, which combined will have about 500 employees. The facilities  will allow the company to reduce costs while continuing to deliver cutting-edge  work.

Ditech, headquartered in Costa Mesa, announced in January 2010 a  269-job cut and is moving most activities to the GMAC Financial Services (parent  company) headquarters in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. In 2007, Ditech  relocated some workers from Costa Mesa to Phoenix. A once robust Costa Mesa  facility employing hundreds will be down to 20 or 30 workers.

DuPont Fabros Technology suspended a $270 million Santa Clara data  center project in favor of one in Ashburn, Virginia.

eBay, based in San Jose, will create 450 jobs in Draper, Utah, in a  new $334 million operations, customer support and data center.

EDMO Distributors, Inc., a world-wide wholesaler of aircraft avionics,  test equipment, and pilot supplies, moved its HQ from Valencia, Calif., to  Spokane Valley, Wash. Since, it has built a larger headquarters in the city's  Mirabeau Point community complex.

Edwards Lifesciences based in Irvine will expand with 1,000 employees  not in California but in Draper, Utah.

EMRISE Corp. completed its HQ move from Rancho Cucamonga to Eatontown,  NJ, in May 2009. The company said the move "will result in additional annualized  cost savings of approximately $1 million and facilitate improvements in  operating efficiency. . . . The cost savings associated with relocating our  corporate headquarters will start immediately. . . The aggregate total of these  expense reductions will increase our profitability and cash flow in this and  succeeding years and, over time, substantially improve our ability to further  reduce our  long term debt.

Facebook, based in Palo Alto, will expand in a major way in Oregon by  locating a custom data center in Prineville. It will be a 147,000-square-foot  facility costing $180 million and will employ 200 workers during construction  and another 35 full-time once operating in 2011.

FallLine Corporation Left Huntington Beach, where they were being  "hammered" with multiple governmental regulatory fees, for Reno, Nevada.

Fidelity National Financial left Santa Barbara for Florida, spurred by  California's "oppressive" business environment.

First American Corp., based in Santa Ana, will open a call center in  March 2010 not in California but in Phoenix, where it expects to employ about  400 people within two years.

Fluor Corp. moved its global headquarters from Aliso Viejo to Irving, Texas, with about 100 employees asked to relocate while the company planned to  hire the same number there. In 2006, when Fluor moved into its new headquarters  building, a company statement said: "The official dedication had a decidedly Texas theme" as a horseshoe was raised on the building, a time-honored Texas  tradition.

Foxconn Electronics, a large contract electronics maker, moved some of  its Fullerton operations to Dallas.

Fuel System Solutions moved its headquarters from Santa Ana to New  York.

Gregg Industries, owned by Neenah Enterprises Inc. in Wisconsin,  closed a 300-employee foundry in El Monte foundry under pressure from the South  Coast Air Quality Management District to make $5 million in upgrades. The  company didnt want to make the investment in the difficult economic climate so  it decided instead to leave the state.

Helix Wind Inc. may move its research and development, engineering,  and testing departments from San Diego to "more supportive" Oregon.

Hewlett-Packard, HQ'd in Palo Alto, at various times has moved jobs to  Tennessee and Texas.

Hilton Hotels Corp. in 2009 is moving from its longtime corporate H.Q.  in Beverly Hills to a new office in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Hino Motor Manufacturing USA moved from California to Williamstown,  West Virginia, in 2007, where it now employs about 100 workers. The company has  growth plans to "Raise Hinos presence from medium-/heavy /heavy-duty trucks to  all ranges of trucks" and an aggressive program to improve fuel economy and  emissions. The company builds trucks under its own brand and also manufactures  Toyota-branded vehicles.

Intel Corporation, HQd in Santa Clara, has chosen to expand  operations in neighboring states

Intuit of Mountain View created a customer support office (110 people)  not in California but in Colorado because of lower operating costs.

Intuit placed a data center near Quincy, Washington.

Intuit also located Innovative Merchant Solutions LLC in Las Vegas as  part of a $1.8 million investment in Nevada.

J.C. Penney closed it Sacramento call center and moved the work to  five out-of-state centers.

Kimmie Candy *** a manufacturer that was started in 1999, moved from  Sacramento to Nevada in 2005. "I really don't have a lot of regrets about moving  up to Reno," said owner Joe Dutra.

Klaussner Home Furnishings in closing its La Mirada manufacturing  plant will maintain its NC and Iowa operations.

Knight Protective Industries moved to Oregon "where 4-day work weeks  were permitted by the state" and wanted by the employees.

Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. announced in February 2010 that it is  closing its Irvine plant, laying off 56 people, and will shift the work to  Malaysia and Singapore. The facility had been owned by Orthodyne Electronics  Corp., which Kulicke & Soffa bought in 2008.

LCF Enterprises, which makes specialized high-end amplifiers used by  researchers, medical professionals and others, moved from Camarillo, Calif., to  Post Falls, Idaho.

Lennox Hearth Products Inc. in Orange, Calif., will lay off 71 workers  and by March 2010 will transfer the jobs to Nashville and Union City, Tennessee,  "to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies."

Lyn-Tron, Inc., a supplier of electronic hardware, moved from Los  Angeles to Spokane, Wash. Their website has a rather California(ish) statement:  "Our commitment is to maintain a manufacturing environment that is progressive  and safe, where our employees are able to achieve their personal objectives,  thereby adding to their quality of life and to the community in which they  live."

Mariah Power, a "green" manufacturer of small wind turbines, moved  from California to Nevada and in 2009 teamed up with another company to begin  production in Manistee, Michigan.

Maxwell America, a boating equipment maker, in February 2010 closed  its Santa Ana offices and moved them to Hanover, Md. One reason given was the  indirect impact of California environmental regulations. A company official said  over the years many California boat builders relocated to the Midwest and East  where they don't face the same restrictions.

MiaSol, based in the Silicon Valley, was reported in January 2010 to  be planning a 500,000-square-foot plant, which could be one of the largest solar  factories in the United States. The location is not near its in Santa Clara  headquarters but in the Atlanta, Georgia, area where its workforce eventually  could exceed 1,000. The news came one week after MiaSol received $101.8 million  in federal tax credits.

MotorVac Technologies announced in February 2010 that it's leaving  Santa Ana for Ontario, Canada. MotorVac's CEO said he "really fought hard to  keep MotorVac here, but unfortunately the numbers didnt support it." The move cuts costs because it's new owner, UView, has its own plant with excess capacity  in Canada. And the general cost of doing business in California is much more  expensive.

Nissan North America moved its Los Angeles headquarters to Nashville,Tenn.

Northrop Grumman by 2011 will relocate its Los Angeles H.Q. to the  Washington, DC metro area. It's the last major aerospace company to leave  Southern California, the birthplace of the aerospace industry.

One2Believe, a specialty religious-toy maker, left California for East  Aurora, New York.

Patmont Motor Works, Inc. (GoPed manufacturer), after being hit by  California regulators for hundreds of thousands of dollars in small fines even  though his company has a stellar safety record, moved to Nevada.

Paragon Relocation Resources moved from Rancho Santa Margarita to  Irving, Texas.

Pixel Magic, headquartered in Toluca Lake, Calif., (Los Angeles metro  area), is locating a studio in Lafayette, Louisiana, where it will create 40 new  jobs between 2010 and 2013. The company, which provides digital effects for  motion pictures and television, said the Louisiana people they were in contact with have an immediate understanding of technology and data handling.

Plastic Model Engineering, Inc., a custom plastic injection molder and  mold manufacturer, moved from Sylmar, Calif. to the "Inland Northwest," notably  Post Falls, Idaho.

Precor will stop manufacturing fitness machines in California and  re-open in North Carolina.

Premier Inc., the largest healthcare alliance in the nation, will move  its HQ from San Diego to Charlotte, involving an investment of $17.7 million and adding 300 jobs in North Carolina. The announcement was made Oct. 14, 2009.

Pro Cal of South Gate, in Los Angeles County, a unit of Myers  Industries, expanded its Sparks, Nev., operations to become the companys  primary West Coast production and distribution facility. Pro Cal is a plastics  manufacturer of nursery containers and a big recycler.

Race Track Chaplaincy of America started 2010 by shifting its  headquarters from Los Angeles to Lexington, Kentucky. The non-profit group said  it had wanted to relocate from the Hollywood Park Race Track for several  reasons, one of which is the significant cost of doing business on the West  Coast.

Red Truck Fire & Safety Company left Fresno for Minden, Nevada in 2007  because of Californias myriad fees and regulations that meant "death by  thousand cuts."
 
SAIC will move its headquarters east, from San Diego to McLean, Virgina, which the Washington Post called "Another Coup for Area." The announcement was made Sept. 24, 2009; it is unclear how many employees will move  east in 2009 and 2010.

Scale Computing, a data-storage developer and manufacturer, is leaving  Silicon Valley for Indiana.

Schott Solar Inc. will close its sales and customer service office in  Roseville and will relocate the office to Albuquerque, NM.

SimpleTech transferred its manufacturing work from Santa Ana to Asia  more than a year ago.

Smiley Industries, an aerospace manufacturer, moved to Phoenix, where  productivity improved.

Solaicx, based in the Silicon Valley, said in early 2010 that it will  expand its manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon. Solaicx received $18.2  million in federal tax credits as part of Washington's efforts to advance green  energy.

SolarWorld, a maker of solar technology founded in Camarillo,  consolidated manufacturing in Oregon after that state offered property tax  abatement and business energy tax credits. The company will employ about 1,000  in Oregon by 2011

Special Devices Inc. brought 250 jobs to Mesa, Arizona, from Moorpark,  Calif.

StarKist headquarters is leaving San Francisco for Pittsburgh, Pa.

Stasis Engineering moved from Sonoma County to West Virginia, a  "friendlier business climate."

Stata Corp., which specializes in data analysis and statistical  software, moved from Santa Monica, California to College Station, Texas.

Tapmatic, a metalworking firm whose owners were "fed up with the  onerous business environment," moved from Orange County, California to Post  Falls in northern Idaho.

Teledesic moved to Washington state in anticipation of better capital gains.

Telmar Network Technology Inc. moved from Irvine to Plano, Texas,  consolidating some 150 workers there.

Terremark postponed a Santa Clara project earlier this year to invest  $50 million in a Culpeper, Va. project.

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems is moving R&D from OC to Ann Arbor,  Michigan, involving 65 jobs and $3.5 million in investments.

Toyota will stop making cars in Fremont, will idle 4,700 workers, and  move work to Canada and San Antonio, Texas.

True Games Interactive Inc. will its H.Q. from Irvine to Austin, Texas, where it expects to have about 60 workers by the middle of 2010.

TTM Technologies will leave L.A. & Hayward and move to other states and China to achieve big cost savings.

Twentieth Century Props of L.A. has gone out of business as  film-making has moved to lower-cost states.

Understand.com moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Reno, a loss  for California in that the company is a leader in web-based patient education  content and shows strong growth. The company was named 2007 Innovator of the Year by a Northern publication and  the company's founder and received a media and Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network 20 Under 40 award and was selected as a 20/20 Business Visionary by Nevada Business Magazine.

US Airways is realigning operations and California is no longer considered part of its "core." The airline is closing its John Wayne Airport maintenance station and in early 2010 will redistribute the mechanics across its  system.

US Press shifted work from Los Angeles and San Diego to Portland,  "where union rules were almost rational."

USAA Insurance closed its 625-person Sacramento campus in favor of  other states.

Yahoo opened a data center in Quincy, Washington, a community that now hopes to land high-tech manufacturing.

The list will grow as Sacramento considers more measures that will increase corporate taxes, increase workers' comp costs, increase regulatory reporting requirements (along with higher fines for minor infractions), increase gasoline and diesel-fuel taxes, increase water rates, increase electric-power rates, and  increase assorted fees that will cause services to become more expensive.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll claims that Proposition 23, a ballot initiative to roll back California's global warming law until unemployment recedes, is losing 49%-37%.

 That any Californian who could vote himself out of a paper bag would oppose Proposition 23 is incredible - the state has a budget deficit of $19 billion and unemployment rate above 11 percent. The state needs to create economic growth and revenue producing jobs as opposed ways to garner more tax dollars from the few.

 CARB is writing their own regulations, imposing fee's and fines and making truckers modify their trucks at will. If Prop 23 fails, this will give the Air Board the green light to go after our vehicles. Don't forget, they feel hot rods are a loop-hole in the law, which needs to be plugged. Also keep in mind, if Jerry Brown is elected Governor he will support the Air Board to the max. He has stated he supports AB-32 Global Climate fully and feels the "Green" jobs it will create are the salvation to our states dilemma. We all know this is a pipe dream but these pinheads believe it.

 The Air Board sets emission standards and equipment requirements on older than 1976 vehicles, both controlled and uncontrolled. They then start sending out "Random" letters telling you to bring your vehicle in to a "Smog Only" station for a visual inspection. Let's say you have a 1970 Chevelle with engine modifications. They give you a list of requirements that have to be done and I'm sure you may have problems getting you next registration if they are not complied with.

Now let's say you have a fiberglass '32 Ford roadster (or any fiberglass car) with a 351 Windsor crate motor and incorrect registration. The smog station will give you a list of smog requirements you will have to comply with and then send you to the CHP for an registration check. After the CHP get done, you may need a taxi to get home.