SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles was approved by the House Transportation Committee. The bill now needs to be approved by the House Rules Committee before making its way to the floor for a vote by all House members. The measure has already been approved by the Washington Senate. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles was approved by the House Transportation Committee. The bill now needs to be approved by the House Rules Committee before making its way to the floor for a vote by all House members. The measure has already been approved by the Washington Senate. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

As a result of the opposition mounted by SEMA and North Dakota vehicle hobbyists and businesses, legislation that threatened to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that altered the manufacturer's original suspension, steering or brake system unless the state highway patrol issued an inspection certificate has been amended to remove those restrictions. The amended bill now only provides for a study of the state’s transportation laws to be conducted between the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions. This amended bill represents a significant legislative victory for North Dakota enthusiasts and related businesses. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

As a result of the opposition mounted by SEMA and North Dakota vehicle hobbyists and businesses, legislation that threatened to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that altered the manufacturer's original suspension, steering or brake system unless the state highway patrol issued an inspection certificate has been amended to remove those restrictions. The amended bill now only provides for a study of the state’s transportation laws to be conducted between the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions. This amended bill represents a significant legislative victory for North Dakota enthusiasts and related businesses. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was signed into law by Utah Governor Gary Herbert. Under previous law, Utah reserved the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the new law, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation to allow vehicles 30 years old and older to be classified as “vintage vehicles” was signed into law by Utah Governor Gary Herbert. Under previous law, Utah reserved the “vintage vehicle” class only to vehicles 40 years old and older. Under the new law, “vintage vehicles” 30–40 years old would be charged a $45 annual registration fee. When the vehicle reaches 40 years old, the registrant would pay a one-time $40 fee. Vintage vehicles are exempted from annual emissions and safety inspections. Utah exempts vehicles manufactured prior to 1968 from emissions inspections. Vehicles manufactured after that date must be registered as “vintage vehicles” or “customs” to qualify for this exemption.

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

We're not sure why Mercedes bothered with the few pieces of black tape around the lights and badges on this SLS Roadster prototype, but it's looking fantastic in "iridium silver" paint and a bright red convertible top!

Unlike the coupe’s gullwing doors, the convertible will have a more traditional entry, as well as an SLR-like powered soft-top. We expect the vert will be somewhat heavier due to the chassis reinforcement all verts need.

Watch for the official debut of the SLS AMG Convertible in the first half of 2011.

Photo Credit: Brenda Priddy & Company

Holley Announces Rick Anderson as Midwest Technical Sales Representative
Holley Performance has announced Rick Anderson as its Midwest technical sales representative. Anderson comes to Holley from Anderson Ford Motorsport with more than two decades of expertise in the performance industry. His experience includes design work with piggyback computers, cold-air intakes, camshafts and digital mass air meters. He has logged thousands of hours on the dyno, twisting wrenches, tuning and prototyping products. He is also a technical writer for magazines such as Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords, Modified Mustangs & Fords and Race Pages with more than 80 technical stories to his credit.

Bert Zech Named CFO at Eastern Catalytic
Eastern Catalytic has appointed Bert Zech as the company's new chief financial officer. In his new position, Zech will be responsible for all financial activities and the health of the company, including accounting, treasury, risk management and systems integration. The announcement was made by George Schafer, president of Eastern Manufacturing, who noted that Zech comes to Eastern with an excellent record of accomplishment as an upper-level financial executive. Before joining the Eastern Catalytic team, Zech enjoyed a successful, five-year career at Conair Corp. as its divisional vice president of finance. Before his work at Conair, he was the vice president of finance at Scunci International for more than 10 years.

Mike Copeland

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Names Mike Copeland Operations Manager
Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), has announced that Mike Copeland has joined the company as operations manager. In his new role, Copeland will lead the Michigan-based operations of LPE and work with the existing leadership team at LPE's facility in Decatur, Indiana. With more than 25 years of experience at General Motors, Copeland brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. He has held numerous positions within GM, the latest as project manager for the GM Performance Division, where his responsibilities included the engineering and building of GM performance and show-related vehicles. These vehicles include the Hot Rod magazine Solstice, Reggie Jackson's LSX-powered ’69 Camaro and Popular Hot Rodding's ’57 Chevy Project "X." Copeland also supported the development of GMPP LSX and E-Rod programs. In addition to his technical background, Copeland is CEO of Diversified Creations, a retail performance and off-road business in Brighton, Michigan. He has also written technical articles for top automotive performance magazines, such as Super Chevy and Diesel Power.