Initially a one-man operation run by Herman Smith, H&H Classic Parts opened its doors in September 1987 as a hobby that got way out of hand, according to Smith’s son Tray, who is now vice president of operations and sales. The company has since grown in size by 300%.

During H&H’s infancy, the elder Smith also owned an automotive service center. It housed H&H in a small room, but he sold the service center in 1993 so that he could concentrate on growing H&H. Soon after, the company added 7,200 sq. ft. and expanded again last year by 13,000 sq. ft.

	The ’32 McGee Roadster replica built by professionals was a project of the Alex Xydias Center (AXC) for Automotive Arts. The hiboy will ultimately be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting AXC.

The car is a project of the Alex Xydias Center (AXC) for Automotive Arts—a vocational education program offered by The Learning Centers at Fairplex. AXC has been developed in collaboration with passionate automotive business owners and classic-car enthusiasts. The two-year automotive program allows students to gain the necessary confidence and hands-on experience needed to enter the automotive industry. Students explore concepts and build skills in basic mechanics, diagnosis and service, and will expand into auto body, metal fabrication and restoration next year.

Formed in 1957 and still going strong, the LA Roadsters is a long-time supporter of AXC. The club started the now-famous LA Roadsters Show—a Father’s Day tradition for car enthusiasts from around the world. The show has earned its reputation as “the greatest roadster show on earth,” featuring more than 800 pre-’36 roadsters, 1,500 pre-’72 specialty cars, a swap meet and commercial vendor midway.

LA Roadsters collaborated with vendors to build a car that would be auctioned to benefit the AXC program. The professional volunteers who built the car used it as a learning tool for AXC students over the past year. It was decided that one of the most influential hot rods of all time would be recreated. The LA Roadster replica Hiboy has a few minor upgrades to enhance comfort, safety and drivability.

“This car is a testament to the dedication of all the volunteers that came together because of their love of hot rodding, and paying it forward to the next generation,” said Theresa Contreras, AXC program specialist and volunteer painter of the Hiboy.

The Hiboy will be shown throughout the western United States, making its final stop at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, for auction. LA Roadsters are hoping to get at least $100,000 for the Hiboy, with 100% of the profits benefiting AXC.

The car’s public debut will be June 20 at 10:00 a.m. Guests to the Roadster show will also get an opportunity to view the new Robert E. Petersen’s Garage, Home of the Alex Xydias Center for Automotive Arts at 6:30 p.m. The facility was made possible by a $500,000 gift to AXC from the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation.

For more information on AXC and all the programs of The Learning Centers, visit www.tlcfairplex.org.

(Original article is courtesy of The Learning Centers at Fairplex.)

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced proposed annual targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the amount of ethanol that is required to be blended into gasoline in 2014, 2015 and 2016. While the targets have been revised down, they still rely on expanded sales of E15 (gas that is 15% ethanol). Ethanol, especially higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials.

SEMA is working to enact legislation to repeal the EPA regulation authorizing E15 sales, cap the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10% and eliminate a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year. SEMA has joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of the legislation.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced proposed annual targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the amount of ethanol that is required to be blended into gasoline in 2014, 2015 and 2016. While the targets have been revised down, they still rely on expanded sales of E15 (gas that is 15% ethanol). Ethanol, especially higher concentrations such as E15, can cause metal corrosion and dissolve certain plastics and rubbers in automobiles produced before 2001 that were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials.

SEMA is working to enact legislation to repeal the EPA regulation authorizing E15 sales, cap the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline at 10% and eliminate a mandate that 15 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be blended into the U.S. fuel supply every year. SEMA has joined with more than 50 other organizations from the auto, boat, food and energy industries to support passage of the legislation.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. 

For details, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.  

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require manufacturers of designated consumer products, including automotive products, to post ingredients on the product label and online on the manufacturer’s website was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill was already approved by the Business and Professions Committee and will next be considered in a vote by all Assembly members.

Under current law, ingredients in automotive products are not required to be listed on product labels.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require manufacturers of designated consumer products, including automotive products, to post ingredients on the product label and online on the manufacturer’s website was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill was already approved by the Business and Professions Committee and will next be considered in a vote by all Assembly members.

Under current law, ingredients in automotive products are not required to be listed on product labels.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require manufacturers of designated consumer products, including automotive products, to post ingredients on the product label and online on the manufacturer’s website was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill was already approved by the Business and Professions Committee and will next be considered in a vote by all Assembly members.

Under current law, ingredients in automotive products are not required to be listed on product labels.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require manufacturers of designated consumer products, including automotive products, to post ingredients on the product label and online on the manufacturer’s website was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill was already approved by the Business and Professions Committee and will next be considered in a vote by all Assembly members.

Under current law, ingredients in automotive products are not required to be listed on product labels.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The Nevada Legislature approved legislation to alter the requirements for vehicles eligible for registration as classic vehicles, old timers, street rods and classic rods.

Legislation to alter the requirements for vehicles eligible for registration as classic vehicles, old timers, street rods and classic rods so that only vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 could ever be eligible was approved by the Nevada Legislature. The bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Beneficial changes to the governmental services tax were deleted from the final bill.

A separate bill that originally proposed to exempt all pre-’96 vehicles from emissions inspection was amended to become only a study.

You have one more chance to request the governor’s veto! For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

	The Nevada Legislature approved legislation to alter the requirements for vehicles eligible for registration as classic vehicles, old timers, street rods and classic rods.

Legislation to alter the requirements for vehicles eligible for registration as classic vehicles, old timers, street rods and classic rods so that only vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 could ever be eligible was approved by the Nevada Legislature. The bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Beneficial changes to the governmental services tax were deleted from the final bill.

A separate bill that originally proposed to exempt all pre-’96 vehicles from emissions inspection was amended to become only a study.

You have one more chance to request the governor’s veto! For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

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