AzMotorNews.com

Exempting collector vehicles from emission test examined
by Bob Golfen The Arizona Republic 10-06-03

A survey of owners of collector cars and trucks, older vehicles that appear in shows, cruises and parades, is being compiled by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to determine whether they could be exempted from emissions testing without harming the atmosphere.

Surveys have been sent to car clubs and other collector organizations.  The DEQ will analyze the data and submit  findings to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, said Patrick Gibbons, a DEQ spokesman.

"The feeling is that collector automobiles (and trucks) drive fewer miles and are maintained much better than the average vehicle," Gibbons said.

Gibbons acknowledged that one of the challenges is "identifying what is truly a collectible vehicles and not just an old vehicle".

Emissions testing is required for internal-combustion vehicles that are registered in Maricopa, Pima and parts of Pinal counties that are 5 years or older back through models made in 1967.

The surveys are mandated by the state Legislature, which passed a bill during the 2002 session that would allow collector vehicles and motorcycles to be exempted from emissions testing.

The bill was signed by the governor.

But implementation of the law requires approval from EPA and DEQ must present the case to the federal agency, showing that allowing collector cars and motorcycles to avoid testing will not add significantly to air pollution.

The pending law would allow collector vehicles that are at least 15 years old to escape annual emissions tests.  The law stipulates that the vehicle carry so-called collector-car insurance, which limits the maximum annual mileage.

The number of such vehicles in Arizona is estimated at 4,000, according to Ira Domsky, the deputy director of air quality at DEQ.  That number comes from responses by insurance companies that write collector-car policies.

Anything from a vintage Mustang to a 15-year-old Ferrari could be considered for collector-car status, which Gibbons admitted is a subjective classification. Vehicles used as main transportation or on a regular basis, such as for commuting, would not qualify.

Each vehicle listed as a collector's item on the survey will be subjected to a study of its past performance on emissions test.  Motorcycles would receive similar scrutiny, Gibbons said.  Data would be used to calculate how much they would add to pollution if exempted.

Deadline for the collector-vehicle surveys was Sept. 15, but Gibbons said DEQ still is accepting them for the next couple of weeks.

Auto hobbyists welcome the survey and the possibility of avoiding annual emissions testing, said Dan Sewell, vice president of the Arizona Automobile Hobbyists Council and a member of the Fabulous Fifties car club.

"We've been fighting for this a long time," Sewell said.  "I think it will help keep them (collector vehicles) on the road, and I think it will help people to respect the cars more and take more pride in them.