[khansmith]

Here is what I wrote (I am not a professional writer...so excuse any spelling/grammar mistakes):
Good Morning:

First off, I want to thank you for your time and attention to my request. Some of my fondest memories as a child was working with my dad and siblings building cars. Our imaginations ran wild with the possiblities of customization; dreaming every night about what color paint, why type of engine, etc. Working on these cars with my family tought me many valuable skills. Building cars requires a builder to hone such skills as project managment, math, research, art (colors and form), imagination, teamwork, problem solving, just to name a few. Fastforward a few years (without dating myself), fathers now have a new option to share these skills with their kids; the kit car/replica market. Often the term "kit car" brings back memories of hideous frankenstein contraptions that were very questionable. Now we have companies that utilize the same degree of engineering and manufacturing processes that we see in today's auto manufacturing. Now we can work with our kids and know that the vehicles we are creating benefit from the oversight of compitent engineers who have designed the kit for form, function and saftey.



Another aspect to consider is how this replica/kit car market stimulates small business. While building these cars, the builders conduct business with hundreds of small businesses ranging from your local autoparts store, alignment shops, tire shops, specialty parts builders, engine builders, transmission builders, body and paint shops, etc. Additionally, it builds a community of builders, businesses and families that all share a common value set of hard work, teamwork and imagination. Supporting this hobby will have a positive systemic impact to the the small business in NJ that provide services required to build these cars.



From an environmental standpoint, one might point out that these cars use older style engines that are less efficient than our modern cars of today. This is very true (however some choose to use modern powerplants to power their vehicles). What you must understand is that these cars are not daily drivers. Therefore, the impact to the environment is lower than compared to a daily driver. This bill recognizes the occasional use of these vehicles and enforces this limitation.



By supporting this bill, you support a wonderful family hobby, build skills in our citizens and support our small businesses.





Here are the highlights of A.B. 2636

A.B. 2636 provides specific registration/titling classes and license plates for street rods and customs.

A.B. 2636 only holds street rods and customs to the equipment standards specified by law during the model year listed on the title of the vehicle.

A.B. 2636 provides that a replica vehicle will be assigned the same model year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles.

A.B. 2636 permits street rods and custom vehicles to display blue dot taillights.

A.B. 2636 provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc. and not for general daily transportation.



Thank you for your time,



Khan Smith

Ridgewood, NJ