Factory Five Launches War Aginst Custom Cars

Not sure if it was intentional or not, but with the help of the good folk at Factory Five, Massachusetts has passed a law that governs the licensing of Custom Cars. Seems that the law was designed with the exact weasel words to allow the factory five cars to sail through with little problem, but home brewed variants will be given a more subjective appraisal. Year of car will no longer be based on what the car was when you started the project and no more Hot Rods with historic plates.

Thanks FF. We the people need to be protected from people like us!

Easy to fix... build your car and put a Factory Five sticker on it.

Easier yet, get the hell out of the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Easy to fix... build your car and put a Factory Five sticker on it.

For every stupid law, there is any easy solution

Can you link to sources/more info on this? I'd like to read the law for myself or at least get some more detail on what's going on.

I've found Dave Smith to be an incredibly driven, success-focused guy, but I also know they were specifically supporting some SEMA-originated legislation that was supposed to make the process easier and more consistent state-to-state. For cars like the 818, which is based on a modern airbag-and-OBD-II donor and is not a "clone" of a pre-emissions vehicle, they're going to need lots of legislative help...

Just looking for more info before I start selling torches and pitchforks...

Peter,

You actually want to read the bill !?!?!?!?! OMG

That's the reaction I get when the latest health scare/news hits and I tell people I'd like the read the actual paper that the news story is miss quoting.

"You will have to wait for it to pass, then you can find out what it contains"

peter wrote: I also know they were specifically supporting some SEMA-originated legislation that was supposed to make the process easier and more consistent state-to-state.

I thought MA passed the SEMA-drafted bill in 2003
http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=40969

A company driving a legal issue...noooo way that would ever happen

aussiesmg wrote: "You will have to wait for it to pass, then you can find out what it contains"

Well that worked on a bill that everyone cared about so why not this one that just affects a few people.

OK, show me where this law is being discussed
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/

I WAGE WAR ON BACON! BAAAAACOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

JoeyM wrote: OK, show me where this law is being discussed http://www.ffcars.com/forums/

I am pretty deep into the kit/replica car world and have heard nothing about this. I could see them trying to get rules passed to get the 818 into production. But without some additional info like the bill # and actual text its hard to swallow.

In reply to poopshovel:

If you wage war on bacon, I will join TOMORROW (after a hearty breakfast, of course, containing bacon) to defend Bacon's honor! Give me Bacon, or give me DEATH!!!!

Toyman01 wrote: Easier yet, get the hell out of the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

I will as soon as is freakin possible. I've never wanted to leave a place so badly in my life, and I've been stuck in a waiting room for an hour with the TV permanantly stuck on a Madonna interview!

In reply to Rufledt:

wouldn't it be funny if this was true, and there was a giant backlash against Factory Five and they went out of business..

In reply to novaderrik:

No, it wouldn't.

Not at all.

wearymicrobe wrote:

JoeyM wrote: OK, show me where this law is being discussed http://www.ffcars.com/forums/

I am pretty deep into the kit/replica car world and have heard nothing about this. I could see them trying to get rules passed to get the 818 into production. But without some additional info like the bill # and actual text its hard to swallow.

Exactly. I briefly skimmed their forum and didn't see a thing there. The OP really should have provided a link or more info. Without that, I am going to have to assume that he is misinformed.....it just seems unlikely that FF would promote laws that harm the hobbiest community; you don't bite the hand that feeds you.

I don't think the FF guys would do that. The resulting backlash firestorm would probably kill their company.

That doesn't mean there are not some people who would; there have been complaints that the SFI regulations governing head and neck supports (38.1) were basically written by the HANS people and that makes it nearly impossible for any other design to work. It's also alleged that Hubbard and Downing pushed for the 5 year recert (at ~$175 a pop) rule. Dunno how much truth is in that.

Curmudgeon wrote: I don't think the FF guys would do that. The resulting backlash firestorm would probably kill their company. That doesn't mean there are not some people who would; there have been complaints that the SFI regulations governing head and neck supports (38.1) were basically written by the HANS people and that makes it nearly impossible for any other design to work. It's also alleged that Hubbard and Downing pushed for the 5 year recert (at ~$175 a pop) rule. Dunno how much truth is in that.

One of those window nets that are no longer suitable for keeping my arms inside the car was used to tow me back up out of Thunder Valley at Mid-Ohio last week when the fuel pump died. One also hangs on my engine hoist and has put 3 BMW 6s out/in.

The SFI is a berkeleying cartel designed to funnel repeat revenue to it's members. The "recert" is no doubt due to the fact that competitors to HANS like the Rage didn't have tethers to be re-purchased every 2yrs and they needed a new gimmick to bleed us.

poopshovel wrote: I WAGE WAR ON BACON! BAAAAACOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

the enemy of my bacon is also my enemy.

I am the enemy of bacon in the sense that I want to kill and eat pigs. Also, since the idea of FF declaring "war" on custom cars is pretty retarded, the OP presented nothing to support his claim, and I'm pretty sure FF is a GRM advertiser/supporter, shouldn't someone be killing this turd of a thread with fire?

Toyman01 wrote: Easier yet, get the hell out of the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.

This.

Due to some pressing family health issues, I think my family and I will be crossing the border to No Man's Land somewhat permanently this summer. I've resisted my entire life... so much for cheap car insurance and my second amendment rights.