Topic: I made the Sema San News magazine "Hey that's my Car"

[hotwheels]

A few months back, sema san contacted me and wanted to do a write up about how i helped to change a law here in wyoming for those of us that restore old vehicles, whether it's a rat, hot, street rod....

In September of 2010, I
picked up a ’47 Ford cab
and frame out of Colorado
that did not have a title.
When I bought the truck, I
saw the potential it had and
decided to go ahead and buy
it. After beginning the build,
I installed a Ford 400 engine
and a C6 transmission as
well as a radiator. I started to
mock up the box of the truck and, at that point, I figured I should also start working on
getting the truck titled. I certainly wanted to make sure that after my build was complete,
I could take it out for a spin on the long stretches of Wyoming’s highways.
First, I called the local sheriff’s department and had them do a VIN inspection. The
only number we could find was on the frame, and the sheriff recorded that number on
the VIN inspection sheet. With the sheriff ’s VIN inspection and a photo of the truck,
I went down to our county license plate/title division. I showed the lady behind the counter
what I had and explained to her what I was doing. I was informed that the state had
recently implemented a new process of
getting a vehicle titled, which appeared
to be written for new vehicles, not something
being restored and brought back to
life. I would have needed to get a vehicle
appraisal (instead of using the bill of sale
to determine value) and then purchase a
surety bond in an amount of two times the
appraised value.
Since this is a older truck undergoing
restoration, its value would have varied
greatly depending on the appraiser.
I expressed my frustration and was told that if I didn’t like the law, to contact my legislator
and change it.
I went online to SEMA SAN’s website, did some reading, and emboldened by the SAN’s
history of successes, built up the courage to try to change a law I felt was unfair. Had it not
been for the SAN, I would not have done anything other than give up. So, I sat down and
wrote a letter to Wyoming State Representative James Byrd to explain the problem. Soon
after, I received a detailed response from Rep. Byrd indicating that he was willing to help.
“If this is the way the state is operating, no one will be restoring or at least registering and
insuring vehicles in the state,” he wrote in response.
Rep. Byrd worked with staff to draft legislation that would allow vehicles being restored
by a hobbyist for personal use to be titled without a bond if the hobbyist provided a notarized
bill of sale, a certified statement of the vehicle’s value, an affidavit of ownership and an
official VIN inspection. On March 3, 2011, I received an e-mail from Rep. Byrd informing
me that Wyoming Governor Matt Mead had signed the bill into law. Most hobbyists in
Wyoming will never know Rep. Byrd, SEMA SAN or me, but the work we did will make
things a little easier on those restoring a vehicle and, hopefully, keep the hobby of restoring
vehicles alive and kicking.

[hotwheels]

I copied and pasted this from a pdf file, so sorry if it looks weird. The pictures came from the pdf as well.

[obama]

You can, and should be proud of the work you did, and thank you as well to your state rep. I have been involved in the legislative arena, and know it can be a pain and frustrating. Most seam  stand on the sidelines and criticize without even calling their state rep. or senator, then complain when things go wrong, this, to me is the lazy mans way. If I am a citizen of the USA, I have a right, and even a duty to voice my opinion, then allow the others to voice their opposition, or not. Thank you for speaking up.
sorry bout the soapbox, I'v got battle scars.

[ezrat]

Nice job Doug, Way to get-er-done,

[hotwheels]

Thanks guys, i was pretty excited after the governor signed the bill into law. Felt good to see something i felt passionate about come to life.

[Greybeards Customs]

Nice work you should be proud , I know others will appreciate it .

[RaTaTat]

Kewel Doug!!!!!

[hotwheels]

Thanks guys/gals..........Like i said, i was pretty damn excited to see the process actually work. When that clerk told me if i didn't like it to contact the state government, i went to sema san, did some reading then started sending emails out and finally Found Rep. Byrd, whom helped make the change possible for all hobbyists here in wyoming.

[RaTaTat]

Your a pioneer Doug, good job.  Wyoming gota love that state, do they still let you pic your liscence number from the shelf behind the counter LOL I started cracking up when she told me I could pick any one.

[tattoodaddy1967]

Great job...that is how everyone in this hobby should be. Getting involved before it is all taken away or left behind...Good job Doug

[oldskool49]

Awsome. Let the voice be heard..................................

[hotwheels]

Awsome. Let the voice be heard..................................

I am still excited..........

[tattoodaddy1967]

Where can I get a copy?

[intmdtr]

Great job Doug, i knew you had it in you.  BTW are they going to call this the "Wise mans Law"?

[hotwheels]

LOL bro, i wish............They just called it hb90