Your car and the authorities

[Jiggs]

How does the local law and insurance companies feel about your modded car?

We had our annual car show with 1100 cars in the city a few weeks ago and the results were less than impressive. John law was out in force and showing off their authority during the 2 nights of cruising. Stopping cars for every little infraction, and picking on modified cars. The common thought amongst participants was they set up a barrel and were shooting at the fish. The insurance company and the police work hand in hand at these events and other spot checks on regular days.

A little background about me and my province's insurance. We have one company. It is government run. Most of the time it works really well. I am an autobody tech and am a part of both the vehicle inspection and body integrity programs the government insurance has in place. This is to do with mechanical safety and vehicle structure, not emmisions. That said, I have connections with the higher ups that make and enforce safety and standards within the insurance company and hence the province.

A conversation today with one of these higher ups basically told me that I could not modify my car's structure or suspension in any way. I didn't tell him what kind of car. He asked me if I was a certified engineer, and obviously I'm not, so it would have to be certified by someone that is. If I do modify, don't certify, and get caught (John law at the car show), its off the road, permanantly!

So after all that, how is it in your area of the world? If you had to do things completly by the book, cross every T and dot every I, would your car be on the road, or are we all playing hide and seek with the law and insurance people?

By the way, they are going after not only muscle cars, but lifted trucks, lowered imports, rat rods, and traditional rods. Basically everything that isn't 100% OEM.

[formula]

there would be war.

WAR.

[Jiggs]

I think that is how all the car guys feel about it, but we Canadians are a peaceful people.

[LowBuckX]

I think that is how all the car guys feel about it, but we Canadians are a peaceful people.

Didnt france say that a few times... OH yea Canada France...HMM


Sorry man just playin

[406 Q-ship]

Talk about a rigged system....the insurance is mandated and run by the providence and the constabulary writes the tickets that cause your insurance to rise in cost......nice, talk about kangaroo. Do the judges (I forget what Canada calls them right now) get a kick back from the insurance agency too......geesh. California has a rule in the Vehicle Code thats basicly the samething that any modification to suspension is illegal and subject to being written a cite. Do we California follow that rule......what do you think. Don't you have a SEMA like organization in Canada that can lobby the government to change stupid laws like that?

[CRCRFT78]

Sometimes you've got to throw peace out the window and fight for your rights. That's BS what Johnny Law and his cronies are up to.

[a73formula]

Most of the people making these stupid laws don't know anything about cars and think we're all put in the back yard slapping together crap. They don't realize that engineers make the parts we put on our cars. That and they think they know whats best for us though they don't follow the same rules

[Ash]

You can smoke a joint up there....but god forbid you throw some coil-overs on your rig. I concur in regards 406 Q-ship, No SEMA ACTION NETWORK type lobbyist you can support?

[Jim Nilsen]

At least you guys know who you have to eliminate to change the problem!

If you really want to create something worse than you started with ,all you have to do is get someone stupid to force an engineer to protect them with protective engineering. It has been proven that 2 stupid people are even more stupid than one and they usually want you to be like them!

[John Wright]

I hope American car enthusists are watching this thread.....I see a big "WARNING" sign.......there are laws on the books in most states that could cause many of us plenty of grief....A completely factory muscle car with the addition of a set of a set of air shocks is considered an altered suspension. That law came about in the late sixties when having the tail lights point to the sky was a cool thing. Few after market companies want to go through all the BS to have their parts DOT approved and there again is another trip hazzard for us.

[Jiggs]

Being that I am a part of these inspections, I have to keep in mind an example like this. A 2008 F350 with a 6" lift and 38's gets into a head on collision with a 2008 Acura Rsx with lowering coils. Instead of these two hitting bumper to bumper, the car goes right underneath and a lot more damage occurs. Would the car have a chance in the first place, no. But that is the thinking.

Besides that, they are lumping all of the mods together like we are all a bunch of hacks.

I've seen welds on unibody cars that would make you shudder in the structural inspections, yet on the other hand I built a push bar for my buddies land cruiser that protected his whole front end when he rolled it down a mountain side. The insurance company sure as heck didn't thank me for that one.

[JEFFTATE]

The government(s) DO NOT want us to drive high-powered , custom , fast cars .
They want us to drive 103hp Jelly-Beans that do not pollute:; and do not go fast enough to get into a serious accident.
The government(s) feel that we are not mature and intelligent enough to govern ourselves , so they feel that they know what is best for us.
They are making decisions to protect us from ourselves.
( I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS !! )
I'm just making a statement.

[Tony_SS]

You beat me to it Jeff.

The problem is that all gov's seem to think they know what's best for YOU.

It's the creation of a giant nanny state.. they will take care of you because obviously we are not capable. I can understand the concept of protecting the innocent from irresponsible folks, but it sounds like the line is being crossed up there.

By their logic, all motor vehicles should be outlawed and everyone should be transported by a state run amtrak and trolley system.

Ever notice that gov types are just outright control freaks?

[parsonsj]

I'm all for banning modified cars that aren't like mine.

jp

[Jiggs]

So in your state/province, do you have to hide the fact that you have modified your car, or are the "powers at be" fine with what you have done?

[parsonsj]

Florida has easy to follow programs for modified cars. Either historic or street rod plates (for cars with more than 3 significant modifications from OEM). All the matters is that the title and VIN match, and that you have suitable insurance.

jp

[Tony_SS]

I'm all for banning modified cars that aren't like mine.

jp

John will all your knowledge and expertise you could become chassis CZAR. Then you could mandate that we all drive II Much clones.

[parsonsj]

you could mandate that we all drive II Much clones.

Nah, but I would mandate that somebody buy II Much.

[406 Q-ship]

Being that I am a part of these inspections, I have to keep in mind an example like this. A 2008 F350 with a 6" lift and 38's gets into a head on collision with a 2008 Acura Rsx with lowering coils. Instead of these two hitting bumper to bumper, the car goes right underneath and a lot more damage occurs. Would the car have a chance in the first place, no. But that is the thinking.

Problem there is that an stock F350 in a head on collision with a OEM ride height Acura RSX is still going to be an up and over event for the Ford. That logic is kind of like outlawing people from sharpening knives because you can cut yourself with a sharper knife. :bsjerk: Stupid laws are meant to be broken.

[61ragtop]

I am from British Columbia on the far west coast, We are allowed to modify but it must be inspected after by a certified government vehicle inspection. This is the same inspection for any vehicle that looks to be non road worthy or altered as well as if it from out of province it must be inspected before you can register it to insure.

As far as suspension goes the lowest part of your vehicle can not be below your rim line. This is obviously so if you get a flat your rim hits the ground before anything else giving you a chance to maintain control.