Seeing how you’re perusing the Mustang Monthly website, chances are good that you would describe yourself as an automotive enthusiast. Chances are even better that Mustangs are your vehicle of choice, and you likely own a vintage Mustang (or three, or four) as your hobby car and drive a new Mustang GT, Shelby GT500, or other late-model Mustang as your everyday vehicle. You participate in cruises and shows, decorate your garage, and demonstrate your loyalty by wearing Mustang-related t-shirts and caps. For you, Mustangs are a lifestyle.
Unfortunately, there are others who don’t appreciate cars the same way. They don’t understand the thrill of Cobra Jet acceleration, or the satisfaction that comes from restoring an old Mustang or simply repairing something as simple as a leaky exhaust manifold. In fact, they don’t understand why we view Mustangs as something other than transportation from point A to point B.
Many of you have even been hassled for working on your Mustang in your driveway or keeping a parts car in your back yard. Ever been ticketed for a loud exhaust system that you bought legally from a reputable performance exhaust company? And think about the potential parts cars that have been lost to Cash for Clunker programs.
There are some big issues facing us as car enthusiasts, most of it coming from people in our government who don’t relate to our cars. Many of these issues are threatening our lifestyle and even our very existence as Mustang enthusiasts. It can, and should, make you mad enough to chew header bolts.
From emissions to auto equipment standards, the government is making decisions about our cars, so the need for enthusiasts to stay informed and become involved is greater than ever. With the 2010 elections coming up, think if it as an opportunity to consider how actions being taken by federal and state lawmakers impact you, the auto enthusiast.
So what can you do? First, register to vote (if you haven’t already) and exercise your right to support pro-hobby candidates. You can also join the SEMA Action Network (SAN), which has been promoting legislative solutions for the automotive hobby since 1997. SAN is a partnership between enthusiasts, clubs, and members of the specialty automotive parts industry who have joined forces to promote hobby-friendly legislation and oppose unfair laws. With nearly 40,000 members and the ability to reach 30 million enthusiasts, SAN is the premier organization defending the rights of the vehicle hobby. Free to join (at www.semasan.com) with no obligations or commitments, SAN provides tailored action alerts with bill information, speaking points, and legislator contact information.
“We the people” are not just words from the first line of an old document. We are the people who love Mustangs, musclecars, hot rods, street rods, and other automotive pursuits. We are also the people who have to work to protect our automotive passions from unnecessary, unfair, or well-intentioned but poorly written laws and regulations. Our greatest tool in making that difference is our voice. By speaking out on issues that concern the automotive hobby, contacting our representatives, and working constructively with government officials, we have the power to protect our passion and keep it safe for future generations of auto hobbyists and enthusiasts.
Watch for more on this subject in the November issue of Mustang Monthly, on sale at newsstands on October 19.