In Kansas, aftermarket wheels (or anything else) violate classic car status

We recently reported on the collector car community being called to action. Well, the calls continue:

There has been some fine print in the Kansas regulations regarding vintage vehicles that states that any modifications made to a vehicle more than 35 years old can violate the owner’s right to an antique license plate.

“The vast majority of people have no idea, like myself, that technically with my vehicles I am in violation of the law,” Kansas state Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, recently told NBC television affiliate KSNW. Owens, who according to the Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper, owns a 1927 Ford Model A, added that enforcement of the modification violation “has been stepped up” in the past year.

How strict has that enforcement been? People have had their antique tags confiscated for such things as putting aftermarket wheels on their vehicles.

One example reported by the television station: The owner of a 1967 Pontiac Firebird was stopped by a highway patrol officer for having the wrong wheels and tires on his car. 

“You cannot have aftermarket tires and wheels on your vehicle with that classic tag,” the Firebird’s owner was told as he was tickets and his tags were impounded.

Rep. Owens is among those supporting House Bill 2528, which was introduced in January and which last week left the Committee on Transportation with a recommendation that it be passed by the full legislature.

The new bill would change language in the law to accept a vehicle as antique based on age, not on specific equipment installed since it was purchased.

“I had one one of my constituents say why are you wasting your time on this when we have a life amendment or we have this vote to make?” Owens told the TV station. “It doesn’t work that way. It’s not that we just sit here waiting on the big votes. There are so many things and to a number of people this is a big issue.”

Meanwhile, on a national scale, SEMA has scheduled its annual Washington Rally, officials it’s “Salute to the American Automotive Performance & Motorsports Industry,” for May 13.

The event is open to SEMA members and includes legislative briefings, face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and a luncheon on Capitol Hill, as well as visits to various Washington, D.C. attractions.

One issue certain to be discussed is the RPM Act that would overturn the EPA ruling that vehicles produced for street use cannot be converting for purposes of motorsports competition. 

“Converting street vehicles into dedicated race vehicles is an American tradition dating back decades and has negligible environmental impact.,” SEMA notes, adding, “While California is known for having the strictest emissions laws, the state exempts racing vehicles from regulation.” 

Registration for the event closes on April 1.