Owning classic and modified cars will probably get harder to do.
Before you shake your head, mutter "California..." under your breath, and move on it's worth remembering that legislation in California has a nasty habit of spreading. And, right now, TMZ is reporting that California officials are using the recent accident involving Kevin Hart's Hellcat powered Barracuda as a means to shape future vehicle legislation. The California Highway Patrol department will be tearing the car down to every last nut and bolt before making a report that could shape future legislation on vehicle safety.
According to TMZ's sources, the focus is on safety harnesses, and the lack thereof, found in modified vehicles. Hart's Barracuda did have safety belts, but not 5-point harnesses and wouldn't have required certification if it had. A 5-point harness would have minimized the back injuries sustained by the occupants of the vehicle in the accident. If the sources are solid, this could end with a recommendation by the CHP to the state legislature to require that automotive companies restoring and customizing classic cars must install safety harnesses, even if it's not in line with the original equipment.
It's also reported the department wants to make sure that the Hellcat-swapped Barracuda was restored by SpeedKore properly, and has previously made recommendations that have helped shape restoration of salvaged vehicles in California.
As far as it goes for California car owners and restorers, this could end in no action taken. Or, given how California likes to grandstand on legislation, it could be the beginning of the end of restoring classics and customizing any cars. Chances are it'll now start getting more and more expensive and awkward to own a classic or modified car in California and other states will take notice and follow by adopting or making their own legislation.
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