In a message dated 1/6/01 2:01:28 PM Pacific Standard Time,
vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG writes:

<< Here in British Columbia where there are some parts of the province that
 have "air care" they don't care what is in the back of your Vanagon as long
 as it is at or less than what that year of Vanagon is supposed to do - which
 it is lot better than the CA approach in my mind! >>

That is pretty much the idea in California. Put something newer (hopefully
better) in an older chassis. Much as I hate having to deal with compliance
issues, California's Emissions standards are the blueprint which most states
and countries look to. Like it or not, the California market has a lot to do
with why European/Asian vehicles are running cleaner. We do buy more vehicles
than many states -- actually even more than some countries.

Let's look at compliance issues as a challenge rather than a hindrance. I
still remember when waiting at a red light meant inhaling the unburned fuel
from some badly tuned commuter car or truck. Thanks to better emission
standards, I can now breath a little easier.

BenT
San Francisco