Car enthusiasts put legislation in gear Wednesday to draw attention to "junker laws" that they say restrict car enthusiasts.
The state Senate and the Assembly Wednesday passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 16, designating Wednesday "Vintage Car Day" at the Nevada Legislature.
Assemblyman and classic car buff Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, sponsored the resolution to draw attention to "junker laws" that he said restrict car enthusiasts' ability to own and operate old vehicles. He and Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, also a vintage car enthusiast, moved that the resolution be adopted.
"As you can tell from looking outside, today is designated as 'Vintage Car Day' at the Nevada Legislature," said Amodei, referring to 38 vintage vehicles parked around the Capitol grounds.
"I would like to point out that several members of this body have been active in this," he added.
He mentioned Sen. Ray Shaffer, R-North Las Vegas, owner of an Oldsmobile Toronado; Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, who owned a vintage Cadillac; and Senate Majority Leader William Raggio, R-Reno "who allegedly has a Ford Thunderbird, but no one has seen it running this session."
Dave Castleberry, a Minden-Gardnerville Valley Cruisers car club member, said junker laws regulate emission standards and how long owners can park vehicles in their yards.
"The Legislature named today Nevada Vintage Car Day for awareness of the old cars and to make the public aware that there should be a separation between junk cars and vintage cars," he said.
Participating clubs Wednesday included the Valley Cruisers from Gardnerville, the Silver State Pontiac Club, the Battle Born Model T Ford club from Carson Valley, the Reno Mustang Club, and the Classic Chevys Club from Reno.
"We had a good response from all of the media and the radio," Castleberry said.
Sitting on the Capitol plaza among the collection of classic cars was Gregory Ortiz.
He strummed his guitar near a 1940 Ford Woody with two surfboards on top owned by Tom and Cindy Christian of Carson City; and a shiny, black two-wheel drive '79 Blazer owned by Monte Walters, also of Carson.
He wasn't aware it was Vintage Car Day at the Legislature.
"I'm just happy to be alive and playing guitar," he said.
