<VV> RE: HB 2465 - Annual Fees & Inspections for Antiques

[mark at noakes.com]

When I was doing my NASA/Langley co-oping in the Hampton Roads area in 
the mid 1970s, VA had a horrible reputation for ripoffs related to the 
inspections.  Are they still done  by shops that sell parts or is it 
govt now?  There were plenty of horror stories about failing perfectly 
good tires just so they could sell some not so cognizant lady or 
elderly person a set, etc.

They never would pass my headers on my 66 Corvair...saying that they 
leaked...whether they did or not...and they didn't look...being from 
out of state I didn't absolutely have to have the inspection to drive 
in VA except that NASA wanted it for their on-site registration.  NASA 
(ie, fed govt) basically instructed us as to how to get around the VA 
state govt requirements and I drove there for a total of a year without 
ever passing inspection.

Mark Noakes
66 Monza
61 Lakewood

----Original Message----


Yeah, he'd be overqualified for the job.  I don't have any choice in 
who inspects my car.  I can't make an appointment and I can't request a 
particular inspector.    The fact is the inspection process is a well 
intentioned but horribly implemented process here in VA.  I'm sure 
there are some good inspectors but I haven't run across them.

Frank, you seem to like them for some reason, I think they're a 
worthless waste of my time that is potentially harmfull to my cars.   
There are always going to be people who don't maintain their cars.  
Even with the inspections I see them every day.  And with the emphasis 
on failing the car (to generate work) like it is here in VA, there's no 
safety improvement.