As someone else said, 'It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.'

This is typical California BS. It's A-R-O-N-A-L-D at work!
Beware of Aronald, he could give a crap about the regular guy.

This is one of those things where the whole thing is about what the state has lost and how they are going to recoup those losses, in the end there will be no benefit to the Hot Rod industry, just the opposite.
But really, how much do you think it would cost to register a -say '32 Ford? - 5 bucks?
I have a '93 Chevy pick-up and it cost me I think $78 this year! Over $400 when it was new.
You can't blame someone or go after them after the fact, if there isn't standards and/or a law in place. I mean, sure there is a law about paying your registration, but how do you register a kit car for example?!

I would bet the only reason that SEMA is getting involved is because they see this as a HUGH threat to their business. There not jumping in to this fire because they have a hugh heart and want to help joe blow.-
The fewer people building rods, the less parts that are sold, the fewer booth spaces that are sold at their events, etc. etc. Their business suffers.

All I can think about is ENRON. Why go after the real criminals, go after the little guy, it's much easier.
Meanwhile, a whole PILE of problems face this state, but we will just ignore those!
This will surely bankrupt the state!