The EU directive that brought you the tyre noise regulations looks like it has a whole load more in tow.

The document that contains the details on tyre noise regulations also has these clauses in it’s summary of proposed action

Motor Vehicle Safety Proposal (PDF)

The proposal introduces new mandatory requirements on advanced safety features. In particular, the proposal requires mandatory fitting of:

• Electronic Stability Control Systems on all vehicles;
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems on passenger cars;
• Advanced Emergency Braking Systems and Lane Departure Warning Systems on heavy-duty vehicles.

The proposal also foresees that, in case of voluntary fitting of Advanced Emergency Braking Systems and Lane Departure Warning Systems on other categories of vehicles, these systems shall fulfill the requirements laid down in the proposal.

While this doesn’t directly affect the ‘Modified’ or ‘Historic’ scene as such it gives an interesting insight into the direction that lawmakers are moving.
It appears they are looking for is a way to further remove the influence of the ‘Variable’ Element’ ,in the form of the Driver, when it comes to motor vehicles.

We’ve already pointed to a report in Intelligent Speed Adaptation on the site and legislation coming for new cars adds more control for the ‘systems’ and less for the Driver’

here is also an argument that more technology makes these vehicles less maintainable by anyone but the manufacturers representatives which has a potential knock on affect on the next generation of car Enthusiasts.