Question: Do you think we're now closer to the end?

[killain]

I was wondering this week about a hobby and a passion that we all share, and what I can now clearly see as it's end. "Cash for Clunkers" radical changes in Motor oils, Fuels with RFG and increases in ethanol percentages, higher taxes against older model automobiles in both registration and insurance and finally, just the disappearance of stockpiles of used auto parts to just keep out prized automobile possessions on the road.

Five years ago I would have said that we as a group, with the backing of SEMA at least stood a fighting chance of remaining in operation, but with each new executive administration and Secretaries of the EPA, Transportation and the Interior, we are clearly losing our grip on our own outcomes. If we're not mandated out of existance, we will be by simply eliminating what we need to continue to build and maintain our cars. The handwriting is on the wall. And as far as a younger generation taking up where we leave off ? their more interested in an Ipod than a Mopar !

 

[BLUURRR]

I was wondering this week about a hobby and a passion that we all share, and what I can now clearly see as it's end. "Cash for Clunkers" radical changes in Motor oils, Fuels with RFG and increases in ethanol percentages, higher taxes against older model automobiles in both registration and insurance and finally, just the disappearance of stockpiles of used auto parts to just keep out prized automobile possessions on the road.

Five years ago I would have said that we as a group, with the backing of SEMA at least stood a fighting chance of remaining in operation, but with each new executive administration and Secretaries of the EPA, Transportation and the Interior, we are clearly losing our grip on our own outcomes. If we're not mandated out of existance, we will be by simply eliminating what we need to continue to build and maintain our cars. The handwriting is on the wall. And as far as a younger generation taking up where we leave off ? their more interested in an Ipod than a Mopar !

Progress and self imposed destruction come and go in patterns...waxing and waning. I am not totally sure things are as bad as you feel they are and will be. I know that there is a real threat that is trying to impose upon us too. The sky is not falling. No, I'm not happy about what others are imposing upon freedom in all sorts of ways and creating inadverse impactsas they do it. This really raises my blood pressure. In the long run good things continue to be here and not so good stuff just gets forgotten about and rusts away. That's the old but what of the new? Remember the gas crunch of the early 70's? that had a huge impact in the auto industry and it was all said an done that gas guzzlers (cool muscle cars) were on thier way to extinction. Ha, ha. Well, it's close to 40 years later and you can still purchase a real muscule car. I don't know exactly how these future changes are going to exactly work themselves out, but I think we will adapt according the the times...and they all can't be so bad. Infact, I can count more good ones than the bad. My three daughters have each asked me for my 2008 Corvette when I kick the bucket. There's part of the future for you.

 

[KANE]

...My three daughters have each asked me for my 2008 Corvette when I kick the bucket. There's part of the future for you.

Well said BLUURRR!

My toddler knows Camaros, Trans Ams, and Corvettes as soon as he sees them. He also knows which books I use to work on cars- and even helps me wash mine. He's a gearhead in training!


The hobby will be what we make of it. If kids value their iPods more than their Mopars- its the adults fault.:ugh

FWIW- This weekend, we are going as a family to the Street Rod Nationals... and we may even take our Trans Am out.

 

[vett boy]

I have a deep sad feeling the C7 will be the end as we know it and it may not be a long run .It's called reality.

 

[vetteboy86]

Not sure I understand the statement about registration and insurance being more expensive. These two on my old birds are dirt cheap.

I've seen many post about the cash for clunkers and how it is a way to get the old muscle cars out of the publics hands. Who in there right mind trades in a muscle car in this program?? If they do, then they don't deserve to own it, and the guy on the lot that gets to it first, good for them.

 

[67vet]

I was at the MB dealer yesterday for some service work on my SL55. While waiting I walked around back and saw 15 to 20 cars with Clunker written on the window. You would not believe how bad they looked. I sure am glad at least those Clunkers are off the road. There were several 80's cars among them that should never have gotten on the road to begin with.

 

[jrose7004]

I hate to see old V8's disabled and I'm sue that it will impact the availability of parts for racers and rodders. But it seems like whatever Detroit makes guys figure out how to hot rod them and modify. I think the car hobby is safe.