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Should We BAN Gas Guzzling Classic Cars? |
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Written by Administrator
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Everyone knows the pain at the pump today. The average price of gasoline is exceeding $4 a gallon with no relief in sight. Many people are investigating the best way to conserve fuel in order to maximize their money and to preserve the fuel supply.
Whenever the subject of gas shortages comes about the topic always changes to the biggest consumers and some say wasters of precious fuels, SUVs and old cars. They're easy targets and can be singled out for their indulgent use of gas in these hard times. Some say they're the cause of the current fuel shortage and look for a way to minimize their impact.
SUVs are still favored by a large percentage of the population, which then turns the focus on classic cars and their large carburetor-driven engines. Gas guzzlers even back in their haydays of the 1960s and 70s these cars inefficiently burn gas at a rate that is unthinkable today.
Modern cars have a variety of systems in place to maximize their fuel efficiency. First of all the carburetor (basically a giant vacuum pump) has been replaced by a precise system of fuel injectors that directly mix air and fuel into the cylinders. This minimizes the loss of fuel from evaporation. The injectors only release fuel at the proper point in the cycle making sure all the gas that's released is properly burned.
A central computer controls the flow of air and fuel through the fuel pump and injectors. It constantly monitors the efficiency of the combustion system through the oxygen sensor, adjusting the mixture depending on the air pressure and temperature.
A classic car (one built before the fuel injection was commonplace) burns fuel in a more brute force manor: fuel is pumped through the carburetor at a standard rate and based on a one-time tuning the mixture is burned at a constant rate based on the position of the throttle (i.e. your foot). Since there's no adjustment based on environment and conditions the rate of fuel consumption is much higher than a modern engine managed by a computer. Factor in that most classic cars are over 30 years old and have significant wear makes the situation even worse. The typical carburetor-based muscle car makes less than 10 miles per gallon.
And the situation continues to get worse when you consider these cars are designed to run lead-based fuel. The lead in the gas was used to lubricate valves and since modern gas doesn't have lead an additive is typically used. This lead-additive is toxic and potentially hazardous. Many old cars have some kind of minor fluid leak releasing these chemicals into the environment. Even in minute amounts lead is a problem.
So, with so many strikes against them it's not surprising that some people in the legislature are actively looking for a way to restrict their use. A tax on title or plate registration is a way to make driving these cars less attractive. By charging a "usage fee" basically, on these high emission low-fuel-efficient vehicles you can essentially reduce their presence on the road.
Personally I think this is the wrong approach. Owners of most classic cars (cars over 25 years old officially) are more careful and attentive to their vehicles than the average car owner. These cars receive more love and care than the statistics can claim. The average age of owners of these cars is 20 years higher than the national average and therefore more responsible.
It's true that these cars create more emissions and are less fuel efficient, but another important consideration is that these vehicles are also driven less frequently than the average daily driver. Many classic car owners only drive their cars less than 3,000 miles a year, and then only in fair weather and in the summer months. Classic car insurance policies restrict the drivable mileage for these vehicles already as a means of reducing premium amounts.
So while these cars do contribute to the fuel shortage and greenhouse gas effect their numbers are limited and controlled already to a point that they are of little threat. Eventually the definition of classic car will shift as newer computer controlled cars move into the definition of classic or collector car. More and more of the older muscle cars will slip into retirement, bringing the average MPG for this class of car up substantially.
There's no need for special taxes or other draconian methods to control classic and antique cars; the industry already controls them adequately through other means.
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. It's a love and and hobby. Whether it's my 73 Monte or your Escalade, it won't make a difference. The Escalade will be driven 12, 15, 20k a year. The price at the pump will kill the Escalade, the 73 Monte will be driven if gas is $10.00 a gallon. Maybe less, however, it's a hobby a road trip my 8 year old boy and I will never forget. 
Classic and antique auto's are not a fuel problem. They probably make up less than 1% of auto usage and are part time at most.Let's get real about new technology for daily drivers and aircraft and we'll have a start at the fuel problems. Politicians don't have anything to do with fuel prices we do,China, India,etc.We need new forms of fuels. Just remember that we don't ride horses and wagons any longer and now it's time for oil/gas replacements....Let's call it transportation evolution.I'll make my own fuel if I have to so that my classic stays alive as a piece of history