Is The Car Culture Doomed?

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I am not talking about in the immediate future, but it seems to me that there is not a new generation coming up with lots of cars that are easy to modify. Not only that, but with ever tightening government regulations and the Global Warming hysteria, will we see a day soon where it will be illegal to do anything not factory to your car? How about making it illegal to drive cars older than a certain age, either outright, or by ever increasing regulations and fees much like they have had for a long time in Japan? Anyhow, discuss...

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Unfortunately, I absolutely see that happening. Both with the increasing difficulty in modifying new cars, and the government's need to tell us what to do. Looking at cars up until even the past 5 or 10 years, it was relatively easy to modify something. Most of the car was made of metal, so shaving, chopping, smoothing, or shortening body panels was fairly easy to do with some cut off wheels, and a welder. Want a bigger engine? No problem. Just drop one in. Damn near anything could bolt up to damn near anything else, in a certain family of cars. Now, I know there are many companies out there producing after market performance and styling upgrades for new cars, but it's not even close to the same thing as what we are doing to these cars, or what people have been doing for the last 40+ years. There's a big difference between buying a $1000 body kit and just bolting (or taping!) it on, and going to the junk yard, searching for parts, bringing them home, modifying or altering them to fit what you need them to do, and installing them in your car. Twenty years from now, when 2000 model year cars are being considered 'classic' (which I will never consider them), I hope there are still people out there, modifying and creating, in order to truly 'customize' their cars, but it will be a far cry from what we are able to do to our cars, and those even older than ours. Of course, I also hope to hell that all of our G's are still alive and kicking 20 years from now. Then, they will be true 'classics'.

 

[81cutlass]

My thought is that there will always be people that are interested. Problem is the car options go down once you get past 1990 ish. Its too bad because the G body is really the last thing built that is cheep, semi easy to find, easy to work on, and is RWD besides imports, but thats a whole different descussion. Besides 3rd gen Fbodys, and the ocasional stang what else is there thats available? Mustangs arent cheep compared to G's and unless you have a beat F body, they are still worth some cash. Due to lack of stuff out there people that are semi new into cars like me dont get involved and either go "ricer" or loose interest.

The thing I really dont like about the emmisions stuff is compared to the general car population those that are modified or put out more "emisions" than stock is such a small % its a waste to police it. If the govt really wants to reduce emissions it should be centered on mid 90's cars with rotted off exhaust. Or new cars. I can understand reducing emisions so we have less invironmental impact but marketing as global warming reduction is stupid.

To lave a lack of interesy would have to be 70 years. I can see emissions stuff ending car culture way sooner than that though. Unless the govt gets overhauled, which desperatly needs to be done.

 

[79GP6.6L]

Well, we have SEMA fighting for us, and a number of aftermarket manufacturers who have a strong desire to stay in business.

As far as emissions regulations go, my state is fairly strict - but they do exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from smog testing. My 79 just gets a safety inspection every year. So my state laws actually encourage me to modify older cars as opposed to newer ones. Who else lives in a state that does this? I can't be the only one.

There is also the historical/collectable angle, as vehicles that fall into these categories are eligible for special insurance programs and registration programs in many states, usually at a reduced cost.

And finally... there were no internet forums years ago to spread interest and knowledge. Sites like this make positive contributions to the car culture in a big way. The internet has definitely made the world of automotive enthusiasts stronger.

I guess my point is that there are a few things working in favor of the car culture that are worthy of mention.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

The sad thing is that even the import world is all but dead when it comes to new cars you can modify for easy gains in performance. There has not been a decent Civic since 2000 (last year of the double wishbone suspension) or a decent Sentra since 99. The Cobalt SS is quick, but it will die pretty soon too. While there are EVO's and WRX's out there, they represent a substantial investment and a substantial amount of technical complexity that most are unwilling to deal with. Toyota has not built anything worth mentioning since it killed off the Celica and MRS, and Chrysler either makes very big cars with lots of complex features and weight, or really horrible average cars that no one in their right mind would play with, let alone buy. Ford has the Mustang, but it's expensive. Plus, the newer mod motors are pricey to modify. Sadly, I can see us going the way of the Japanese. In Japan, more and more young people feel that car ownership is more trouble than it's worth, and have instead gravitated towards consumer electronics as their primary technical interest. Yes, there will be people left who love cars, but it will become a dying hobby with fewer and fewer companies to support it. Eventually, the lack of cheap parts will shut out all but the wealthy and the hoarders from participating. After all, it is inexpensive cars and inexpensive parts that drive this hobby. Sorry to sound all depressing, but that is the trend I see.

 

[1evilregal]

sadly, I have a feeling that you're right on this....it may not happen for at least 40 years, and there will always be a certain degree of "personalization" to a car, but nothing like we enjoy today.

you see more "barn finds" coming avalible, but what are we going to find 40 yars from now? a 2000 civic with 80k miles? and these rare finds today will be gone probably within the next 10-15 years... there's alot of open areas around here that you can still find some older vehicles, but with the groth this area is seeing, the areas are being sold off to developers and all the classic iron is just being scrapped... personally I've seen about 6 classic caddies, 4 mid to late 60's pontiacs, even a gremlin "x" just sitting in fields, that I've known people who've talked to the owners, who aren't wanting to sell-while the cars sit and rot away.....

I'm glad you brought this up, now I know I'm not the only one who feels saddened by the bleak outlook..... 😢

 

[HighwayJunkie]

Yeah, we have the 25 year exempt deal here in Ohio too, imports have mostly died out around me, and the ones that are around are being chased out by mustangs and big diesel trucks. Alot of young car lovers have looked towards the diesel pickup for mod options and somewhat light cost, unless you go all crazy turbo options.

I would have picked up a diesel but I have no where to plug it in during the winter, so I got my next choice the Monte LS, and I am happy with it, and the more I drive it, the more I want to hold on to it. Like above posts said cars will no longer be found in barns because they are being scrapped. But, as long as they exempt rule stays in effect, and Cleveland and Medinas emissions stay and crazy as they are I will continue to buy older vehicles.

I don't ever see any Armada, Titan, Corolla, Aveo etc ever becoming a classic, and I hope I am dead before they do lol

 

[Larryg]

Doomed? Never.

These are some convincing arguments but I'm not so pessimistic. Those same ricer kids could very well decide that V8's work pretty well after all. I grew up knowing that no car had over 200hp unless you bought a pre 72 anything, yet, 25 years later I see faster better handling cars around every corner.

And then we have the genIII/IV LS mill. These will be produced in more and more numbers in trucks and SUVs that will absolutely end up in older cars, hopefully mine. Great gas mileage with great power? Whats not to love? I also read somewhere that a new craze is buying old drag cars, camaros, novas and such, and putting them back on the street.

One more thing, I come from a bike back ground. We've been buying 9 second bikes off the showroom floor for years now. As we get older we get more responsibilities and find that bikes just dont allow us to bring our families together like cars do. Maybe more guys will make the switch to include their families in their hobbies and still scratch the itch for driving something unique and exciting. Also ten years ago what was on television that was hot rod related? Almost nothing. Today there are so many, overhaulin, two guys, horsepower tv, pinks, pass time, and all the auction shows too. We can debate the merits of each show but just having them out there is quite positive for the sport.

 

[78mali350]

just kinda jumping into this discussion, but toyota released a statement not to long ago this is exactly what they are trying to get back into, i believe they are going to have "an affordable sports car" to debut next year or in 2011, i dunno it's sad but nobody seems to get into it much wherever I have been. There are basically no restored cars here on campus and even people's daily drivers are pretty basic. It's sad to see that nobody really enjoys it and if they do they just go out and buy the finished product, never taking the time to do the work themselves, oh well

 

[TURNA]

With the creation of the LS series V-8 engines I think we are in good shape.

You can run carbs and distributors on them now, so that is somewhat a plus for those without the computer nonsence know how.

On the other hand I think the real problem is a decent car itself.

I don't think there is a decent looking body style out there let alone a rear wheel drive setup.

If you think you see alot of newer style Mootangs out there now. Just wait.

That will probally be the only car a young guy/girl could afford with some broken down V-6 in it with any type of potential.

This topic was the reason for the CASH FOR CLUNKERS PROGRAM.

So that there would be a huge gap and lack of resorces for the next generation.


On the other hand, I am sure our parents said the same things when the G-Body was created with there lack of power, fuel saving economical V-6's