Get Ready to Kiss Your Chance at a V8 Goodby

The reports from this week's Automotive World Congress are sobering.

For example

The average car in 2020 "will be similar in size to the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus with a 1.4- to 1.6-liter gasoline engine."

"Plug-in hybrids and battery-powered vehicles will be commonplace."

John Lauckner,  General Motors vice president for global product management said "the cars for the 2020 model year will be 'increasingly electrified in a big way . . .'  That technology is required to meet the new higher CAFE regulations."

http://www.autonews.com

"Ray LaHood, President Barack Obama's choice to head the Department of Transportation, said Wednesday that Obama is 'not going to have to push me very hard' to raise fuel economy standards for cars and trucks."

"LaHood told senators he would 'do everything I can' to meet an April 1 deadline to adopt higher standards that would take effect 18 months later for 2011 model vehicles."

"Last April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed rules to begin enforcing the law in the 2011-15 model years, raising standards about 25 percent during that period," toward an increase to 35 m.p.g. fleet wide by 2020.

In other words, just like in 1969, you'd better  buy your new V8 supercar now.  In three years, the supercars will start being killed off. (Just like in 1971-1973)  
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com

hi speedster!, I agree with you, but I don't know what we can do mate, Australia will follow Americas lead, always has!, so what happens to you guys will happen here too.

What can we do? This sux balls! I can only think a electric conversion.

I'm sneeking into the airforce base latter tonight, got my eye on one of those fighter jet starter motors! I don't think they'll miss a couple, our jets just sit there!! LOL  

If energy prices go higher (either through taxation, "cap and trade" schemes, or supply and demand), partial electrification of our performance cars is a given.

And 90% of the time, electric assist would be just fine in a street car.  That other 10% of the time we still need the capacity to burn mass quantities of high-octane fuel and/or the sounds and fury that only internal combustion can produce.

The real problem is that unless the OEMs and the aftermarket are able to lead, it may take years for enough suitable electric components arrive at the salvage yards to make a home-built high-performance hybrid a viable proposition.  
*****
TURBO TED --Internationally known as the "John Force of the Yugo Racing Association."

Sergeant-at-Arms and immediate Past President of the SoAL Yugo Owners Group.

Obama caves in to "The Terminator."

"'Allowing California and other states to aggressively reduce their own harmful vehicle tailpipe emissions would be a historic win for clean air and for millions of Americans who want more fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly cars,' said [RINO Arnold] Schwarzenegger in a statement."

"More than a dozen other states plan to follow California's lead, and Mary Nichols, the top climate change official in California, estimates that more than half U.S. new cars sold would be affected by rules in that small group of key states." http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idAFN2638631420090126?rpc=44

"California's law would achieve twice the reduction as the [federal 35 m.p.g. CAFE average] fuel standards by 2020."  

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/751955.html



In other words, no new V8 Camaros, V8 Mustangs, or V8 Challengers for drivers living in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Mexico, Maryland, Vermont, Rhode Island (Sorry, TASCA), Massachusetts, Maine, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah . . . .    

With that many potential sales taken off of the table by law, environmentalists are banking on the "Beg 3" to drop high performance models in the "free" states, too.

The ones that somehow make it through to the states that don't subscribe to California's insane greeniac religion will be limited production and priced out of the range of ordinary motorsports enthusiasts (and you thought a Shelby GT500KR or Corvette ZR1 was expensive . . . .)

Some future.

Why does Car Craft or anyone in the automotive aftermarket stay located in California?  Why do they pay taxes to feed such a corrupt system that's trying to put them out of business?  
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com

This is how it starts:
We got this press release from SEMA a couple of hours ago. Not good.

POLITICIANS WANT TO USE TAX DOLLARS TO CRUSH NEWER MODEL TRUCKS AND SUVS

SEMA Warns Lawmakers that Boondoggle Will Cost American Jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 28, 2009) –SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is opposing an effort by some Washington lawmakers to include a national car crushing program in the upcoming economic stimulus package.  Vehicles targeted for the scrap pile will likely include Chevy Blazers, Chevy Silverados, Chevy S-10s, Chevy Tahoes, Dodge Dakotas, Dodge Rams, Ford Explorers, Ford F-Series, Jeep Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers and any other SUV or truck that obtains less than 18 miles per gallon.  Under the plan, the Federal government would pay a premium for 1999 and newer cars.

The so-called “Accelerated Retirement of Inefficient Vehicles Act” is cash-for-clunkers with a twist.  Instead of focusing exclusively on old cars as is typical with scrappage programs, this bill will target any vehicle with lower fuel economy ratings.  Participants will receive a cash voucher to purchase a more fuel-efficient new car or used car (MY 2004 or later) or receive credit for the purchase of public transportation tickets.  Under the legislation, “fuel-efficient” means at least 25 percent better mileage than the CAFE standard.  It will be illegal to resell the scrapped vehicles.  Bill sponsors want to destroy four million pickups and SUVs over the next four years.  

The program will fail to achieve its goal of improving fuel efficiency and stimulating car sales, but will increase unemployment and the cost of used cars and parts.  Here’s why:

• Given the minimal $1,500-$4,500 voucher value, the program will lure rarely-driven second and third vehicles that have minimal impact on overall fuel economy and air pollution.  This is not a wise investment of tax dollars.

• The program will reduce the number of vehicles available for low-income individuals and drive up the cost of the remaining vehicles and repair parts.  This is a basic supply-and-demand reality.

• The program will remove the opportunity to market specialty products that are designed exclusively for the targeted pickups and SUVs, including equipment that increases engine performance and fuel mileage.  Congress will be enacting a program to eliminate jobs and reduce business revenues in the automotive aftermarket.  

• The idea that the trucks and SUVs must be scrapped in order to save energy is irrational.  The program’s “carbon footprint” does not factor in the amount of energy and natural resources expended in manufacturing the existing car, spent scrapping it and manufacturing a replacement car.  

• The program fails to acknowledge driver needs, such as the ability to transport a family, tow a trailer or rely upon the performance, safety and utility characteristics associated with the larger vehicles.  Instead, these vehicles will be destroyed.

• There is no evidence that the program will achieve the goal of boosting new car sales or increasing fuel mileage.  Many states have considered scrappage programs in the past as a way to help clean the air or increase mpg, but abandoned the effort because they simply don’t work.  The programs are not cost-effective and do not achieve verifiable fuel economy or air quality benefits.  

• The program will hurt thousands of independent repair shops, auto restorers, customizers and their customers across the country that depend on the used car market.  This industry provides thousands of American jobs and generates millions of dollars in local, state and federal tax revenues.

“Our members, like all business entities, are suffering the effects of the stalled economy,” said Steve McDonald, SEMA’s Vice President for Government Affairs.  “In fact, for our members that market product for newer vehicles, we depend on a thriving and vibrant auto industry to create new business opportunities.  We support efforts to spur new car sales.  We don’t, however, support public policy efforts that we are convinced don’t work and will waste tax dollars in the process.”  
John McGann

The “Accelerated Retirement of Inefficient Vehicles Act” would be horrible for grassroots Car Crafting.

Blazers,  Silverados, Dakotas, Rams, Explorers, F-Series,  Cherokees, Wranglers and similar vehicles are the donors for thousands future RWD V8-based hot rods,  muscle cars, and race cars.

Sure, aftermarket reproduction engines, transmissions and axles can fill in some of the void for some large-budget projects. But many entry-level Rodders, racers,  and Car Crafters will be priced out of participating in the sport if the supplies of junkyard V8s, transmissions, axles and other RWD parts dry up.

All of this seems to be moving faster than SEMA can stop it.  
--------------------------------
460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
-------
October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
-------
"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

"let's fire up are cars and head to them hills there"!

I can see the media reports now...   "small groups of car crafters have been reported hiding in the hills, police have sent in negotiaters to try end the stand off, should negotiations fail, the government may be forced to deploy the army...!"

Let's hope it dosnt come to this ay guys, there not getting my cars! I will fight em!! At the garage door if it comes to it !!!!!!!!!  

As the sign I saw on a Mopar at a car show said "They can have my muscle car when they pry my cold dead hand off of the pistol-grip shifter."

They made a movie similar to the cops-hunting-down-the-musclecar-owners theme about 30 years ago. It featured a '80 or '81 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am in in the automotive lead.

I can't remember the name of it. It ran on the old "Speedvision Lost Drive-In" about ten years ago.  I'd tell you the name, but the massive SD455.com movie site has apparently been taken down. (Too bad, it listed nearly every "gearhead" movie ever made in the English language). I videotaped the movie, so I'll have to search my old VHS archives . . . .

I Just remembered it . . . "Firebird 2015 AD [sic]" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082381/

(The fact that the writers didn't even know that the "A.D." goes BEFORE the year, not after, ought to be a clue that this movie's going to be bad. And the idea that a 301 Turbo Trans Am is "the last of the musclecars" wasn't even credible by 1982!)  
--------------------------------
460_BBF_Turbo-in-CC (formerly Dr511scj) "This guy has no life other than posting endlessly on carcraft.com." -- Car Craft, July 2005
-------
October 1, 2003: " I'm thinking a couple of...turbos, blowing through an old Powerstroke intercooler...on a Super Cobra Jet-head 460 would be mad cheap and make sick power."
-------
"I have no problem with your...talking to several versions of yourself...or pointing out our failure to do a turbo story ...." --Douglas "CC/Rambler" Glad

Wild-eyed scaremongering from Obama's man coming after your musclecars:

Obama's Secretary of Energy Steven Chu told the Los Angeles Times  "We're looking at a scenario where there's no more agriculture in California." And, he added, "I don't actually see how they can keep their cities going" either."

"Chu is not a climate scientist. [Naturally and like a vast majority of the political hacks on the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] He won his Nobel for work trapping atoms with laser light. He taught at Stanford University and directed the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he reoriented researchers to pursue 'clean energy' technologies to help reduce the use of greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels in the U.S., before Obama tapped him to head the Energy Department."

"In the course of a half-hour interview, Chu made clear that he sees public education [e.g. a propaganda blitz geared to make us "burners" into outlaws and public pariahs] as a key part of the administration's strategy to fight global warming -- along with billions of dollars for alternative energy research and infrastructure, a national standard for electricity from renewable sources and cap-and-trade legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions."

[http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-warming4-2009feb04,0,7454963.story]

Cap and trade, of course, will lead directly to ill-founded vehicle scrappage programs, such as Unocal's musclecar crushing plan of twenty years ago.


And cap and trade will probably lead to regulations against any aftermarket parts or modifications that potentially increase fuel consumption, or huge taxes on consumers buying the "right" under the caps to emit more C02 and N20.

And if we're dealing in speculative "worst case scenarios" (as is Dr. Chu in his scaremongering), then "cap and trade" and other targeted land use regulations aimed at limiting fuel burning could be used to shutter motorsports facilities or tax them into virtual disuse. Even if Daytona and Indy survive with token levels of professional motorsports, will marginal local dirt tracks and drag strips be able to buy enough emissions credits to stay viable? Will sportsmen competitors be able to afford to race?

If Chu and his gang of power-mad greeniac bureaucrats use flawed science and billions in "re-education" tax dollars to con millions of non-Car Crafting Americans that all agriculture and cities in California are on the brink of oblivion, how can SEMA ever hope to cope with that Tsunami of popular opinion?  
http://speedzzter.blogspot.com

last of the v8 interceptors-  mad max (1or2?)  

Mad Max "1," of course.

That line was from the scene in "the Bronze's" parking garage when that wicked supercharged Falcon Interceptor was introduced for the first time.

Here in the states, "2" was known as "The Road Warrior."

I prefer the second film over the first.  I hope I don't have to live through it actually happening, though.  

Too bad Lee Iacocca didn't see fit to import some of those tasty XA/XB/XC Falcons to the States.  Instead we got plenty of fake Mercedes grills, opera windows, "Ghia" trim packages,wheezing 2bbl Windsor-style 302s, and aircraft-carrier-sized Thunderbirds and Gran Torinos.**

**Why is it that Clint Eastwood couldn't have been packin' a more iconic FoMoCo whip in "Gran Torino"? I mean if you're hooked up with the Ford Employee Discount and a fat UAW paycheck back in the day, wouldn't you have popped for a Torino Talladega, or a Torino GT, or a Torino Cobra 429 Super Cobra Jet/Drag Pack, or a Boss something or other?

It's kind of like if Harry Callahan would have carried a 38 Special instead of a hulking 44 Magnum . . . .

Was the film company just too cheap?  At least Eastwood didn't make the scene in a Grenada or a Fiesta.  
*****
TURBO TED --Internationally known as the "John Force of the Yugo Racing Association."

Sergeant-at-Arms and immediate Past President of the SoAL Yugo Owners Group.