Future Of Cars May Be Incredible, But Will They Be As Fun To Drive?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Trends come and go.....and with the automobile, we've sure seen many trends over the years. As most classic car or muscle car enthusiasts will tell you, they own their car because of the enjoyment they get from it. Can we get the same feeling with today's cars?

A recent article on howstuffworks.com entitled, "5 Future Car Technologies That Truly Have a Chance" talked about cars of the future and what is possibly in store for us. According to the article, cars that communicate with each other while on the road, self-driving cars, "reality" dashboards that go far beyond GPS, airbags that can actually help slow or stop a car before impact, body panels that actually store power like a battery are all things that may soon be realities for us. There's a lot of data out there that backs up these claims.

According to the article, "BMW is also researching the use of augmented reality for automotive technicians. They produced a video where a BMW technician uses AR glasses to look at an engine, identify what parts need to be replaced and then shows step-by-step instructions on how to fix it." While this type of technology may be impressive, and in fact very helpful for future cars, it probably won't be very helpful with the pre-1980 cars and trucks.

Classic car enthusiasts will also no doubt bring up the inevitable question on whether these new cars will afford the "thrill" of driving. If self-driving cars become the norm, it could bring out a whole new generation of enthusiasts who want to cling to the past and experience the joys of driving. Or, it could bring about a set of government regulations which severely limit or perhaps even outlaw people-driven vehicles altogether! An outcome I would certainly hate to see.


Rocket Car 3D Rendering
© Frank Ramspott

 Yes, for some enthusiasts it's all about the rush from speed and/or performance. The thrill of driving fast is a pure adrenaline rush. Most of us have pushed the limit a time or two. Some have gone overboard with the "need for speed" and have done some pretty stupid things. Many of you might remember hearing a story many years ago about a guy who found or somehow got his hands on a JATO (Jet-Assisted Take Off) Rocket. Some accounts say that the rocket had been dumped during a military training exercise. The man owned an old 1967 Impala and got the "brilliant" idea to put this jet engine onto his car.

So, undoubtedly laced with great excitement, he takes the car out for a test drive on some Arizona roadway, opens her up, and hopefully enjoyed the brief ride. The story, as recounted on Wikipedia, goes like this:

"The facts, as best could be determined, are that the operator of the 1967 Impala hit JATO ignition at a distance of approximately 3.0 miles from the crash site. This was established by the prominent scorched and melted asphalt at that location. The JATO, if operating properly, would have reached maximum thrust within five seconds, causing the Chevy to reach speeds well in excess of 350 MPH, continuing at full power for an additional 20-25 seconds. The driver, soon to be pilot, most likely would have experienced G-forces usually reserved for dog-fighting F-14 jocks under full afterburners, basically causing him to become insignificant for the remainder of the event. However, the automobile remained on the straight highway for about 2.5 miles (15-20 seconds) before the driver applied and completely melted the brakes, blowing the tires and leaving thick rubber marks on the road surface, then becoming airborne for an additional 1.4 miles and impacting the cliff face at a height of 125 feet, leaving a blackened crater 3 feet deep in the rock.

Most of the driver's remains were not recoverable; however, small fragments of bone, teeth and hair were extracted from the crater, and fingernail and bone shards were removed from a piece of debris believed to be a portion of the steering wheel."  -  Source: Wikipedia entry & circulated e-mails

So much for this poor guy's "need for speed". As entertaining as this story is, and whether or not the story is true (and many claim that it is not), it certainly shows that it IS an idea in people's minds!



At the Diner
1950's Style Fun

 But, not everyone gets excited about racing a car, and you don't have to in order to get excitement from a car. There are MANY ways of enjoying old cars and trucks. For some, they get enjoyment simply from the physical beauty of a vehicle. Thankfully, everyone's tastes are different and we have a wide variety of cars to prove it. Many collectors feel a great attraction to a particular car, or type of cars, but actually don't drive them. Others love the tranquility that a long drive can bring. Just pushing the pedal and taking a long cruise, with or without the music on, just enjoying the scenery or the freedom from life's stresses.

Some like the social aspect that being a car enthusiast brings, and attends shows or is a car club member. Others are tinkerers, and get an enjoyment from caring for their car. You'll find them in their driveways each weekend meticulously washing and detailing their cars, even if they are not dirty! You'll hear of some who just love the knowledge. They're like walking encyclopedias about the history of cars, the different manufacturers, makes and models of cars, as well as all of the idiosyncrasies and unique stories about them. For them, this is the enjoyment, and they may not ever step foot in or around a classic car! For others, it's the thrill of the "chase"...enthusiasts who get the thrill from finding and purchasing old treasured cars. You might find them at the small or large auctions, or "picking" cars from salvage yards or private sellers. Some are "shade tree" mechanics who enjoy slowly bringing a project to life. Many can work on a single project for a dozen years or more with not the least bit of stress over needing to finish.

Whatever "type" of car enthusiast you are, it's doubtful that future cars will possess as much magic and excitement as vehicles did in the automobile's first 100 years. In the early years of the automobile, it captured and mesmerized an entire generation who were captivated by the marvel of the horseless carriage. In the 1920's and 1930's, it was a social status symbol. As wealth in America grew, the automobile became a way of substantiating or even of flaunting your success. In the 1950's, the automobile was the center of most social activities outside the home. Family drive vacations, drive-in theatres, drive-in restaurants, etc. When the gas crisis hit in the late 1970's, much of the "magic" disappeared, which is why I believe the classic cars and muscle cars are so popular. The car designs changed drastically and very quickly, with little time for people to adjust. We went from large powerful cars to "tin buckets" that were neither appealing to look at or to drive. The wimpy horsepower was barely enough to get us through our commute, and certainly did not offer any incentives for long trips, hanging out to talk about what we had under the hood, challenge a rival at a stop light, or other enjoyments on the road.

And it seems like we've never truly gotten that back. Even though cars have increased again in size since SUV's entered the scene, and there have been some advances with the reintroduction of power (the new Camaro, Challenger, Charger and Mustang's for example), people just don't get out and enjoy them in the same way. We look at our cars as a necessary evil. We rely on them to get us to and from our jobs, take us shopping, drop off the kids to school, athletics or play, and we all dread the upkeep and costs of repair. It's no wonder why the enthusiasts cling so hard to the past. It surely was a "better time" for motorheads!

Which brings me to another issue. Back in the Old West, everyone (not just cowboys) depended upon their horses not only as the major mode of transportation, but their livelihood as well. I hope you'll read my next opinion article entitled, "They shoot car thieves don't they?"

Author's Note: The comments here are just my opinion. Others my share my opinion, and others may think it's a joke. But, I hope it's fuel for thought and perhaps a few chuckles as well. And, if you're an enthusiast who is debating whether you want to invest in a classic car or muscle car, I hope it inspires you to think over how much enjoyment you might get from it versus how much money you might make on it. For those who do make the leap, this itself can be priceless.

REFERENCES:

Autoblog.com - "VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz ESF S400 Concept's 'Braking Bag' in action"
BMW - "BMW Augmented Reality"

Discovery.com - "Do Driverless Cars Offer Safer and More Efficient Transportation?"
Discovery.com - "How Google's Self-Driving Car Works"
Frank Ramspott - Artistic credits for "Rocket Car" 3D Rendering purchased through istockphoto.com
Greencarcongress.com - "Ford showcasing vehicle-to-vehicle communication for crash avoidance..."
HowStuffWorks.com "5 Future Car Technologies That Truly Have a Chance"  Christopher Neiger
Motorheads Performance - Car Clubs in South Central Texas
NewYorkTimes.com - "Leave the Driving to the Car, and Reap Benefits in Safety and Mobility"
Old Classic Car - Motoring Memories Project
Hot Roddin' Texas Style - "Are Trucks The New Hot Classic?"
The Telegraph - "External airbag slows car in a crash"
Tom Strongman's Classic Car Stories
Volvocars.com - "Tomorrow's Volvo Car: Body Panels Serve as the Car's Battery"

Wikipedia.com - JATO Rocket Car 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Heat Affects Texas Classic Car Enthusiasts!

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Our recent heat wave has seemed to put a damper on activities for some classic car drivers, especially those without air conditioning! With temperatures in the triple digits all week, we're hearing that many have put off weekend cruises or driving plans as well as plans for working on projects. We noticed it too last weekend at the San Antonio Raceway's event sponsored by Snap-On Tools. Both attendance and participation was much lighter than in previous years. With temperatures hovering around the 105 degree mark, it is no wonder that all but the true enthusiasts are preferring their late model rides or staying indoors!

We're still going strong - even without A/C in the shop!  It does help that we're accustomed to working in the heat, but we do caution those who don't spend so much time outside, or go back and forth between A/C and short bursts outside. Guy Algar, shop manager, has had a couple of visitors recently who told stories of feeling overcome by the heat when recently attempting to work on their classic car or classic truck. We are concerned for those enthusiasts who may not be so acclimated to the heat, and offer important information in our article Working Safely in Extreme Heat - Summer Temperatures Can Be Dangerous or visit our sister site Hot Roddin' Texas Style.

Old Stock vs Reproduction Parts For Your Classic Car

by Andrea L. White
Motorheads Performance

Guy Algar and I are often asked whether it is better to have an original part or a reproduction part on a classic car, and this question came up from a caller to Motorheads Performance just the other day. More specifically, the caller wanted to know, from the standpoint of keeping the vehicle's value at its highest, whether it is more important to have a rusted part to refurbish and install, or to use a reproduction part. This is a question that many of our customers wrestle with. 
Because Motorheads Performance is a traditional hot rod shop, we try wherever possible to use old stock. We often find parts in junkyards, on-line searches, or through our network of shops and private collectors who we've accumulated over the years.  Yes, it is painstaking and time-consuming work to find parts which are 1) correct for the vehicle, 2) are in restorable condition, and 3) are priced reasonably.  This is where experience helps save time and money, but unfortunately for the average do-it-yourselfer, there will be a big investment of both when trying to keep your restoration project truly stock.

Our preference for trying to keep all of our restoration projects stock is because there is more value in a "correct" vehicle, whether you're talking number matching engine and transmissions, or other engine, body or trim pieces.  However, as parts have been frantically bought up over the last decade, they are becoming increasingly harder and harder to find, especially for the most popular of cars and trucks including the musclecars and rare or vintage hard-to-find vehicles. You'll notice more restored 4-door cars as the 2-door models have been pretty well picked over and bought up over the past decade or so. Even models that were never considered noteworthy are now popping up with appeal to those wanting to get in on nostalgic old cars and trucks.

Those who haven't tried searching for a rare part would be amazed at how many hours of searching it can take to find appropriate parts.  I stress this because you need to be cautious when buying parts. Sometimes you'll hear, "Oh, this part will also fit yours", or "it doesn't matter what vehicle it came off of as long as the diameter is the same", or similar comments from those wanting to sell the item they have.  I can't tell you how many of our customers who have taken up the task of finding their own parts ended up buying parts we couldn't use because they were incorrect or wouldn't fit.  The job is sometimes harder than you think.  Read your vehicles manual, research, and stay with parts that are indeed correct for your ride if you are taking the time to keep things original.

Since time is money, this is why some people make the decision to incorporate some reproduction parts in their restoration.  Done right, reproduction parts can sometimes save a bit of time, prevent the need to restore (repair, blast, prime and paint) old parts, and can get you out of a pinch if you simply cannot find the needed part. 

Case in point is one customer who has not been able to find an original dash for their Model A.  After searching for years without success, we were able to give them the name of a company who manufactures reproduction steel dashes specifically for the Model A.  While not "original", the use of this reproduction part will get the project back on track and on the road!  The owners, who wish to use only original parts, have the option to keep searching for the correct dash piece needed while enjoying their ride.  In an upcoming article, we'll talk about how to properly restore an old, rusty original part.

Reproduction parts are useful when they are correct, are quality, and made specific to your vehicle.  We avoid "one size fits all" types of reproduction parts, as proper fit can often be challenging enough for parts manufactured specific to one vehicle's year, make, model.  We find that sometimes reproduction parts fall short in providing proper fit or performance. Again, carefully research the product and compare it to using original parts.

Also a consideration is whether you want to add a few modern luxuries such as IFS (independent front suspension), disc brakes, a beefier exhaust system, headers, or upgrades to your powertrain. Changing your suspension to IFS will keep your vehicle from being truly stock, but can add to the enjoyment of your car if you are wanting to enjoy long cruises or weekend drives. Upgrading the engine to performance levels will also involve modifications to several systems such as intake, exhaust, suspension at a minimum, which also alters a "stock" vehicle. 

Guy Algar explains, "At Motorheads Performance, I meet at length with each customer to determine what their wants and goals are. What you intend to use the car for (daily driver, weekend warrier, drag racer, cruiser, etc), as well as what your goals are for horsepower, and level of "bling" or eye appeal you want are very important, as they are often in conflict with each other. We try to help you sort this out and make solid decisions so you end up with a finished project that meets or exceeds your dream." He also suggests, "Try finding shops that offer design and planning services. If you are wanting to do all the work yourself, but need help planning out your project, we can layout the appropriate steps and parts you'll need." Whether you do the planning yourself or enlist the help of a professional, I recommend thinking your project through carefully before you invest any time or money into it so that when you do begin your project, you haven't made costly and sometimes irreversible mistakes.

The bottom line of old stock versus reproduction parts is that "it depends".  It depends on what you want, what you value, what you will use your ride for, whether you are doing the job yourself or hiring a professional, and to some degree, your budget.  We like stock because there will ALWAYS be a demand for quality stock vehicles. The trick is to know what are items you can upgrade or change that may actually add value, versus those that will not or may even cause a loss of value. The drawback to pimping out your ride is that fads come and go. Sometimes it pays to be conservative. What is popular now probably won't be in another few years and you'll be looking to do another at least partial restoration. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. White is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her business partner Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.