No internal combustion by 2030 - FBHVC response.

[Trigger_Andy]

I know nothing about the technology around electric cars etc but still firmly believe we are the last generation who will ever enjoy the feel and sound of an American classic V8. My car owes me nothing and, if I was told by the Government tomorrow that I couldn't use it again then I would keep it as an ornament or give it to a museum somewhere. It's probably a knee jerk reaction but if I had 50 or 60k tied up in a classic car, I would be selling it now before it becomes something that cant be used and becomes worthless. I would use some of the cash to buy a nice useable, non exotic American station wagon or similar, enjoy it and run it into the ground over the next 10 years. I would enjoy the rest of the money flying off on nice holidays before Greta becomes President of the World and makes us all swim to the Caribbean.

Doom and gloom I know but all the Govt needs to do is bring in a mandatory emissions test for all cars, including classics and our hobby will be history overnight. My big concern is the environmental disaster that is waiting to happen when we have 20 million lithium batteries to dispose of every year!!

Can you imagine what the classic car shows will look like in 2050....'wow, look at that Gen 1 Prius Satsuma Castanet...the batteries for those are rare as rocking horse muck!'

Get out in your car...enjoy it and fingers crossed it lasts for ever!!!

Cheers Steve

I very much doubt that will be the case. If I had £50-60k now Id be looking for an AAR Cuda. Its still my game plan for 5-10 years time. I'd eat my hat in anything you've foretold here comes to fruition. (apart form the ecological and environmental disaster that is lithium batteries)

Hopefully many more have your outlook though and they'll get spooked into flogging their £50-60k Mopars when Im in a position to buy.

[Steve]

You are probably right Andy, I dont base any of it on knowledge (as you probably rightly guessed) but just a gut feeling I have. Sure you will get that Cuda, just hope you can pay £20 a gallon to run it....ha ha. Only kidding, I think the classic car scene will just die a natural death in the next 20 or 30 years. I dont know anyone under 40 who is actually into old cars. By that, I mean they get their hands dirty, read old manuals, fix cars etc. Easy to look in books and on telly etc but every car show I go to (or went to prior to covid) the actual owners who use these cars are into their 50s now and are not getting any younger. Another 'leveler' is, be honest when thinking about this....'when I die, who do I know who would want my car?'. If it had a residual value and could be sold on, lots of people would want it. If it was virtually valueless and a pain to own and run, no one would want it. First time the carb needed to be tweaked or the timing altered, it would be scrapped.

A great discussion on this subject that is very dear to all our hearts. Most of it is opinion and yours is very obviously more educated and based on fact than mine Andy. My only backup is that my gut feeling is rarely wrong but I hope it is this time.

Signed...Optimistic from the Midlands

[MattH]

Steve,
There are plenty under 40 doing the hands dirty bit, my 20 year old son has quite a few friends who do, not just him. he owns three classic s of his own already and works on all of them.

All is not lost yet!

[Steve]

Hi Matt, yes, you move in far larger circles than I do, just an observation on my particular circs and what I see at shows etc. What you have is a bit of an enviable rarity in my opinion. Most of my pals into cars have families, wives, partners, kids etc who just arent interested in them. I'm lucky as Heather loves our car but when we go out, most of the guys who meet up are on their own.

I know I'm sounding pessimistic and I really dont mean to, I just think the glory days of classic cars is coming to an end and we are lucky to be enjoying it. Just look at the last 10 years. I used to see classics on the roads daily here in Birmingham. Minis, Moggies, Escorts, Jags etc. If I see something classic once a week, even pre Covid, I'm lucky. The survey shows 56% SORN and this rarely ends up as cars back on the road, just boxes of bits that will get looked at 'next year'. We all see garage doors up on Sunday mornings with cars under covers teasing us, but how many are anything more than ornaments?

If my plans come together, I will be living back in Scotland by the end of the year. I will take my Polara up there and use it as much as I can, while I can and I'm not really bothered if anyone wants it when I'm gone. I already have plans to leave it in my Will to an as yet undecided charitable museum or collection were it can be appreciated for a few more years as being from a time when 'dinosaurs roamed the Earth'. As long as Greta leaves me to enjoy my old Nespresso coffee machine in peace, I will be happy!!

Cheers Steve

[Stu Twin]

Saw an interesting episode of 'Harry's Garage' on Youtube last night.
he references the FBHVC document and highlights some very interesting figures concerning the CO2 emissions required to manufacture (say) 3 x new electric cars over a 10 year period (as some lease drivers would use) compared to running a classic over that period.
Some comparisons may not be like for like but very interesting none the less.



he does waffle a bit bless him, so bear with it.

[ScottyDave]

Yes some interesting points raised there.