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.