The Hound was shocked to find out that included in that energy bill signed into law last month by President Bush there is a provision which, for all practical purposes, is the eventual death knell for the Chevy Corvette, a true American road classic. The culprit is the higher fuel effiiciency standards for U.S. vehicles the government is requiring by 2020.
Also as part of the energy bill, the incandescent light bulb will be taking its final glow. The energy bill is mandated to wean us off foreign oil. Hasn't that been tried before? Like about 30 years ago?
Regardless, the fuel efficiency standards for 2020 cars will be an average 35 miles per gallon. That would be about 10 miles per gallon more than today. There's no way the Corvette will get that type of fuel economy with a V-8, let alone a big-block V-6.
Collectors, get in line for this year's Corvette ZR1, which Chevrolet designers are hinting in the automotive press that the iconic American sports car is going to be seeing its last days, as we have known and loved it. Look what they've done to the Mustang! What happened to the Camaro? The Trans-Am?
But we'll always have the collectors' cars to admire as they cruise the McDonald's at Gurnee Mills, Nostalgia Days in Zion, Cruise on Park in Mundelein and Scoop the Loop (or whatever they're calling it these days) in Waukegan in summer. Unless those vintage muscle cars are next on the regulators' hit lists.
Dear Doggie: By the time 2020 rolls around, the internal combustion engine will be a museum piece. I am sure the power plants of that time will be amazing in their scope. Anyway I will be to old to care.
Getting old in Waukegan
THE HOUND SAYS: Hah, if you;re getting old now, you'll be dead by 2020! You underestimate the staying power of the international oil cartels. They'll still be pumping crude into finely tuned, enviro-friendly mini-Corvettes in 12 years. Twelve years ago was 1996 and gasoline was selling for about 90 cents a gallon. It's now $2.99 a gallon.
Woffie: I still stand by my statement, oil cartels or no oil cartels. By the way I'll only be 86
THE HOUND SAYS: If you're 86, you qualify for free bus and rail rides in Illinois. I'd start taking mass transit or walking --- it's good for you.