(no subject)
I managed to get to two car shows this past weekend. It was a welcomed break from my summer course even if I did get a bit behind. I find myself torn with my renewed interesting in old automobiles. I admire people learning skills like metalworking, welding, and general mechanical ability and the idea becoming self sufficient in terms of transportation. I'm drawn to the idea of giving life back to something abandoned. I think this is a parallel to my love of collage. Much like collage, I find it hard to ignore the items age and previous context. I don't like old cars with modern drive lines and big rims and whatnot. It's as if these people want to hide the fact that it's old. I embrace the idea and prefer cars that are more traditional in appearance. This preference applies to the engine to. This is where my problem comes in. Most of these cars have no exhaust system at all. Just pipes off the exhaust manifold. Some have mufflers but they all spit out pollution like crazy. I suppose some of the disguised cars with Lexus engines will have modern exhaust systems but I don't like that style or lack of. Many of these cars get better gas mileage than a modern SUV but make up for it with pollution. I wish ethanol would take off but as Marc reminded me it isn't very efficient to produce it. I've heard arguments from both sides in regards to ethanol's net energy gain or loss. I hope it develops further myself. I think the prospect of getting an older car would sit easier in my mind knowing that I could run a more efficient and cleaner burning fuel. Now I'll take the time to post pictures of 49-54 Chevys. Click to make em bigger if you dig.
