OT IF Microsoft Built Cars

[Dennis_MN]

I've been thinking about this for a few days, or ever since Toyota issued a recall on floor mats to fix the run away condition.

Can you imagine say 60 years from now and someone has just found a Prius in a barn, stored there in 2010 by a grandmother who was afraid to drive it.

Now they have a microprocessor controlled accelerator pump. How will forum guys help solve this problem. Or will there be kits available on E-bay to replace that function. It just blows my mind to think about restoring a 2010 automobile in 50 or 60 years.

On the other had, what if Microsoft did all of the programming...

1. Car speeds up, just hit cntl,alt,del (Radio on button,Disk Eject,bass)

2. Car doesn't stop, Press and hold CD Eject and hold for 5seconds

3. Your car will take 3 minutes to start up because of the boot sequence

.....

Are there more?

[greg g]

Your car gets hacked by a 14 year old Russian kid, di vulges all your personal information, and drives it self to Mexico where its batteries are used to power a Taco ria, and the rest is hitched to a donkey and used as a prop for locals to take tourista pictures in front of a mission building.

[austinsailor]

I've thought for some time that old cars won't be around for the younger guys when they get old. First, the plastic will all be so rotted that not much will be left. How would you take plastic stock and hammer and dolly a new panel??

As you pointed out, where would you get the chips? Right now, they are obsolete in a year or two. I spent my last year or two of computer design re-designing boards simply because the chips from a year or two ago weren't made any more.

And, probably more important, by that time the government will be destroying all cars over a certain age. You can bet on that.

And, maybe as important, not many youngsters are the slightest bit interested in them. And less interested in hands-on WORK!

[PatS....]

I think the old car hobby will be slowly killed by the environmental folks. Well, you'll be able to HAVE an old car but it won't be allowed on the road without airbags, ABS, crash testing and all the other crap new cars have.

There will be special tracks where your car will be towed around like a bumper car because the engine spews too much pollution into the air.

And, as mentioned, cars from the current era will be "recycled" after the "Best Before" date.

Unless the "hobby" gets even more active in preventing this kind of legislation, we're doomed to using old cars as planters.

Besides, the old cars we enjoy are not the old cars future generations will enjoy...it's usually the cars you grew up with that hold the allure, so Accords and Civics are the ones that will be popular.

[48Dodger]

Wow...you guys sound a little down about the whole thing. I remember when I was in 5th grade (1975), they said we (us kids) would be flying the shuttle to the moon and riding in hoover cars and have no need for fossil fuels by 2000.....riiiight. lol. In the 80's its was gonna be elctric cars by the 90's. The Auto Recyclers are the driving force behind the future of auto restorations in my opinion. As long as the word "recycle" is part of thier name, they aren't going anywhere soon. The old school wrecking yards are failing, but that's the story of any business that can't change with the times. Wildcat Mopar Wrecking in Oregon is a good example of old school meets new school. I think the future is bright for restorations....there are more resources available then ever...read the history of Year One.... its a good story. Personally am doing everthing I can to help our trucks survive the next iceage by taking in every truck and part I can afford, helping put on the BBQ for our trucks and racing a Pilothouse at Bonnieville. I'm 45, so I should be at it awhile longer. Of course Reg has me beat, as far the number of trucks and parts go, but he's like, 105 years old.... I just can't believe the hobby can be killed.....

48D

[MBF]

Its the simplicity of these vehicles that draws me to them. Last year when my throttle linkage came apart on a road trip-there was no recall, no legal action, no engineering change or software update required-just a new cotter pin! Opened the hood-put it back together, and back out on the highway. The real question is how much of today's stuff will be around when the Y2K kids are looking for something to restore?

[blohmiller]

WOW in 75 I was 16 I feel old

I remember when I was in 5th grade (1975)

48D

[41/53dodges]

And, maybe as important, not many youngsters are the slightest bit interested in them. And less interested in hands-on WORK!

im 15, and i love my old truck!

[PatS....]

im 15, and i love my old truck!

What do your friends have to say about the old Dodge as opposed to their rice rockets??

I have a nephew who is 15 and he loves my old vehicles but he wants a Toyota or an S-10 so his friends won't tease him

[41/53dodges]

i dont talk to people with rice-rockets, and not too may people have seen my truck yet. its still waiting for a few things and i need my license.