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Recently on a site about classic car insurance an article was posted discussing the need for a specific tax against specialty and classic cars. The argument was made that these cars are major gas hogs and add to the greenhouse gas problem. A vintage Camaro for example gets 9 MPG and burns fuel without the aid of a catalytic converter and uses an air-breathing carburetor. Needless to say it’s obvious why these cars would come under fire from the environmentalists.

There is little to fear from this class of cars. The percentage of collectible cars on the road is tiny. These cars are also typically owned as secondary cars and only see the road in perfect weather conditions. They are owned by collectors who can afford to have a “toy” car, which means typically mature adults. Many of these owners either maintain their cars themselves or regularly have them serviced to keep them in good condition.

Vintage car insurance is typically cheaper than standard car insurance. In order to offer these lower premiums the car insurance companies put restrictions on use of these vehicles. These restrictions go a long way to minimizing the impact of these cars on the environment. For example most of these cars are limited to a maximum of 2,000 miles a year in order to qualify for the discounted price.

While I understand the frenzy of paranoia that has come about because of the gas price crisis in the case of classic and vintage cars it is unwarranted. There just is not enough of a presence on the radar for these vehicles. Their footprint is tiny compared to the gas guzzling SUVs and Minivans that we all drive on a daily basis.

Sooner or later our country is going to have to face their addiction to oil head on. Conversion to alternative fuel sources and conservation are going to be the watchwords of the day. I think once we as a nation accept that our sense of panic will subside. And we can go back and drive our cars in peace.