Recently on Collector Car Insurance Reviews an article was written extolling virtues of the need for a use tax against antique and collectible vehicles. The discussion was that these cars are unregulated gas hogs and add to the air pollution problem. A classic Thunderbird for example gets 10 miles to the gallon and burns fuel without the benefit of a catalytic converter and uses an air-breathing carburetor. Needless to say it’s obvious why these cars would be the target of the environmentalists.

But I think there is little to fear from this type of vehicle. The percentage of vintage cars on the road is small. These cars are also typically owned as secondary cars and only see the road infrequently. They are driven by people who can afford to have a “hobby” car, which means typically mature adults. Many of these owners either maintain their cars themselves or regularly have them serviced to keep them in roadworthy condition.

Antique car insurance is typically cheaper than regular car insurance. In order to offer these reduced 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 3,000 miles a year in order to qualify for the lower priced premiums.

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 America 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.