Save old cars

[Offgrid]

I own the domain name SaveOldCars.com , and at the moment it is just parked with my registrar. I was thinking of selling it, but my recent purchase of a scrap 740 has led me to rethink this. The owner gave up on it because of a number of electrical problems, and various difficulties with the fuel system. None of those is major, and most can be fixed by any competent handyman who is prepared to do a bit of research.

I used to own a metal recycling business, and I'm slowly sorting and clearing some of the bits I thought were too good to scrap. For example, I have a 1939 Francis Barnett motor cycle, and a Triumph tiger cub. I've been taking some of the rusty old useless bits to the scrap yard, and I'm often saddened to see some of the articles that are just dumped of the scrap heap and crushed. I'm thinking of using the domain to try to preserve some of our motoring history. What do you guys think? Is this a worthwhile exercise, and what do you think would be the best way to use the site? I'd like to include old instruments, tools and other memorabilia as well as cars and other vehicles.

The current obsession with electric vehicles is leading to the loss of as lot of our history. It is also damaging the environment when one considers the phenomenon on a global scale. Hydrogen cars like the Toyota Mirai will replace domestic electric vehicles, and help to contain the dramatic increase in the price of electricity that is causing financial problems for many households.

[Bob Meadows]

I would certainly give it a try:~
As a member of another classic car club for much older cars & parts this issue
is discussed but never really resolved:
Members including myself have built up spares over the years and for whatever
reason the time comes to let them go- a fact exists that some enthusiasts will only purchase parts when something is needed for a repair.
(I never throw anything away-but the lockup does help)
I also keep a reserve of Volvo 240 items.

The club I note is now looking at a similar data base for forum members- as time goes on all these cars & parts become rare items, I would welcome a system that avoids these things being dumped!
Good Luck with the idea.
Regards Bob.

[tofufi]

Originally Posted by Offgrid

Hydrogen cars like the Toyota Mirai will replace domestic electric vehicles, and help to contain the dramatic increase in the price of electricity that is causing financial problems for many households.

While I'm all for saving old vehicles (and have 8 myself)...

How do you think they make hydrogen for use in FCEVs? The most effective way is through electrolysis of water - which uses a significant amount of electricity.

Batteries are a more efficient form of energy storage than hydrogen, in reality.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by tofufi

While I'm all for saving old vehicles (and have 8 myself)...

How do you think they make hydrogen for use in FCEVs? The most effective way is through electrolysis of water - which uses a significant amount of electricity.

Batteries are a more efficient form of energy storage than hydrogen, in reality.

And when I can refuel one as quickly and easily as my diesels I might have one.😀

[Offgrid]

The Toyota Mirai

[DoaM]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

And when I can refuel one as quickly and easily as my diesels I might have one.😀

All it needs is a vehicle with removable battery packs, and a "filling station" which holds charged battery packs, and you could "refill" your vehicle in minutes.

For this to be viable though there'd have to be a standard for battery pack design - and this is unlikely, at least in the short-term.

[baggy798]

Removable battery packs? Nope, that idea will never happen. They're all buried deep within the chassis, weigh a flippin ton, and there would be a lottery in range from one pack to the next as some would be shagged out and others would be newish.

Population reduction will save the world. Let's start with leccy car owners!

[Rocinante]

I think this thread has managed to deviate significantly from the OP's original intent but there's already 800 battery swapping stations in China, and they being erected in Norway/rest of Europe.

Not to say it's the future or not, but it's certainly not as far fetched as some are suggesting.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61310513

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by baggy798

Removable battery packs? Nope, that idea will never happen. They're all buried deep within the chassis, weigh a flippin ton, and there would be a lottery in range from one pack to the next as some would be shagged out and others would be newish.

Population reduction will save the world. Let's start with leccy car owners!

i disagree there
rather than "shoot a milk float driver/owner" we Should imho start with "shoot a milk float driver/owner With a politician ,fired from a compressed air cannon*

**air cannons were chosen due to the lack of pollution from explosive type charges and there re-useable nature, as they could also be used With save the everything types when we run out of politicians before we run out of milk float onwer/drivers ,, "think green"

[ITSv40]

Getting this thread back on track, I agree with the op's sentiment. Having been around the old car scene for 50 years I abhor the destruction of useful parts, however, I think there are sufficient established avenues for selling/swapping parts etc - ebay, autojumbles, forum/facebook groups for sale and wants pages.

If I am looking for some new gudgeon pins for my straight 8 Banana, I wouldn't look on the likes of 'save an old banger.com' but would look on the specialist forum/facebook pages that deal with straight 8 Bananas in the hope that someone would have a whole bunch of them.to sell.

In the last twelve months I have sold 70 year old mowers that had not seen grass for 50 years. A 1950's Powerpac that had not been on the road since 1969 and various small vintage parts - all on ebay and in all cases the auction flew and things found a new home.