I appreciate your response, and I think you got my drift pretty well nailed. I am not by any stretch anti-technology. I am for technology that is robust, sensible and accessible to the common citizen.
Chevy 283’s would run 200K back in 1967. HEI was a great improvement (maybe not in an energy impulse attack, but that’s another thread). On-board diagnostics is cool, when meaningful and open platform, instead of proprietary and expensive gobbledegook.
There was an apparent disconnect between marketing, engineering and the DIY consumer that resulted in the US losing its pre-eminence in an industry that should have been perpetual here.
I admire European engineering. I own a BMW R1000CS that is light years ahead of my evo 1100 Sportster. I don’t admire Europe for electing socialists who placed $6-8/ gallon tax on gasoline, forcing the commoner to drive microcars or take the bus. Doesn’t work for us here in flyover country.
As for spewing emissions, breaking down, etc.: While I’m not a global warming freak, I don’t have a problem with cleaner fuels, ethanol, cat converters ( I don’t run them if I don’t have to), high energy ignition with computer-controlled advance, just give me a system I can set with an open platform laptop, with a fail-safe workaround.
The serpertine belt was a Detroit invention, IIRC?
As spread out as we are, the US needs solid transportation infrastructure and reasonably priced energy. The current situation has most of the population making ridiculous ongoing car payments or struggling to keep older stuff going in order to have the personal mobility a free society deserves.
It could be a lot better than it is, for everyone, not just the Beemer crowd.
You may not have a problem with ethanol - but ask your fuel system hoses - they will have another opinion.
The main problem is that our auto industry became political (micro and macro). There is nominal real innovation, because no one wants to take any risk. A “big risk” was making the Viper - duh - selling Americans sports cars with gobs of power was a risk?
Look where the government sent the “stimulus money” and other funds for developing electric and hybrid vehicles: Did they have a national competition for funds - requesting ten page proposals open to the public, maybe choosing ten to fund for $1MM each, then another gate for the best 3 at the end of year 1 for another $10MM each? With a final winner getting $1B for a plant? No - they gave the money to Detroit insiders (hundreds of $millions) - the same guys who just demonstrated that they could not run their companies efficiently. The same guys who get their pants beat by Honda and Toyota (Hybrids).
This society has issues.
I’ve developed technology that was offered to Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Honda. It is going into production for Honda. Others - nope. No vision.