Coffee and Cars organizers have embarked on a mission to mitigate noise and safety hazards associated with such gatherings, instituting a permanent ban on modern Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, and Challengers.
However, this decision has provoked outrage among muscle car enthusiasts, who argue that it unfairly targets responsible drivers alongside reckless ones.
At past Coffee and Cars events, occurrences of tires screeching, engine revving, and smoke clouds have been noted, with the most severe incidents resulting in injuries.
Despite acknowledging that not all drivers of modern muscle cars exhibit reckless behavior, organizers have opted to exclude these vehicles from future gatherings permanently.
Initially announced as a temporary measure in the Houston area back in November, the ban has since been made permanent, eliciting a wave of dissent online. Many commenters view the prohibition as discriminatory and ineffective in addressing the underlying issues.
Suggestions range from implementing stricter penalties for offenders to deploying police presence, although opinions on the latter’s efficacy vary.
While modern muscle cars are barred from Coffee and Cars events, classic models like the Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Dodge Chargers and Challengers are still welcome. However, specific criteria regarding the permissible age of participating vehicles have not been specified.
Furthermore, the organizers face the challenge of enforcing the ban outside designated event spaces, such as public parking lots, where Coffee and car meetings have been held for the past two decades.
Despite this decision, the organizers anticipate a significant reduction in attendance numbers, which have previously peaked at 10,000 attendees per month.