"That wasn't the issue with the EPA that I was talking about. The last time I looked, new car manufacturers were not having any problems building and selling mega-horsepower cars: Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Corvette, Viper, the upcoming Ford GT, Lambo, Ferrari, McLaren. For all their squeezing, not see much affecting the cars we like to drive."
Uh, no. In many states your car has to pass emission tests. Change anything from stock, and you're not passing the test. How many times have posters here inquired about their concerns of having a slightly modified GT fail one of these tests?
In 1976, my first car was a 69 SS Camaro. Immediately after buying it, off came the iron intake & Rochester Qjet,and on went the Edelbrock Torquer & 650 Holley. Next the headers replaced the cast iron exhausts, etc. Today's gear heads cannot do the same thing without possible repercussions. So, yes, there's a government based impediment to enjoying one's own car, and it definitely comes from the anti car faction in the D party. To say otherwise is nonsense.