Mustang Street

A concept car is a car prototype designed to highlight a concept or type of styling based on advanced technology. These cars are usually displayed at motor exhibitions in order to study the reaction of customers to new and innovative designs which may be introduced in future.

Concept cars bear a radical design or engine. While making these cars manufacturers use exotic, non-traditional, and expensive materials, ranging from carbon fibre to refined alloys. These cars are built with unique layouts, like 3 or 6 wheels, gull wing doors, or other special features not usually found on cars. It is due to their impractical or unprofitable built, most new concept cars remain as models, or even drawings in computer design. Though some cars develop into fully drivable vehicles they do not actually represent the final product.

Concept cars are usually destroyed after their useful life is over. If the cars are not destroyed survive they find their way to a company’s museum or may be stacked away in storage. One such concept car that languished for years in a North Hollywood, California shop is ‘Lincoln Futura’ of Ford Motors. It received a new lease of life when the car concept was revived for a television series.

A BMW concept car tries to combine luxury, and versatility with individual style. BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is one such concept car which combines great driving qualities with comfortable interiors. The concept blends the appearance of a Sports Activity Vehicle, a sporty BMW Sedan and a classic Gran Turismo.

BMW Concept 5 Series Grant Turismo has a coupe-like roofline. It extends into the spoiler at the rear. This makes it resemble the sporting elegance of a Gran Turismo. The body of this concept car is painted in Fluid Cuprite, a new colour made specifically for this model.

The car has a power dome in the middle of the engine compartment lid. This shows the sheer muscle of the engine. The outer flanks of the hood which face downward form a cascade-like contour along with the spread out wheel arches. This gives a wide and powerful look to the front view of the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo.

The foglamps positioned at the outer edges of the lower air intake, enhance the frontal impression. The bars separating the two outer elements on the air intake and reaching out beyond the foglamps add to the width of the car.

You have been in love for a long time with the all-American classic Ford Thunderbird. You may have been dreaming about cruising on the strip of Las Vegas with your girlfriend in your arms. You have done your homework, put the pictures on the wall, saved enough money, and planned for the trip. But sometimes reality does not go along with us, it is either we need to spend a lot more money than what you have or that your best friend and his girl also want to go cruising with you and you just can’t say no. What a bummer, right?

Wrong.

Car rentals in Las Vegas abound that offer sports and classic car models for you to take on the road. And of course if you want a Thunderbird that seats four people (you and your girl with your bestfriend and his), then you have got to go rent the 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

The 1960 Ford Thunderbird was part of the second generation automobiles introduced first in 1958 as a four-seater car. This four-seat Thunderbird was designed with unibody construction abandoning a separate chassis. The purpose was to allow the maximum interior space in a small exterior package.

The new Thunderbird got the Motortrend’s Car of the Year Award for its debut season. Though many fans of the earlier two-seat Thunderbird were not that glad about its new direction, sales doubled more than the previous year. This, despite losing three months to production and 1958 being a very low year for car sales.

The 1960 Thunderbird had no mechanical changes, having only a few styling differences by adding the vertical hash-marks added to rear fenders, six taillights instead of four, a square-mesh grille with full-width horizontal bars, and a “Thunderbird” script on the door projectile.

On its emblems and ornaments, there were changes but still minor. Added were a standard rectangular outside mirror, door handles that blended more closely with the upper belt molding and door trims that were changed to incorporate a built-in armrest. The 1960 model also used stainless-steel components and there were even two cars that were made entirely of stainless steel by one of Ford’s suppliers, Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corporation.

The 1960 Ford Thunderbird, in all its muscle and American stylings, can be taken for a cruise down the Vegas dirt road or even for just a night out on the strip. The four-seater that it is, you can either enjoy a duo or with the company of friends.

So if you find your best friend and his girl jumping in on your trip, thus potentially ruining your plan, don’t despair just now. You can still ride one of the great all-American classic cars with your girl and of course your best friend and his girl. Las Vegas car rentals are here to save your day. With a classic car as your ride, double dates are a piece of cake.

Diversity gives strength, and that’s the principle behind crate engines as a variety of automotive engines. Auto Parts Fair can help customers find crate engines at reasonable prices.

Gear heads know that crate engines are constructed by a company or performance shop using mixed and matched parts, tooled to a vehicle’s original manufacturer tolerances (and sometimes better, in the case of muscle cars). This may sound like a puzzling way to put together automotive engines, but there’s a mission to this so-called madness, and that’s performance. Crate engines are crafted with extreme attention to detail. Companies and even mechanics that assemble crate engines choose their parts usually with one intention – to maximize the performance of automotive engines.

Auto Parts Fair understands that a customer seeking a crate engine is a deep-down automobile aficionado, someone who has motors thrumming in his or her blood (yes, chicks can be gear heads, too). This kind of customer knows that in crate engines, experts put together all the best parts, so that the engine arrives either assembled or ready to assemble and install. All the components are brand new, which means it won’t be cheap as automotive engines go, but it won’t be as expensive as a new motor direct from the automobile maker.

Customers often find it tough to locate exactly the kind of crate engines they want, which is where Auto Parts Fair steps into the picture.

Whether it’s a Ford Mustang or a Chevy Camaro or a BMW, Auto Parts Fair can search for the right automotive engine from among its huge inventory of 4 million auto parts. That’s right; Auto Parts Fair has access to 4 million auto parts through its nationwide network of auto parts suppliers. Even a store that tries to keep up with most models, it can be hard to find automotive engines for every Saab and Subaru.

Auto Parts Fair takes the hassle out of finding automotive engines for Honda or Hyundai through its comprehensive online catalogs. The company understands that customers want to save both time and money when they’re looking for good automotive engines or crate engines, so the online store is built with these priorities in mind.

A step-by-step process takes buyers quickly through a search for the right parts, whether it’s Corvette crate engines or Audi automotive engines. Auto Parts Fair’s home page features a picture directory some of the recent most popular purchases for a car, truck, van or SUV, so it can be as easy as “point and click” if the right automotive engine shows up in the picture guide.

What if the crate engine that revs up a customer’s motor doesn’t show up in the pictures? No problem. Thanks to the exceptional organization of Auto Parts Fair’s online store, customers can locate the exact part they need with just a little effort. With a few clicks through the online store’s drop-down menus, customers find what they’re locating for practically in seconds. Plus, if an exact match doesn’t show up, Auto Parts Fair’s online store has an entire section devoted to quality used auto parts, including automotive engines.

With its nationwide network inventory of 4 million auto parts, Auto Parts Fair can offer warehouse pricing on automotive engines and crate engines that’s as much as 70 percent off recommended list prices. Furthermore Auto Parts Fairs backs every part it sells with a 100 percent customer satisfaction warranty, ranging from 12 months to a lifetime depending on the part. There’s no need to worry about losing money on a part that doesn’t perform with a warranty like this.

These advantages make it easy to see why so many customers are turning to Auto Parts Fair for automotive engines and crate engines.

General Motors Corp. will unleash four vehicles to grab the limelight and take pleasure in stardom. In a product placement coup, four GM vehicles, including the all-new Chevrolet Camaro to be launched in 2009, won starring roles in the new action flick, “Transformers.”

While other automakers have regularly wheel and deal to put their product lines in movies, GM’s vehicles are cast as shape-shifting action stars in the projected summer blockbuster.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for General Motors to get its product in front of millions of people,” said Tim Calkins, a clinical professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. “It keeps (GM) current; it builds awareness.” While vehicles starring in a movie would not necessarily “drive people into showrooms like a rebate program will drive them into showrooms, it will reach people in a very different setting,” he said.

Michael Bay’s “Transformers” also stars Pontiac Solstice, Hummer H2 and the GMC TopKick pickup truck. “We’re the heroes, all four of our vehicles are good guys,” said Dino Bernacchi, who oversees GM’s movie deals. “They all are cool cars that fit the personalities of the characters.”

Detroit automaker’s officials will be on hand for the Hollywood premiere of the DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures production. GM officials did not have to search out this film opportunity. Hollywood came to them, even before the automaker’s executives had decided to show a Camaro concept coupe at the auto show in Detroit in 2006, and later to put the new Camaro into production. “This is the ruby of rubies for a car company,” said Michael Bay, “Transformers” director. Bay previously worked with GM on “Bad Boys II” and “Armageddon.”

The ‘Transformers,’ set to open Tuesday, was a popular toy line and TV cartoon in the 1980s and has a cult following around the globe. The lore revolves around good autobots battling evil Decepticon robots, with vehicles transforming into giant robots. The vehicle-robots may not have the Mercedes Benz spoiler but they are absolutely more striking!

Still, GM was not a shoo-in for the prime vehicle roles. In fact, Bay initially was considering another automaker for the Bumblebee character, which was originally a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. But the yellow Camaro concept became the inspiration for the movie Bumblebee after Bay saw a full-scale model. It is a perfect fit because “it’s a muscle car and still state of the art,” he said. “The biggest problem was that the car wasn’t being made.”

This did not stop Steve Tihanyi, the Cadillac regional/divisional marketing manager, who was then overseeing GM’s movie deals, and the automaker’s design staff from using whatever they could to create the Camaro and fiberglass shells in time for filming in 2006.

Pontiac’s Solstice will be playing Jazz, which was played by a Porsche in the cartoon. The Solstice also had to be created because GM was only selling it as a convertible as filming began. Bay wanted Jazz to be a gray, hardtop Solstice. Ratchet, the search-and-rescue vehicle, is played by a Hummer H2 painted fluorescent light green and modified with off-road lights, a winch and brush guard in front, and shovels on its sides. Ironhide, a rugged off-roader, is played by a GMC TopKick pickup truck with a Duramax diesel engine.

The film is aimed at attracting a wide audience, which means the exposure for GM’s vehicles. “The fact is, we’re showcasing really exciting products, like the Hummer, like the Solstice and the Camaro, and they can be cool and hip for a new generation worldwide,” Tihanyi said.

Also, the Ford Motor Co. has put its Decepticon Saleen Mustang police car in the action flick.

Driving today can feel both stressful and even frightening.  For those who have been driving for several decades, the difference in the numbers of cars on the roads and highways is staggering.  It is said that between the years 2002 and 2003 the number of vehicles in the USA increased by three million.  According to a DOT study in 2006, there were an estimated 250, 851, 833 registered passenger vehicles in the United States.  America is also known around the world for its motor companies; it is the home of the Ford Motor Company, Chrysler and General Motors among many others.  It is no real wonder that when people think of the USA, cars spring to mind.

No matter where it is you drive, or how long you have been driving, it is your responsibility to make sure the car you are using in correct working order.  The current financial situation means that a lot of everyday citizens do not have much spare money to spend on their cars.  If you feel that a really important part of your vehicle, such as the brakes, need fixing or checking out, it is vital you get them looked at by a qualified person as soon as possible.  They will be able to advise you on how much replacing parts or fixing a problem can cost.  Remember, brakes can help keep you safe – when working correctly they can help avoid accidents and save lives.  Having said this, remember that even the best brakes available on the market will not compensate for reckless or irresponsible driving.  You should always drive in accordance with the laws of the state you are in, and pay full attention to driving.  Drivers who cause accidents through irresponsibility have both the law and their own conscience to answer to.  Whereas legal procedures tend to end eventually, guilt can last a lifetime.

Loads of US citizens are really proud of their vehicles.  The number of events organized to celebrate the motor vehicle is testament to this.  There are events for classic cars, muscle cars, sports cars and loads of races and competitions all across the country.  Some of these focus on the appearance of the car, others on performance, some a combination.  One thing all these events have in common is the enthusiasm for motor vehicles, a celebration of the machines which have transformed the lives of people across the globe.

Concern about global warming is ever increasing, and even those who do not fully understand or support the science behind these theories can accept that the way in which humans behave needs to change.  Car manufacturers need to think of ways to make cars more environmentally friendly.  Trying to cut down on pollution should be the aim of everyone.  Our beautiful wildlife is often affected by litter being dumped, and by polluted water sources.  The challenge facing the motor industry is to create a vehicle which is environmentally sound, which also appeals to the public.  A car for the future which is loved by users today.

For further information regarding our full range of brakes for a wide range of vehicles including automobiles and motorcycles, please visit our website at http://www.ebcbrakes.com.

The world is heading towards the development and progress but one thing is strangely remarkable that many of the peoples are heading and moving towards the older traditions and older rituals of the past. This tradition made by the older people is so authentic and logical that it never had even a single loop hole and people were living the life with lesser luxuries compared to these days but with more happiness. One of such huge and glorious gift of older tradition is the Antique cars for sale!!

Antique cars are the cars that are manufactures in between 1900-1945. They are surely the most fascinating and comprehensive cars preferred by the people for the unique and dynamic shape of the cars. There are so many cars available in such a form like the Vintage cars for sale, Classic cars for sale, used cars for sale and also the Old cars for sale. These are the cars that had the most attractive and awesome view of the cars.

Another approach of buying the old cars for sale is to have the Antique cars for sale to attract and seduce the viewers on the streets. There are so many people possessing the old cars for sale and all of them are the finest makes of the older times. People basically are looking for something different and these different shapes are available in the form of Antique cars for sale. These days the car models are launched with hyper minds but the shape of the cars are quite similar and going into one direction. These older cars are something that is having unique shape and specific feature.

The older cars and Antique cars for sales are available with huge verities and also of splashing and smashing manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, Pierce and also the Dodge with many of the other reputed brands. So, it is truly the better style to have the Antique cars for sale and this business is running with huge sense in USA. There are various centres and destinations in USA that are selling such Antique cars for sale with immense care. So many dealers are dealing with the buying and selling of Antique cars.

So, have the dealing with any of such Antique car dealer and pull out the best fun out of these transactions!!

Are you a classic car enthusiast? If so, you will need to know where you can purchase classic cars, the value of the cars and the basics about making sure the car is genuine. Is a 1953 Nash Rambler something you are in the market for? With a custom convertible landau? Thus you will know more about where to start looking. This is not the type of car you can just open the newspaper and find.

You need to be sure that the classic car that you’re examining has the special features that ensure its authenticity. For instance, if you are interested in the 1953 Nash Rambler, you might be interested to know that out of the 3,284 that were made, there are only a few hundred left. You might also want to check and make sure the one you are considering has the Continental kit as well because this came with the convertible landau.

Here is one that will make the classic car enthusiast jump for joy. The 1965 Ford Falcon Futura Convertible 289V8 is bound to be one of the classic cars that would be a proud addition to anyone’s collection. Don’t you want to know how much it’s worth when you are in search of a paticular car?  One particular car is selling for almost $26,000.

Prices Vary

How do you know this car is worth the price? Before buying a car, search around and check the advertised prices of competitors. For instance, a Falcon of the same model but with a 302 instead of the 289 recently sold for $16,000. This was a hardtop vehicle as opposed to a convertible. How much of a consideration do you really give this when considering price? The answer is absolutely yes, to the classic car lover.

Identical piece of 1965 classic car was found with an open top and 289 engine. It was found at the very same place, where, the previous one was bought The amount this vehicle costs is $17,000. As a result, the difference in cost of the two classic cars is around $9,000. What are the differences between the value of two cars, or does one car cost too much? These are all questions that you will want answered when you are in the market for classic cars.

There are several aspects of classic cars that you will want to consider when deciding to purchase one or another. These are some things that you should keep mind when comparing cars.

What sort of condition is the outside of the vehicle in? Does it have rust spots or is it free of rust? Is one in much better condition externally than the other?

* Listen and look at the motor. Is it sounding like you expected? Are any leaks present around the engine or under the car?
Always check the oil. Does it appear to have been changed recently?
* Check the interior out very carefully. Lift mats and look for signs of moisture or rust.

* If the car is not going to be a restoration car, drive it. This is the best way to see if the car is going to have any problems with steering, braking, or anything that will require immediate attention.

Someone who really like classic cars is searching for the perfect car, at the best available price. As with anything, knowing what to look for and where to find it when it comes to scouting out classic cars is honestly the two main themes. If you have a particular car in mind, being ‘in the know’ may help you to be the first one in line to purchase your dream car.

I get a lot of people looking for information about their casting numbers, and RPO codes at my blogs, so I figured that it was about time that I demystified them a bit, since I have never written an article dealing with just this issue, I hope it helps you get your questions answered.

I will discuss Chevrolet, casting numbers and RPO codes in this article, and we’ll start with Chevrolet, a Chevrolet RPO code hols a lot of vital information about your car, and along with your vin you should decode your RPO and casting identification also.

They are two totally different things, you RPO code is located on a machined pad on the engine block, just in front of the passenger head, and your casting identification is located at the back of the engine block on the driver side and top the the transmission mount.

Your casting number will tell you the engine size, what model of car it was installed in; horsepower ratings, and the transmission that was installed, some of the this are fairly basic, but it does tell you the beginning of the information on your engine.

Lets take a casting number like 3970010 this engine block when decoded could have come from a few different cars, and you’ll need to compare it to the RPO code to figure out what it is, for this article we’ll say that it came from a 1969 Z/28 camaro.

The casting identification indicates that it’s is a 302 CID engine that’s rated at 290 HP, and it was built in 1969, and it’s a four bolt main block from a late model 1969 Z/28 camaro, and this is a good starting place, it give you a good foundation to build on.

There are a few things that you need to know about the next step, and that step is to decode your RPO code to see if they match, the first things that you need to look at is the suffix code from the RPO, or the last tow or three letters, in this case the last two letters.

If your trying to determine if the engine belongs in your 1969 Z/28 camaro, the last two letter in the RPO code should be DZ, if they are any other letters, the engine does not belong to your late model 1969 Z/28 camaro.

The other thing to be aware of is that people who like to scam other people may change the RPO code to make it look like it matches a certain car, just pay close attention to the stamping, make 100% sure that it looks like the factory stamped it, if there is any doubt, have a machine shop look in to it for you.

The other two things that an RPO code will tell you, are the date that the engine was manufactured, and the plant that it was manufactured in, which should match the plant that the car was built in, if it doesn’t, it’s time to be suspicious.

I know that I have concentrated on the camaro here, but all of Chevrolet’s code on their cars work the same way, I have used a camaro because I know the most about camaros, I have studied them all though, the numbers will decode like this on any older Chevrolet.

I have decoded huge amounts of Corvettes also, and they work the same, all of the Chevrolet products, from 1965 – 1973 use the same system, I haven’t looked at the newer models, so I can’t profess to know about them, but I have done my research on 1965 – 1973 model years.

Modifying your car has been a popular pastime for many years. By modifying your car you are able to put your own unique personal touches on the vehicle to make it stand out from the rest. There are many cosmetic modifications that donâ??t make the car run any different, but then thatâ??s not the point 90 percent of the time! More often car modification is done just to make your car look better or give it a more aggressive race like appearance. These types of modification are simple and will make your car stand out from the rest with very little work. As for the cost of car modifications, that is an altogether different story. Parts are freely available off the shelf from companies such as Spareco, Koni and Spax. For example you can buy Spax suspension, Janspeed exhausts, Momo rims and steering wheels, body kits, light alloy pedals, leather or led lit gear knobs, Corbeau race seats and even race harnesses.

Getting a new set of wheels for your vehicle is a popular choice. There are many alloy wheel styles to choose from. Another popular modification is having your windows tinted. Tinted windows can help keep the glare from the sun out and also makes it harder for others to see into the car. I.C.E or In Car Entertainment is vital to any car modification project. Enhancing your cars audio is extremely popular and the range of products and options available provide DIY car modifiers with a world of choices. Products to choose from include the popular iPod Car Adapter kits, USB, CD & MP3 Stereos and , multi CD changers, front and rear parking sensors  (some have video), plus the leads, tv screens and tools required to fit everything. Leading brands include: JVC, Dension, Panasonic, Connects2, Dashmount, Parrot, Alpine, Autoleads, Kenwood, Pioneer & Sony.

Today car navigation systems such as Motevo, TomTom, Garmin and Pioneer navigation systems are key ingredients when modifying a car. Even satellite or GPS Navigation systems come in hundreds of shapes and sizes. The main types of in-car navigation systems are in-dash mounted navigation systems, portable GPS systems, hand held systems, motorcycle and marine systems and finally the remote navigation systems where the GPS system is plugged in to your car radio for instance.  When buying a new GPS system its often better to opt for higher resolution screens as they make the map information easier to see. Large memory and a decent control chip make for smooth and efficient operating, the last thing you need is slow loading and in accurate positioning.  Most GPS systems have large touch screens, working with a stylus can be tricky so it does help and lastly pay particular attention to how visible and mobile you wish your model to be. If itâ??s a permanent fixture in your car then bigger models are great, but if you need to take it in doors after use, a smaller model may be the answer. Car security is a factor not only when modifying your vehicle but also when insuring a car with lots of expensive audio equipment in it. Phone you current car insurance company and find out what you can do before your insurance starts costing you more. They will no doubt also require an upgrade to your car security system and there are simply so many companies out there the likes of Viper, Tracker and Clifford. They all sell various systems such as standard car alarms, remote car start systems and GPS tracking systems. GPS stands for Global Positioning Systems. Professional fitment is recommended and car security shoppers should always insist on a certificate of fitment from the dealer fitting the car security system.
 
If you want to give your car a sporty look without spending a fortune you can have racing mesh fitted for the front bumper of your car. This looks good and can also improve the airflow around the engine compartment. â??Eyebrow extensionsâ? is another way to customise your car. These extensions are usually plastic and are fitted to your carâ??s head lamps. You can get these in a variety of colours and are relatively inexpensive. Car engine mapping is also relatively cheap to have done and performance gains can be substantial. It is recommended that you have engine mapping performed by competent, well known companies as they are best able to advise you of other crucial safety features you should improve when doing so. Up-rated brakes being one of them and more expensive tyres make for better high speed performance and traction to handle the additional engine power. Consider upgrading the oil  you use in your engine when you have this done and use an high quality performance air filter, fuel filter and also replace all perished water and oil hoses frequently, if you havenâ??t already done so. Engine mapping or chipping is basically re-programming your cars CPU and it is given new instructions on how to fuel your engine. The more power you ask for the more gas / petrol your mapping will request along with other parameters such as increasing the airflow to the engine by tricking the motor into thinking the air is colder, this produces more power. All this power comes at a cost though. Most cars that have upgraded their engine management systems do so for more power, not efficiency and in doing so use more fuel and rev higher too. Cam belts should be replaced more frequently and if you plan any engine modifications have a word with the manufacturers about what you plan to do.

There are many things that can be done to modify a car. An entire industry has been created by the need for body styling, engine tuning, lowered suspension and big bore exhausts. Any part of a car can be modified and making modifications is a statement of individuality and personal style. The most popular cars for modifying are usually small, low insurance group hatches. Always update your car insurance company with the latest modifications to ensure your cover is not withdrawn due to something you thought may be ok which they do not. Other insurances like car breakdown cover and Gap insurance cover should not be affected by modifying your car, unlike your Car Warranty policy which will almost certainly be affected. Give your car warranty company a call and make sure your cover will still be provided before you make any changes.
 
Popular Cars to Modify

Peugeot
All of the cars from Peugeot are popular cars to modify. You can even modify the 106, 206, and 306 pugs. The Peugeot 306 GTi is one of the most popular hatches to modify and tune. You can find a wide range of 306 body kits and tuning parts. Second hand Peugeot vehicles are reasonable and can be found almost everywhere. The insurance group starts off low so it makes it affordable for most. These cars have the potential to make a street racer that you can be proud of.

Citroen Saxo
The Citroen Saxo is one of the most modified cars because there is loads of modifying parts available. You can find everything from body kits to suspension. A popular choice for modifying is the Saxo VTR because it can go from 0 to 60 in less than ten seconds. It also is very fuel efficient and takes corners well. There are plenty of places to get parts and garages that work on them. You can modify a Citroen Saxo to be a real head turner.

Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the cheapest and easiest cars to modify. They are also very cheap to insure even when they have been modified. Parts are readily available and they are reasonably priced. The Corsa B is a definite favourite for modifying.
 
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has always been a popular car to modify. It has grown in popularity due to the film, â??The Fast and The Furious.â?Â  The Honda Civic EK is one of the more popular hatches to modify. You can find a wide variety of Honda Civic body kits and tuning parts.

VW Golf
The VW Golf can be modified to look cool and there are plenty of parts available for the later Golfâ??s. Volkswagen Golf VR6 is a poplar car to modify and there are plenty of body kits and tuning parts available.

Famous Cars

Some modified cars have become popular because of being in a film or on a TV show. Some are noted for their superior performance and some are known for the celebrity driving them. Below are a few of the cars that are considered icons today.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Fastback was the star of the 2000 film â??Gone in 60 Seconds.â?Â  In this film the car does some unbelievable stunts, including jumping over 15 feet of cars.

1963 Volkswagen Beetle became famous in the â??Herbieâ? series films. Herbie was a little Beetle with a Porsche 356 engine who gave the big boys a run for their money.

1969 Dodge Charger became a muscle car icon through the television series, â??The Dukes of Hazzard.â? It had a confederate flag painted on the roof and the doors were welded shut. The modified Charger R/T, called the General Lee seemed to be always airborn.

1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was made popular by the television series, â??Knight Rider.â?Â  The modified Trans Am known as KITT was a hyper intelligent crime fighting automobile. This car could do everything including, see, hear and smell.

1974 Ford Gran Torino was made famous in the television series, â??Starsky and Hutch.â?Â  It was a powerful muscle car with a 351 Cleveland and 4 barrel Holley carburetor.  It was driven hard by two California detectives in the series.

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was made famous in the series of â??Smokey and the Banditâ? films. It was a powerful 6.6 liter 200hp muscle car that everyone wants to own.

1970 Dodge Charger was just one of the many fast modified cars in the film, â??The Fast and The Furious.â?Â  This is a classic move that all gear heads love to watch over and over.

2003 Mini Cooper S-R53 was made famous in the 2003 film, â??The Italian Job.â? This little mite packed a supercharged 1.6L Tritect engines and was involved in some intense chase scenes.

1979 Ferrari 308 GTS was made into an icon by the television series, â??Magnum PI.â? The mid-engine V8Ferrari was featured in the original series. The show and the amazing performance of the 255hp GTS made people flock to the nearest dealer to buy one in the 1980â??s.

There is a downside to modifying your car. If you donâ??t have a specialist or someone experienced in modifying your particular make and model of car, you may be wasting your money. You need to select the right combination of modification to gain the most out of your car. If you select the wrong combination you will have spent a lot of money for nothing. Another thing you should remember is modifications to your car may affect the warranty. It will also make your insurance premiums higher.  You also have to be aware that some engine modifications can violate regulations and emission laws. You have to make sure that any modifications to your car are safe and wonâ??t disrupt the reliability and stability of the vehicle. Sometimes modified engines are often touchy and require premium fuel.

It is easy to get caught up in the whole modification process and end up modifying the car too much. The rule of thumb should be; less is more. Otherwise you will spend huge amounts of money, which could add up to more than the car is worth. Also, if it is over modified it can be hard to sell and most dealers wonâ??t offer a deal to do a trade in for the car. Just keep these factors in mind when you are going to modify your car to express your style and personality.

 

by: Geoff Ficke 

This past New Years holiday weekend, I had planned on the ritual television viewing of endless college and professional football games with my son. He is home for Christmas break from university, and the last weekend of each year we have always devoted to eating, lazing and yelling at the screen as teams with which we have no real interest slug it out in endless gridiron skirmishes. However, this year, our viewing habits were turned upside down by a re-run of a car auction.

Each January, the Barrett-Jackson Classic Automobile Auction takes place in Scottsdale, Arizona. The auction takes the better part of a week and features the most stunning car stock in the world, selling for mind numbing prices to ultra-rich celebrities and collectors. If you like cars, and as a child of the 1960’s I do, this is addictive stuff. My son and I saw very little football this weekend, as the auction ran hour after hour, a repeat of the January, 2006 auction as shown on the Speed Channel, and we were consumed.

Watching the auction was revealing on several levels: not only was the auction exciting, the cars beautiful and unique, the bidding spirited, but collectors demand for American classics overwhelmed the markets desire for all other types of collectible vehicles. Ferrari’s, Porsches and Maserati’s were offered and sold, however, all of the record sale prices were achieved by American muscle cars from the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Were ANY American automobile executives in attendance, watching on television or even aware of the insatiable demand for their historic nameplates? At a time when Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, virtually all that is left of the once mighty American auto business, are losing market share, bleeding cash and shuttering factories, the demand for once-pedestrian priced rolling stock is immense. Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Hemi, Chevelle, Camaro, Firebird, Mustang, and dozens of other American auto models, all once widely sold and, at prices virtually every man could afford, commanded prices as high as $2 million. That is right: $2,000,000!

The re-run of the Barrett-Jackson 2006 auction underlined clearly what ails the American automobile business and what the prescription for a return to the glory days must include. The engineers and designers of the mid-20th century American cars loved the industry: They were car guys first, last, always! Their designs and performance enhancements reflected passion. Cars were more than mere mass transportation; they were statements of creativity, art and American leadership and inventiveness. Can any of these traits be applied to today’s bland, look alike, pedestrian offerings coming to us from Detroit?

Harley Earl at GM, Raymond Loewy at Studebaker, Lee Iacoca at Ford, John DeLorean at Pontiac, and Virgil Exner at Chrysler were craftsman whose designs and styling cues influence the worldwide auto design industry to this day. Can you name the lead designer of any contemporary American auto model working today? They are as faceless, and colorless as their vehicles.

The classic “baby bird”, the Ford Thunderbirds of the 1950’s, were allowed to atrophy, became gluttonous and boxy before being put to a long deserved death in the 1990’s. A few years ago, Ford announced to great fanfare that the Thunderbird would be re-offered in the original two-seat sport roadster presentation. Expectations were high for the “new baby bird”, pre-production bookings encouraging and publicity generous in anticipation of the return of this American classic.

Sadly, the car proved a bust on every level. Performance was dull, lines and body silhouette a pale memory of the distinctive 1950’s design and the public walked quickly away from the car. After only three years of disappointing sales, the new Thunderbird was discontinued.

Ford at least tried. My question, re-issued while watching the 2006 Barrett-Jackson auction was this: Why didn’t the new “Bird” body look exactly like the old bird, gorgeous pastel colors, cutting edge styling cues, continental kits, but with modern mechanics under the hood? The “old Bird” is a recognized classic. Every collector wants a classic Thunderbird in the garage. No one cared for the lame attempt at a pseudo-Bird as offered by today’s Ford designers.

The contemporary American car business suffers for many reasons, including legacy costs, past management mistakes and bloated staffing. However, the biggest mistake by far, and I believe any casual viewer of the Barrett-Jackson auction would agree, is the stodgy, sameness of their contemporary offerings. When a Cadillac, a Buick, a Hyundai and a Toyota look the same, the car with the lowest price, best warranty and best service history will claim the lions share of the sales. Unfortunately these are not currently benefits associated with American cars.

The historic design pedigree that naturally could, and should be attached to American models has largely been forfeited. When a 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda (original sticker price, $4000) sells for over $2 million and Shelby Mustangs regularly sell for $1 million the market is making a clear statement. Is any body in Detroit paying attention?