1967 Shelby Mustang

In the last 15 years or so the 1967 Shelby Mustang has become one of or maybe the most desirable Mustang model ever made. These days most Shelby's are financially out of reach for many, but hey we can dream right?

Many movies have had effect on the desirability of cars but the Eleanor Mustang in Gone in Sixty Seconds seemed to secure its place in recent pop history. After the movie the demand for the cars and parts to convert cars to "clones" skyrocketed. Granted I'm not a big "clone" fan. I think you should customize your car to make it just what you want, heck go crazy. But I really hate to see the market diluted with fake cars. When Shelby build the 67 Mustang GT 500 it was a complete makeover. They left little unchanged. In 1967 Shelby rolled out the big guns with the 428 with dual carbs! This beefy engine produced 355 horsepower and had the now iconic oval Cobra air cleaner and cool finned cobra valve covers. Just as a side note did you know that a very limited number of 1967 GT 350 had Paxton superchargers? Dare you to find one of those in a junkyard. The 67 GT 500 had the heaver duty C6 transmission or the Ford top-loader 4 speed.

It doesn't seem like Shelby did much to even identify the 67 GT 500 as a Mustang, maybe because of the classic lines they didn't feel like it was necessary or maybe they just wanted to set it that much further apart from the more traditional Fords. In 1967 they made the front of the car 3 inches longer using fiberglass hood and other nose pieces. In the style that would look a lot like the 1969 Mustang Shelby mounted two driving lights at the very outside edge of the special Shelby replacement grill. Like in earlier models Shelby also put a larger opening in the fiberglass front valance to help with cooling the big block hidden under the restyled fiberglass hood.

The interior of the 1967 Shelby was very similar to the deluxe interior of the 1967 Mustang. But even on the interior Shelby remove the direct reference directly to Ford. The door sills on the Mustangs read Product of Ford and on the Shelby's those were replaced by a plate that read Shelby American Inc.". All of the 67 Shelby's had the wood rim steering wheel with brushed three spoke stainless interior. They also sported a 140 MPH speedometer and a 8000 RPM tachometer. They also had the fold down rear seat.

Of special note was the 427 GT 500. Less than 50 427 1967 GT 500 were made with the 427 engine. These certainly are cars of legend, in all my years of working with Mustangs and Shelby's I have never seen one. Count yourself among a select few if you have one in your garage.

In order to keep your mustang up to date you should always invest in the best Mustang Parts. Learn more about mustang parts at superiormustangparts.com

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Aston Martin DB4 - The Legendary Sports Car

The Aston Martin DB4 arrived in 1958 and represented the finest contemporary interpretation of the Gran Turismo theme. A magnificent synthesis of the talents at the firm's Feltham works and the Italian Touring styling house, the DB4 was, during its five years of production, the best selling model which paved the way for the even more successful Aston Martin DB5 & DB6 succeeding models.

The story of the DB4's development really began in 1950 when John Wyer started at the Feltham works as competitions manager moving from his post as managing director of sports-car specialists Monaco Engineering. Another 1950 recruit was design draftsmen Harold Beach, whose previous career had included spells at the Barker Coach building Company and Garner Strausler Mechanization, who built commercial vehicles as well as ancillary equipment.

It was in 1964 that Beach began working on a DB2 series replacement, which was to be titled "DB4", the DB3 being one of the firm's sports racers. Known as Project 114 it had a perimeter chassis frame with a sophisticated (for its time) de Dion rear axle employing parallel trailing links, the lower ones connected to laminated torsion bars. At the front end of the car Beach introduced wishbone and coil independent front suspension where the DB2 by contrast had a trailing arm system. A 3-Liter version of the then current twin-cam six was employed and Frank Feely designed a traditional suitable closed body, not dissimilar to that of the DB2.

Significant changes were made to the specifications in 1956 with the appointment of John Wyer as general manager. Previously Mr. Wyer had held title and position as technical director. Beach was later to remember Wyer's promotion as one of the utmost and greatest lasting significant factors in the DB4's development as giving a "true sense of direction and purpose to the project" at Feltham.

The first modification of the concept came with the decision to dispense with the Lagonda engine and replace it with a purpose built Aston Martin unit. It perpetuated the twin overhead camshaft six-cylinder theme and in its production form had square 92 mm x 02 mm dimensions which gave the power plant a capacity displacement of 3670 cc. In its starting out point, in its original format the mechanical engineer designer Tadek Marek specified a cast-iron engine block, but this was subsequently upgraded to aluminum with chrome vanadium wet cylinder liners. The power plant head was of the same materials with valves essentially at 80 degree included angle, while at the other end of the engine was a robust seven-bearing crankshaft. In this form the engine developed a full 2400 bhp at 5700 rpm.

The DB was announced in October 1958 to a rapturous reception overall so much so that it immediately received the moniker "Aston Marvel." The racing mock up the 3 Liter DB III had a top speed in the ranges of 120 mph ( 193 km) yet the top speed of the DB4 - which was of course a high end retail production unit - was an amazing near 140 mph ( 225 kph). What a thoroughbred racehorse of a sports car.

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Alfa Romeo - An Italian Classic

The Alfa Romeo is for many synonymous with classy and expensive sports car and the Italian car manufacturer founded in 1906 still makes sports car with the Spider and the 8C Competizone as two of their better known models. Today the manufacturer is owned by Fiat and produces anything from a 3 door hatchback to a 4 door sedan.

Historically the Alfa Romeo became famous for its small cars specifically designed for the Italian police and will have featured in many so-called 'gangster' movies of the 1960s. The Alfa Romo has also been involved in motor racing and won many famous road races such as the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. The Ala Romeo has also been a part of the Formula One circus.

If you fancy test driving a, head down to your local dealership and check out models such as the Mito, Giulietta or the 159. The Giulietta hatchback for instance is a good all-round compact family car which is said to be keenly priced compared to its competitors such as the VW Golf and the car scores very high in the Euro NCAP crash test so should be a good buy if safety is a priority. It's also a classy looking car if you're looking for something a bit different. Expect to pay somewhere in the region of ?20,000.

Another possible Alfa Romeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.Another possible Alf Roeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.

Another possible Alfa Rmeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.Another possible Alf Romeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.Another possible Afa Romeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.Another possible Alfa Roeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great.

Another possible Alfa Romeo is the 159 Sportswagon which is larger than the Giulietta and is an alternative to buying something like a Ford Mondeo or a BMW 3-series. Pricewise it undercuts any German manufacturer but the re-sell value isn't great. new Alfa Romeo

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Choosing The Perfect Driving School

Butterflies in stomach, heart pumping fast, nervous hands trying to steady the wheel, wide open eyes trying to look in every direction, yes, this is the first time your child is about to learn how to drive. Learning how to drive is a huge step in a person's life. You should remember that being a parent you are the sole person responsible for your child's safety. If your child is about to learn how to drive then you can either teach him or her all by yourself or you can sign them up in for driving lessons. Now you must be wondering which driving school you should enroll them in as there are dozens of driving schools all around your neighborhood. So to choose the perfect school you must keep the following factors in mind-

- Choose a driving school which does not cheat you off your money by making up big fluffy stories about high flying systems they have in their cars. You should check all around before settling on one school. The cheapest of them all may suit your pocket but beware of other factors like classroom experience and well maintenance of the cars.

- Check whether the instructor who will be providing the driving lessons is an expert or not. The driving instructor must have knowledge about the local roads and traffic signals and signs. He must also have a decent knowledge about cars inside out. He should be a pleasant person as your children may not feel comfortable to be learning how to drive from a very obnoxious person.

- You should see to it that the car in which your child is about to take driving lessons should be well modified to suit the needs of a young trainee for example passenger side breaks and second steering wheels which will be helpful for the instructor to control the car if it ever goes out of control.

- Also ensure that the driving school provides a combination of classroom instructions and first hand practical experience. The classrooms should be well maintained. Also verify whether they provide simulator trainings. Simulators help the students to gain almost real world experience in which they would be facing in a facade of driving situations.

- You must definitely look into the school's accreditations. Check whether the school has been accredited by the appropriate authority or not. If it is not an accredited school then you should avoid enrolling your kid there.

So, keeping the above points in mind, now you will be able to find the perfect school which can provide the best driving lessons to your beloved children.

If you are looking for Driving Lessons Brisbane, you will quickly discover that No Yelling it's simply the best option.

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Classic Cars - The MGB GT

Throughout its eighteen year production life the MGB was a lovable sexy looking little roadster, with a low growling engine and a snug cockpit more reminiscent of a world war two fighter.

When first launched in 1962 the two seater MGB looked and felt very modern and went on to epitomise a more middle class view of the 'swinging sixties'. The car was of course built on solid time honoured MG virtues and class, and for the most part of its construction, adopted from its forerunner, the now much sought after MGA.

Built at Morris Garages in Cowley Oxford, the engineers took the MGA's B series 1492 cc engine and re-bored it to the much larger 1798 cc, and by fitting it into the same amount of engine space as the MGA raised the output of the MGB to a healthy 94 bhp. This gave the sports car a very lively performance with a top speed of 103 mph. The MGB could do 0 to 60 in 11.4 seconds. The engine had plenty of torque in the higher gears and it was renowned for the cars predictable road-holding, you could throw it around corners without losing control unlike many other sports cars of the time, which made the MGB popular with both young and old alike.

In the summer of 1965 when The Byrds were Number One in the UK Music charts, MG launched the highly desirable and elegant MGB GT fastback coupe.

The stylish lines of the MGB GT were designed by Carrozzeria Pininfarina whose Italian company had also produced designs for Peugeot and Ferrari.

The GT featured a rear hatch door, what could technically be called a 2+2 rear seat, which was so small a dog had difficulty sitting in it, and was often fitted with a leather sunroof. The extra bodyweight meant that the GT's low end acceleration was not as good as the MGB, however its naturally aerodynamic shape and lines gave it a top speed of 106 mph.

Production of the MGB continued under the auspices of the nationalised BLMC or British Leyland as it was known from 1968, but the MGB received poor investment, despite it being Britain's top export car to the US market for many a year.

In 1973 after much demand from enthusiasts British Leyland made a sincere attempt to pack the MGB GT with a much more competitive punch and fitted the car with Rover's 137 bhp 3.5 litre V8 engine!

Suddenly the quaint lady of british motoring could reach a top speed of 125 mph and do 0 to 60 in an impressive 8.4 seconds. In many ways the MGB GT V8 could claim to be Britains first 'hot hatch'!"

The new alloy engine weighed nearly forty pounds less than the old B series lump and the handling was much improved. Sadly, sales of the car were poor as its heavy fuel consumption did not bode well with the oil crisis and petrol rationing that were occurring when BLMC launched the car.

In 1975 all MGBs were given those rather unsightly black polyurethane bumpers or fenders to be precise. They were actually installed to meet US safety standards. All other changes to the MGB GT were also as a direct result of being so popular an export to the US and included the ride height being raised to meet US headlight standards and a single carburettor and catalytic converter were added to all US models to meet strict emissions standards. This, unfortunately for those driving them in the US, reduced the bhp to just 62 with a maximum top speed of 90 mph.

The final MGB rolled off the production line in 1980 and by then the car had sold over half a million. Throughout that time the second hand market for the MGB and GT was as strong as it is now with very high demand. Buying an MGB today is not beyond the pockets of many and as when new, the classic MGB and the MGB GT still remains affordable and is particularly popular with new collectors of sports cars.

Owning classic used cars can be fun and the MGB and MGB GTs are no exception The car's servicing can be done at home with a limited tool box, a set of axle stands and a decent jack. The spares situation for all parts for both the MGB and MGB GT is amongst the best for any classic car on the market. in the UK MGB specialist and garages can be found in every region and city. Car Insurance quotes are very fair, especially if you compare classic car insurance quotes, due mainly to the MGB's limited performance and the very wide availability of spare parts.

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Classic Car Pate Swap Meets

A. M. Pate Jr. and Sebert Pate were not only genetically linked (they were brothers) but they also shared a passion between the two of them. The passion was a passion for cars. Hence they began collecting cars in the late 1940's. Since then the collection grew, and another idea had sparked between the two - they had thought about displaying their collection. Hence the Pate Museum of Transportation was born located on U.S. 377 between Fort Worth and Cresson, Texas.

That is right; it was a museum of transportation, not just cars. This meant that they had collected more than just cars. Amongst the collections was a yellow submarine, helicopters besides just cars. When they had first begun there were only 15 cars in the collection to be displayed. As the years went on, the Museum of Transportation grew until it amassed a total of 68 antique cars and other forms of transportation too, like the submarine, a minesweeper boat, aircrafts and a private railroad car. Aside from just vehicles, the museum also held books - 1500 volume of books were made into a library in part of the museum. Entrance to the museum was free and it opened from 9:00a.m right up till 5:00p.m from Tuesdays right till Sundays (it closed on Mondays; for upkeep and maintenance jobs) Sadly though, as of 2010 the museum as closed down. No one knows for certain the exact reason why the museum had closed down. However one thing is for sure, the Pate legacy would still live on. This is very much evident as the Pate Swap Meet car exhibitions still carry on - the last was held on April 28th, 2011 till May 1st, 2011. Carrying on with the main goal that drove the Pate brothers, that is to showcase their cars, the swap meet does exactly what was intended when the museum first opened.

The Pate Swap Meet car exhibition had begun in 1972 and is still going on strong, despite the museum being closed. The Pate Swap Meet car exhibition was an idea of a Barney Calvert who was at the time a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America. After seeing and drawing inspiration from the Hershey Swap Meet car exhibition, he approached the Pate brothers with the idea; which needless to say, went down well with the brothers. From the year 1972 till right now in 2011, the Pate Swap Meet car exhibition has continued on, having last met in the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas (located 20 miles north of downtown Fort Worth, at the corner of Interstate 35W and State Highway 114). The Pate Swap Meet car exhibition is also a fund raising attempt of 17 Texas antique automobile clubs. It is one of the three largest swap meets in the United States of America. It has more than a quarter of a century of heritage and is recognized internationally due to its diversity of products in the automotive industry that are offered by its vendors.

Vendors come from all across the nation to fill up the spaces that are available and offer their goods or services, offering anything and everything to do with the automotive industry - from cars to rare equipment and the likes of it. There are so many great car shows out there, don't limit yourself to just one showing.

Be sure to check out the cars at carlisle show as well as the sema and pebble beach shows that occur every year!

The Pate Swap Meet car exhibition will definitely continue to progress as it has already built a name for itself. Therefore, even though the museum has come to a close, the show must go on, as the saying goes - and it definitely will for years to come still. As we can see from this year's show that went on despite the closure of the museum. Surely the Pate family legacy will continue to live on through these shows.

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An Enduring Legend: The Original Jaguar XKE 120 Dual Cam Roadster

With much of Western Europe in ruins, automobile and engineering companies specializing in all kinds of sports car and motorcycles shifted their focus to America at the end of World War 2. This mass exodus included famous named like Austin-Cooper, Lotus, Austin-Healey, Mini-Cooper, Triumph, MG, Triumph bikes, Norton, Greeves, and British motorcycles. One name that stands out from this era of high-tech engineering and exotic European performance vehicles is the legendary Jaguar XKE roadster.

Although the Jaguar Automotive Company was active in the manufacture of high performance sports cars prior to World War 2, it is only in the post war period that the company went from a local British brand to an internationally acclaimed icon. Jaguar was going strong in pre-war Britain with standouts like the Jaguar Roadster SS-100, but the war soon brought an end to the good times for the small British manufacturer. A weak post-war economy combined with rationing lead to a huge decline in sales in Britain and Europe. Luckily there was an emerging market for premium performance vehicles over the Atlantic in the United States and Canada.

To tap this vibrant new market for their vehicles Jaguar's designers, engineers, and even the co-founder set out to launch a new, more stylish and sporty. This new model was seen as the saviour of the company - it was meant to raise demand for Jaguar vehicles abroad and ensure the company's continued existence in a difficult home market.

To this end they fitted out the new model with a then very powerful engine that achieved max power at 5,000 rpms. This was a huge innovation at the time as such power back then could only be found in specialized racing cars and not normal production vehicles. Another huge innovation for the time was the introduction of twin overhead camshafts, something else not found in many cars of the era. The original XKE roadster used a 3/4 litre inline six engine with a bulky crankshaft and 7 main bearings powering a long engine stroke. The 5200 rpm gave this car 160 horse power, making the original XKE an agile yet refined beast on the highways and byways of America.

It is interesting to note that the unique twin over head cam setup was not proposed for production models of the jaguar Roadster, but for the Jaguar Sedan instead. The cam setup was installed as a temporary fix for the engine during the testing phase of the Roadster, but due to positive market approval and high customer approval they decided to stick to it for final production. Although the Jaguar Sedan Mark VII models released in 1951 featured the same engine, the Jaguar Roadster XK120 model had it three years earlier in 1948.

The Jaguar XK120 was launched to rave reviews for its elegant look, beautiful styling, high performance engine and impressive speed and handling. With its stylish contours and top speed of 120 miles per hour the Jaguar XK120 lived up to its namesake of a sleek and agile hunter. It seems quaint when you consider that the Roadster's price back then was a modest 2,500 US Dollars.

The original Jaguar XKE120 roadster holds the distinction of being one of the best cars ever designed. Even in to the profusion of high-end European cars that thrived in US markets after the war, the Jaguar XKE120 held its own, and is still regarded as an all time classic.

Looking for information on Jaguar XKE?

Click to http://www.jaguarxke.com/, the ultimate website for Jaguar XKE fans and enthusiasts.

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Does Your Classic Car Club Have an App for Your Members and Fans Yet?

If you run a nonprofit group such as an automotive classic car club then you need to be in touch with all of your members and fans. You need a very good website with a forum and a blogging network, and this can be done using perhaps the Ning Blog Network (you can Google that) and a decent "php forum" in conjunction with your website. You will also need to engage your members using social networks such as Twitter, and perhaps Facebook.

Now I understand that many people that own classic cars are of the baby boomer crowd, and they are perhaps the least likely to participate on social networks, but I guarantee you they will be interested if it involves their first love, their classic car. Further, it is recommended that you download one of the classic car apps from The Apple Store, or from the Android App website, perhaps both. There are several good ones. They will alert all your members when you are having a meeting, as well as several apps which alert them to classic car auctions, blue book values, and available parts.

Classic car clubs need to be thinking in the future, even though they are driving in the past. It is amazing when you merge the two how much you can do, things which you could have never done before. I can remember rebuilding my first classic car (1954 Chevy Truck) and there was no Internet, and chasing parts meant rummaging through hundreds and hundreds of acres in various junkyards. Trying to accumulate the parts I needed using a pair of vise grips, channel locks, small crowbar, and WD-40 to get the rust off. Things just aren't that way anymore, as you can order parts online on eBay, and through classic car online networks.

My advice to you is not to be shy when it comes to harnessing this technology, and it doesn't mean that you need to have your members put additional holes in the center console to hold an iPad with a GPS app. You can still leave the eight track player in the center console of your 1959 Stingray, but everything else about your car club should keep up with our information age, and you should take advantage of all the social networking tools to help your car club prosper and grow.

Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it. If you have any other great suggestions for future articles, please shoot me an e-mail, let's talk.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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Chevrolet Vega History With Production Numbers

Chevrolet cars have been one of the most well-recognized and well-admired cars for some time now. One of the most well-known lines for Chevrolet is the Chevrolet Vega, a subcompact car which could carry at least four passengers. This was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors which became their flagship model from 1971 through 1977.

This car was introduced as a Vega 2300 in September of 1970 which resonated the star named Vega with a cubic centimeter engine size. It has been said that the Chevrolet, especially the Vega line, is considered to be one of the top selling cars in its earlier years. This is because it has a very sleek and modern design that had a hatchback wagon notch back as well as panel delivery design in its two-door styles.

During the time of the oil embargo, most of the car manufactures geared into manufacturing a more compact concept street rod which served the need to save and minimize the use of fuel / gas. At this time, the General Motors President James Roche announced that they too are producing a new mini or compact car in which case the then Chief engineer Ed Cole alongside with his team conceptualized and developed a compact all-aluminum die cast engine block technology which they called Chevy Vega. The introduction of the Chevy Vega created a sleeker and technologically driven system to their lines with its notch back style sedan. As the year progressed, there were changes made in the Vega design for more and more additions and upgrades which were being introduced in order to provide for the needs of their clientele as well as to provide a better and smoother driving experience.

However, because of the rush for this street rod introduction and despite the many changes and improvements made, the result was not accepted as warmly as they expected.

Throughout the 70's, the Chevy Vega had undergone quite a few changes and upgrades in order to come up with the very best compact car in the market. These street rods had undergone not only interior changes, engine and power upgrading but at the same time refining the noise and vibration levels which most of the cars during those times were having troubles with.

In the year 1973, the car underwent at least 300 minor and major changes which included changes in the exterior and interior colors and trims to the bumper, power steering, vinyl interiors or door panels among others. As such every year new changes had been made to make the Chevy Vega adopt to the changes and evolution of how people were living. In the year 1977, the notch back was renamed into a coupe and the changes in the engine which provided for a pulse air system was installed to meet the requirement of the federal government in the standards sets for emission control.

The difference in the Chevy Vega among other street rods out there is that its hatchback coupe had a lower roof line as well as a fold-down rear seat which most of its clientele were excited and happy about. However on the other hand, their sedan line had an enclosed trunk and more rear seat room than the former. While its wagon had a swing-up lift gate with a lower lift cargo height the panel delivery was a one-passenger wagon with an enclosed storage area so that their buyers could have a lot of choices when they decide to drive a Chevrolet.

Ensuring your ride is road worthy is what we do in our Street Rod Shop at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Getting you on the road and enjoying your time asap is our goal.

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Classic Cars - The Mazda RX-7

Hailed by many as the most beautiful car ever to come out of Japan, The Mazda RX-7 took seventeen years of development before it finally appeared on the streets in 1978.

Without the perseverance of a team of Japanese motor engineers and designers under the leadership of Kenichi Yamamoto, in the development of the Wankel or rotary engine, this stunningly designed, high performance sports car, would never have happened.

In 1961 the Japanese Company Toyo Kogyo, later to be renamed Mazda, licensed from the patent owners NSU-Opel of Germany, the full rights to develop a new rotary engine.

The Rotary engine was named after its inventor Wankel and had no pistons or crankshaft as such, but consisted of a simple fuel injected rotor blade that span around a central drive-shaft that was connected to a rear wheel differential for drive.

In theory the rotary engine is far superior, through its simplicity in design, than a conventional piston combustion engine, with much less moving parts to go wrong and direct drive power output.

Yamamoto's team at Mazda set to work on developing a rotary engine that would overcome the problems of loss of compression, exhaust, and the overheating of the rotor blades tips, that had limited Opels success at developing the technology in the 1950's.

After success with earlier RX models the RX-2, RX-3 and RX-5 and despite financial problems at the company, Mazda finally came up with the larger 12A engine which was fitted to the new Mark 1 RX-7 built from 1978 until 1980 and the series 2 built from 1981 to 1983.

The Mazda Rx-7 was a two seater plus two hardtop sports coupe, curvaceous and aerodynamic and it immediately caught the imagination of the motoring world which globally hailed it as an instant design classic. The design of the car was built entirely around the engine and exhaust configuration.

A bi-rotor engine putting out what was seen as equivalent of just 550 bhp per rotor the 12A in the RX-7 was capable of speeds of over 130 mph and with high low-end torque reached from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. Officially its bhp was just 100 horse power but given how light the car was, it was often described as like driving a skateboard, the power to weight ratio gave it an output equivalent to 230 bhp.

Exhilarating to drive because of the smoothness inherent in the movement of the Wankel rotary engine, little vibration or shaking was felt at high engine speeds. An alarm was fitted to the rev counter to warn the driver when the 7000 rpm redline was approaching. If you exceeded it or did not heed the alarm the engine would cut out to protect the ceramic rotor tips from overheating.

The car was expensive to run, the engine consuming around 20 miles to the gallon but at half the price of a Porsche and with all the trimming such as electric windows and sun-roofs, the RX-7 was sought by young and old alike. Over 475,000 cars were sold with the original Mark 1 design.

The RX-7 was loved by good and bad alike and appeared in many TV shows, commercials and films.

In Japan the car was adopted by the original Tokyo Drifters and street racers due to its speed and handling. In the UK a modified Turbo version of the 12A RX-7 built by Elford engineering held the unofficial record for the fastest night-time lap of the circular M25 motorway that rings London, for 5 years.

This turbo configuration which used the venturi principle to recycle exhaust gases for extra boost, powered the car to speeds of over 145 mph and was adopted by Mazda into new 13B engine which powered the top end Series 3 production model in Japan from 1984 to 1985.

Various modified versions of the RX-7 were manufactured for different markets around the world, with restricted output and emissions control system in US versions and various bespoke injection and design changes for the European and domestic Japanese Market.

Production of the Mazda RX-7 13B continued until 1988 with the convertible RX-7 Savannah and the new look Mark 2 model often referred to as the Series 4, which had despatched some of the Mark 1 classic design lines and looked more like its main competitor, a Porsche 944.

Dave Healey is a Classic Car Insurance underwriter who is passionate about Mazda RX-7s and modern classic cars. Read more from Dave about the Mazda RX-7 and compare car insurance for all Mazda motors at Car Insurance TV.

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An Introduction to the World of Classic Cars

The world of classic cars is one of the most under-rated, yet magically exciting sectors of what is essentially a leisure pursuit. Certainly there are many professional firms and companies trading in the area of classic cars, but for the most part the industry is driven by enthusiastic followers of their own particular classic car passion.

Some parameters and definitions are required and this leads to the first problem: what exactly is a classic car? And how do you begin to identify one? The answer is probably the old favourite that applies to all things of beauty and it is simply that it's all in the eye of the beholder.

One person's classic is another's heap of junk, but there's no doubt that we all know a true classic when we see one.

The earliest mechanically propelled vehicles are now, in the main, museum pieces that only rarely see the light of day. They are delicate relics of many a bygone age and evoke tremendous feelings of affection and attachment in those who love them.

Next are the classics that still represent a part of history long gone and comprise vehicles that can be nursed and nurtured by those who own, maintain and love them. Because of the dedication of these enthusiasts, the rest of us can enjoy the reward of exploring history, in much the same way as we would explore any part of the development of mankind through the ages.

Coming more up to date are the vehicles that represent the boom years of motor car design and ingenuity, before computer aided design took over and resulted in what exists now, i.e. all cars looking pretty much the same. Modern needs and demands for fuel efficiency, together with environmental considerations dictate how cars are now configured.

From modern techniques of design and manufacture we get cars that are incredibly efficient, but perhaps a little boring and unlikely to mature into what might be called classic cars in the future. Time alone will tell.

Mechanical transportation has been around since the latter part of the nineteenth century so we have a wealth of history to draw upon. Generally speaking the most satisfactory way to classify and categorise classic cars is by reference to the year in which they were manufactured. We have to start somewhere!

Further classification must introduce a geographic component. The US probably represents the largest sector here, but the UK and other European countries contribute hugely to the rich tapestry that now constitutes the classic car world.

Vintage cars are probably still best defined as those built before 1930. So that's a big part of the territory. Then come those built between 1930 and the end of World War 2 so, again a substantial sector. This era has been defined as the age of the "Post Vintage Thoroughbred". Not a bad label by any means.

Once we get beyond World War 2 things become a little more subjective. In the UK there is the zero rate of road tax which applies to any car built before 1973. Somewhat confused because it defines a "build" date rather than a "registered" date, but that aside this sector is fairly easy to classify. So if it's not vintage, and it's not a Post Vintage Thoroughbred, but it was built before 1973, then it almost certainly is a "Road Tax Free, Classic".

Coming further up to date there is definite confusion. There are classics being produced today, by small specialist manufacturers and even home build kit car fans. There are also the eccentric and bizarre that only their owners would ever define as classic.

When all said and done, no-one should be denied the entitlement to describe their own classic as such, and there's plenty of room in the world for us all.

Long may that be the case and long may all of us with an interest in this really fascinating world of historic motor cars, find enough to feed our passion and excitement for all time.

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Fiber Glass Hood Panels

Many custom car and truck manufacturers often neglect the underside of the hood. Hence, this article will provide you with some insights on how to improve the looks of the hood with a fiber glass panel.

First, you will be needing some materials such as resin; 5 gallons should do the trick, gloves, paint brushes; disposable types are recommended, an air bubble roller, some masking tape and a spray suit to protect your skin from fiberglass dust. You might also want to get a large piece of 3M plastic to mask the working area. Besides that, you will also need some chopped strand mats for the fiberglass. Choose those that have a medium thickness for balanced strength and flexibility. Screen mats are also recommended as they are excellent for producing contours.

Once you've got all the materials, you are ready for the fabrication process. Start off by taping the outer edges of the panel with some 3M green tape. Depending on the condition, you might also need a heat gun to solve taping issues on unusual shapes. It is important to ensure that the tape is in a tight fit to avoid wrinkles that might affect the final look of the panel.

Now that you've taped off the edges of the panel, it is time to shape the inner section. Before we begin, place the 3M plastic onto the working area to keep the resin away from the steel surface. Make sure that it is spread out properly to reduce wrinkling. Next, lay a piece of polyester on top of the hood. It is recommended that you use a heavier but flexible material to support the resin and to maintain its shape. Once you've got the desired shape, cut away any excess material and tape it into place. You might want to tape up some protruding areas on the working area to keep the material from folding. Lastly, make sure you have ample clearance at the front and back sections before proceeding to the next part.

Moving on, mix one quart of resin with MEK hardener. Then, use smaller brushes to coat enough resin on the polyester. This will cause the material to harden and become strong enough to hold the fiberglass. However, it is important not to coat too much resin as it causes the material to sag. Once the material is ready to cure, you can adjust it for the best effect by pulling or releasing it. Now, the material should be ready to support the weight of the glass matting.

For the glass matting, start out by placing a chopped strand mat as the bottom layer and then a screen mat layer over it. Repeat this process around 2 or 3 times to obtain the best results. It is advisable to fog blast the panel between rounds for better adhesion. Once the matting is complete, it is time to coat it with a layer of resin. This time around, you can use a larger brush for it. Remember to check the matting after coating it with resin, sometimes, you might find several air bubbles on the surface of the mat. If this happens, you will need to work quickly to smooth the air bubbles with a roller before the resin cures.

Once the resin is completely cured, lift it up to check on the hood. If there are no problems with it, remove the 3M plastic from the mold. Use a grinder to grind down the wrinkles you see on the back of the mold. When the grinding process is complete, you will have to repeat the matting process again to obtain maximum strength.

After the final matting process, you are now ready to fit the panel onto the hood. For this, it depends on the original fittings of your hood. Usually, you can either attach some fasteners or screw the panel onto the hood, but the choice is yours to decide. Sand down the edges of the panel with 80-120 grit sand papers to obtain a smooth and burr free finish.

Need ideas for your street rod? No problem, the pros at Jeff Lilly Restoration specialize in the design and proper process for your project in their street rod shop.

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Ford Dealer Tips About Ford Vintage Cars

Like the recently uncovered 12,000 year old fishing tackle in South California created hype, driving around the neighborhood on a Ford vintage car will surely elicit head turning, and scrutinizing looks from people that you pass by.

Nowadays, you may easily find shiny brand new cars in a Ford dealer showroom or used modern cars in a used car dealer showroom, but the challenge is finding a classic auto unit.

What is a vintage car anyway? Vintage automobiles are those units made around the 1950s to the 1970s. Ford is one of the leading vintage car producers today and it has made a roster of old classic roadsters. Some stocks are still being sold on online shops, from the Ford Anglia 105E to Ford Zephyr MkII Farnham. Muscled old classic cars are one of the Ford lovers' favorites.

How do you know a vintage vehicle from just an old rickety one? Not all old cars are worthy to be called a vintage classic. These cars are usually not in production anymore and they come in limited numbers. They may also be the first few generations or versions of your modern cars today. Vintage vehicles are usually registered as such, and they have specific emblems.

Here are some examples of Ford's popular vintage cars:

The Ford Thunderbird

This type of car was first released in 1955 and it was one of Chevrolet Corvette's toughest competitors. The personal luxury car was named after the elusive mythological animal, the Thunderbird. we have seen eleven generations of the Thunderbird up to date. And although its latest version was created only in 2002, the manufacturers tried their best to give it a vintage touch.

The Ford Mustang

Branded as the first pony car ever made, the Ford Mustang comes in hardtop, fastback, convertible and sports roof versions. The original concept of the car was to also entice female buyers without turning off the male ones. In the end, it became a classic, and the vintage versions are valued collector's finds.

The Ford Falcon

Old classic car collectors will basically drool on this car. Besides being out of production, the Ford Falcon is a rare find because the manufacturers have released only a limited number in 1960 to 1970. It comes in 2-door sedan sport coupe, 4-door sedan sports coupe, and 5-door station wagon versions.

If you are already an owner of any of these classic vehicles, you can find car parts online or in selected Ford dealer branches, just in case you may need some replacements.

Finding these cars is really not easy, but if you want one, you may try your luck and ask a ford used car dealer if they still have available stocks. Fat chance, but it's still chance nonetheless.

Watkin Motors Ford, located in Vernon British Columbia, is Canada's oldest established Ford Dealership. First opening in 1915, we are a third generation Ford Dealership that believes in Customer Satisfaction. We carry a large supply of new and used Ford F-series trucks, suvs and cars. We are experts at providing Internet shoppers with accurate pricing, and trade values, over the web. We can arrange delivery almost anywhere in the country. Visit any of our ford dealer or used car dealer.

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Custom Car Trends For The Future

Have you ever been to a car show? It is quite interesting to visit that kind of event. From the new releases to the concept cars, everything you want to see regarding street rods are here for your eyes to feast upon. What are interesting to watch out for are the car trends that the manufacturers take pride in presenting to their fans and loyal customers.

With the advent of people becoming eco-friendly and conscious on the environment and wants to take part of it, believe it or not, car manufacturers are doing the same thing - jumping into the bandwagon of being ecologically sound and conscious. It also has become a marketing strategy for them - adding points to their Corporate Social Responsibility theme. Not only that, they get plus points from environmental advocates for being supportive of Mother Nature's restoration and for the good of the children. Thus they created concept street rods or commonly known as hybrid cars.

These hybrid cars are designed in such a way that will help Mother Nature recover from the ravages of man's abusive use of the planet. Other than that, gasoline companies also developed bio-ethanol gasoline in order to make it "earth-friendly" and less air pollution. Aside from gasoline, companies also developed concept street rods that uses solar power as fuel and can be lightweight at the same time. Other trends would also help address the needs of a growing family with safety features. Seatbelts, provisions for car seats and boosters and even airbags fit for the children are also being designed and made in order to address the needs. Safety from thieves are also integral in the protecting your street rods. Car alarms, anti-car napping devices are also installed for your safety and protection.

Got lost on a road trip? You don't have to consult a map anymore. GPS or Global Positioning System is also installed for your convenience as well. Just encode the address of the place where you want to go and it will give you directions. Most of the drivers find it hard to do reverse parking or parallel parking. It is also resolved. By installing parking sensors, your car can guide you how to park and tells you if you're too near the pavement or the other car as well. Forgot to lock your doors? Your street rod can do that to you too as soon as you go a certain distance, it automatically locks itself. Another trend is driving automatically instead of stick shift or what they call cruise control. After maintaining a certain speed for a time, your car automatically takes over your speed. Even the air conditioning unit comes with a climate control feature.

There are more trends coming with all those creative ideas pouring in. We have to remember though that we are still in control of our street rods. If you remember that movie where all the people were evacuated in order for the planet to clean up and the computer won't allow them to go back, we might be in the brink of that. While these are good and novel ideas and create comfort in our everyday lives, let us not forget also that we sometimes need to exert our effort in controlling the devices that helps us in our everyday lives. Remember, we are their creators, and we are the highest level of creatures in this planet we call earth. While it is true that they gave us comfort and convenience, let not those convenience and comfort be the cause of our co-dependency attitude and misery if something bad happen to us.

We love bending, shaping and designing old metal into beautiful cars in our Street Rod Shop. At Jeff Lilly Restorations we have the people and facility to knock out a home run machine every time.

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Car Parts Are Available for Any Aged Car

If you have ever been in an auto accident that has left your car damaged, you know that there are a lot of things you will need to consider. You've got to get a rental, you've got to contact insurance companies, find a repair shop and get the repairs underway. However, if you are quite handy with cars, you might want to consider fixing the car yourself. If you have the tools to do it and the knowledge to pull it off, all you need is the right car parts.

If you are trying to repair an older car then you might experience a little difficulty in locating parts for the car. That is, if you are looking for OEM or factory original parts. While this can be done, it might take a bit more of your time then finding an after market counterpart.

The first place that you want to start your search for original parts is with a dealership that sells the make of car that you drive. This is a hit and miss prospect because while dealers are the best place to find OEM parts specific to your make, they may not carry parts for older cars like yours.

Next, you might want to check into parts stores as well. You may have some success with this method, but if you struck out finding the car parts at the dealer, it is unlikely that you will have much luck at a parts store considering most parts stores get their OEM parts from the same place the dealer gets theirs, from the closest manufacturer parts depot.

However, if all this fails and you are still intent on getting factory original parts for your older vehicle you can always try looking for them online. While it is normal to find most car parts stores and manufactures with a significant online presence, there are many more options online than just those.

You will find plenty of specialty parts dealers of virtually any make and model. For example, if you are looking for brand new side car panels for a 1991 Eagle Talon, you are probably going to find them. You may have to dig a little, and they may or may not be expensive, but they are out there waiting to be found.

The bottom line is that if you are tying to do your own crash repair and if you have the time, the knowledge and the know how, the car parts you need are at your disposal. Even if your car is older and even if your car is somewhat obscure, the parts can be found, and if you are determined, you'll find them.

John black writes about a wide range of topics. Pls. Click on the links to learn more about Car lights and Japanese import car parts or you can visit http://www.panelhouse.com.au/japanese-car-parts/.

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Back To The Basics With Car Covers

What exactly is a car cover? A car cover is just what it proclaims to be; something that will cover your car. Covers are made from various different materials, giving the buyer a range to choose from. The range is there as people have different needs when it comes to covering their cars. Some people will need a cover that will help protect their car from the raging rainstorms, whilst others live in drier climates, and therefore prefer help with shielding against the sun.

Due the large range available on the market, there is a cover for everyone. The cover will shield and protect the car from the various weather conditions and the detrimental damage they bring along with them.

Many people do not even realise the need for car covers, and this is a sad mistake indeed. Did you know that when your car is left parked outside your house overnight, you are exposing your car to grave danger? Did you know that rain simply eats away at your cars paintwork? Did you know that snow is an enormous safety hazard as it tampers with your brakes?

Evidently not, or else you car would for sure be covered!

When a car is protected by a car cover, automatically they are shielded from the detriments of nature. The car is able to remain clean at all times, and you will be able to drive a beauty of a vehicle instead of an old weather-beaten banger.

You may be wondering what is wrong with the conventional garages. Simply put - space and money. Garages are a mighty expense and great palaver to build. In addition not everyone has the space to build one. If they did, most people would prefer to extend their house, than build a room explicitly for their car.

The biggest advantage of car covers over garages, are the fact that covers are portable. No matter where in the world you drive to, when it comes to parking, your car will always have the protection it needs. When not in use, car covers don't take up that much space either. The covers can be folded up so small and compact that they can fit neatly in a corner of your car trunk awaiting their next opportunity to be used.

Car covers are also very stylish. Since the craze started, people have been manufacturing the snazziest designs possible. Every effort has gone into ensuring that not only is the cover practical by keeping your car cared for, but also that it is extremely stylish. Covers are often made with a few seams as possible increasing the sleek design. Many companies will even give you the option of placing a logo on the bonnet of the cover. This increases individuality and ensure your car is very fashionable.

Car covers can be bought online at http://www.thecarcover.com/. All types, sizes and styles available, at unbeatable prices. Check them out Now!

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Helpful Advice on Choosing a New Car

Shopping for a new car is exciting. There's something about that "new car smell", and driving around in a vehicle that is still so perfect and nice. Buying a new car is your chance to buy just what you have always wanted, so it's important to know what you want before you talk to the salesman.

Check the Budget

You must know how much you can spend before you test drive anything. There's nothing more heartbreaking than falling in love with a car, only to realize that you simply can not afford it. Determine the maximum amount you are willing to spend before you start shopping, and stick to that amount.

Make a List of what you Need

Is your top concern the gas mileage? Do you have a larger family? Knowing what you need can help you find the right car. If you have a family of six, there is little sense in looking at cars that only seat 5. If you have to drive a lot, then your top concern might be finding a car with great gas mileage. Take time to think about what you do with your current car, and be sure that the next one will meet your needs.

Think About what you Want

Needs and wants are not usually the same thing, but buying a new car is your chance to get what you want. Do you love the idea of having leather that's easy to clean? Are your children dying for a car with a built-in DVD player? Have you always wanted a better sound system? Maybe you just love the idea of having a sunroof. Knowing what you want can help you find the ideal new car. Of course, you may not find everything you want in your price range, so prepare yourself for that. However, when you know take time to think about what you want, you are more likely to get a car that you truly love.

Research

Now that you know what you can afford, what you need, and what you want; you are ready to start researching. You can research different cars online to determine what's in your price range. Once you know what cars you can afford that meet your needs, you can visit different dealerships online to see how their prices compare. Knowing what the prices are at other places can help you negotiate the best possible price on your new car.

Shop Around

Prices aren't the only thing you can shop around for. Different banks and dealerships will have different financing specials. See who has the best deals, and then see if they will give you the best deal on the car, too. It's important to remember that the best financing deal may not come with the best price. To accurately compare deals, look at the cost of the car over the full loan term.

Now that you know what you want and which dealerships you want to start at, you are ready to go test drive your new vehicle. Choosing that perfect new car is exciting, and when you go in prepared you can make this purchase with confidence.

This article provides helpful advice on choosing your new car and ways you can save money as well as make your search more enjoyable.

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Diecast Scale Models - Collecting the Mille Miglia

If you are a collector of scale model classic competition sports cars, a great theme for your collection is the classic Italian Mille Miglia or "one thousand miles" race.

There are many models available of the cars that took part in the race over its thirty year life between 1927 and 1957 and of the cars that were inspired by it. Amazingly, the Mille Miglia was held on open public roads which was very dangerous but it had the advantage of bringing together the excitement of a high-speed car race, the beauty and elegance of the cars, the wonderful scenery of rural Italy and the Italian people who lined the roads to watch.

The founders of the race wanted to give a boost to the early Italian car industry by bringing the cars out onto local roads so that people could see them close up and by demonstrating the durability and reliability of the cars in a long race. The course of the race ran between the town of Brescia and the city of Milan and back again by a different route. The length was 1,600 kilometres which was approximately 1,000 miles, hence the name. Although Italians measure distance in kilometres it was felt that by using the word 'miles' they were evoking the past glories of the Roman age - the Romans measured distance in miles.

In 1949 a new way of numbering the cars in the race was introduced. The smaller engined, slower cars, like the Fiat 500 and Renault 4CV, began first leaving Brescia at one minute intervals from nine in the evening. Cars would be leaving all through the night until the most powerful ones would be leaving the following morning. The car's number was the time it left Brescia so, for example, a car leaving at 7:22 am would have the number 722 and one leaving at 10:30 the previous evening would have the number 1030. This system made it easy for spectators to see how well the cars were doing in the race.

The Mille Miglia was one of the races that helped to establish the reputations of the great touring car manufacturers such as Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. In fact, of the 12 races run before World War II, 10 were won by Alfa Romeo and of the 11 races run after the war, 7 were won by Ferrari. The first Ferrari was the Tipo815 which was entered in the 1940 Mille Miglia. After the war, one of the first cars produced by this newcomer to the motoring scene was the Ferrari 166 which won the 1949 Mille Miglia. In celebration of the victory a Ferrari 166 MM (Mille Miglia) was made which won the race in 1950. In 1955 the British racing driver, Stirling Moss, won the race in a Mercedes 300SLR at an incredible average speed of 97.96 mph(157.65 km/h) an amazing feat when you remember that this was on public roads and at a distance of 1,000 miles.

After World War II the Italian car industry found a new confidence and enthusiasm which spawned many small racing car manufacturers known as the "etceterinis" who were eager to take part in races like the Mille Miglia. They based their cars on Fiat components for the most part but they made cars with very individual personalities. These manufacturers faded out in the 1970s but the cars have remained popular with enthusiasts particularly in the USA. Cisitalia made the legendary 202 coupe styled by Pnin Farina which was considered so cutting-edge and influential on all other car design that it became part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Abarth began as one of these independent manufacturers until it became absorbed by Fiat and became their internal performance car department. Other notable etceterinis were Stanguellini and Nardi.

Of course, the idea of running a high speed race on public roads was a deeply flawed one. It was banned once just before World War II because of a serious accident in which 10 people were killed. Tragedy struck once again in 1957 when two separate accidents killed 13 people and the Italian government stepped in to ban the race for ever. Yet somehow the spirit of the Mille Miglia had become ingrained in Italian and motor sport culture and would not go away. Now there is an annual classic car rally which carries on the Mille Miglia tradition for cars made in the period of the races between 1927 and 1957.

Models of Mille Miglia cars are to be found in good diecast model vehicle stores such as Golden Age of Motoring. Starline is a model maker who have produced many excellent precision models of Mille Miglia cars in 1/43 scale including the etceterinis such as Cisitalia and Stanguellini. Several model makers have interpreted the Mercedes 300SLR and the Ferrari 166MM and there are also a number of inexpensive models of Mille Miglia cars to be found if you look carefully.

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Diecast Model Vehicles - Starting a Collection

Collecting is a hobby that is fun and can be a great way to escape everyday pressures for a little while. Every collector has his or her own specialisation.

When it comes to model vehicles some people will collect a marque - Cadillac, Jaguar, VW - or they might collect cars they have owned or Formula 1 race winners or 1/43 scale British cars of the 1950s or tractors or - well, anything. Often the theme of a collection is hard to define though the collector will know just what is to be included and what is not. I collect classic toy cars of the 1950s and 1960s but also modern models of a similar scale of cars of the same era. I also have some smaller models in the collection and a few that are models of newer cars; I can't quite explain why but they belong there as well.

If you are starting your collection you may well want to build up numbers without spending too much too quickly. A good way to achieve this goal is to look for bargains. Just because a model is cheap does not necessarily mean that it is inferior and the search for a bargain can be exciting in itself and will improve your nose for a good addition to your collection.

One source of bargains is eBay where you will find people selling off unwanted gifts and collectors who are thinning out their collection or unloading models that do not quite fit their collection's theme. Remember that you are unlikely to find everything that you want among the current offerings of the model manufacturers. They have to vary their ranges over time to keep their customers interested so, for example, if you are looking for that exact colour of Morris Minor that your uncle used to have, the chances are that you will not find it among current models but you may find it among the contents of an old collection.

Another source of bargains is where a manufacturer is unloading excess stock originally produced to sell with part-works. These are often indistinguishable from models that were on sale earlier at a much higher price. The main cost of producing a diecast model is in the design and the mouldings. Once the first few hundred have been produced the cost of producing one more is minimal so the manufacturer can sell at a greater profit or a lower price. This kind of bargain may be found on eBay or among the stock of any diecast model dealer.

Cararama is an inexpensive brand of 1/43 scale model diecast cars which offers great value for money. Corgi Vanguards models of classic British cars also offer good value. If farm tractors is your thing, take a look at the Universal Hobbies range.

You will soon get to know which model manufacturers offer the best value in your particular specialist area. You will also become familiar with the best dealers to buy from.

For example, The Golden Age of Motoring Model Shop has an interesting selection of diecast model vehicles to browse and which may give you some ideas for your own collection.

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Classic Car Found

It is always a celebration whenever a classic car is discovered, but when it turns out to be an uncommon car too, the news is brought into the attention of classic car collectors and enthusiasts. One of those moments was the rediscover of a Bugatti with chassis number 57502, an uncommon French sports coupe manufactured in 1937. The classic car found in a barn in Newcastle, England, after over 48 years of being parked in a garage, is one of the only 17 cars of that type ever built.

In 1937 the car was bought by Earl Howe who, after owning it for eight years, sold it to a different person. The automobile continued to change owners until 1955 when it has been sold to Harold Carr, the owner that kept it in the garage for 48 years, after driving it just for a few years. This classic car was found in England after the death of Harold Carr and was sold at a bidding in 2009 by the Bonhams house of auction. Due to its rarity, original condition and low mileage, the vehicle was likely to be sold for approximately ?6 million. But in reality the car's price tag was of ?2,989,495.

2010 was another year when other beautiful, rare classic cars were discovered. I'm talking about an uncommon Chrysler 300 found in Berkley, surrounded by cleaning equipment and covered inside by dust. But you could not help noticing its intact red, white and blue "300-D" emblem that proved the car was an authentic, a well-preserved 1959 300-E hardtop. In fact, a couple of Chrysler cars were discovered there: a 1958 and a 1959 models.

These Chrysler cars are gorgeous cars, produced by the manufacturer between 1955 and 1965 and highly appreciated by car collectors all over the world. And that's normal, due to the exceptional style and the luxurious interiors covered in leather. Their popularity can also be caused by the low number of units produced. The vehicle found is one of the 22 top cars produced by the manufacturer with Bendix fuel injection. The fuel injection system turned out to have some problems and all the 22 manufactured cars were recalled and equipped with four-barrel carburetors and sent back to their owners. Nowadays, just a few of these cars continue to exist and be a part of the automotive history. Moreover, the new owner chose to restore it in order to show the respect it deserves.

Incredible or not, another classic car found recently is a 1925 Bugatti Type 22 that was discovered at the bottom of a Swiss lake, full of rust. Despite its condition, the automobile was sold for 260,500 Euros in Paris at the 2010 edition of the Retro Mobile classic car show. It wasn't probably the most valuable car sold throughout the Bonhams auction, but its history is impressive. The money went to charity.

This Bugatti's chassis number is 2461 and the engine number is 879. It is a car built in 1925 and originally bought by a France customer that lived in Nance and who sold it to some Parisian owner. Although only 20% from the original car was still in good condition, the car's price tag was high. The iron and the steel have suffered more damage, but the wood, the aluminum, the brass and also the rubber were better preserved with the help of a restoring session. Let's hope that another beauty will be saved!

Joel Dammann writes about Classic car found at his Car blog.

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Hire the New 2011 Camaro Convertible to Convert Your Dull Day Into an Exciting One

A typical muscle car is the one that pounds the ground, melts the tire and provides a heat racing excitement. The new 2011 Camaro Convertible is one of such cars. It is a treat to drive such an exciting car. If you are passing a dull day and want to cheer up, go drive the new 2011 Camaro Convertible. Your boring day to day grind will get transformed into sheer exhilaration. However, I have to admit that price of a Camaro Convertible is quite high. An average wage earner will find it difficult to afford this car as GM has put a price tag of $28,500. But this should not stop you from driving it. I would say, the easiest way to fulfill such dream is to hire the car for a day or two and experience the thrill it has to offer.

Undeniably, the new Camaro Convertible is a beauty with a sturdy and well-tailored top. It also provides a good handling. So if you are looking for some fun for a sunny weekend or a warm summer evening, you might just consider renting out the new Camaro Convertible 2011. The handling of the new Camaro Convertible is truly first-class due to its excellent front and rare weight distribution. GM has incorporated additional bracings on the body and extra stiffness on the suspension to make the vehicle sportier.

This new 2011 model comes with two available engines - a 3.6 liter V6 or a honking 6.2 liter V8. If you are one of those lucky ones, your rental agency might just have both of them in their closet. You can then pick the one you want and hit the road! The 3.6 liter V6 comes with a 312 horsepower engine and six speeds manual or auto transmission, while the 6.2 liter V8 comes with a 426 horsepower engine and manual transmission or a 400 horsepower auto transmission. I prefer a V8 with manual transmission as it gives me the freedom to accelerate in quick time. Just a reminder that the V8 accelerates like a bat out of hell! For you information, the V8 powered Camaro accelerates 0 -60 in 4.9 seconds while the V6 accelerates in a little over 6 seconds.

One of the major factors to consider before hiring the V6 or V8 is their fuel consumptions. The V6 powered Camaro convertible is less expensive as well as more fuel efficient than the V8. The V6 with automatic transmission has a rating of 18 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city which for the V8 is 16, while on the highway the ratings are 29 and 25 mpg respectively. The manual V6 and V8 in the city rates 17 and 16 while on the highway it rates 29 and 24 respectively. I advice you to take careful notes of these statistics before renting out a Camaro.

The interior of the new model is just marvelous. It has four rectangular gauges on the center console showing the oil pressure and battery voltage. Some of the rectangular gauges come with orange and black upholstery that glows in the dark. The front seats have plenty of space. However, the rear seats are cramped and hold only two passengers. Moreover, as the car comes with only two doors, it is difficult for adults to get in and out of the back seat. But apart than this, the car is great in every other aspect.

For safety reasons, the new 2011 Camaro Convertible includes sheltering equipments like antilock disk brakes, stability and traction control, front and side air bags, head protector and cabin length side curtain bags.

In one word, the new 2011 Camaro Convertible is a startling vehicle and rightfully many of us dream of driving this beauty. As I said before, if you can not afford it, rent it from the nearer car rental company to convert your dull day into an exciting one!

If you want to fulfill your dream of driving a Camaro convertible, go rent it!

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An Overview of Future Hybrid Car Models

There are many future hybrid car models on the horizon that hold the promise of improving the environmental and economic benefits offered. Here is a brief overview of some of these promising technologies:

• Plug-in hybrid cars use larger electric battery backs that allow the car to be driven at high and low speeds using only electric power, improving fuel efficiency by 40% over conventional hybrids while emitting even fewer greenhouse gas and toxic emissions. The battery packs can be charged from any common household outlet and some charging is even done when the car brakes, improving fuel efficiency even more. At present, high prices are the main bar to wider adoption of the technology although Federal and state governments are encouraging the purchase of plug-in hybrids by offering tax credits to early adapters.

• Flex-fuel are future hybrid car models with internal combustion engines that can run on either gasoline or E85, a fuel substitute which is composed of 85% ethanol (made from plants such as corn) and 15% gasoline. However, supplies of ethanol and other bio-fuels are currently not enough to ensure that flex-fuel cars can become economically feasible.

• Diesel hybrids use internal combustion engines that run on clean diesel fuel rather than gasoline, providing better fuel efficiency than conventional gas-run hybrids while still reducing toxic emissions. And diesel hybrids are more powerful than conventional hybrids. The current hurdle that needs to be overcome is the higher cost of clean diesel technology, which translates to more expensive hybrid cars.

• Hydrogen hybrids are considered one of the most promising technologies for creating genuine zero-emission vehicles. The key to the success of this technology is the development of a storage medium that allows the hydrogen to be stored in the vehicle for use as a fuel. However, aside from the expense of the technology, the wider adoption of hydrogen hybrids is also hampered by the lack of a widespread refueling infrastructure. And many manufacturers see the development of a successful hydrogen hybrid car not as a goal in itself but as the bridge towards hydrogen-powered fuel-cell hybrid cars.

• Fuel-cell hybrids use fuel cell batteries fueled by hydrogen to produce electricity that powers the car. However, the prospects for future hybrid car models that use fuel cells are still uncertain as car manufacturers have to overcome many obstacles such as reducing the size and weight of the fuel cell as well as the high cost of the technology.

Are you looking for more information regarding future hybrid car models? Visit http://www.hybridcarsinfo.org/ today!

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Computational AI Classic Car CADCAM Designing Software

There are many new car models which remind us of the cars which were popular during our childhood. Many of the baby boomers retiring are buying modern automobiles with all the modern features, which very much resemble their favorite cars back in the day. And why not, obviously some smart auto executives and designers figured out what the baby boomers want, what they're willing to pay for, and they are producing those cars as fast as they can. And they are selling, some of them like hotcakes.

But I ask you why do we need humane car designers to come up with these new models which resemble the old? All we really need to do is show several different renditions, prototypes, and artists conceptions of future new cars of various models and then ask potential car buyers which ones they like the best. We can then take this information and program it into a special CADCAM designing software system, and let the artificial intelligent computer algorithms design the cars that people are most apt to buy.

Perhaps a 1959 Sting Ray Corvette which has been modified and somewhat streamlined by today's standards would sell the best. And since those folks are now a bit older, they might not mind various engine sizes; economical, midrange, and "oh my God" power version. Those buying these cars do not need to know that a computer designed it, and they probably don't care, they want something that looks appropriate, reminds him of the nostalgia, and makes them feel young again in their old age.

There's nothing wrong with that is there? Now perhaps you are a modern-day car designer, and you enjoy your job and you like the perks and benefits of working in the research and development prototype division for a major company, or perhaps an aftermarket auto accessory firm which belongs to SEMA - if so, I'm not trying to take your job away, I'm just saying that perhaps computers may be able to figure out what humans will buy and pay top dollar for better than the current kids who were designing our future cars.

The young men and women who are using the CADCAM software to design these prototype cars of the future, were not alive back in the day when the baby boomers were in their teens, they probably don't understand exactly what they want, or how to produce it for them. There's no reason someone can't have a 1962 T-bird which is an all-electric or a hybrid with all the modern amenities, and a slot for their iPad in the center console. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,100 articles was a lot of work - because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

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Getting Down and Dirty With a Classic Hood Deflector on Your Family Truckster

Ah yes - those WERE the days! Your grampa drove in to see you from Iowa in that boat of a car, complete with splash guards and hood deflector. Looking cool was not an issue for him, keeping his beast of a car safe from the bugs, sticks, and stones was what mattered. I was never quite sure how that all fit together. If keeping your car looking good, shiny, and new was so important, WHY would you dirty it all up with deflectors and mud flaps?

Well, I'm an old guy myself now, and I have learned that these bug deflector gizmos really have some aerodynamic merit, and thankfully, the folks that make these things have improved on their looks as well!!! But they still belong in another era. And perhaps another dimension!

If you ever make it to any of the great classic car shows, like the Dream Cruise on Woodward north of Detroit in August, or the MSRA Back To The 50's in June at the State Fairgrounds in St Paul - you rarely see any classic older cars there with bug deflectors. You don't see any new hot rods with them either. I can't help but wonder why that is.

I really believe, as Mr Old Guy, that these things DO serve a very useful purpose, and that they do a good job of redirecting those insane insects up and over the car windshield. Or at least higher up onto the windshield! I have ridden in some cars with the bug guards attached, and you wind up with a clear space up to about the midpoint of the windshield. From there up is an even larger congregation of dead insects, so you wind up looking through the bottom half of the windshield. The good news is that it is clean and clear. The bad news is you're looking so low that the bug deflector is now in your line of sight, and, of course, in the way!!

My hope remains with the automobile designers and manufacturers, who, I'm confident, will eventually figure out a way to mold this aerodynamic marvel right into the front end of the vehicle! With all of the videos and commercials you see of them testing their cars in the wind tunnels, seems like a no-brainer to me! But for now, you can find a lot of decent looking hood deflectors on line at the numerous aftermarket auto accessories web stores. The looking COOL part remains "iffy" at best. Perhaps if you put some flames on it......

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Convincing Reasons Why You Should Choose Covercraft Car Protective Covers

The majority of us think of our automobiles as valuable assets and do a lot to stay current on regular payments, road taxes and insurance to make certain that the vehicle is protected. However, most car owners make the error of assuming that this is a sufficient level of protection. Because an automobile is an asset that is used outside, we usually overlook that storing or parking a car indoors or outdoors can lead to the painted finish of the car being scratched by quite a few factors just like airborne debris, rain and the severe effects of the sun's rays. It's fairly simple to defend against this damage by investing in a suitable car cover to be utilized when the automobile is stored.

If you're searching for car covers, it is recommended that you learn more about the assortment of goods that Covercraft supplies. Moreover, Covercraft has been in the business of protecting cars with an impressive record since 1965. They provide over 55,000 designs which suggests that you can buy a custom protective car cover that will fit your specific automobile. It doesn't matter what protective car cover you select, you'll always find the subsequent elements in each Covercraft car cover: resilient and highly durable covers as the seams are overlapped and double stitched, front and rear seams are reinforced with neoprene elastic which keeps the protective car cover tightly in place, and strong grommets that don't scratch which can be used either with a tie down rope that is supplied with the cover or with your own cable and lock as theft protection.

Also Covercraft offers a broad range of 12 different types of material to pick from thus despite what the climatic conditions are in the area where you live or your other requirements, you're bound to find a Covercraft cover that meets your qualification perfectly. For instance, the polycotton cover is ideal for protecting indoors and can also be used occasionally outside. The Noah cover is produced using the utmost waterproofing standards and provides superior outside protection against the wettest climates.

No matter which Covercraft car cover you choose, you will find it easy to handle as well as to put on and take off. Safeguarding your automobile will make certain that your car's paint stays in perfect condition and preserves its resale value. Moreover, you'll receive a significant return from your investment in terms of savings that you get on washing and waxing.

Trying to find car covers or more info about auto accessories? Whether you are on the lookout for custom seat covers, universal-fit car covers or some other type of merchandise, our educated staff members can assist you in finding the correct accessories at the right prices.

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Finding Parts For Your Classic Car Now Easier Than Ever

The collection and restoration of classic cars has been a hobby that more and more people have shown an interest in over the years. However, even though these hobbyists enjoy the restoration process, one of the most frustrating parts about restoring a classic car is the difficulty involved in finding parts.

By definition, classic cars are rare. And, by extension, this means that classic car parts are rare as well. As a result, to find an essential part for your car often involves a combination of detective work, perseverance, and luck.

When searching for a classic car part, one of the first sources that a hobbyist might first try to find is a specialty parts store. If you live in or near a large municipal area, you will usually have no trouble finding such a store. Most of the times, however, if the car is out of production, they won't have your part. But, they are still an excellent first place to contact. Because, while they may not have your automobile part, they can usually point you to a place in your area that may have exactly what you are looking for.

A second place to search for used car parts might be one of the many auto parts shops that now have internet sites. Prior to the flourishing of Internet, every town or city had one or more automobile junk yards where people either dumped their cars or sold their car parts to. The good thing is that many of these places now have posted much of their inventory on Internet sites where you can search for parts. The bad thing is that there are so many of these sites, and most of them are local, that you could still spend a huge amount of time searching though the various sites in an attempt to locate the part you need.

Fortunately, however, the Internet has also resulted in a growth boom among classic car clubs. Many of these car clubs specialize in certain makes and models making it easier to find the perfect one for yourself. In addition, the many social networking sites that have sprung up, has resulted in hobbyist finding it much easier to interconnect with one another and provide resources to one another. And, although it can still be a challenge to find rare car parts, these new forms of communication have resulted in making the entire process of finding rare car parts easier than it has ever been before.

For additional info on classic cars such as car paint colors and antique trucks for sale. Please visit his site for additional contributions.

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Classic Cars - The Audi Quattro

The year was 1980 and Gary Numan's Cars was at the top of the Music charts. In Britain at the time and throughout Europe, fast cars and so called 'Yuppys' were the order of the day in what becoming an increasingly competitive and socially divided world, prior to the technological advances brought by the infant information age.

At the Geneva Motor Show in March that year a car was revealed that was to technically change the future design of most road cars - The Audi Quattro.

The four-wheeled drive turbocharged road car, rally car and angular designed coupe, stole the show and proved that Audi with the new Quattro really had made 'Vorsprung Durch Technik' a massive advancement through technology.

The original or Ur Quattro as it became known, as opposed to subsequent quattro models with a small q, was not the first 4x4 road car; this honour is held by the Jensen FF.

However the innovative four-wheel drive system that Audi developed for the Quattro, did away with all the previous problems of additional driveshafts and extra weight. The Quattro team had produced a practical solution that amazed the motoring world of the day and led the way for the development of all modern 4x4 road cars.

Audi in the 1970's was not the most avant garde of the stoic German manufacturers, however they had a young and enthusiastic research and development team and more importantly, since 1969 the financial backing of owner Volkswagen, which was needed for the Audi Quattro to be born.

The seeds of the Quattro had sprouted three years before the car was launched in 1977 when chassis engineer Jorg Bensinger and a team of Audi engineers were visiting Northern Scandinavia to evaluate the performance of another Audi car, the front wheeled drive 100 series saloons.

While there, Bensinger was highly impressed by the performance of a protype of Volkswagen's Iltis military vehicle which was also being tested under extreme conditions.

The Iltis had new four-wheel drive technology and superb handling which easily outmaneuvered all competition in the snow and ice.

Jorg Bensinger was impressed and on his return to the Audi factory at Ingolstadt, with the encouragement of Walter Treser, a former rally driver and head of advanced development at Audi, in March 1978 the Quattro project commenced.

The Quattro design team started out by taking the worlds first 5 cylinder engine from the highly successful turbocharged 170 mph Audi 200, which was in parallel development at the time.

To the 2144 cc engine the team added a single overhead camshaft with two valves per cylinder, which boosted the engines output to 200 bhp at 5500 rpm.

This gave the Audi Quattro a top speed of 137 mph and the car could do 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds.

What took the world by storm though was not the power of the engine but the ingenious configuration of the new four-wheel drive system. Based on the Iltris concept, the design reconfigured the transmission and did away with the cumbersome and heavy traditional transfer box and driveshaft.

The Quattro team took the new engine and mounted it on the car in line, rather than in the usual transverse layout of the time. This allowed the gearbox to be attached to the back of the engine in a usual rear wheel drive manner. On the Quattro, power was transmitted through the gearbox in the usual manner, to a small grapefruit sized differential box immediately to the rear. From there it was conveyed by a typical rear axle.

But what made the quattros configuration so special was that it also transmitted power forward, using a hollow gearbox output shaft, to a similar differential that drove the front wheels!

The cars unique handling and sensational road holding that won so many Rallies throughout the 1980's in its sporting configuration, was further enhanced by the Macpherson suspension, all round disc brakes, and low profile radial tyres.

When the World Rally Championships changed the rules to allow four wheeled drive cars, the future of the Quattro was certain. In order to comply with the World Rally organisers rules of homologation, Audi had to produce a minimum of 400 cars per year to be considered a production vehicle. The development project was pushed forward and Audi attempted to build 10 new cars per day or 2000 per year.

All in all, Audi managed to produce 11,452 Quattros over the period 1980-1991. The rally versions the A1 and A2 evolutions, went on to win multiple World Rally Championships between 1981 and 1983.

Today the latest versions of Audis including the stunning RS range, still use the old Quattro technology!

It is still possible to buy an Audi Quattro classic although be prepared to spend a pretty penny, the best cars fetching in excess of ?50000. There are not so many original cars still available as later Audi quattro models but they can still be acquired from specialist Audi used cars dealers. Running cost are reasonable and parts available, however like all Audi Insurance, cover for the Quattro is in the higher rating groups, due largely to the cars stunning performance and the growing scarceness of original or replacement parts outside of Germany. Shop around for cover for the Audi Quattro insurance. It may well be worth visiting a specialist classic car insurance website, for cheaper cover. Similarly if you join an Audi Quattro owners club, you'll have access to spare parts and also get large car insurance discounts for being a member!

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Cadillac - Making a Mark

The Cadillac has always sat at the top of the tree of American car brands. In American popular culture it is synonymous with status, prestige and luxury and it is the car that aspiring Americans want to own. Yet in Britain and the rest of Europe, Cadillac scores very low on the scale of brand awareness among prestige car buyers. Cadillac's concept of a prestige motor car has never exactly corresponded to what Europeans expect.

For this reason, Cadillac does not score high on level of interest among European classic car enthusiasts either. Few Europeans have personal recollections of a Cadillac to be nostalgic about. In fact, their only associations are likely to be with movies like the Coupe de Ville in The Deer Hunter or the various limousines in The Godfather. So, it is easy for many classic car buffs outside America to overlook the important role that Cadillac has had in the development of the motor car as we know it today.

The company was founded in 1902 by William H Murphy out of the remains of a failed attempt to start a car manufacturing company involving Henry Ford. Murphy chose not to use his own name for the company but instead wisely chose the more romantic sounding name of one of his ancestors, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who was also the founder of the city of Detroit. The first Caddys used engines made by Leland and Faulconer and it wasn't long before the two companies merged and Henry Leland who was a great engineer took the helm.

From the outset, Cadillac was all about quality craftsmanship applied to a luxury product. Leland's motto was "craftsmanship a creed, accuracy a law". This was a completely different approach to that of its rival Ford who famously fired their craftsmen in favour of cheaper, unskilled employees. This did not mean that Cadillac did not aim to be a large-scale manufacturer, though. Cadillac never was a hand-made car manufacturer like Rolls-Royce or the other top European prestige marques and the company prided itself on the sheer volume of luxury cars it could produce. Cadillac's production figures were comparable to the largest European manufacturers of any kind of car right up until the 1960s.

Also from the outset, Cadillac was an innovative motor manufacturer. In 1908 Cadillac demonstrated its reliability and commitment to accurately manufactured parts by winning the RAC's Dewar Trophy. Three new Cadillacs were picked at random from eight at the London dealership. These cars were stripped down into their component parts and the pieces jumbled up. A few new spare parts were then thrown in and three new cars were assembled from the pile. These cars were then driven for 500 miles round Brooklands race track with no problems at all. This test showed that all the parts had been accurately made and in an age where parts were often altered and fitted by hand it showed that Cadillac was made to the highest standards.

In 1909 Cadillac became a division of General Motors. This group of car and parts manufacturers was conceived as a strategic alliance where resources could be shared and the divisions be mutually supporting. For example, Cadillac was the premium brand of the group and could be sold as a natural progression from the cheaper brands like Chevrolet for the customer who was rising in his career.

In the early years all motor cars had to be started by turning a crank handle which could be a risky business. In 1912 a young executive was hit in the face by a starting handle and he died from his injuries. This incident led Cadillac to develop an electric starter motor and an integrated electrical system which also included ignition and lighting. The Delco system was adopted by other GM divisions and became the standard followed by all other manufacturers.

The Cadillac Type 53 of 1916 is widely accepted to be the first car that had a modern layout of the controls with a steering wheel, dashboard and pedals for the throttle, clutch and brakes in the order which we are now accustomed to. This layout was far superior to the controls of the Ford Model-T which was notoriously difficult to drive and those of other manufacturers. It became adopted by the mainstream during the 1920s led by the British mass automaker Austin.

In 1929 Cadillac was the first to have Synchro-Mesh gearboxes. Before that changing gear was a tricky business requiring some expertise if the driver was not to 'grind the gears' and it was easy to do serious damage to the gearbox. This feature was rapidly copied by other American manufacturers but European manufacturers were slower to adopt it.

Cadillac benefited greatly from the alliance between the sister divisions of General Motors. One of the ways in which it benefited was from the design team. Harley Earl was recruited in 1927 to head the Art and Colour section which was responsible for the overall look of each GM product. Before this time, the design of mass-produced cars was considered to be relatively unimportant compared to their performance and reliability consequently cars were 'engineer designed' without aesthetic consideration. Earl was the first to use modelling clay to design the car's bodywork and he is often credited with being the first professional car designer. GM quickly saw that this new facility to make pleasing car designs could be used as a powerful marketing tool and the notion of a 'model year' was invented. The underlying mechanical design was used for many years but details of the bodywork and interior were changed each year making the age of the car obvious to anyone and thus putting pressure on customers to buy the latest model.

The inspiration for car design from its inception until well into the 1930s was the horse-drawn carriage. However, beginning in the 1920s and with growing influence in the 1930s industrial design took over with its Art Deco influences. Up to the 1920s you could remove the engine compartment of a car and it would look like something that could be pulled by a horse but in the 1930s all steel enclosed bodies became the norm which sheltered the car's occupants from the weather and they were increasingly streamlined as the speed cars travelled at increased. Cadillac produced many elegant cars in this period such as the Sixty Special of 1939.

In the early 1940s while the rest of the world was at war American car design continued to evolve with the front wings being gradually incorporated into the bodywork. The 1941 Sixty Special was elegant and modern and a world away from the boxy appearance of the 1920s. The 1940s also saw the introduction of Cadillac's signature 'egg-crate' radiator grille.

Car design of the late 1940s and 1950s was hugely influenced by the great leaps forward in aircraft design brought about by the Second World War. Under Harley Earl's supervision Cadillac designs began to show explicit aircraft influences beginning with small tail fins for the Cadillac model year 1948 which were inspired by the Lockheed P-38 Lightening aircraft. Through the 1950s the fins got bigger every year and the influences began to include space rockets as well as aircraft. The tail fin reached its apotheosis in the 1959 Cadillacs not just for Cadillac but for the whole industry. The 1959 Cadillac is the most outrageously befinned design ever produced yet it has its own elegance and it has become one of the top automobile icons of all time. This was the last model of Earl's career. After 1959 the fins gradually became smaller again until they disappeared altogether in the squarer and more classical lines of the 1960s.

The 1970s was a barren period for design for the whole of the American car industry. In 1965 Ralph Nader published his book "Unsafe at any Speed" which revealed the truth about car safety which the industry, its customers and government had been in denial about. Legislation was introduced requiring cars to be built with much greater regard to the safety of their occupants. The American motor industry reacted badly in the belief that their had to be a trade-off between safety and style. Some of the ugliest cars ever made come from this period with huge bumpers and chunky lines. Cadillac were able to respond to the challenge better than many other manufacturers because it was easier to incorporate safety features into larger cars.

From the mid-1970s onwards American luxury car manufacturers increasingly found themselves challenged by European imports, chiefly BMW and Mercedes-Benz. A core belief of American manufacturers was that the most important component of the luxury of a car was its size. Europeans had a more sophisticated view and saw quality engineering as more significant and many customers found the European cars more satisfying to drive. Cadillac responded to this challenge with the introduction of the Seville in 1975. The Seville marked a different approach being the smallest yet the most expensive in the Cadillac range. Although the Seville sold well in the US it was perceived as still too large and cumbersome in other parts of the world. Its lack of market penetration in Europe shows that Cadillac had not been able to change its long cherished ways of thinking entirely.

At the beginning of the 21st century the car industry found itself under pressure from an increasing concern among consumers about environmental issues. The motor industry was seen as one of the chief culprits responsible for environmental damage. Many manufacturers sought to curry favour with their customers by appealing to nostalgia with retro designs for example with the Ford Thunderbird. Cadillac adopted the reverse strategy with a design philosophy they called 'Art and Science' which emphasises the cutting-edge nature of their products. This approach began with the CTS, the replacement for the Seville, and spread through the range.

Highly accurate scale models of Cadillac cars of all periods are available. All the top quality model manufacturers have produced models of Cadillacs. The British model maker, Brooklin, for example specialises in 1/43 scale white metal models of classic American cars. Sun Star make a wonderful range of models of American cars to the larger 1/18 scale which have a fantastic level of detail down to the correct pattern of tread on the tyres and the correct pattern on the mat in the boot. A model manufacturer which has come on the scene recently is Neo and they have produced some wonderful models of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s American cars, including Cadillacs, to the 1/43 scale.

A range of these models is currently available from good model shops, for example, the Golden Age of Motoring model shop. Kyosho and Norev are other well-regarded model manufacturers who currently have superb models of classic Cadillacs on release.

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