1958 Pontiac Bonneville

The 1957 had been a difficult year for Pontiac as it had lost of number of sales. To try and win back some of those lost sales, Pontiac introduced the '58 Pontiac Bonneville with some major changes. Prior, the Pontiac Bonneville was billed as a limited-production vehicle. This was no more as it hit full production. Also, in addition to a '58 Bonneville convertible, a hardtop Sport Coupe was added to make the Pontiac Bonneville a complete top-line series. In essence, the 1958 Pontiac Bonneville was a new automobile from the ground up, even the bodyshell was restyled; inspired from the X-member frame used on the Cadillac.

Much Improved

The 1958 Pontiac Bonneville had a number of improvements made to peek the interest of buyers. The trim was top grade and the price of the Bonneville was reduced by $2,300 by making much of the lavish equipment "optional". The '58 Bonneville was also put on a shorter platform, the "Chieftain", which gave the car better handling. Probably the most interesting feature that was added to the '58 Bonneville was the "Ever-Level" air suspension that was optional for an extra $175. Although a fascinating feature, the feature's setup and price proved hard to overcome and not many customer opted for it.

A Performance Boost

All '58 Bonnevilles came equipped with a very capable 370 V-8 engine, called the Tempest. Pontiac offered six versions of the engine but most were sold with the single-four-barrel unit which offered a 10:1 compression and 285 horsepower and a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.

When timed at the 0-60 mph sprint, Motor Trend timed the 1958 Pontiac Bonneville at a swift 8.2 seconds. It hit 88 mph in 18.8 seconds in the standing quarter mile, according to Motor Trend. Tom McCahill, from Mechanix Illustrated, took the 285 horsepower up to 125 mph which made him state:

"The 1958 Pontiacs are hotter than a blowtorch."

The Bonneville Sold Well Amid A Tough Economy

The '58 Pontiac Bonneville sold much better than the '57 model. In all, the 1958 Pontiac Bonneville sold 3,096 convertibles and 9,144 hardtops. Although sales were healthy, just about everybody in the auto industry was down. Chevrolet's sales were down nearly 18 percent and Oldsmobile's sales were down 20 percent. Even Pontiac was down by over 30 percent. Even amid the tough year in the auto industry, the '58 Bonneville was a proven vehicle and when compared to other 1958s, it is a fairly appealing car.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to read many more like it please visit my blog, http://www.classiccarcrazy.com/.

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Plan Ahead - Get A Car Cover

Some people call me a nervous wreck; I call it planning ahead. You see, I am already thinking about what will happen to my car come the fall. I have already planned my holiday, and if I don't start thinking about the fall now, then before I know it, summer will be over and fall will be well under way, and my car will be left exposed. Again.

It happened last year and I am determined not to let it happen again. My car was left out in the streets overnight, and by the time the winter was over, and it turned spring, I could hardly recognise my own car anymore.

I do not have the money, nor space to build a garage. However, something must be done to protect my car.

So what do we do in such cases? Search online, of course! It was then that I discovered the new world called car covers. There is a fantastically large range of car covers available suited to every different type, every car, every climate and environment.

There are covers exclusively for people who live in hot climates. Where the sun shines almost all the time, with the odd sprinkle of rain here and there. These covers are made with extremely high levels of resistance to the sun's ultra violet rays. They will also resist water from leaking through to the car and thus damaging it.

Covers for wet environments are available too. The are all weather car covers, that are waterproof, will resist the sun, and protect from the wind. No matter what the weather turns out to be, the car will always remain protected and stay completely clean.

People can purchase covers that have been custom made for their car. This is the highest degree of protection a car can receive, as the cover will fit perfectly, like a glove, and will not leave any parts sticking out. This is also a very stylish type of car cover as the cover is designed by you! You get to choose the colour and design, and can even choose a logo to place on the bonnet, giving it that extra personal touch.

Car covers are a real blessing, as they can be folded up and away when not in use. They are so compact they fit into the glove compartment in the car, enabling you to take it with you wherever you go. This is far more practical than a garage as the protection is portable, not just by your front garden.

Covercraft and Coverking are the two best makes for car covers. They have both been in the business for over ten years, servicing people from across the globe with the ideal car cover. They provide top quality, durable covers that demand 100% satisfaction.

I am no longer apprehensive about next fall, I am ready. With my car cover in hand, we will brave the storms together!

Get Yourself Kitted Out With car covers. Avoid The Last Minute Rush, and Shop Now Online At http://www.thecarcover.com/.

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Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! The Best In Drag Racing!

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! See the best in Drag Racing, see Don "the Snake" Prudhome take on Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen in a Best of 3 match! See Don Garlits and Swamp Rat, see Dragsters, Diggers and More Sunday!

Now doesn't that sound good? That was me trying to write my own Jan Gabriel add and grab your attention much like the late great Jan Gabriel did in the 60s and 70s. Now I was not around back then, but when I look at the Drag Racing from the era something about it just seems more exciting, especially with the NHRA pro level.

What about the drag racing from the 60s and 70s made it so exciting? Was it the rivalries between the best drivers and their Grudge Match races that they put on for the fans and for bragging rights? Was it the dry hops and long burn outs that they did back in those days that seemed to get the crowd on their feet? Or was it the wheel stands and the more "out of control" racing that happened?

The other huge part that made it better was the rivalries. Whether it was Don Prudhome vs Tom McEwen, or Don Garlits vs Shirley Muldowney, there was always a rivalry going on in drag racing. With these rivalries the promoters would promote the rivalries and the fans would get in on it and take sides during the racing making an exciting show.

The other thing was better was the racing and staging its self during the event. The Cars would do long burnouts that would throw smoke into the crowd and you could here the burnout and I can even feel it through my speakers on my computer! Also the drivers would put the cars in to a staging to duel and keep doing dry hops till one of them stage and dry hops are exciting since you get to here the revving of the engine and see the car shoot forward all before they stage and they go down the ? mile!

Over all I think all of this makes the old drag racing seem more exciting. Maybe in the sportsmen world today the NMCA, or the ADRL should put rules requiring dry hops and people should start creating rivalries in the NMCAs Pro Street class or the ADRLs Extreme classes. I have a feeling Hot Wheels wouldn't have any hard time marketing the rivalry with their cars.

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Modern Hot Rods: Build on a Budget!

I have been asked this question a lot and have seen it asked a lot as well. What are the modern Hot Rods? What cars can be considered the Modern Hot Rods? Usually when this question is asked either someone says that there are no modern Hot Rods that Hot Rods are a 65 and older thing, or someone will say that the Imports are the new Hot Rods or the lower riders or the brand new mustang is. Really however, none of these are the Modern Hot Rods.

You are probably asking yourself "What are the modern Hot Rods?" Well before I get to which cars could actually be considered the modern I want to go over how I determined which cars are the modern Hot Rods.

First thing is Cost: The cost to buy the car and cost of parts.

Second Thing is Mods: What mods are available and how common parts are.

Most of these cars are getting close to 30 years old, kind of like the 32 Fords in the 60s. Most of these cars stock only have around 200 HP but a lot can be done to them for cheap.

Ford F-150, 1980-1986 Cost: $800-$2000

A highly over looked car that can be made into a Hot Rod. These cars are usually just thought of as more of a basic cheap truck or a rednecks toy to go mudding with. However these cars will most likely contain either a 302W or a 351W that parts are easy to find (jegs or summit racing) ad can be built to make some serious power!

Ford Bronco, 1980-1986 Cost: $800-$3000

This Full Size SUV is easy to find and can be found for super cheap. Usually more thought of as a Mud Bogger or a car to make into a Monster Truck. These Ford can be cheaply made into a great Hot Rod. Though it only has about 210 Horsepower stock these trucks will come with a 302W, a 351W or a 351M (the 351Ms aka the Cleveland's are rare though) so they can be made to have some serious power!

Dodge Mirada, 1980-1983, Cost: $500-$2000

The Forgotten Mopar from the early 80s. This was a short lived car at a time when MOPAR was having Financial Troubles (kind of like... we heard all of the Mopar economy jokes) and it was suppose to be a luxury car. However it did not sell as well as the Monte Carlo or Thunderbird and the car has become forgotten over the years...which is great! It's great because I have seen ones that run go for around $700, and these cars come with a 318 stock but you can swap in a 340 or a 360 LA for some series power!

Dodge Aspen, 1976-1980 Cost: $900-$3000

Mopar's late 70s compact/ mid size car. The car did win car of the year for 1976 (though that didn't help the value today) and these cars can be found for dirt cheap in good condition. The Aspen was meant to be a low powered Sport Coupe or an affordable family Sedan; the car even had an R/T package to it. Most Aspens will have the 318 in them but you can get the R/Ts with the 360. You can also find a used 360 for cheap to swap in if you don't like the 318.

Chevy Caprice, 1977-1990 Cost: $2000-$4000

Another over looked car which can be made into a great Hot Rod. The Caprice is usually more seen as a low-rider or a car with big rims but these cars are great platforms for Hot Rods. The 77-79 Models came with the famous Small Block Chevy 350, though only stock rated at 170 HP it can be modified like any other 350 for series horsepower. The later models came with the Chevy 305 which can be built up for power as well but you can also found a used 350 for cheap and swap that into the Caprice.

Chevy Malibu, 1978-1983 Cost: $2000-$4000

Usually thought of as an ugly early 80s car, sometimes even considered a Guido car. The Malibu has actually in the past few years become more popular among drag racers! Mainly do to its straight axle rear wheel drive set up, and you can easily fit in a 350 or something bigger such as a 427 or 454.

Chevy Monte Carlo, 1978-1988 Cost: $2000- $4500

One of the cars from its era that has performance that wasn't the Trans Am, Camaro, or the Mustang. The Monte Carlo is easy to find, it's a bit pricier than the other cars on the list but if you have the money it's worth it! Most Monte Carlos will have either a V6 or the 305 in it, however some actually have a diesel V8. If you don't know anything about diesels I recommend going with a V6 or 305 Carlo than getting a used 350 to swap into it. They can make great drag cars or if you are more into pro-touring they can be pro-touring as well.

Chevy S10, 1985-1993 Cost: $700-$3000

The small compact Pick Up Truck from Chevy. These trucks are a great example of a modern day hot rod, it the 85 through 98 models come stock with a 4.3l (262) V6 which is basically a Chevy 350 missing Cylinders 3 and 6! Performance parts for your 350 such as pistons, rockers, values, and the Edelbrock performer manifold will work on the 4.3l engine. However if you want something with more power you can of course do the 350 swap but others have done 427s and even 454s into this truck. Even though this truck is cheap and not thought of as a Hot Rod by most, there has been Pro Mod S10s! Making this one of the best Hot Rods!

Even though many people don't know about it or don't believe there is, there are more than a few platforms to build a modern Hot Rod and do it on a cheap budget! All of these cars are commonly found on craigslist, and in other used car adds, mods are cheap and parts are affordable and easy to find!

I will do a build article on a few of these rods, but tells use your thoughts on these cars, leave it as a comment below.

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German Mid-Size Sedan Finds a New American Home

A true Volkswagen gen-next in the recently popular mid-size car section, the Volkswagen Passat 2012 seems to target both the budget buyer of cars and luxury car savvy American consumers. Automakers of Chattanooga, Tennessee are the first to assemble this European sedan in a way that is customized to the likes of the average American auto-buyer. One of the prominent features of this car that is visibly 4 inches longer than its European version is the immense legroom and headroom at the front and the rear, thus distinguishing it from the others in the mid-size sedan market. The Passat engine of VW features in three different configurations as follows

2.5L 170-hp engine, 31 mpg highway and 573 miles/tank
3.6L 280-hp engine, 28 mpg highway and 518 miles/tank
2.0L TDI Clean Diesel, 43 mpg highway and 795 miles/tank (170 HP with 6 speed transmission)

With 2011's VW Jetta, this German automobile company entered the mid-size sedan market but the Passat seems to overtake the Jetta in significantly improvised interiors and a reduced price. The family car did undergo some cut down in certain VW features in order to attract the masses but they are not too prominent and certainly does justify the massive difference of $8000 from the older much expensive Passat. Let's have a look at some key features of this incredibly long mid-size sedan:

- The styling is aggressive and very sporty. The design features a uniform crease that initiates at the headlight down to the edge of the trunk at the rear. Body panels and hood match perfectly with no gaps as they are laser cut with some of the most advanced auto engineering technologies. The front grill with 3 horizontal bars, a dark textured lower tack and sharp headlight settings en masse for a red-blooded luxury front ensemble.

- VW has stood up to its promise to deliver better interiors with leather steering, soft-touch dashboard, faux wood-grain car flooring high quality seating and of course the generous interior spacing. The vehicle touch points are a highlight and a far cry from that in the Jetta.

- 3 options of tires, from 16 inches to 18 inches.

- The trunk space is astonishingly enormous, you would have to see it to believe it

- A digital information station between the tachometer and speedometer allows for the new age steering experience.

- Audio system by Fender, most iconic amplifier and music system manufacturers in the world. Need we say more?

The American experience in the German design is defined by the following factors:

- Longer and more spacious interiors

- 170HP engine as opposed to the 120HP German engine

- Integrated car cup holders

- Automatic climate control, as opposed to manual air conditioning on its native counterpart

- Cruise control, which is otherwise absent in German Passat

- Bluetooth, which isn't present in the German version

The car has a lot that does not meet the eye but sure is much to ask for in the mid-size segment. Oh did I miss out on the price of this incredible car. Well would you believe it when I say that the Passat 2012 is priced at just $20,000? You better believe it!

The author is an expert car dealer who has written enormous number of resourceful automobile articles that caters to various segments of auto buyers. The 2012 Volkswagen Passat is a sure thing to watch out for with its myriad of family-oriented yet luxury car experience in the mid-size car bracket. Find out more about it at Steve Hahn's VW http://www.stevehahns.com/.

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Delahaye Classic French Motor Cars

The origins of Delahaye as a foreign French auto maker and manufacturer lie in a firm set up as long ago remarkably, as 1845 to produce of all things brick-making machinery obviously not automobiles or even horse and buggy transportation equipment.

Emile Delahaye was at first a railway engineer who designed rolling stock for French as well as Belgium railroads. Yet he produced his first car of German Daimler type in 1895, and two years later he moved his company from Tours to Paris, settling down to a variety of engineering projects.

The first of the shaft-driven cars arrived in 1907 and a V6 project (again a remarkable feat this early on in automobile history) in 1912. During the "Great War" - World War 1- the company itself produced a variety and range of items for the war effort. including vast quantities of rifles, stationary engines, gun parts and aircraft components. Yet after the war the company settled down to build somehow dull yet dependable and reliable cars (not always the case in the early day of the automotive industry). However at this point in the company's history these were noted to be usually of a rather backward design and designs.

It was necessary to modernize the car line in a big way and manner and with the current range selling rather badly in very limited and restricted sales numbers the new design and designs were first shown publicly in 1933 at the Paris Auto Show. Not only did it have a light chassis layout, with independent front suspension, but there was a choice of 3.3 liter, six-cylinder engine or a related 2.1-liter "four" backed by the Cotal electro-magnetic gear box or alternatively a synchromesh change to choice. The short cut was made possible without what was considered at the time "enormous investment" because these engines and motors were directly developed from units already in production for the company's commercial vehicles. Not only this but for the first time in years, the Delahaye car had coachwork with what might be called "eye appeal", "eye candy" and later with the advent of American auto producer, General Motors, "styling".

The larger six-cylinder car effectively was the prototype of the famous "135" series which would serve Delahaye until the end of the 1940s. This design might well have been said not to have done the job on its own, but this was uncertain because of 1935, the Delahaye outfit took over the financially ailing Delage concern. Delage it seemed had a very well established and well heeled clientele. Delage's "elegance" was therefore handed to Delahaye, and thus helped to cause no less than a dramatic change and changes in their direction and later fortunes. It did not take much time until a "Superluxe" six cylinder car soon went to Monthlery to take 19 world and international class records, and when the same car won an Alpine Coupe in the rally of that name, the "Coupe des Alpes " variant was christened.

The Delahaye production factories went to release a number of most noticeable automobiles of note. Among these were the "Competition" Type 1935 and the variant Type 175S introduced post WW2 in 1948, which was effectively a 135 chassis with an upgraded engine and more modern Charbonneux styled coach working.

What ever happened to this well regarded auto line - that was so highly regarded among its auto buying clients? It's all the same like in our current auto industry climate - the automotive industry was rationalizing and consolidating. The company was taken over by the firm"Hotchkiss" in 1954 whom in the end decided its expertise and for reasons of economy of scale - should focus entirely and exclusively on trucks only. This meant both the end and demise of the well regarded line of Delahaye car products.

Terry E. Storey Edmonton Fiat 500 Dealer; Alberta Fiat Dealerships serving Chrysler Dodge automotive sales and service areas Meadowlark Park Sherwood Jasper Park Aldergrove Thorncliffe Elmwood Lynwood Lymburn in the greater Edmonton areas

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Summer Starts With Car Covers

Unfortunately the summer that we love so much, can prove to be quite detrimental to cars parked outside. The unfiltered sun's rays are extremely harmful, and can literally damage the car.

Ultra violet rays from the sun are stronger and more powerful than ever due to global warming. These rays beta down fiercely on cars and are totally merciless. The rays bleach the exterior of the cars, and melt the finish. Thus vehicles are left looking like faded rags before long.

In addition, when the sun beats down on cars, their exterior gets overheated. This could ruin their internal specs as well as making it unbearable stuffy and claustrophobic to drive in.

Summer is known to be probably the most dusty time of year. For some reason, cars seem to get the brunt of it all, and get covered in layers upon layers of the stuff. This, of course is unsightly, and requires many hours of cleaning.

Summer is also bird season. Birds migrate to the warm climates, and tend to leave their visiting card on every car they pass. These patches of bird's muck, and tree sap too, are awful! They look disgusting, and they are virtually impossible to remove. One can spend literally hours!

Sunbrella is the key to all problems. It covers the car and protects it from any of these summer nuisances, ensuring that the car remains pristine clean at all times.

The Sunbrella car cover is manufactured by Covercraft. They are known worldwide for their wide selection of quality covers for all types of vehicles, not just cars. Covercraft make the Sunbrella cover from acrylic fibres woven together to form a natural resistance to ultra violet rays. Natural resistance means that the cover is much more durable than if it was treated. This is because the resistance will not fade with time and use, it will last forever!

Sunbrella car covers also provide protection to water, rain and the like, albeit at a much lower degree. This is done so that no one is ever caught out with the occasional spring showers.

Covercraft made the Sunbrella cover with resistance to the growth of rot and mildew in most environments. This is good as it prevents the car from becoming mouldy whilst covered.

Naturally, when a car is covered, it does not fall prey the many stains such as dust, dirt, birds droppings, and the rest. The cover acts as a shield, and the car can remain spotlessly clean at all times.

Since Covercraft care about their customers, they have made Sunbrella in five fabulous colours, ensuring that the car looks flashy even whilst covered. Customers can choose from Pacific Blue, Sky Blue, Cadet Grey, Jet Black or Toast. All five are extremely classy and handsome, and are sure to make the car look awesome.

Start Your Summer Shop Online at http://www.thecarcover.com/. Find The Ultimate Car Cover For Your Car For Next To Nothing. Shop Now And Catch Mid Season Sales!

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