Important Tips for Classic Car Transport

Transportation of a classic car is very different from that of an ordinary car. A common vehicle does not require any special treatment and having it repaired is relatively cheap. On the contrary moving an exotic vehicle requires a lot of professionalism and care. In case anything goes wrong, the owner has to spend a fortune on repairs. Fortunately you can easily avoid these problems by hiring an enclosed auto transport company. An enclosed trailer not only saves the contained vehicles from dust and debris but also from unfavorable weather conditions like hail storms, rains and excessive sunlight. During transportation you can rest assured that your beloved car will be delivered to its destination without any scratches or dents. Despite of all its great benefits an enclosed auto transport firm might not be enough for the safety of your automobile. This article will teach you the exact strategy that you need to adopt in order to prevent a damages.

Choosing an appropriate company is the most important thing. First of all you should make sure that the company you choose holds lots of experience in classic car transport. Just having the necessary hardware is not enough. Most companies mention years of experience and other important details on their website. In addition to experience your company should also have a license to move expensive vehicles. On the internet there are many review websites that can help you do the required research.

As I have already mentioned, having an exotic vehicle repaired can be very costly. That means you need a proper insurance policy. The coverage provided by auto transport companies might be enough for an ordinary car but when it comes to very expensive vehicles, buying a separate policy is highly recommended.

When a vehicle is being transported it is vulnerable to a lot of damage. Shorter is the time of transportation lesser are the chances of anything bad happening to your car. By paying some extra fees you can minimize the delivery time. Similarly when a person opts for terminal to terminal transportation his vehicle is kept at a local parking lot for several days prior to transportation. As you can imagine, this can be very risky. That is why door to door auto transportation is the recommended method for expensive cars.

There are many other strategies as well, but the the most important ones have been covered. By following all the tips mentioned in this article you can ensure the safe delivery of your valuable vehicle.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/important-tips-for-classic-car-transport-5149074.html
About the Author
Author: Elizabeth Keller
If you are trying to find a reliable company for classic car transport then look no further. We can help you pick a reliable auto transport company. You can also read quality articles on auto transport.

How To Remove Rust From Your Car

Rust ruins vehicles For some people, rust can be the bane of their existence. It's destructive, ugly, and difficult to get rid of. It can get everywhere, and it seems to particularly enjoy cars! Most of these people, which could include you, have never heard of rust removal products and probably didn't know they existed, let alone know how effective, easy and cheap they can be.

New vehicles normally come with rust prevention substances already on them, but once the warranty on the vehicle expires, owners have to be especially careful to try and prevent rust. Of course, preventing rust isn't always easy or practical, and sometimes the only possible solution to rust problems is removal.

How rust forms and spreads

Rust isn't exactly difficult to get either. The smallest chip, cut or scratch in the bodywork of your car can open it up to the possibility of rusting. Once the surface coating has been removed, moisture, oxygen and water all get into the car and begin the process of rusting. Rust is porous meaning that it allows even more moisture in, this is why rust spreads across the car so quickly, but trying to prevent this rusting can be an expensive process.

A lot of people believe that the only method of rust removal is a hefty bill from a professional bodyshop; however, inexpensive rust removal methods are widely available.

Products such as evapo-rust are specifically designed for home rust removal tasks. All rust removal products work on generally the same scientific premise of causing a chemical reaction to cause the rust to break away from the object on which it has formed.

The features of an excellent rust remover for cars

* It rapidly removes rust from ferrous metal and stainless steel
* It's non-toxic, non-corrosive and inflammable.
* It is environmentally friendly by being biodegradable. .
* There are no hazardous ingredients including acids and solvents
* It works at room temperature
* No specialist equipment is required
* It works as a stand-alone product and no secondary or add-on purchases are required.
* Recurrence of rust is prevented for a decent period after application.
* Will not affect non-rusted areas
* It is simple to apply and easy to clear up after operation

Is it worth it?

No rust remover product is a rust preventer – that is an entirely different matter. – but if you can purchase a rust removal product that is effective for a decent period of time it is worth the effort. Having to buy the product for a few dollars every month or so and undertaking the work on your car yourself is a lot cheaper than the prospect of driving around in a "rust bucket" or worse, contemplating the expense of trading in the car for a rust free model.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/how-to-remove-rust-from-your-car-5106652.html
About the Author
Author: robertcorinadam
Rustremover.net/ is the perfect site for finding evapo-rust for a really bargain price. This product will solve all your rust related problems and offer a variety of products to help you in the future.

The Classic Cars of the Future is the Automobile You Are Driving Today

A true classic car is one that is completely original, and no modifications have been made decades later, including holes drilled, or add-on aftermarket parts replacing the genuine original parts. But have you ever considered that the classic cars of the future are nothing more than the automobiles we are driving today. In other words you are only 30-years too early. Now then, with that said maybe you should consider what you are doing before you drill holes in your center console, or start making major modifications.

Okay so, you probably don't plan on keeping your car for 30 years, but what if you did? Some of the cars driving around today will be totaled, rebuilt, refurbished, and be in car show someday in the future. Some of the cars driving around today may look like just regular cars, but they may win best of show at a car show in 30 years. Thus, it makes sense to take care of your automobile, keep it in good condition, and keep it as original as possible without too many major modifications if you wish to hold its value over the long term.

Why is it that so many people have a problem thinking here? Is it because everyone is busy living in the present period, rather than thinking about the future? Is it because humans live for the day, without regard to strategically planning their future? Perhaps, it is some of all of those things, but 30 years from now will be here, perhaps before you know it. After all, time does have a way of flying by when you stop thinking about it.

Over the years before retirement, I had been involved in sponsoring a number of classic car shows, as it was part of our marketing and branding strategy for my automobile service company. I can't tell you how many times that the judges who were quite well-versed in the factory specs of various cars would find sometimes ridiculous parts added to cars, often they would be Chinese trinkets, little plastic fittings and things stuck where they didn't belong.

Because of this they couldn't win best of show, because their car was not fully original, but it also showed a lack of regard for continuity of the era in which the car was entered in the contest. Well, rather than continue to lecture you, I would just like you to please consider all this and think on it. Because you might be driving a classic car, but your mindset is merely out of time.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,850 articles by July 4, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

Protecting Your Classic Car From Wicked Winter Weather or the Hot Summer Sun

Prior to retirement, I ran a mobile car washing and detailing company. I can recall many of our classic car customers wanted their cars washed and detailed, and a special detail prior to putting them into storage to protect them from the elements. Our franchisees dealing in colder climates gave each of their customer's cars a complete full detail and wax prior to the owners putting a cover over them and storing them for the winter.

In areas such as Florida, Scottsdale, and the Palm Springs area, our franchisees would detail the cars in late spring, as the snowbirds went back home and then they would park the cars in a climate controlled facility. There was an interesting article the other day in the Palm Desert Sun which featured a small business owner that owns a climate controlled facility called; The Vault. The article appeared in the "It's My Business" section and was titled; "Safe, Climate-Controlled Place to Store a Vehicle" by Cathy Strong.

The owner recommended that vehicles these stored at temperatures between 78 and 81 degrees at all times in a humidity-free environment, as this protects the leather, paint, and wood. Yes, that would be my experience as well, and by keeping it indoors, the tires would also be in good shape. And speaking of tires I can recommend that a car be put up on blocks, so it does even better, as does not to ruin the tires if they become deflated over the long storage period.

Just putting a vehicle in any type of storage can be a serious mistake especially in Arizona or the California desert where the interior temperatures of some storage units can heat up like ovens. Realize, that in some places in Arizona the temperature never gets below 100-degrees for weeks on end even in the middle of the night. An antique car just can't handle that, and you're liable to ruin the paint, the plastic, wood, and all the rubber inside the car, outside the car, and in the engine compartment.

If the vehicle is kept in the proper type of storage area at the right temperature, then it is just a matter of giving it a light rinse, and a terrycloth towel dry, and perhaps another coat of wax when it's time to pull it out again. There is a right way and a wrong way to store a vehicle, and you could seriously be hurting the value of your automobile, and over time watch it deteriorate to the point where it isn't worth anything if you don't pay attention to the details. 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 23,850 articles by July 4, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

The Classic T Bird

Can you believe that it was branded as a luxury car with OEM Ford Wheels standard on it? I think it's still considered some type of luxury car now - even if the last model was 2005.

When it was first introduced, it eventually created the market calling that was known as the "personal luxury car".

The name came from stimulating the mythological creature of Indigenous & native people of North America.. so I guess they put a lot of thought into it because they wanted to make the car & Factory Ford Thunderbird Wheels "classic" - mission accomplished. The Thunderbird & OE Ford Thunderbird Wheels had first entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible.

It wasn't put on the market as a sports car like the Chevy Corvette; instead, it was marketed as a "Personal Car". It was a new market segment from Ford. When it was released again in 1958, it had second row seats! The next few generations kept getting bigger and bigger until they decided to downsize it in 1977, and in 1980, and again in 1983. I guess they can say that sales on the T-bird were good until about the 1990s.

They started making Thunderbirds again in 2002 with Factory 2002 Ford Thunderbird Wheels already on it - but then again, what other wheels would they want to put on it? It made the "2-seater" look good again and this model was available all the way until 2005. Ever since it was first manufactured in 1955 until 2005, Ford had made over 4.4 million models with more than 4.4 million Factory Original Ford Thunderbird Wheels to go along with it.

The convertible models that were manufactured for the second - fourth generations were designed kind of like the Lincoln convertible. Since these were the T-bird models that had the original convertible soft top, the top would be lowered and eventually stowed in the forward trunk area. This was the design that significantly reduced the trunk space that was available after the top was down.

The trunk lid was designed to be rear-hinged. It was raised and lowered by using hydraulic cylinders during the top raising or lowering cycle. The front end of the trunk lid had contained a metal plate that was extended upward so it can cover the area that the top was stowed away in. When the top was down and the trunk lid was lowered, there was no sign of the soft top! So, I guess people would fool the other people in a way.. or that's the way that it seemed.

When you looked at the whole car and just observed all the features that it did have, you'd come to the conclusion that the car had a really sleek appearance with no single trace of it being a convertible top whatsoever. The car didn't need a cover boot - if you know what that is.

Even though it seemed all fine and dandy, this is the type of design that could've presented a problem to the person who was troubleshooting a convertible top malfunction. The system had a spiderweb of things like solenoids, different relays, some limit switches here and there, a few electric motors, a hydraulic pump/reservoir, some hydraulic directional valves, and even some cylinders - so I guess it was pretty complicated. And even though the hydraulics don't cause too much trouble, the electrical relays were known to fail a lot.

So, taking all this into consideration - what do you think?

Mykalanne
OriginalWheels.com
Toll Free: 1 (800) 826-5800 / Local: 1 (909) 597-2600
5611 Kimball Ct., Chino, Ca., 91710

Michigan Classic Car Shows

Classic vehicles shows are very popular in Michigan. People in the US and from all around the world gather to admire rare and expensive cars. You can select from 50 plus shows organized annually in Michigan. If you value retro cars, modern vehicles or else you only want to visit a classic auction or show compared to Michigan classic car shows are perfect places where you can find what you are looking for.

One of these exciting Michigan classic car show is the Greenville Corvette Club show which is organized every December. This event targets raising funds and donations for the local children's charities. It displays more than 44 Corvettes all of them being more amazing and incredible than the other. The 2011 edition is scheduled for September 10. So, get ready and don't ignore this unique Michigan classic car show.

The Kalamazoo Classic Car Show is another Michigan show organized each year in western Michigan. The visitors can register their cars right into a judging competition including several categories like the "favorite kid's choice", the "quality of make" or the "people's choice" category. The winners receive different awards along with a certificate of achievement. All the money come from the entrance fee and the money raised through stalls are donated to local charities.

Another one is the exciting GVSU Car Show that takes place each year since 2004, at the Grand Valley State University. If this was organized for the first time, it was designed for students interested in getting together and referring to cars and information regarding their modifications or repairs. But this event became famous quickly and soon this car show became larger and included food, professional music and even competitions between vehicles.

The Detroit Autorama is yet another Michigan classic car event held every year in February. The wedding is called the "Cavalcade of Customs" by its promoters and features modified and customized cars including classic automobiles, motorcycles, trucks and scooters. The 2011 59th Edition would be a real success displaying amazing classic cars including a 1940 Ford Hardtop, a 1947 Chevrolet Roadster Get and a 1963 Buick Riviera.

The list of this type of event in Michigan includes the Michigan Antique & Collectible Festival organized at the Midland County Fairgrounds. This event is the home from the "Michigan's largest antique, collectible and classic car show". You will find the chance to see amazing and incredible classic vehicles manufactured in different amounts of time as well as in different body styles.

Another Michigan car show is the Oldsmobile Specialty Show, among the largest one-day Oldsmobile-only car show organized in America. The wedding displays more than 500 Oldsmobile vehicles. The R.E Olds Transportation Museum hosts also the vehicle Capital Celebration festival, every year. This event highlights a lot more than 200 classic automobiles which have the chance to win special dash plaques, door prizes and special awards.

The Sparrow Hospice Benefit Car Show is another Michigan show that takes place twice yearly and all the donations and proceeds go to the Sparrow Hospice. The locations where the wedding is organized include the Logan's Roadhouse and also the Chevrolet dealership, Bud Kouts. The cars which take part of the event are historical muscle cars which were manufactured between 1936 and 2006.

The Michigan classic car shows are amazing events that celebrate the elegance and style of classic vehicles. These events are the perfect places in which you and your loved ones can spend some time together and find information about classic cars.

Joel Dammann writes about Michigan classic car shows at his Car blog.

Oakland Roadster Classic Car Show

The Oakland Roadster Show has reached its sixty-two years of active showcasing. It was recently held from 28th to 30th January, 2011 at the Fairplex in Pomona. It is well known as the world longest running indoor car show. It is still organized at the Fairplex in Pomona after 8 successive years. Oakland Roadster Show is actually named the Grand National Roadster Show. However, many people including the media call it the Oakland Roadster Show, possibly because it was originally held at the Oakland Exhibition Hall, Tenth & Fallon St. The first show was held in the year 1950 in Oakland, California. It was promoted by Al Slonaker. It was later held at the Oakland Coliseum until the year 1997. The year of 1997 was the last year where the show was held in Oakland. In 1998, the Oakland Roadster Show was held at the Concourse in a warehouse that was converted for this car show. It is a building with age and wood beams can be seen around the building.

The building is carpeted too. However, it has a leaking roof and inconvenient parking and these problems caused the show to be relocated. After that, this car show was held at various places across the Bay. In 1999, it was held at the Cow Palace, where the fifth event was held in that year. From year 2001 to 2003, Oakland Roadster Show moved back to San Mateo Fairgrounds, and the former manager of Show Promotions returned to Oakland. A new show named The Oakland Rod and Custom Show was formed. However, this show did not last long because of the high prices set. From then onwards, there were a series of change in location. In 2004, the show was held at the Cow Palace. It was called the San Francisco Rod & Custom Show.

After that, the Grand National Roadster Show moved to Los Angeles Fairplex from San Mateo. For the 55th Annual Grand show, it was held at the Fairground in Pomona. Some of the fans insisted of being loyal to the original show while some became loyal to the new Oakland show. In this fantastic car show, there are more than five hundred show cars competing for the awards. The event will definitely succeed in bringing the the spectators back to the days of custom cars. It is a large gathering event for the authentic 40', 50' and 60' customs. There is also a section for cars that recently won awards. All the participating cars are carefully selected to be showed in a specially designed building. To be chosen, the car will be judged on its quality, condition, safety, creativity and detail. Do ensure that the judge knows where to turn the switch to turn your car around.

You should also raise your car's hood higher enough if you want the judge to look at your engine. Otherwise, the judge cannot evaluate it. List your vehicle's modifications in the Judges Information Book, and place the book on your display for the judges to review it. The good news is that you can get a supply of stanchions and rope without paying a cent. You can also rent the carpet for your cars by mentioning it in your entry application. A standard space for your cars is 10'x 20'; remember to get approval in the application if you need a bigger space. It is a must to display your show card during the whole show including the set up day. 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! Forty seven awards will be given away during awards ceremony. The awards include Outstanding Individual Displays, Outstanding Group Displays, Outstanding Detail, Outstanding Engineering, Outstanding Color Design, Outstanding Engine, Outstanding Interior, Sweepstakes, America's Most Beautiful Roadster, Al Slonaker Memorial Award, Brizio Family Award, Blackie Gejeian Award and so on. In conclusion, this car show is one that you don't want to miss. There is sufficient seating for a good view, and some of the vehicles will also be cruising around during this event for you to get a good look at them.

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

The UK Classic Car Zero Tax Rate

For most cars on the roads of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vehicle Excise Duty, better known as road tax is due. This is the tax for which you receive a tax disc that is placed in the front windscreen and it is due every year, or six months.

Certain classic cars are exempt from paying this tax, and can obtain a tax disc without paying. This is a date based exemption, and the cut off date is 1st January 1973. If your car was manufactured before this date you are entitled to the tax disc without charge. This is due to the legislation presuming that you will do limited mileage in the vehicle. When the classic car legislation was initially implemented this was a rolling exemption for any vehicle over 25 years of age. However, this was changed by the government in 1997 and it was frozen at the 1973 date. This zero road tax class is known as the "Exemption from vehicle excise duty for historic vehicles".

Not all vehicles built before 1st January 1973 count as historic vehicles, but anything that you might consider a classic car is included under the "private or light goods vehicles" category. Most of the exclusions are for vehicles still used for commercial purposes.

When you tax a classic car for the first time, you need to take or post the documents to your local DVLA office. The documents include the vehicle registration certificate (V5C), the MOT certificate, valid insurance documents and the application form from the DVLA. For future years you will receive a reminder through the post in the same way as you do for a paid renewal. You still have to prove that the car has an MOT and is insured in order to get the zero rate of vehicle excise duty. For many classic cars, you will be able to get special insurance that caters for the specific needs of vintage vehicles. This will be dependent on the needs of the owner, but typically might include limited mileage, agreed value, historic rally cover and is often discounted if you have membership of a car enthusiasts club.

Of course if you are not lucky enough to own your own classic car, then taxing it won't be a necessary step. There are other routes if you want to drive a classic car, perhaps for a special occasion such as a wedding, a prom or a birthday, in which case you can hire out a number of classic cars for self-drive hire. Available by the day or week this is a popular way to experience the beauty, excitement and ride of a vintage car, without any of the complications of ownership.

Verity Clark-Spencer is enthusiastic about vintage vehicles of all sorts, and is currently writing about classic car hire Sussex and Hampshire with vanillaclassics.com

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.

Pomona Swap Meet Classic Car Show

The Pomona Swap Meet was just held on 17th April, 2011 at the huge Pomona fairgrounds. This is one of the biggest auto swap meets in North America. It will be held six times in 2011 and seven times in the year 2012. This event usually attracts over 20,000 spectators from all over the country. It is an excellent place to buy and trade vehicles and car parts.

The event usually starts from 5am to 2pm, no matter what the weather condition is. For car enthusiasts, this is a fantastic car show that you don't want to miss! The entry tickets cost only $8 per person, and it is definitely worthwhile. It is also free for children under 12.

The whole show area is longer than 15 miles with more than 3,000 vendor spaces. At a fair price, you get to witness wide range of rare car parts or accessories. It is simply astonishing to see thousands of cars that are on sale or displayed during the car show. Some highlights include pre-1975 antique cars, Volkswagens, street rods, Porsches and Corvettes.

Seekers should find themselves happily exchanging classic cars, parts and sharing car wisdom in this event. Furthermore, this event is very suitable for car owners who wish to display or sell their classic cars. Remember that the spaces are on first come first serve basis. Moreover, you must ensure that your cars are complete; in other words, none of the major components are gone. The fee is $25 including packing space and 2 admission fees. For Saturday, it is advisable to reach around 9a.m. when Gate 15 is opened. Gate 15 is on Arrow Highway (North to the main parking lot), and it is the first entrance on the right. For Sundays, cars owners are usually advised to reach before 4 a.m. to get the space needed. And more good news for the car owners, there are no extra fees if you want to tow your car.

Besides that, if you find that there are car parts left from your restoration projects or from your car related businesses or if you are thinking about picking out the old car hobby, you may choose to sell your car parts during the event too. You can turn your car parts into money. If you are interested, you will need to pre-reserve your space as a parts seller. You need to have a valid California seller's permit too. After reserving the space, you will get the passes before the event. $40 is what you need to pay for a 20'x20' space.

For spectators who are not interested in selling anything, it is also advisable for you to arrive early to the show to get the best products available for sale. Besides that, do remember to wear a pair of good shoes to walk along the 15 miles long area. Various food and beverages are available for sale along the concession stands. When you have an eye on a car or a car part, negotiate with the seller for the best price possible. After that, check on every crook and corner of the car or the part that you wanted to buy. Among the questions you should ask yourself before the purchase include: Do you find any over spray on the exhaust that indicate new paint job? Is the carpet new? Any sign of rust-repair? You can inspect the bondo body-filler using a tiny magnet. Besides that, you may also use some negotiating techniques. For example, you can start from a large discount, and move on to the price that you think is reasonable. This is called the door-in-the-face technique.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!

To save more, you can reject any extra service or any storage arrangements. Another important tip is to have all deal written on paper or to take a picture of your intended purchase. 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 Pomona Swap Meet is definitely one of the car show that car enthusiasts should keep an eye out for.

Whether you are a vendor or a buyer, the products that the future meets may bring to you will definitely keep you occupied throughout your day at the Pomona Swap Meet.

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.

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.

Classic Cars - The Jaguar E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type was a true revelation to the motoring world when it was unveiled for the very first time at the Geneva Motor Show in June 1961. The stylish, sleek bodywork and powerful engine made it the fastest and most spectacular production sports car available at the time.

The Jaguar E-Type's great appeal lay in the fact that its looks and specification owed so much to Jaguar's sports car racing successes of the Fifties. But while there were strong overtones of the D-Type in the design and the prototype and stillborn Jaguar XKSS in its presentation, this didn't suggest the unattainable to the common man. Surprisingly what was almost as stunning as the E-Type's looks and performance was the fact that is was affordable.

At around the price of £2000 new in 1961, and straight off the forecourt of a Jaguar Dealer, the E-type offered sports car performance, style and envy at only half the price of an Aston Martin DB4 and only the third of the cost of a Ferrari.

If you are looking to purchase a Jaguar E-Type today, the price will have inflated by a factor of forty even for a poor version of the least popular model, the Mark 2 2+2 coupe. To purchase an original Mark 1 E-Type, expect to pay six figures. What began as a sports car for the common man has evolved into an artform for the richer collector.

The E-Type was manufactured and assembled by Jaguar at its Coventry Plant in Warwickshire over a period of fourteen years from 1961 until 1975. The car was originally produced with a 3.8l engine and later versions featured 4.2l six cylinder and the final 5.3l V12. There were many variations on the theme, a trait to which Jaguar Cars continues to this day, including open two seater roadsters, fixed head coupes, flat versus dished floors and the so called 'Series1.5' and Series 2s and 3s. Hardly surprising given the variations in model designs, prices for E-Types varied accordingly at new and continue to do so as classic cars.

The very first Jaguar E-Type was the Mark 1 3.8l, launched in June 1961 and discontinued in October 1964 with the arrival of the new 4.2l engine. The car was available as either an open top sports convertible or a fixed head coupe. Both were two seaters. The performance was stunning with the engine delivering 265 bhp at 5500 rpm, which coupled with a Moss four speed manual gearbox could reach a top speed of 149 mph and cover 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. The earliest models can be distinguished by a flat floored driving compartment which was modified in 1962 into a driving well. All 3.8 Mark1's have an embossed aluminium facia and dashboard.

In 1964 demand for a faster version led to the development of the 4.2l version of the Mark 1. The E-Type was basically the same model except for badging with an engine upgrade and Jaguar's own new four speed all synchro gearbox. Despite the larger engine, the later version of the Mark 1 only had similar performance to the earlier 3.8, but had better bottom end torque and mid range pick up.

Various versions of the original Jaguar E-Type appeared between 1967 and 1968 which were commonly called Series one and a half. In October 1968 Jaguar finally released the long awaited Mark 2 as both a roadster and hard top, with the same 4.2l straight six engine but with many design changes.

The Mark 2 can be identified by its uncovered headlights, larger air intake, side flasher units, full width bumpers and fenders, facia panel with rocker switches, recessed interior door handles and distinctive exhaust tail pipes, splayed to clear square rear licence plates. The performance of the UK models, unlike those exported to the US which were detoxed and called XKEs, was similar to the earlier 4.2 mark 1. Maximum speed was typically 143 mph.

In 1966 Jaguar launched the E-type 4.2 2+2 'four' seater coupe. It was a sort of 'family' car version in fixed head coupe guise, with the wheelbase lengthened nine inches to allow for rear seating. It had an awkward higher ceiling and was available as a three speed automatic version. The car was and is heavier and less desirable but much more affordable today than its short wheelbased relations. The maximum speed of the 2+2 was a respectable 139 mph and the car did 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

The final version of the E-Type, the Mark 3 was launched in March 1971 and continued in production until the assembly plant closed in February 1975. The Mark 3 featured as both a two seater roadster and fixed head hard top coupe and was fitted with the very powerful new Jaguar V12 all alloy engine with four Stromberg carburettors. At 5.3l the engine delivered an impressive 272 bhp at 5850 rpm. However the car still had the series two gearbox and came with a three speed auto option. Although its weight was up to nearly 30 cwt, the Mark 3 E-Type still managed to reach 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and had a top speed of 145 mph.

In 1975 the last E-Type was made. Financial difficulties at Jaguar and the nationalisation of parent company British Leyland in 1975, coupled with the oil crisis and less demand for high powered cars led to the decision to end the cars production. With it ended the production of what could truly be called a British Muscle car.

Dave Healey is a classic car insurance underwriter who has a passion for Jaguar E-Type's gained from years of placing Jaguar E-Type Insurance for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Jaguar E-Types typically vary from Insurance Group 18 to 20 depending upon the car model and year of manufacture.

Real Classic Cars Have 8-Track Tapes - Remember Those?

When it comes to real classic cars, there's always the question of functionality versus antique authenticity. If you have a classic car and you modify it in any way other than to manufacturing specs then it is no longer factory original. At a classic car show you will be judged by originality and you will lose points, and there isn't a chance you can't with the show. Everything matters, the tires you use, the paint, and even the instruments in the dashboard including any entertainment devices such as stereos, GPS, or CD players.

If you have a docking station for your iPad in your 1959 stingray then obviously it is "out of time" and you probably can't win best of show, even at the small local car shows. Just as if you can't put the latest model steel belted radials, drive your car to the car show, and get the ultimate of accolades, no matter how cool your car is. The real classic cars have eight track players, they do not have cassette players, as those didn't happen until much later. The radios were AM/FM with pushbuttons, not XM radio with the satellite antenna on the back trunk.

If you want to buy a car with all the bells and whistles, that's fine, but if you modify your classic car with all the bells and whistles you've ruined it in many people's minds, especially those who judge the car shows. The obvious option would be to get a satellite radio handheld version, which also had a CD player, and lay it on a towel, on the dashboard or get an iPad, and lay it in the tray in the center console, of course you will still have to be cognizant of the fact that you shouldn't play with it while you drive.

That could get you into trouble with the police due to the new distracted driver laws. In fact the Department of Transportation is concerned with this as per an article on June 1, 2011 in the Wall Street Journal titled "US Presses to Rein in Web Gadgets in New Cars," in fact, Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, gave an interesting one hour speech at MIT convincing the students to come up with devices which would prevent people from using personal tech devices while they were driving.

Now then, there was another recent article; "Automakers Sweeten the Recipe for Small Cars - Goodbye, Hand-Crank Windows and Hello, iPad Docs," which brings me to another point. In 30 years the cars sold today will be classics tomorrow. Therefore if you have an iPad, you want to buy three or four, and put them in a safe for 30 years, and save them for a time in the future when those devices will no longer exist because you want to keep your classic car in the right time period. Indeed, 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 23,777 articles by 7 PM on June 27, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

How to Convince a Big Box Store to Allow You to Host a Classic Car Show in the Parking Lot

Have you ever thought of hosting a classic car show in your town? Did you know it can be an excellent fundraiser in a way to raise money for your nonprofit group? It's true, but what you'll need is a very big parking lot, one that's well maintained, and one where you can rope off a rather large section. You will also need lots of parking for all the people who come to visit, and wish to take pictures with their digital cameras, smart phones, and iPhones.

The other day, I was talking to a lady who used to put on classic car shows for a living. She and her husband had hosted some local car shows which were annual events and fundraisers for various nonprofit groups in our town. Although she was retired, and no longer does this, she had hosted a number of very large car shows not only here, but even in other states. As we got to talking, she reminded me of all the car shows I've been to in my life.

You see, before retirement one of my companies had franchised mobile detailing trailers in many states, and we had contracts with major car dealerships to do all of their used cars and new car detailing. One way we used to market was to go to car shows and hand out flyers. We would even give money to the nonprofit group to allow us to come to their car show in our khaki shorts and collard logoed shirts. In fact, we had even helped car clubs find locations to have their classic car shows, just so we could also use it as a way to do our marketing.

After a while we got very good at convincing managers of big box stores to allow us to host a classic car show in their parking lot. Most of them were not too keen on the idea, due to the insurance issues, liability, and the issues of cleaning up all the trash when it was done. What we found out was that we could put together a quick sales letter, and schedule a meeting to talk with the big box store manager ensuring them that we would pick up all the trash, and give them a certificate of insurance for the event, with their company as additional insured.

Interestingly enough, those managers generally had a form for us to fill out, and take to our local insurance agent, to make it all official and have it faxed back. What we also found out is as we got closer to the event, the big box store manager would even help us with publicity, such as putting an insert in the newspaper because it also served his company.

Remember, a big box store manager wants things to run smoothly, and they want to be satisfied there won't be any liability issues, or debris in the parking lot that they have to pay to clean up later. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

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.

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.

The Coolness of the Classic Chevrolet Lingers On

My head often returns to the rockin' 58 Chevy Impala and entrance of those notorious triple round tail lights. A few years following, owners soon discovered that the equally classic 59 Cadillac bullet tail lights fit so nicely in the same holes back there! Still rocks today!

My Pop was a Chevy Lover. He had a a couple of 1948 models, a blue 1951 and 1954. All were two door models. He upgraded to a beige and gold tudor 1956 car. That was easily one of my most favorites. Subsequent came a godawful grey 60 Bel Air with ugly fins and 4 big doors. Completed with black wall tires and those dumb half hubcaps that forever fell off. He regained my admiration a couple years after with a red 1962 Impala coupe. Another one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, my Dear Old Dad never regained his coolness in my book as he migrated back into a series of ugly 4-door Chevrolets. Yes, they were Impalas, but, no, they were not cool. For whatever reason, he purchased all of these new off the lot, and swapped each one for the next one. Lucky for me, the two he had while I was in High School and able to drive were 4 door Imps, with 283s, and those same half hubcaps. I made him mad when I took them off and painted the rims black. He made me put them back on. Nicely, they came off so easily! I tore up the tranny in one of them performing nutral rams up and down the strip. The only rubber I ever got involved some sand on the road!!! I have often wondered what a cool dude I might have turned into if Dad had held onto any of the early Chevs! I am reminded every time I see one at a car show!

In my early married days, I latched onto a 1965 Chevrolet Impala Station Wagon. It was a red/purple color, 327 automatic, with a 4 barrel carb, dual glass packs, oversize tires, mag wheels, and air shocks ( all to beef up the back end - for looks and for hauling stuff ). With the rear seat down, it had an 8 foot bed, which was great for camping in, and for carrying just about anything. I loved that car, but after I put a stick into my 66 Chevelle, my wife had to start driving the wagon. A short lady, she never could see out the back very well ( think of that long bed and then the tailgate - and the raised back nd ), and one day backed out of a parking spot and right over the hood of a car passing behind her. It got replaced shortly after by Vega Wagon ( shudder! ). Yes, it was a Chevy. Yes, it was a perfect car for her. But, like my father before me, I wound up with a dud!!

Over the many years since, I remain a big time Chevy enthusiast and am always on line searching for cool Chevy auto accessories. And thankfully, there are a ton of great sites with a ton of great stuff! So keep the faith, man, and keep on cruisin' in your Chevrolet. Maybe I'll see you at the huge NHRA Car Show in Minneapolis, or the Woodward Dream Cruise - I'll be the old dude driving the classic blue 86 Camaro! Like Dad, I bought it new, but unlike Dad, I still have it!

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.

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......