Cars: Passion or Addiction?
December 23, 2007
Cars: Passion or Addiction?
by: Scott Bianchi
I was watching Miami Ink the other night on TLC and Ami James, the shop owner, was buying himself a car now that the shop is doing well. He ended up buying a 1972 Cuda with a 340. Being someone that has had toy cars in the past it got me to thinking. Why is it that guys are so into cars? Ami makes some money and the first big purchase he made was a car.
I tried to figure out what it was about cars that made me buy toy cars. My last toy car purchase was a 1987 Buick Grand National with 10,042 original miles. The car was beautiful. So beautiful in fact that I hardly ever drove the car for fear of something happening to it. As much as I enjoyed driving the car, because they are very fun to drive, I loved just looking at it shining in my garage as well.
Volvo C70 Bears Volvo Core Values
December 22, 2007
Volvo C70 Bears Volvo Core Values
by: Kenneth McKinley
If you have not seen the sun in days, the new Volvo C70 would be a very good medium to do so. The new Volvo C70 is one of the last of the old-style vehicles manufactured and crafted by Volvo. It now comes as a sexy convertible that made its debut at Frankfurt. It comes with a clever, three-piece retractable hard top and not the traditional soft top. It is also powered with the very same 218 hp, 2.5 liter, five-cylinder turbo that has been used in the S40 sedans and the V50 wagons. These mentioned models also share the same platform as the Volvo C70.
In comparison with the S40 sedans and the V50 wagons, the Volvo C70 also shares the several body parts with them that has a list that includes the hood, the outside rear-view mirrors, and the door handles.
The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
December 21, 2007
The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
by: Jason Tarasi
It was 1969. And what an amazing year it was! The Beatles’ world renowned hit Come Together was at the top of the music charts along with Johnny Cash’s A Boy Named Sue, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, and the 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS, now a classic muscle car, was born. The Chevy Chevelle SS met the demands of muscle car enthusiasts for small cars with powerful motors. Its sporty fast-back body style which was first concocted in the redesign of the 1968 models gave it a touch of class as did the new design of the tail lights. Chevelles are mid-sized cars meeting the median between small sports cars and large family cars.
The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle line was the first to have the SS 396 option available but it wasn’t perfect as it resulted the 396 became known for poor handling as it required stiffer springs and shocks than earlier models. Later in the year, the 396 option was replaced with a 402 cubic engine, supposedly due to emission standards. Even in light of the minor imperfections in its initial release, the Chevy Chevelle SS was an incredibly popular muscle car in its time and became one of the very best sellers of all times.
Mazda3 Giving Dynamics and Strength
December 21, 2007
Mazda3 Giving Dynamics and Strength
by: Kimberly Meyer
Known in Japan as the Axela, the Mazda3 is assembled and crafted by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The vehicle is actually based on Ford’s global C1 Platform that was developed by Volvo and was shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Mazda carried out the vehicle’s chassis development, however, when it came to its suspension, this part was done by Ford.
In the United States, the Mazda3 is made available in two trim levels - the “i” and the “s”. The “i” has a 2.0 liter engine, meanwhile the “s” has a 2.3 liter engine. The latter has updated the vehicle with a stronger engine and includes in its list air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, door looks and mirrors. The sedan under the “s” trim has a crisper handling with its larger tires. The Mazda3 is actually powered by an assortment of vehicles because it all depends on the market. The engine used in Japan is different from that used in the United States, and of course in Europe.
Seven Vital Facts About Your Car’s Air Conditioning System
December 20, 2007
Seven Vital Facts About Your Car’s Air Conditioning System
by: Steve Magill
Air conditioning, which was once a great luxury, is now a common feature on most motor vehicles. While the servicing of modern car air conditioning systems is best left to professionals, you can get the most enjoyment from your ac system if you know a bit about how it works and what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.
1. Odd smells coming from the air conditioning may be caused by bacterial buildups
As your car becomes older, or when the air conditioning system is used infrequently, bacteria, micro-organisms, mold and fungi may start growing, just behind the dash panel on the evaporator causing some very unpleasant odors. Some even claim this can result in headaches and flu like symptom sometimes referred to as “sick car syndrome.”
This problem can be solved by using an anti-bacterial treatment that destroys the bacteria growth and leaves your car smelling fresh again.
2. If you car does not feel cold enough, then you may need to recharge your system
Car Insurance For Lady Drivers
December 19, 2007
Car Insurance For Lady Drivers
by: Joseph Kenny
Car insurance companies prefer lady drivers to their gentlemen counterparts because they are considered as much less risky drivers. It is not that the accident rates of ladies are low. They face as many accidents as males do. However, the damage caused by them is not as much in most of the cases. So, their claims after the accident are also less. That is why on an average women’s car insurance premiums tend to be 30% lower than that of the male counterparts having same demographic profile.
They drive at speeds lower than men. Hence, accidents caused by lady drivers are not serious. So, even if they might claim as often as males do yet, in all they claim less amounts, giving insurers lesser premiums. Since the male drivers drive at higher speeds so even if they crash on their own, the loss is high. In case, the accident involves two vehicles in high damage state, it becomes an insurance company’s nightmare.
The GMC Collectible Motor Home
December 18, 2007
The GMC Collectible Motor Home
by: Frank Hague
In the 1970’s, General Motors entered the RV market. Drawing on the exuberance of the times, the company set out to create the ultimate American Motor home.
Their aim was to produce a top-of the-line vehicle with cutting-edge design and construction, not just another competitor in the already crowded vacation vehicle market.
The common design in this era was a boxy, ungainly and top-heavy unit on a truck chassis. The GMC vehicle was intended to be a completely new design in every way.
Design work began in 1970, with the market introduction planned for 1973. “Doesn’t look like a box or ride like a truck” was the GMC ad slogan.
The new vehicle would be unusual for this era in several ways. First of all, it was to have a front wheel drive, a rare concept in cars of that day and unheard-of in mobile homes.
The drive train and suspension were taken from the design of the Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic inch Oldsmobile engine was attached to a Turbohydramatic 425 transmission with torsion bar suspension.
Toyota Avalon: Toyota’s Flagship
December 17, 2007
Toyota Avalon: Toyota’s Flagship
by: Mark Clarkson
Produced by Toyota in the United States and also in Australia, the Toyota Avalon is a full-size front wheel drive sedan with four doors that originally was based on the platform of the Toyota Camry. The first generation Toyota Avalon was introduced in 1994 as a 1995 model. This original Toyota Avalon is currently still being produced and built in Australia and has been made to be a right hand drive for Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Asia, and is also being made as a left hand drive for the Middle East. Five years after its introduction, a second generation model was then on line to be released.
The first generation Toyota Avalons lived from 1995 up until 1999. It was a completely new model that was built in the same plant as the Toyota Camry and became Toyota’s flagship. It was based on a stretch Toyota Camry platform and had 3.0 liter V6 engine that is quite capable of making 192 hp and 210 ft-lb. of torque. Minor updates were done after several years to its front and rear sides along with some updates in its power.
GM: A Family of Brands
December 16, 2007
GM: A Family of Brands
by: Terry Brown
General Motors Corporation, which is also commonly known as GM, is an automobile maker that is based in the United States. However, this company has a wide scope and reach for it has operations worldwide and has a line up of brands under its name. GM automobiles are high ranking in terms of its overall capability for it has an outstanding commitment to give the automobile industry only the best kind of vehicles. And this commitment is very strictly incorporated with equally excellent quality auto parts. Its headquarters is found in the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, the company is one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers.
Founded in 1908, General Motors was then a holding company for Buick, which was then controlled by William C. Durant, and later on that same year had acquired Oldsmobile. Come the following year, General Motors had then expanded when Durant had bought Cadillac, Elmore, and Oakland and brought them into his company. Come 1909, General Motors was then able to acquire the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, which is the predecessor of the GMC truck. Through the years, General Motors was then able to take up under its wing different companies that would then come together to form up a whole new company of automobiles that come in different types and models. The first American corporation to make over one billion dollars in just a year was General Motors. This happened on December 31, 1955.
Rediscover the Land Rover Discovery
December 16, 2007
Rediscover the Land Rover Discovery
by: Carol Mitchel
Currently known in the United States as the LR3, the Land Rover Discovery is a comfortable sport utility vehicle from the Land Rover brand of the Ford Motor Company. This model has had three generations. It first made its public debut in the late 1980s. It has currently become the most popular model of the Land Rover for its competency during off road journeys. This vehicle was also introduced to the United Kingdom in 1989, and “Project Jay” was the company’s code name for the vehicle. At first, it was only made available as a three-door vehicle, however, come the following year, the vehicle now sported five doors.
