Archive for June, 2009

Use Antique Car Parts To Restore Or Repair Your Aging Beauty

There are so many automobile enthusiasts who love to collect antique carsand there are also many people that wish to restore antique cars under their possession that the need to shop for antique car parts is quite high. This means that there are a whole lot of auto enthusiasts out there that are interested in buying antique car parts with which to keep their antique cars working properly. If you need a smoothly functioning antique car then you can ill afford to ignore the need for having adequate antique car parts available that will help take care of any performance problems.

Huge Demand For Antique Car Parts

This is why the demand for antique car parts is great and probably the highest of all in the entire automotive space. With increased popularity of restoring antique cars creating a big demand for antique car parts it is not hard to understand that it has created a mini-industry in itself in regard to stocking as well as learning to replace antique car parts.

A majority of antique car parts are those that are taken out of old antique cars and typically such parts include the brass door handles as well as dashboards (wood paneled) and also front trims as too fascias. The best place to begin searching for antique car parts is to check out different auto stores as well as dealers that specialize in distributing auto parts.

A specialty antique car parts shop will of course offer you a better chance of finding the right parts for use and which include items such as wheels, grills, hoods and other instrumentation that is pertinent to the automobile’s dashboard. Door handles and various parts from the engine are often much in demand and this is why you would do well to check for them at the specialty shops.

Some people of course cannot be bothered with going down to a brick-and-mortar auto parts shop and for them the Internet is the best resource for finding antique carparts. There are number of websites which deals with these items where you can find your desired items at a reasonable price. You can visit an online antique car parts store and browse through hundreds of different products to locate the exact item that will suit your needs.

It is also possible to check out the Internet where you will find numerous antique car parts for sale advertisements. With a little bit of effort and research you should be able to find what you are looking for and if you can also thrash out a good deal, repair or restore your antique car and get it on the road once more.

Getting the Best Profit From Your Used Vehicle

The automobile sector has been hit badly by the credit crisis and it has seen some of its lowest sales in two decades. But although the sale of new cars are down a huge amount a lot of profit is being made by used vehicles. People are buying these up like there is no tomorrow, lets have a brief look at some of the main reasons that you should look at giving up your used vehicle.

1) Whenever you buy a car, it automatically loses its money straight away, but that is not happening at the moment instead they are gaining costs. By trying to sell your car now you have a much better chance of getting a good sum of money.
2) The government have recently announce their new scrappage system, where they will offer you £2000 off the next purchase of a new car if your car is older than 9 years. So again if you have always wished to buy a new vehicle, then this could be exactly the right time to do so.

As you can see there is a vast amount of benefits that can be had from selling your used car at the moment. Although there is a slump in the sale of new cars, the best thing for any person to do at the moment is too go out and buy one, there are two reasons behind this:

1) You will get them a lot cheaper as prices have dropped during the economic downturn.
2) The car would be much less likely to break down then a used one.

There are plenty more benefits to be found, so why not look at trading or selling your old car in and reaping the benefits of a new one

Do you want to Buy a New Alfa Romeo or Buy a New Mercedes

Tips To Follow When Cleaning Your Cars Upholstery

Nowadays families spend a lot of time in their cars. This can lead to all kinds of messy spills and stains. You need reliable solutions for removing stains from your car upholstery. Driving around in a clean car will be more pleasant. Stains from liquids end up all over your car. As quickly as you can try and soak up any excess liquid. 
 
You will need some upholstery cleaner which is available online or at your local auto parts shop. After spraying some cleaner on the stain you should let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a small brush to scrub the stain. A clean cloth can be used to dry the area. You may need to repeat this process a few times before you get the desired results. 
 
You might want to try using shaving cream on a small stain if you cannot find any car upholstery cleaners in your garage. Do not rub an ink stain which is on your car upholstery. This can cause the ink to smear and make the stain larger. First blot away any excess ink and then spay the area with hairspray. 
 
Once it has had a few minutes to sit wipe the area with clean dry towels. You may need to repeat this process to completely remove the stain, being sure to use a new cloth each time. Ink stains can also be removed using rubbing alcohol. Lipstick stains can be removed using white non-get toothpaste. Rub the stain gently with the toothpaste and then wipe it with a clean damp cloth. 
 
It is not uncommon for families with children to end up with crayon marks on their upholstery. Begin by scraping off as much crayon as you are able using a dull knife edge or the tip of a metal spoon. Spray it will a small amount of WD-40 and let it sit. Remove the stain with a small brush and then wipe it clean. For those super stubborn stains use the hot water extraction method.

Muscle car Chevy Camaro SS

With Dodge and Ford having already enjoyed the spotlight in this segment, Chevy has to be back with a bang.  So does the 2010 SS live up to expectations?  The answer is an emphatic yes!

The 6.2 liter V8 under the hood screams power – this beast is capable of rocketing from zero to sixty in right around four and a half seconds.  With more horses and much better time zero to sixty than either the new Mustang or the new Challenger – Chevy clearly made their point where most people want to see it, in sheer power.

A pleasant, unexpected surprise from the 2010 Camaro SS comes in terms of audibles – or lack there of.  There is no question that the engine is powerful, in fact at more than 425 horses its super powerful – in Muscle cars it’s customary for the engine noise to be almost loud enough to drown out any and all conversation that would take place in the cock-pit, that doesn’t happen with this incarnation of the SS.A liitle quite for the Camaro as the Chevs have opted to keep the volume on the engine down.  This will certainly be a complaint from most Muscle car purists, but I think it’s pretty refreshing – I say if you want to know what’s under the hood, then push the gas pedal.Sadly for an engine that size the noise is hardly audible from the cockpit.

Another big surprise for a powerful Muscle car – the EPA just gave the 2101 Camaro SS “excellent fuel economy ratings”, which is highly unexpected, but could be a very strong selling point as the prices of gas continue to fluctuate.If you are into brute power instead of saving the planet (16 and 24 mpg for city and highway) then the Camaro is a step in the right direction.

Chevy doesn’t preclude anyone from owning this car either – the base V6 Camaro starts at a very affordable twenty-three thousand and the ultra powerful V8 SS starts at right around thirty thousand.

Is there anything that Chevy could change that would make the 2010 Camaro better?  Sure there were some minor issues or concerns…

For starters, much like the new Dodge Challenger, the driver’s view could be a bit better.  With the current body style, there are a few more “blind spots” than would be considered comfortable, though some minor adjustments in interior design for the next version could most likely easily clear that up.  For the next version, Chevy could also look to eliminate some of the plastic in the interior in favor of a little more chrome and cloth.

Aside from those few minor adjustments, Chevy absolutely did not disappoint with the 2010 Camaro SS.  This car, all in all, is a fantastic piece of machinery and is at least head, if not head and shoulders above the competition in its class.

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Getting Faster Auto Insurance By Getting It Online

Why Auto Insurance Quotes Are Cheaper Online

Have you wondered about searching for cheaper car insurance? Chances are, you probably won’t be able to locate anyone that will be able to better the prices that are currently available on the web. That means in order to get the best pricing, you will need to think about buying auto insurance on the Internet. So why is buying car insurance cheaper on the Internet?

There are many reasons why car insurance prices are reduced on the Internet. Here are some of the main reasons:

1) Auto insurance suppliers find that the costs of doing business is lower when consumers apply for motor insurance online. For example, if a new customer calls to make a quote request, a company rep will need to be on hand to deal with the calls. And at any one time, a service rep can only see to a single request. So in order to improve the number of outgoing insurance quotes, which eventually leads to growth in profits, car insurance companies will have to increase their call centers. That leads to growing business costs as call centers are not cheap to operate.

Nor are they easy to run. To avoid these increased costs and business challenges, a number of auto insurance providers have been actively seeking to handle quotations online. This method is unquestionably more cost effective. It is also more streamlined and convenient for both the auto insurance companies and the consumers. And typically, customers stand to benefit from the cost savings as the costs of motor insurance are kept lower.

2) Due to the transparent nature of the web, comparative prices offered by the popular car insurance companies are readily available. With a few quick clicks, and by providing some critical information, anyone can get immediate access to auto insurance quotes. This allows drivers to compare costs before coming to a policy choice. Of course, as expected, most will choose to buy from the auto insurance provider that will give the best cost.

3) Prices are driven down by discounts and promotions. As the car insurance industry is masively competitive (this is further amplified by the Internet), many car insurance providers have to resort to offering highly competitive reductions and attractive promotions. As they hope to entice new customers, and to encourage renewals. Thus, if you are a first time customer, enquire if there are any reductions for new customers. If you are an existing customer, check with the company to see if there are any loyalty reward offers available. Usually, the rate of loyalty reductions depends on the number of years a driver has remained with the insurance company. The auto insurance cover will sometimes be cheaper if a customer has stayed with the same company for a number of years.

In summary, you will be able to get cheaper motoring insurance when you purchase online due to reduced business operating costs, ease of access to quote offers for comparison, and competition between the insurance providers for your custom. So the first stop to get cheaper motor insurance is to visit a free auto insurance quotes website and see what’s on offer.

Avoid Speeding Fines - Understand the Reasons You Speed

Speeding Fines.

Nobody wants to get them. However, it’s pretty easy to start speeding and before you know it you end up with a fine. The roads today are littered with speed cameras, speed traps and traffic police - so its easy to get points, receive speeding fines and even lose your license - all in a single day. One of the best things you can do to avoid speeding fines is actually to understand the reasons that you speed in the first place. There are several common and basic reasons that people end up speeding. Once you understand what they are, then you can work on fixing the problem so you don’t get a fine. So, here’s a look at some of the most common reasons you speed and how you can fix this to avoid getting fined for speeding in the future.

Reason #1 - The Speed Limit Changes - One of the main reasons that people end up speeding, is because they dont notice that the limit has changed, and after all its a limit - not a mandatory rule. On many of the roads across the UK, you’ll find that the speed does change from time to time. Since the speed limit can change several times on that one road, it’s pretty easy to keep driving along even after the speed has been lowered. Before you know it you end up being pulled over and given a ticket for speeding, and you never even realized you were doing something wrong. A speed change is one of the main reasons that people end up paying fines - so stay focussed.

The Solution:
Even if you have a tendency to not realize when the speed changes, there are some things you can do to fix this to try to avoid getting speeding fines. Keeping your eyes open for signs around you is a great idea. Instead of paying so much attention to everything else, keep watchful for speed limit signs and also keep an eye on other vehicles around you. When you notice other vehicles slowing down, it may be because the speed has changed.

Reason #2 - You need to concentrate on Drivining - Again, high in the list are people’s careless attitiude to concentrating whilst driving. Unfortunately, the quality and comfort of cars today make it all to simple to travel from a to b, without having to pay that much attention to actually driving. Keep focussed, and switch off distractions where you can, including the radio and even talking in some cases. Keep focussed on the driving, beecause if you let yourself become distracted you’ll be getting a ticket before you know.

The Solution:
How can you fix this problem? Remember, concentration is a key aspect when driving, even after you pass your test - if not more so. Try to avoid things that take your mind off what you are doing. Focus on your speed. Simply glance to the speedometer and check regulary how fast you are travelling. This will probably save you from just speeding off, and incurring the all hated speed fine.

Reason #3 - Aggression on the Road - Aggression out there on the road can end up being a reason that people speed today as well. If you are upset or annoyed, its easy to speed without realising. If you get stressed, you are liable to speed - so be cool, calm and relaxed. When you are feeling more aggressive or you are in an angry state of mind, chances are you are going to go faster and you may just end up with speeding fines for that anger, which definitely won’t make your day go any better.

The Resolution:
If you haven’t got a cool state of mind, and are angry or otherwise, just dont drive. Is a speeding fine really going to make you feel better, compared to being a few minutes late. Number one rule is not get mad and keep a cool temper if you are driving. Do you really want to end up in a serious car accident, well ths is what you can expect in addition to a speeding ticket when you drive this way.

Reason #4 - Running Late - When people think they are going to be late… this is when they start to speed. They are trying to make it to work or to pick up the kids on time, so they push the accelerator pedal just a bit more. Before they know it they are speeding along trying to make it on time, and then comes the bad part - the speeding fines.

The Resolution:
Its all to sad in hindsight to realise that the reason people get speeding fines was due to something so simple. More haste, less speed - seriously, its easy to speed when you think you’re going to be later. The better option is to leave on time or make sure you have a few minutes to spare. If you are running behind, call ahead to let someone know. It’s better than ending up with a huge fine or being involved in an accident because you were late.

Reason #5 - The Road Seems Deserted - Last of all, another of the common reasons people speed is because the road they are driving on seems to be deserted. Ignorance isn’t bliss - dont speed simply because it looks safe. Even at night its not safe to speed, the road may be clear but the speed traps dont. Just when you think it’s okay to go a bit faster, you may end up with a speeding fine.

The Resolution:
If the road is quiet, this doesn’t give you permission to speed. You don’t know what you are going to meet up the road. You’ll avoid speeding fines if you always drive according to the speed limit, no matter how many people are on the road or how safe it may seem.

To find out more about Speeding Fines, then please visit Speeding Fines.

The Best Modes Of Transport For Your American Holidays

Many of the top roads in the world can be found in the States. You only have to mention route 66 to conjure up some vivid images in anyone’s mind but there are loads of other great roads also.The roads that run across the length and breadth of the country are generally well maintained and managed so your trip should be stress free. But what is the best form of transport for yourexciting holidays in America?

Camper van. Picking up one of these beasts in America is pretty easy as there are so many around. Equally, there will always be a buyer whereever you end up as well. This is a great way to see America if you are holidaying in a group as there will be lots of room for everyone. It’s also great if you’ve got a tight budget as you can cook your own food in the van and also spend the night in it as well

Convertible. Driving along with the fresh air blowing around you and the sun beaming down is an image as iconic as the statue of liberty. The convertible car is a vehicle that is synonymous with American transport and there is a massive choice of pick from.Cadillacs look great but make sure you give them a good check over first as you could get lumbered with a temperamental car. Alternatively, for peace of mind, you could also rent a convertible. This is what a lot of people do when they take fly drive vacations  All you need now is a model  girlfriend/boyfriend and some country and western on the radio to make your trip complete

Motorbike. My personal favourite for cruising those long dusty roads, a motorbike with a big engine, comfortable seats and some shades. This is the most amazing way to soak up the atmosphere and scenery on your travels that America has in abundance. Getting a Harley Davidson is the obvious choice, and a good one at that. These bikes are American through and through and are a dream to drive. If you go for this option then make sure you invest in some decent safety gear as the last place you want to end up on your trip is in the hospital

The Ipod of Future

Nothing is impossible, we already know that, but controlling a car’s function with an ipod is something that no one in sane mind would’ve though possible. Still, since recently a known programmer developed a software program that can do just that. And he proved the entire world he can control his Mazda from distance just by using his ipod Touch.

The application he invented can be used to close and open a car’s doors, the trunk, the windows and to start the engine. The car owner can also see the fuel level, the speed and engine temperature on the display of the ipod. The program offer all around the world coverage, as it allows the presence of a GPS system to allow people track their car with Google Maps’ help.

Your car has to be computerized. This means you will connect an in-car laptop to the car’s computer and connect a 3G modem to the laptop. This procedure allows the ipod to stay always connected to the car, Even if you are located in a different part of the world, you will still be able to view and control your car via ipod means. It sounds a bit strange and also unsafe, since any new software programs that’s using GPS seems so easily available to hackers, and since the program basically controls your car, you have to wonder what would happen if someone does manages to break into it.

You have to consider safety and accuracy before getting something like this for your car. But if by any chance it becomes something huge you will also need a mini car charger so that the functionality of the device is truly around the clock. It would be too funny to use such a sophisticated program and run off battery on the ipod.

Just thinking of this new addition to the market makes you wonder. How would’ve though the world would go so ahead of its time with ipods? It’s truly amazing that something like this is possible, but also a little scary since there’s no telling where the technology might lead us tomorrow.

Avoiding Getting Scammed While Purchasing Antique Race Cars For Sale

If you love antique race cars, you are probably always looking for antique race cars for sale. When you see a sign for antique race cars for sale, you probably slow down to take a look. You probably look every now and then online for some deals on antique race cars for sale. Places like Ebay Motors and Craigslist are offering antique race cars for sale—but you should be careful while buying these cars. It is easy to get scammed on the internet without even knowing it until it is too late.

How To Catch A Antique Race Cars For Sale Scam

There are quite a few ways to know that you are most definitely being scammed. If you see an antique car for sale and the deal seems too good to be true, chances are it is indeed too good to be true. Nothing in life is free, and great deals are usually not so great. Another way to know that you are possibly going to be cheated is if the antique race car for sale is not available to be seen. You can test this by telling the seller that you will be in the area to visit a family member or a friend and would like to swing by to see the car. If the seller stutters and stammers and will not let you see the antique race car for sale, chances are you are about to be scammed. Also look out if the seller says that he will ship the car to you and you can send it back if you do not like it, or if the seller says that you can only see the car after you put down a “refundable” deposit. If a seller will not send you a copy of the title or says he is selling the car for a friend, you might want to be careful as well. It is not necessary that the antique race car for sale will result in a good deal after all.

Keep Your Eyes Open

You probably want the antique race car for sale, but remember that these scams can seem very realistic. If you find the antique race car for sale and it is your dream car, you want to believe that it is real. But you must keep your eyes open for scams. Even if it seems realistic, check it out before you send any money. And never send money till you have not validated the vehicle. Remember, you will also need antique car insurance so make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row before finalizing the purchase.

RR4 becomes Rolls-Royce Ghost

More of these articles and much more automotive news can be found on: Automotive News

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the name for its new model series which until now has been known as RR4. The name was announced by CEO, Tom Purves at a press conference held at the Shanghai motor show. 

The new car will be called the Rolls-Royce Ghost and production will begin at the company’s Goodwood manufacturing facility on the south coast of England later in 2009. 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Tom Purves, said, “We are delighted to formally announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It is one of the most revered names in the automotive industry, evoking technical innovation and images of adventure. The name reflects this new model’s breadth of abilities. The first cars to bear the Ghost name were known for impressive dependability and refinement and great flair and style. This car will be the first in a new generation to carry this evocative name and will give us two pinnacle product lines – Phantom and Ghost.  

The Rolls-Royce Ghost will be built on its own dedicated production line at Goodwood but will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series of cars. The car manufacturer all areas of its building facility over the last one and a half year to prepare for the introduction of the Ghost model. 

The Ghost name was used by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars between 1906 and 1925 although these cars were first introduced as the 40/50hp model. A total of 7,876 of these cars were made during this period, 6173 in Derby, and 1703 in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

From quarter four 2009, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will offer five models: Ghost, Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase, Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé. The Rolls-Royce Phantom range of cars is powered by a naturally aspirated direct injection 6.75 litre V12 engine that produces 453BHP at 5350 rpm (338KW/460PS) and 720Nm of torque at 3500rpm. 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars retailed 1212 cars around the world in 2008, a 20 per cent increase over the previous year and marking five years of continued growth since the Phantom was first launched in 2003. 

Ghost technical specification:

No. of doors/seats: 4/5
5399mm Vehicle length
Vehicle width 1948mm
Height of body: 1550mm
Wheelbase: 3295mm
Engine: new 6.6 litre turbocharged V12 

Gearbox: 8-speed ZF

Power: Upwards of 500bhp (upwards of 373kW/507PS)

 

iCar is an independent webzine for the car enthusiast and brings a daily fresh automotive news. When your are interested in classic cars then we could recommend Auto Motor Klassiek, thousands of classic cars for sale when you click on Classic Cars for Sale Auto Motor Klassiek is a magazine for Classic Cars.

Fan of classic motorcycles? Have a look at: Classic Motorcycles Oldtimer Motoren

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