Saturday, August 29, 2009

Kaiser-Frazer


Kaiser includes Custom, Deluxe, Virginian, Carolina and Manhattan sedans, as well as the Vagabond 4 door hatchback utility sedan. First post war production car to offer Supercharging (Kaiser Manhattan, 1954)

Henry J, a small economy car including Corsair.

Darrin, the first production fiberglass sports car in the USA, beating Corvette to market by one month.

Frazer includes Standard, Deluxe and Manhattan sedans and the Vagabond hatchback. The 1951 Frazer Manhattan convertible was the last four-door American convertible until the 1961 Lincoln Continental.

Willys, including "Aero-Willys" and all sub-trim levels include Aero-Lark, Aero Ace et al.

Jeep, including pick-ups, CJ Vehicles, all steel wagons, Wagoneer and Jeepster marques.

Allstate, designed to sell through and by Sears-Roebuck Department stores in the southern USA, a slightly restyled Henry J. The cars were equipped with Allstate products (tires, battery, etc.). The modest styling changes distinguishing the Allstate from the Henry J were executed by Alex Tremulis, the designer of the 1948 Tucker Sedan.
wiki

1951 Kaiser-Frazer TV Ad for the HenryJ and Kaiser Cars



1954 Kaiser

1940s Crosley

It's rare to see Crosley 2 door sedans, nevermind the stationwagon. They were mechanically advanced for their time..that's an overhead cam engine, 4 cylinder, under the hood.
They were the first American car with front disc brakes..unfortunately they rusted badly, and had to be replaced with conventional shoes and drums. But it was quite a tribute to a company that got started selling Crosley radios.



The CoBra (Copper Brazed, also known as "The Mighty Tin") was originally developed by Lloyd Taylor, of Taylor Engines in California, for military use aboard PT boats and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. The engine was made from sheet metal rather than cast iron like most other engines. This was done to get a thin, uniform wall thickness and thus avoid the creation of hot spots around the combustion chamber that could ignite the fuel, causing pre-ignition (knocks). These engines were used mainly to power generators, refrigeration compressors, etc., and were widely praised for their successes in the war effort.

The engine was not adopted for automobile use until 1946. It was a very small, very lightweight engine; the block weighed only 14.8 pounds (6.7 kg); complete with all accessories (including the flywheel) weighing only 133 pounds (60 kg). The engine displaced a mere 44 cu in (0.721 L) and produced 26 horsepower (19 kW) at 5200 rpm. Longevity was not a requirement for their war duties, but unfortunately, corrosion became a problem for engines in long-term service, as in automobiles. Serious problems led to a tarnished reputation as the power plants in Crosley cars.
wiki

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Fuel Efficient Cars

Fuel Efficient Cars



The recent developments with the correlation with global warming and carbon emissions from cars, has prompted large car companies to rethink their strategies and technologies when it comes to selling cars.



With people's choices tending towards environmentally friendly there is overwhelming evidence that the most popular cars are no longer the big V8's or V6's but the smaller 4 cylinder cars and especially diesel 4WD's due to their excellent fuel efficiency. However, hybrid vehicles are also becoming a popular choice for those serious about saving money on fuel.



Fewer and fewer "big 6" cars are being bought and those car companies specializing in this area are putting more and more resources into increase the technology within these bigger engines. Pretty soon we will see big engine cars that have the same fuel economy as the 4 cylinder vehicles we see now.



With fuel prices always increasing and burning a huge hole in our pockets, now is the time to convert to the more convenient 4 cylinder vehicles and save thousands of dollars each year. The price of fuel is always a factor when making a decision on the purchase of a new car. This is evident in our changing tastes in cars.



There is one good thing about the high petrol prices. As things start to hurt the wallet it makes us think of new ways to save money. Cars are by no means an investment, and always cost us more and more money with repairs, services and the unavoidable government charges. So why should our car cost us more to run by constantly filling it up with record high petrol prices.



So where do you start when researching for new cars?



There are heaps of websites that offer access to the range of cars and the features they have like www.newcarshowroom.com.au, www.betterdeal.com.au and more. By researching online first will give you a rough idea of what you want, and trust me, there are heaps of fuel efficient models that hold the same look and performance of the larger "juice guzzlers".



From this point you should arrange to test drive the cars you are interested in and get a feel and to make sure you are purchasing the car of your dreams. This car will last you for a good 5-10 years normally and you want to make sure it is a good buy.



How do you know you won't get ripped off?



Usually, you will only know this once you have bought the car, after going around to heaps of dealers, and then speaking to a friend or co worker that saw it for $2000 less.



However, there are services that can save you thousands and one in particular www.betterdeal.com.au actually guarantees you the lowest price on a new car. By utilizing a reverse auction system this company actually makes the dealers bid lower and lower to "win" your business.



Many four cylinder models will give you the features, safety and space you want without sacrificing style and performance, and can be up to 50 percent cheaper to run. Small car design is leading the industry and many four cylinder models these days have more features and benefits than some of the bigger engine models.



Focusing on maximizing interior space whilst maintaining style and comfort, these small car companies are at the forefront of new car development.



A new car in the four cylinder model range these days is probably the smartest decision anyone can make when purchasing a new car. Rest assure your new car will be fuel efficient and have the "zip" to take on even the newest of V6 models based on technology, weight and torque.


Author Bio

Author of "The Sustainable Path". Rob Barton brings you "Fuel Efficient Cars"
www.betterdeal.com.au


Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Buying a Ford Mustang

Buying a Ford Mustang


By: Chris Alexander


Looking at purchasing a new or used Ford Mustang?


If you enjoy affordable looks and power, the Ford Mustang is definitely the car for you. Before buying a Ford Mustang, you must know that there are many models out there ranging in power to suit whatever needs you may have. When looking at buying your Ford Mustang, first approach the seller and retrieve all the information necessary to identify the vehicle. After identifying the vehicle and you are still interested, take the Mustang for a test drive. After the test drive, leave without discussing a purchse, even if you love the car. Shop around; get a selection for yourself to chose from before purchasing your Mustang.


Before approaching any sellers about a Mustang, you need to know a little about the history of the Ford Mustang. Knowing the history of the car and the models and engine options available by year will prepare you for the first step of purchasing your Mustang. Also, the history of the Mustang may also make you a die-hard fan, and being a die-hard will make you notice every imperfection- a skill that comes in handy when purchasing a used late model car.



Your Needs

Perhaps you may just need a reliable daily driver and a Ford Mustang V6 could be your best option. If you want a nicer car with a V8, more power, aggression, and control, a GT Mustang model may suit your needs. If you want a sunny day car with a lot of stock power, a Cobra Mustang may suit you best. So before you start looking at different cars, decide what your practical uses will be and that will immediately narrow your search down for your Ford Mustang.



Also, what is your price range? Check NADA and Kelley Blue Book to see what to expect price-wise for a particular year and model Ford Mustang. After finding out what is in your budget, shop away!


Identify the Vehicle

Identify and validate the model of the car. Is the car the same car that came with the engine, transmission, interior, and exterior options as the car named on the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)? To know this for sure, look into some VIN decoders or online services such as CarFax History Reports. Also, independent research of the car's history may be necessary because not all accidents are reported to authorities. The VIN number is a stamped plate bolted to the dash under the windshield of late model Mustangs. Also, look at and verify the engine code. The engine code is the 8th digit in the VIN, and the model year is coded in the 10th digit of the VIN. Also check and see if the vehicle is the stock color paint and notice any and all performed body work.



1) The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a stamped plate bolted to the dash under the windshield.

2) The EIN (Engine Identification Number) is also attached to the valve cover.

3) The Mustang should also have a certification label fixed at the drivers side door pillar.

4) The transmission identification tag is attached by the left side engine-to-bell housing bolt for manual transmission, and is attached to the right side on automatics.

5) The rear differential identification tag is bolted to the rear differential cover.



Test Drive

Now that you know if you are remotely interested in a Mustang out there, you should take it for a test drive and notice how she reacts to rpm changes, gear shifts, braking, turning, and extreme driving as well. Ask the owner for a repair and service data log sheet just before test-driving. If he has no log sheet for maintenance, you are already one hand up on the seller. Check the tire pressure, oil level, and lighting of headlights, brake lights, and turn signals before starting the engine. Now start the car and listen for any abnormalities in the engine sound.


Now, check all of the seat belts. Don't be surprised if the passenger side seat belts are on backwards- that is a common TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Ford. Check the interior wear and be sure to be writing down all of the imperfections you notice in the car at all. Check all of the power options, including the CD player.


Now you are ready to hit the road. Buckle up and take the car for a test drive. At first, drive normally to get the vehicle into proper operating conditions. After a warm-up, get on the throttle and note how the car performs at WOT (Wide Open Throttle). Come to a compete stop and test the braking capabilities. Be sure to travel over a speed bump to test suspension components as well. After you perform your various tests to decide the mechanical structure of the Mustang, return it back to the seller and tell him you have a few more similar cars to go test drive but you will stay in touch.


Don't forget to log all of the imperfections and data on the car!



Decisions, Decisions

After you have test driven and experienced a handful of Ford Mustangs, compare the logs you have made about the work needed and maintenance to be performed to see what car will suit your needs best. Recall the seller's advertised price and compare that to NADA for high mileage cars, or Kelley Blue Book for lower mileage cars. NADA rewards cars with lower miles by adding to the seller's price, but hinders high mileage cars by lowering the value for the specific year. Now that you know what Ford Mustang you want to negotiate on, you are ready to put your business skills to the test.



Negotiate

After narrowing your choices down into your budget, tastes, and preferences, return to the seller to negotiate. Always negotiate at Trade-In Value, and work up. Never pay more than book value for a car though, unless it is modified in a way that calls for such a price. But remember also; never pay more than half of what the seller paid for his modifications when purchasing a used car.



Finalize

Never pay cash. At least write a check and be sure to get some immediate and written receipt of payment for the vehicle to ensure your financial safety. Now, expect less than a week for the title to reach you for an in-state purchase, and expect no more than 2 weeks for a title on an out-of-state purchase. After receiving the title, go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to get a tag for the new title transfer. Be prepares to pay taxes that range in price based on area and car type to receive the title and tag. These fees are mandatory and fair to help pay for road maintenance, etc.

Enjoy


Now that you own your very own Ford Mustang, enjoy the car, modify if you wish, have fun with the new doors the Ford Mustang will open, and remember, we will see you on the road!


Author Bio

This article was written by Chris Alexander of Modded Mustangs. If you have any further questions about Mustangs you can ask in their (www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/) Mustang Forums. As always, be safe and courtious to those you share the road with.


Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Friday, August 21, 2009

James Bond vanquish



The Vanquish is powered by a 5.9 L (5935 cc) 48-valve 60° V12 engine, which produces 343 kW (460 hp) and 542 N·m (400 ft·lbf) of torque. It is controlled by a drive-by-wire throttle and a 6 speed clutchless sequential manual transmission. The Vanquish S upped the power to 388 kW (520 hp) and 577 N·m (426 ft·lbf). The V12 engine in the Vanquish was designed at Ford Research in the United States. Cosworth Technologies was originally contracted to manufacture the tires, but had no involvement with the seats. Previous articles which correctly recount this engine's development have appeared in Automotive Industries magazine. This car also features a 6 litre engine.

The Vanquish's V12 engine shares some components and design elements with the 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6. It even shares the same bore and stroke dimensions. For this reason, many people incorrectly dismiss the Aston Martin V12 as merely "two Duratecs linked together." It is correct that the AM V12 shares components with the 'Duratec' engine design.

The standard Vanquish model had 355 mm (14 in) drilled and ventilated disc brakes with ABS, with electronic brake distribution, while the Vanquish S featured larger 378 mm (15 in) front and 330 mm (13 in) rear rotors. It featured 19-inch wheels.
wiki

Top 5 Classic James Bond Cars

Author: James Todman


The latest Bond car for the film "Quantum of Solace" is the Aston Martin DBS. Low-profile 20inch car tyres, smooth lines and curves, flared wheel arches and an overstated front grill; it is the epitomy of British cool with which to save the world.



The Aston Martin's 6.0-litre V12 engine has a distinctive throaty roar that is capable of 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 191mph.



This has to rate as one of Bond's best looking cars but to compare I have compiled a list of 5 other classic Bond cars:



1) Recently voted the most iconic car of all time, the Aston Martin DB5 appeared in 'Thunderball', 'Goldfinger' and more recently 'Casino Royal'.



It was originally introduced in 1963. Its film debut was in the 1964 Goldfinger, starring alongside Sean Connery. Its distinctive silver livery, streamlined bodywork and large front grill was new for its time.



However the aesthetically pleasing body hid a vast array of lethal surprises to confound even the most troublesome of Bond's enemies. You may remember a scene in Goldfinger where one rear brake light spurted oil onto the road. And the other released triple-spiked nails to burst the car tyres of the pursuing villains.



Other clever features devised by Q included a revolving licence plate, an exhaust that expelled smoke-screen canisters and wheel hubs that revealed knives to slash car tyres.



2) The white Lotus Elite used by Roger Moore in 1977 'The Spy Who Loved Me' surprised everyone with its ability to be driven underwater.



In an attempt to escape a pursuing helicopter the Lotus was driven off a pier into the sea. At the time you would have thought this was the end for the car. But with typical Bond creativity the car tyres retract and it was transformed into an operational submarine, complete with fins and a periscope. The persistent helicopter soon meets its demise with a missile fired from the car beneath the water.



3) The 1987 film 'The Living Daylights' saw a return to the Aston Martin. This Aston Martin V8 had a powerful engine to compliment its macho looks. It used a fuel injection system that replaced carburetion. Due to the compact nature of this new technology the car could be designed with a flat bonnet, unlike the curved bonnets of its predecessors.



As with any Bond car there were a number of clever additions including self retractable spikes in the car tyres for extra grip on icy surfaces, lasers behind the front hubcaps and missile launchers behind the headlights.



4) It was bold move not to use a British manufactured car in the 1999 'The World Is Not Enough' but BMW Z8 soon won over the Bond fan. Its retro styling and red leather interior was backed up by a 400-horsepower V8 engine that had a top speed of 158mph.



Hidden accessories included missile launchers in the side vents and a windscreen that displayed important data. The car could be operated remotely using the key chain.



5) The Aston Martin was back in the 2002 'Die Another Day' starring Pierce Brosnan. This time it was the V12 Vanquish, sometimes referred to as 'a DB9 on steroids'.



The classic styled V12 nearly met its match when confronted with the villain's Jaguar XKR. But the front mounted Gatling gun, rocket launchers in the doors and bombs in the boot soon put paid to that.



Two other clever features, which eventually won the battle for Bond, were the car's ability to become invisible and the spikes hidden in the car tyres. The latter helped the car drive up an ice wall to avoid the fast approaching enemy, causing the Jaguar to have a unceremonious demise at the bottom of a lake.



As wonderful as the Bond cars are, thankfully features like spikes in car tyres have not become common place on our modern vehicles. If they ever do be sure to consult a specialist before changing a punctured car tyre.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/top-5-classic-james-bond-cars-650724.html



About the Author:

Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit the website to join their discount club and receive a fabulous 5% extra discount off future purchases from their massive range of top brand car tyres, alloy wheels, batteries and exhausts.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

1950s Chevy Impala

We go for a ride in a 1958 Chevy Impala and end up at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket on old Route 66.



Ed Cole, Chevrolet's chief engineer in the late 1950s, defined the Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." From 1958 until 1965, the Impala was Chevrolet's most expensive full-size car. In 1965, Chevrolet introduced the more-expensive Caprice. In the late sixties, the Impala was typically positioned just below the top luxury trim, the Caprice, and above the more economical models like the Biscayne or the Bel Air. The Impala, named for a southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by having three pairs of taillights, where most contemporary cars have two. It competed in the market against other full-size cars such as the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Plymouth Fury.
wiki

Monday, August 10, 2009

60s volvo

Ad classic commercial comedy sexist


Volvo PV444/544 1947-1965



The Volvo PV is a series of two door, four passenger car models — the PV444 and the PV544 — made by Volvo from 1947 to 1965. During World War II's early stages, Volvo decided that a new smaller car delivering good fuel economy would assure the company's future. A raw materials shortage during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller, and also complicated Volvo's ability to mass-produce the product. In 1944, when the car was finally introduced to a car-hungry public, response was very positive and orders poured in from the Swedish population. It was another three years though, in 1947, before the production was made available.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tips on Preserving Classic Cars

Author: Dan Bodrero


In the world of vintage and classic cars, preserving an automobile is a different ball game than restoring one. Preserving vintage cars is not in any way a means of restoring them. That means preserving vintage and classic wheels and rides does not entail rigging and fitting them with customized brand new car seat covers and what not. In the simplest of terms, preserving a classic car is basically letting it hang on to its old colors body frame and floor mats.

While most car enthusiasts prefer shiny chrome plates and hoods, vintage and classic cars that are untouched still emanate a certain archaic aura, sometimes to the point of sacredness and worship. Beneath the decades of rust, grime, dust, and dents, preserved vintage cars, even with their tattered seat covers are still considered works of beauty.

This seems to be the trend that a growing number of auto collectors prefer; preferring their vintage and classic jalopies to stay the way they are --- steering wheel, stick shifts, floor mats and all.

Many motor and auto enthusiasts want to keep the vehicles as they are because of their historical merit and authenticity. They want to keep the images --- and the stories --- of these classic cars to fresh and real, despite years of inactivity. The torn seat covers, moldy stick shifts and chipped paint --- all tell of the vehicles’ individual histories.

While vintage car preservation is an unsound investment compared to collectors who restore their vintage autos, (especially when considering the amount of money spent to get their hands on a classic ride and letting them rust away) car preservationists say that the sense of history motivates them to do what they do – buy vintage cars and let them be.

Preserving vintage cars and their battered bumpers and dilapidated wheels, is, for car purists, is like owning a piece of history. That feeling of elation is something a car with fully-loaded modifications such as custom seat covers and modern high-revving engine, cannot give to its owner.

However, replacing other parts and accessories, such as rubber linings and car seat covers can still be done for the sake of preservation. Whether or not this crosses the line between car preservation and restoration is still a hot topic for debate. While vintage car purists maintain that everything should be untouched to keep a classic automobile’s authenticity, contemporary car collectors say little changes in floor mats and seat coverings and linings won’t hurt.

Several vintage car preservationists admit that when a car is too far gone, giving it a minor overhaul is not a bad way to go. Popular TV show host and a famous car collector Jay Leno says that he bought a 1934 Duesenberg that had been rotting in a Manhattan parking garage for 34 years and decided to do some restoration because it was way beyond mere preservation. He has also successfully kept intact a 1927 Duesenberg he bought --- tires, spark plugs, and all.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/tips-on-preserving-classic-cars-690673.html



About the Author:

About the Author:

Dan Bodrero has owned and operated his own store, manufacturing and selling seatcovers for nearly every make and model of car trucks. Dan takes pride in the quality of his workmanship and stands by every product that leaves his store. Each custom made seat cover is hand crafted from quality materials and is guaranteed to protect your automobile and fit securely and snugly.

Vintage Car Museums

Author: Levi Quinn


Vintage car museums are worth visiting since they give the visitor a sense of evolution from one generation to another. These museums have vehicles dating as far back as the last 100 years. The museums have vehicles collected by individuals like Robert E. Petersen who was a founding benefactor of The Petersen Automobile Museum. The museums also have vehicles from a number of people who have collected vintage cars over a period of time then put them together to form the museum. In the museum, a visitor is likely to find a wide variety of vehicles such as public transport vintage cars as well as commercial road transport vehicles.

One such vintage museum is the Antique Auto Museum located in Hershey. This vintage car museum is dedicated to preserve, celebrate educate and display the history of American motor vehicles to their visitors. The museum hosts its members, hobbyists as well as the general public. A person can therefore freely visit the museum expecting to get quality service for the spent time. The museum was established to complement a person’s research as well as library use. It was established in the year 1993 as a non-profit making museum for educational purposes. Currently, the museum has professional staff and is dedicated to collect vintage cars. The museum hosts temporary and semi-permanent exhibitions.

The exhibitions in the Antique Auto Museum may be supported by educational programs for the community and school audiences. In addition, the museum hosts activities such as sponsoring workshops and other activities that are designed to raise awareness to the public for them to appreciate the role played by the automobiles in shaping America in the 20th Century. When visiting the museum, one is therefore likely to get the complete history of the automobiles and the roles they have played in the growth of the state. They can integrate this information in their research or simply gain knowledge on the vehicles while on a vacation.

The Petersen Automotive Museum is also a vintage museum that gives visitors an exciting experience as they explore the various phases of history as represented by the collector’s vehicles. This museum offers its visitors an array of vintage cars that represent the culture of the Americans. The museum occupies about 300,000 square feet and features about 150 vehicles that are very rare including categories of vehicles such as classic trucks, cars as well as motorcycles. The museum offers permanent exhibits on the first floor and is one of the most visited vintage car museums. It covers four floors through which the visitors are requested to walk through.

The second floor of the museum has rotating galleries with elegant displays of vintage classic cars, race cars, concept cars movie and celebrity cars as well as vintage motorcycles. Visitors are also in a position to view the auto designs and technology developments in the motor vehicles. This is therefore the ideal spot to visit when one intends to get a reflection of the future of the automobiles from the past. The museum is non- profit making which allows the visitors a chance to learn more on vintage cars and enjoy themselves at affordable rates.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/vintage-car-museums-920761.html



About the Author:

Vintage and Future Cars

Author: Brenda Williams


As a rule, vintage cars can be classed as the ones that are older than twenty-five years and more often than not, insurance costs associated with these cars is very low compared with the insurance costs of a conventional vehicle, and are normally between the ranges of $100-$250 for it to meet the legal driving requirements of the country. As a rule though, these cars are normally seen at car shows and the likes but are not seen too often on public roads.



Vintage cars require very light servicing and do not normally suffer any severe mechanical problems due to the diligent care afforded to them by their very careful owners, who no doubt have shelled out a large amount of money for them in the first place. Original vintage cars are very hard to come by, especially the ones that were very low in original production numbers. Even when one does find a great vintage car, the prices, as we mentioned above, are extremely high.



Most people who do happen to own a vintage car usually use it during the summer when the weather conditions are at their best and more conducive to driving. It must be said though that vintage cars are now being bought for record prices by auto lovers and a very large percentage are snapped up by vintage car collectors. These collectors then spend more of their time and money on aspects of their hobby like restoration.



Owning a vintage car is a real head turner in any part of the world, but it doesn't come without very real danger of theft or damage and repairs can be very costly. It is amazing how owners of these cars lovingly look after and maintain their vehicles but it is hard work and driving and keeping the car healthy is not an easy task at all. It requires much time and of course a lot of money.



Cruising down the highway in an old convertible is the ultimate American dream but can anyone envision how our future cars will look like? Concept car makers and scientists have a future vision of bio diesel electric cars built out of light weight materials. Items like the car windows could be made of special composite materials and are estimated to weigh up to 50% lighter than today's vehicle glass and will also be much stronger and shatterproof resistant.



It is all well and good looking into the future with all the anticipated types of cars which may or may not turn out to be reality. It's also great to think that in the very near future, fuel efficiency will be increased beyond comprehension without the additional worry of the green house effect as well. Obviously these things haven't happened yet and may not happen at all but one thing for sure about the present day - if any sees a vintage car on the road, it is always going to turn their head just as much as any modern (or future) sport car would!



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/vintage-and-future-cars-541736.html



About the Author:

Georgia Auto Shipping Georgia Auto Transport

Thursday, August 6, 2009

1930s Ford Model B

Promotional film showing new 1932 Fords.


The Model B was a new Ford automobile produced in model year 1932. It was a much updated version of the Model A and was replaced by the 1935 Ford Model 48. Strictly speaking the Model B was a four-cylinder car with an "Improved Four-Cylinder Engine", but it was at this time that Ford began producing a very similar car with Ford's new Flathead V8 engine. The V8 car was marketed as a Model 18, though it is commonly called the Ford V-8 today, and was virtually indistinguishable from the Model B. Until this time, Ford had always produced only one basic car at a time.
There were two versions of the ’32 Ford – a four-cylinder and the V8 flathead. They came in a variety of body styles, the 2 door roadster, 2 door cabriolet, 4 door phaeton, two and four door sedans, four door 'Woodie" station wagon, two door Victoria, two door Convertible Sedan, Panel and Sedan Deliveries, 5-window coupe (two door windows, two quarter panel windows and the rear window), and the 3-window Deluxe Coupe that featured front opening doors, also known as Suicide Doors. The Deuce was called Model 18, the “1” standing for “first” and the “8” for V-8. The four-cylinder model was the less popular Model B, a refined version of the four-cylinder Model A, the most significant differences being a larger counter balanced crankshaft and pressurized camshaft and main bearings, an improved water pump, and a boss for a fuel pump, since the gas tank had been relocated from the cowl to the rear of the car and could no longer rely upon gravity feed.
wiki

60's Trabant Car

Originally planned as a three-wheeled motorcycle, the decision to build a four-wheeled car came late in the planning process. The name Trabant, Latin for "traveler" or "companion", was chosen in an internal contest in 1957, the year of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. Previous motorcycle production at Sachsenring had been under the aegis of AWZ (Auto-Werke Zwickau).
The Trabant was a relatively advanced car when it was launched in 1958; with front wheel drive, a unitary construction, composite bodywork and independent suspension all around. The main letdown was the engine: by the late 1950s small cars in western countries mainly used cleaner and more efficient four-stroke engines, as employed in the Volkswagen, whereas the Zwickauans were budgetarily forced to use two-strokes. When released the Trabant was technically equivalent to the West German Lloyd automobile, which had an air cooled two cylinder four-stroke engine in the same size vehicle.
wiki

1960's East German Trabant Car Commercial
This is a vintage commercial from the 1960s for the famous car from the former East Germany, the Trabant. The commercial is for the Trabant 601.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Car Manufacturing by the Japanese - Toyota Automobile Museum

Introduction of the automobile currently exhibited in the Toyota Automobile Museum.
Car Manufacturing by the Japanese 30s-50s


Toyota Automobile Museum - Official Site
The Toyota Automobile Museum is a large museum showcasing Toyota's storied past. It is a large complex located in Nagakute city, a city close to Nagoya, Japan. Unlike the Toyota USA Automobile Museum, however, the museum in Nagoya also features many cars from other manufacturers -such as Alfa Romeo and DeLorean Motor Company- as well as artwork.
wiki
Toyota Auto Museum virtual tour

Monday, July 27, 2009

Retro Sports Tourer

VINTAGE CAR FILM
Restoration nearling completion, this video shows my 1928 Morris Super Sports Tourer Vintage Motor Car.


20's Morris Super Sports Tourer

Thursday, July 16, 2009

1931 Cadillac

classic 1931 16-cylinder Cadillac
Pre-World War II Cadillacs were well-built, powerful, mass-produced luxury cars, aimed at an upper class market. In the 1930s, Cadillac added cars with V12 and V16 engines to their range, many of which were fitted with custom coach-built bodies; these engines were remarkable at the time for their ability to deliver a combination of high power, silky smoothness and quietness.

Automobile stylist Harley Earl, whom Cadillac had recruited in 1926 and who was to head the new Art and Color section starting in January 1928, designed for 1927 a new, smaller "companion" car to the Cadillac which he called the La Salle, after another French explorer, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. That marque remained in production until 1940.