Classic Car Projects - You Can Build Your Own

There has never been a better time to build a muscle car project. The availability of aftermarket parts, crate motors, disc brake kits and other upgrades make almost anything possible. The other plus is the relative low cost of these parts. One can literally start with a bare shell and build a complete top notch car using aftermarket/new parts exclusively. The sky's the limit!!

Another plus with these older era rigs is the simplicity of the cars themselves. They are much easier to work on or build than the newer stuff. No emissions, electronic fuel injection, abs brakes, air bags or any other advanced systems that require extensive specialized training. All the non-sense is outta the way!!

With sites like eBay and Craigslist, there are tons of sources to find solid project cars. You can find just about any make/model imaginable without a lot of effort.

Choosing A Make and Model:

One of the coolest aspects of this whole car building business is choosing your project. You may want to build a numbers matching 100% correct car and re-create a piece of automotive history, or you may want to get an old "mongrel" for cheap and play the creative angle to build something unique. Cost is a big factor here, a highly sought after numbers matching rig is gonna be much more expensive to acquire and build than an old "grocery getter", but both have advantages.

Comparatively, a 1969 RS/SS numbers matching Camaro is gonna fetch top dollar if done well, if being at the top of the food chain is important to you. The same 1969 Camaro with a puny 327/powergide that was never anything more than a basic model is obviously going to cost less initially and be easier to find than the "top dog".

I think the lower model is more fun to build because the sky's the limit. It was never anything special to begin with, so it's really a blank canvas that can be cloned or modified with any crazy mods/upgrades. The engine, tranny, color, pretty much any variable is possible. You really can't do that with an advanced model without de-valuing it.

Wheelin' and Dealin':

There are running, driving cars that need a little tlc, or there are absolute basket cases out there that can be had for cheap. It depends on the amount of ambition you have. I prefer the basket cases for lots of reasons.

The main reason is there are lots of 'em laying around. Lots of guys start these projects with a lot of enthusiasm, but eventually get in over their heads. They don't have the money or the expertise to see the project through to the end, and it becomes a nightmare. It's not unusual to find projects that come with tons of new parts and killer stuff that cost a small fortune, and now the owner just wants it all gone. If a car on jackstands in someones garage disassembled in a billion little pieces doesn't scare you, there are very good deals out there for you.

Assessing The Condition:

The number one thing i look at when assessing any project is structural condition. Look at the frame rails, suspension mounts, crossmembers etc. for damage or rot. Measure the frame diagonally to be sure the frame isn't crooked. Measure from the cowl area to the outer corner of the radiator support to ensure it's dimensionally correct. It doesn't have to measure "dead-nuts" on, but if there's obvious heavy damage you should find it early.

The good news is that any possible damage is fixable! Just because there is a 2 inch square hole rusted through the rear frame rail doesn't mean the car should go to the crusher!! If fact, the more problems you find are just ammunition you can use to get a lower purchase price. DON'T BE AFRAID OF DAMAGE/RUST! It's all fixable.

Look at door hinges and latches. Window regulators. Dashboard wiring. Is the fuel tank dented? Is all the door glass tinted the same? Has someone hacked up the car in any way to do some freaky custom stuff? Are all the nuts/bolts/fasteners there? Brackets? These are often overlooked details that can be a royal pain to deal with later.

It should go without saying to be sure the title is clear. Previously wrecked cars can be re-titled as "salvage" vehicles. This doesn't mean the car is really damaged beyond repair, it means that the insurance company determined that the cost to repair the car at the time of the damage/accident exceeded the value, so it was "totalled". For example if you owned a 1967 Dodge Dart in that was damaged in 1981, it wouldn't take much damage to exceed "book value" on what was at that time a run-of-the-mill grocery getter.

This affects re-sale value more than anything else, it is a mild deterrent from buying the car, but again, it's leverage to negotiate. If you never plan to sell the car, re-sale value wouldn't be an issue.

Practical Thoughts:

It's very possible to spend years looking for a "perfect project". The problem with that type of conservative thinking is that you'll never find anything "perfect". At some point, you have to stop picking every prospective car to death and jump into the game. For example, is a carved up dashboard really going to be the difference in a successful build and a life altering nightmare? It doesn't take long on any project to find surprises, dealing with them without catastrophising them is the difference in cars that get finished and old rustbuckets on jackstands. A finished car with flaws is worth more than a car that'll be perfect someday. There's an old saying in business: At some point it is necessary to shoot the engineers and begin production.

Calculating The Cost To Finish The Build:

This is where most would-be projects go wrong. You should have a clear idea of what it's all gonna cost before you even look at a car. The bad news is these projects can get out of control really quick if you're not careful. The good news is there are lots of good sources for parts, and catalogs to job-cost the project.

A good first time project would be to just re-condition an old rig without a lot of upgrades. You can expand your skills with really super trick stuff after a few builds. It doesn't take long before you'll be able to build about anything you want.

Here's an example of a basic budget for a simple recondition project:

Initial purchase: $4000

Sheetmetal/body parts: $350

Paint/body materials: $800

Rebuild brakes: $175

Rebuilt engine/longblock: $1000

Engine add-ons: $1350

(headers, holley carb, HEI ignition,

trick valve covers, etc.)

Drivetrain upgrades: $300

(u-joints, tranny cooler, steering

linkage, etc)

Bumpers/trim mouldings: $1000

Windshield: $135

Interior Kit: $800

Tires/Wheels: $1200

Misc surprises: $1000

Est cost to build: $12,110

Summary:

Building these cars is a real kick, there is nothing like rescuing an old car with your own hands. The only way to learn to do this is to just get a project and go for it. The good news is it's not that difficult. A willingness to get your hands dirty goes a lot further than high mechanical ability. Someone with basic mechanical aptitude can certainly build a musclecar.

18 wheeler driving musclecar guru. Residing in the pacific northwest.

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Rolls Royce's Ghost Model - The Brand New Luxury Variant

The newly launched variant of Ghost model by the ultra-luxury car maker, Rolls Royce has struck a starting price of Rs 3.05 crore in order to tap the growing luxury car market. British company has already announced that Ghost Extended Wheelbase powered by a 6.6 litre petrol engine will be soon available in the markets. Business Development Head at Rolls-Royce India said that demand for luxury cars is growing rapidly in India and they want to tap the market with the launch of this new model.

The company is also anticipating that every third car being sold in India would be the new Ghost Extended Wheelbase, but for the time being they do not want to put a number to it. He also added that although exact numbers cannot be expected for now, but they are very optimistic for this year and so they are strictly working hard to expand the market.

Last year, company sold almost 80 units in the country and now it is planning to expand the network. Additionally, India being one of the major markets for the brand in Asia, it is looking forward to enhance its distribution. Right now, it has only two dealerships, one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai. Apart from company selling Phantom and Ghost in the country, it is also expected to add more dealerships.

Rolls Royce's New Variant

Rolls Royce believes Ghost to be its essence in the simplest and purest form. The extended wheelbase, 2:1 ratio of height of the wheels and short and long overhang in the front and rear end, makes it a perfect drive for all those who want to experience luxury to the most. The exterior design feels absolutely natural and not styled. The finely equipped V-12 engine is whisper-quiet while accelerating, which allows people to revel in the scenery unobtrusively while enjoying the drive. Moreover, this car is well-engineered to make a strong grip with the road, so that during the dynamic drive, occupants can actually luxuriate in the magic carpet drive.

The simple yet contemporary interiors include full grain leather, Blenheim wool carpets and natural wood veneers that leave you with a wonderful experience while entering and exiting the car. With a top speed of 250 km/h and 9.6 ltr of extra urban fuel consumption, you can enjoy a swift and smooth drive. In addition to this, the engine is designed for octane grade 95 fuel, but it can also run on fuel with a minimum octane grade of 91. The Rack and Pinion steering with speed sensitive variable rate power assistance and ventilated discs for front and rear brakes are some added features that are sure to charm you.

Charu Mehta is a free lance content writer from past five years and has written almost 7000 live articles for different clients. Her experience in this industry has helped her to sharpen the skills and expertise in this field. She has the potential to write on any subject and endow clients with different requirements.

Personal URL: charu.freelancer

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Where Are the New Car Dealership Hotspots for Car Dealer Sales?

ByHugh McInnes

In case someone is searching for a new car or truck and they are probably also wondering where to get the best deal possible. Many dealers produce attractive advertisement with very promising deals and offers. However, before making a rush decision, it is advisable to make comparisons of the different offers available in the market. The best dealership can be described as the one that wants to sell the vehicle to you at a price that is very comfortable for your pocket. Below are some tips that can assist you in getting the best new car dealership.

• The art of negotiating
Those who possess good negotiating skills are at an advantage as they have the ability to push the dealer down on his or her price. Since the competition among the car dealers is very high, most of them will be willing to go down on their selling price so as not to lose the sale. As a buyer you should take advantage of this information and negotiate as much as possible. In case you know what to ask for, you may be lucky enough to get some additional perks.

• Family and friends
Look for more information about the car dealers from family and friends. Some of them may have had some experience with some dealers and therefore they can tell you about their experience. Find out if they received any additional perks and extras from the dealers after the purchase was completed. Take notes that you can use to compare the offers that different car dealers have provided their clients with in the past. With this information in hand, you can contact the dealers and negotiate for the best price possible.

• Research
Information on cheap deals can be sourced from the newspapers, the web and also the local car dealers. As you carry out your research, you may land on some car brochures. Take time to read them and analyse the information that has been provided. The car dealers usually advertise for special offers in the newspapers, TVs and other forms of media. Scrutinize the information provided in the advertisements very keenly as you seek to get the best deal possible.

• Ask questions
Feel free to ask as many relevant questions to the car dealer as possible and expect answers on the same. It is your right to know some history about the car, its service and maintenance. Find out if you qualify for expedited car service from the specific dealership if you purchase the car from there.

• Do not judge a book by its cover
Do not ignore the specific new car dealerships based on their appearance but rather take some time to negotiate. If the dealership appears small but has got a good and proficient car dealer sales person, then you stand a better chance of getting a good deal on your car purchase.

• Reviews
Salesmen are known to have very convincing language. However, you should avoid trusting the first sales man you get. Take time and read customer reviews. The information acquired is very helpful as it depicts the experience that other people have had.

Selecting car dealer sales is an important decision that should be given the attention it deserves. This makes it imperative to carry out proper research and consequently base decisions on concrete facts.

One of Hugh McInnes' hobbies is to attend new car dealerships to find out what is new about cars and sometimes have a quick test drive. Because of that he knows lots of car dealer sales and can give people good advices about how to find good car prices.

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10 Signs That Your Classic Muscle Car Is Rusting

; this is one of those articles that could encompass a lot of different ideas. I will stick to the things that I have seen over the years restoring classic cars. I hope you don't mind if I ramble on a bit I always get back to the theme of the article.

Over the years I have dealt with rust in a lot of different forms, and I may present this articles in a way that is a bit different but by the time you read it you will know if your car is beginning to rust, or if it has full blown body cancer.

First I will forge on with a numbered list of the .

1. Paint bubbling this is always a tell tail sign that rust has started in your car
2. Paint flaking is another definite sign of rust, these two are the obvious ones
3. Rock chips are turning black or brown
4. The edges of doors, hoods, or trunk lid are starting to crack
5. Small pin holes in the body of your car (any body panel)
6. Any area that feels weak to the touch has rusted from the inside (Body Cancer)
7. Paint changing colors, and you can't fix it, this is a sign of the beginning of body cancer
8. Bigger holes in the floor board, rocker panels, or trunk floor (Body Cancer)
9. Fender wells are a common spot to get Body Cancer, they will develop holes
10. The fire wall in your engine compartment is a common place to rust, it will usually come from between the areas where they join two pieces of metal together.

The one thing that you need to remember about rust is that it is very hard to stop it from destroying your car once it has started the process. The biggest reason that rust starts in the first place is that people don't wash their cars enough.

Dirt; leafs and road grime will get in every crack and cranny of your car; these things hold moisture in and cause your car to rust. There are always things like rock chips in the paint, or bad body work that can cause rust also, so make sure that any work done on your car is done right.

In every case with body cancer the affected area must be cut out and replaced there is no easier, or shorter way to do it. Surface rust can be fixed by grinding the affected area clean, and repainting it. I know it all sounds like a ton of work, that is because it is.

Your best bet is to wash your car at least once per week if you drive it. In my next article I will talk more about rust prevention. This happens during the restoration of a car, you can make cars almost rust proof if you do it right, but that is in the next article.

I hope the has helped some of our readers, please let us know if your like it.

I've been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years, I have worked in all facets of the industry, from parts to restoration, all different makes and models, I just want to keep people interested in the old cars because it's where my heart is.

http://autorevival.com

muscle car blog

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The New Hyundai i30

The all new Hyundai i30 was undoubtedly designed around the comfort of the driver. From its fully adjustable steering wheel, sporty seating and optimal gearshift positioning to its vivid LCD instrument display and a highly responsive drivetrain, the i30 lets the driver experience ultimate mobile comfort and control. In turn the extra legroom, exceptional air management and contoured chair support is guaranteed to make a lasting impression on passengers no matter if they are in the back or front seats of the car.

The Hyundai i30 Specs

Thanks to a much longer wheelbase now boasts a spacious cabin that gives all occupants more freedom of movement while also creating an increased luggage capacity. But just how much? Well, with the rear seats upright the i30's load volume now measures 340 litres and with the seats down, a HUGE 1250 litres. Beyond the obvious storage space, this compact also offers clever packing space solutions like seat rear pockets, a sunglass holder and a cooled (yes you read that right, a cooled) glove compartment to name but a few awesome features.

The Hyundai i30 1.6L and 2.0L Models

There are two dynamic petrol engines that are available in the top selling Hyundai i30 range. An economical 1.6L model and the more powerful 2.0L model - both are equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions, 16 valves and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) that allow the car to achieve optimum performance and maximum fuel efficiency in their class.

The 1.6L Hyundai i30 delivers an amazing 89kW of power at 6200rpm and 153Nm of torque at 4200rpm while the 2.0L model produces a very highly competitive 105kW at 6000rpm and 186Nm at 4600rpm. Both i30 models offer surprisingly low combined fuel consumption figures of 6.2L/100km and 7.1L/100km respectively. This makes both an affordable as well as an environmentally friendly motor vehicle to drive.

First-Class Features

Top quality finishes and features come standard on all of range. This means that leather seating, 16" alloy wheels on the 1.6L and 17" alloys and a sunroof on the 2.0L add to its aesthetic appeal while climate control, electric windows and a fully integrated radio/CD/mp3/aux/USB audio system create superior comfort for both passengers and drivers alike. And with standard safety features that include dual front, side and curtain airbags, crumple zones, side impact protection, ABS with EBD and ESP, driver peace of mind is a assured.

The author is a motoring enthusiast and Hyundai fan who was born in Korea, but now resides in South Africa. He has had a lifelong affair with writing and motoring that has ensured that these two passions are constantly used to promote vehicles from the land of his birth such as the entire Hyundai motoring range. Read more about new Hyundai i30.

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The New Hyundai i10

's clever design ensures that it isn't just incredibly practical, but also undeniably stylish. The incorporation of generous glass areas ensure increased visibility while an arched roof allows for easy passenger entry and smooth body contour lines that improve the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle. With form complementing function, the i10 promises a drive that's both enviable if you do not own one and enjoyable if you do.

The Hyundai i10 Specs

The Hyundai i10 might look small from the outside but it's surprisingly roomy on the inside. Intelligent design features ensure that it's flexible enough to comfortably seat up to five adults, while its 60/40 split-folding rear seats make room for bigger loads when necessary. Add to this some smart storage spaces like an under-seat tray, integrated tool tray, trendy cup holders and a removable parcel shelf, and you'll agree that the i10 is ready to take on any journey you can fathom.

The Hyundai i10 1.1L and 1.25L Models

offers a choice of two petrol engines that allow for a fun and affordable driving experience while also doing its bit to help protect the environment.

The 1.1L Hyundai i10 delivers a comfortable 50kW of power at 5500rpm and maximum torque of 99Nm at 4500rpm, while the 1.25L model boasts an impressive top power output of 64kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 119Nm at 4500rpm.

Constantly Variable Valve Technology (CVVT) is available on the 1.25L Hyundai i10 model ensuring maximum fuel efficiency and translating into a low combined fuel consumption figure of only 4.7L/100km and a mere 113g/km CO2 emissions figure. That means the 1.25L is as easy on fuel as it is on the eye...

Value-for-money Features

Hyundai didn't take any short cuts when designing the i10. It's packed with top quality features that are seldom found in cars of this class and they guarantee an enjoyable and safe drive. All models come equipped with power steering, central locking, a radio/CD/mp3 system, air conditioning, front electric windows and driver airbags. The 1.25L Hyundai i10 also boasts passenger airbags, ABS Brakes with EBD and an alarm system as standard.

Great Resale Value

The Hyundai i10 is an affordable car that has great resale value in the second hand market. This means that when you are almost guaranteed a great price when selling your second hand Hyundai i10 if you decide to upgrade your vehicle in a few years time.

The author is a motoring enthusiast and Hyundai fan who was born in Korea, but now resides in South Africa. He has had a lifelong affair with writing and motoring that has ensured that these two passions are constantly used to promote vehicles from the land of his birth such as the entire Hyundai motoring range. Know more about Hyundai i10.

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The New Hyundai i20

The all-in-one Hyundai i20 ticks every box on the driver requirement list! Incorporating novel ideas and clever solutions this new sub-compact isn't just safe, reliable and spacious but also versatile, economical and very, very affordable. Add to the mix a fresh modern design and it's easy to see why the i20 is now considered a serious class contender and one of the most popular new cars in both Europe and South Africa.

The Hyundai i20 Specs

The i20's athletic stance, distinct lines and striking front and rear light fittings can be attributed to its European design architecture. This Euro look and lean aerodynamics have resulted in a reduction in wind noise, while flattening of the floor, optimised ground clearance and fuller bumpers ensure a much low drag coefficient than previous models. The Hyundai i20's interior echoes its exterior achievements, boasting class-leading boot storage capacity and offering a generous array of comfort features that are normally only found in luxury vehicles.

The Hyundai i20 1.4L and 1.6L Models

Hyundai i20 drivers get to take their pick from two dynamic petrol powertrains, a 1.4L and 1.6L variant. Both of these are built on Hyundai's Gamma engine design and feature Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) as well as Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) to ensure optimum fuel efficiency.

The 1.4L i20 produces a maximum 74kW at 5500rpm and 136Nm at 4200rpm and offers a low combined fuel consumption figure of 5.8L/100km on the manual model. A 1.4L automatic transmission option is also available. The 1.6L Hyundai i20 in turn has a power output of 91kW at 6300rpm and torque of 156Nm at 4200rpm allowing it to accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in 9.5 seconds and to a top speed of 190km/h.

Flexible A-Z Features

The Hyundai i20 has it all. Top world class safety features include ABS brakes with EBD, driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection and crumple zones while comfort features range from keyless entry, alarm and central locking to a radio/CD/mp3 player and a 'best in class' cooling and heating system.

All New Styling

As with all new 2012 Hyundai Models the i20 takes its cues from the companies Fluidic Sculpture Design Philosophy. This means that each and every curve on the car has been inspired by the interplay of wind and the natural form. The result is a sleek, assertive and highly distinctive design that is guaranteed to command attention from even the most jaded car lover.

The author is a motoring enthusiast and Hyundai fan who was born in Korea, but now resides in South Africa. He has had a lifelong affair with writing and motoring that has ensured that these two passions are constantly used to promote vehicles from the land of his birth such as the entire Hyundai motoring range. Know more about Hyundai i20.

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