What is Karmann Ghia?

The Karmann Ghia was essentially a VW Beetle with a different body shell attached, yet it is considered an elegant sports car. So what constitutes a sports car? For the Karmann Ghia it was all about styling.

In the years following World War II VW had been successfully producing small and efficient automobiles like the Beetle, with a reputation for outstanding reliability. But as time wore on consumers began demanding vehicles with style and elegance, reflecting the changing attitudes at the time. This call was answered by the Karmann Ghia.

The end result however was a car which appealed to 2 very different groups. There were those who wanted a Porsche on a VW budget, and those who wanted a beautiful European touring car that was durable. This was achieved because VW chose to stick to its reliable Beetle chassis, yet covered that Chassis with a shell that was hand built to perfection using methods not seen anywhere else but on the world's finest cars.

Then end result was a car which could not reach 100mph unlike its rivals, but this could easily be overlooked thanks to its beautiful styling and knowing it wouldn't let you down whilst out on the road. During its 18 year production run, around half a million people considered these points more important than thoroughbred racing performance.

It is worth noting that VW emphasized all of the above facts in its advertising. They made it a point to openly declare that it was mechanically identical to the Beetle, and had slogans such as "The 1963 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Slower, but Prettier Than Any Porsche!". This was an honest advertising campaign, and captured the attention of the public. Unfortunately due to high import duties at the time relatively few made it over to the UK, but this didn't stop the car being a huge success at the time and going on to become a classic car.

Owners of such a car should use a special classic car insurance broker, and conduct a car insurance Comparison online to find the best deals

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Coughlan

The 1965 Chevy Shelby GT-350

The 1965 Ford Mustang was one of the most successful cars ever built, selling over one million in the first eighteen months. This iconic car formed the basis for the 1965 Shelby GT-350. In 1964, legendary Carroll Shelby was approached by Ford to produce a race version of the popular 1965 Mustang. Shelby had been a racer in the 1950's; by 1960, he had retired, becoming a designer of high-performance cars

Shelby built 100 of these cars by the first of the year in 1965. All were painted white with blue pinstripes. This super-tuned version of the Mustang was designed to give the Mustang name an image of high performance, and it was very successful at doing exactly that. The car won five of the Sports Car Club of America's six divisions in its first year, and went on to be the SCCA's B-production champion for three years in a row. They are said to be as close to a street-legal racing car as has ever been offered by an American motor company.

Differences from the regular Mustang included a pumped up engine and reinforced suspension. Shelby added a big four-barrel carburetor, free-flow exhaust headers, and other high-performance modifications. A rear axle from the Ford Galaxie replaced the stock assembly, along with bigger drum brakes in the rear and new disc brakes in the front. A set of cast-aluminum wheels and high-performance Goodyear tires, as well as a quick-ratio steering box, made the Shelby GT-350 handling much more impressive than that of the standard Mustang, known to have a strong understeer. The Shelby GT-350 had a top speed of 130 miles per hour, and was rated at 306 horsepower versus the 271 horsepower of the standard Mustang. An optional supercharger reportedly boosted the horsepower over 400, cutting the zero to 60 time to just five seconds.

On the exterior, the steel hood was replaced with a fiberglass one with a functional hood scoop. Inside, the Shelby included racing seatbelts and a missing back seat, to qualify the Shelby GT-350 as a sports car under SCCA rules. Though the first 250 or so were white with blue stripes, the last several hundred came in red, blue, green, and black, all with white stripes. Shelby eventually added an optional fold-down rear seat.

While these GT-350 versions were meant for the street, Shelby also designed a GT-350R model, with special features for the track including high-power heads, a stripped interior, and a super-duty suspension, along with other changes, reducing the weight by over 300 pounds.

In all, 562 Shelby GT-350 cars were produced in 1965, with less than thirty of these as GT-350R racers. At an initial price of $4,547, this was several thousand more than a V8 Mustang, and a few hundred more than a Chevy Corvette. Although they were quite expensive when first sold, many critics actually believed that it would not achieve collectible status because too many were produced. Today, the car remains quite popular among collectors. Though it is out of reach for most car enthusiasts, numerous diecast model and pedal car versions satisfy collectors' appetites for this classic sports car.

Check out Classic Pedal Cars selection of Mustang Pedal Cars you'll love them!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_R_Shaw

The Porsche 914 Modifications

The Porsche 914 is an extremely adaptable sports car. Introduced in 1969 the model was produced until 1976. The mid engine two seater is a small car and very nimble. The only down side with the 914 is that it was slightly underpowered. I believe this was done to keep the 914 from cutting into the market share of the Porsche 911.

The engines available in the stock 914 during the run were the 1.7L (flat-4), 1.8L (flat-4), 2.0L (flat-4), and 2.0L (flat-6). this is where the modification of the Porsche 914 begins. It is most common to rebuild one of the stock original stock engines and with the vast availability of Porsche aftermarket parts and OEM parts you can put together a very snappy 914 with acceptable horsepower increases. Where the fun is is in the installation of more productive Porsche 911 engines. The most popular engine change is the 2.7L, next on the list in popularity is the 3.0L both produce excellent horsepower and are extremely reliable. The king of the hill however is without a doubt the 3.6L which will give a Porsche 914 enough horsepower to drive just about anything off of the asphalt. When changing out the stock engine with one of the more powerful Porsche 911 flat-6 engines it is necessary to install stiffening kits into the 914 because of the increase in torque and horsepower these engines deliver.

The next natural step in the modification of the Porsche 914 is the suspension. The stock 914 used a 4 lug bolt pattern for the wheels which doesn't leave much room for change. The stock suspension should be upgraded to the 911 in the front for the 5 lug bolt pattern which is more responsive can be upgraded easier and carry larger wheels and tires. Also the rear of the car must have 914-6 hubs installed and the trailing arms reinforced, this will also allow the use of 5 bolt pattern wheels. Changing to the 5 bolt pattern also allows you the option of using any of the Porsche fuchs wheels of the appropriate size.

Finally, the last of the Porsche 914 modifications is the body. Without taking away the original look of the 914 there are a variety of body kits available from fender kits in steel to fiber glass to Porsche 916 look alike kits. The ultimate body modification kit for the 914 is the 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupe. Modifying the body of the Porsche 914 will absolutely change the dynamics of the car. Everything from aerodynamics, to overall weight will create a different feel in the car which is to be expected.

When modifications to the 914 are being considered it is a personal thing. I have attempted in this short space to give you a picture of just what can be done with the versatility of the Porsche 914. Mechanical changes to effect overall performance, suspension changes to increase stability and driveability and body modification to personalize the exterior of the car. As for the interior that is where I stop. There is just to much that can be done to make the interior space of the 914 a reflection of the owner.

http://www.porschespeed.net/porsche/
Porsche enthusiast, enjoy sports car racing and auto-x as well as Porsche restoration, modification, and maintenance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=LeVier_Byrem

The Death of Pontiac?

General Motors will 'Shut Down' the 'excitement division' - Pontiac - by the end of 2010. Their decision to cut the long time muscle car brand was among several aggressive steps listed in a recently updated survival plan to the federal government. This leaves GM with four core brands to place their focus: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Have we regressed to the beginning of the 20th century?

The fate of Saturn, Saab, and Hummer are still to be decided. At this time it appears they will either be sold or also shut down.

Interestingly enough, the problem for Pontiac was not sales, according to GM CEO Fritz Henderson. Instead, it was their long running addiction - profits. Indeed, Pontiac was the company's third best selling brand, lead by Chevy and GMC. Pontiac sold twice as many as Buick which is currently set to survive the federal shakeup.

Back to the 1950's

Pontiac's identity as a 'muscle car' brand goes back to the lat 1950's and early 1960's. These cars were originally designed with wider bodies and pushed out wheels. This 'wide track' design made the cars look agile and aggressive - and remained with the brand up until modern times.

After producing the now famous Pontiac Temptest LeMans GTO in 1964, Pontiac secured its place as the first true 'muscle car'.

"There was a time, a long way back now, when you knew exactly what Pontiac stood for," said Kevin Smith, editorial director for the automotive Web site Edmunds.com.

Recent efforts from vice chairman Bob Lutz tried to revive Pontiac's image. His plans called for Pontiac to produce mainly rear-drive 'modernized' muscle cars - such as the 2004 GTO or the rwd G8 sedan. This would have given them a unique selling point over other front wheel drive American cars, in addition to competing with RWD performance brands like BMW.

Unfortunately Pontiac's revival was not to be. Their most popular car remains the G6, followed by the Vibe. The australian based GTO and G8 had only dismal sales. Bob's plans were further crushed when gas prices soared and the EPA further tightened their grip on consumer transportation with tougher fuel economy regulations. So Pontiac returned to selling rebadged Chevrolet counterparts by offering the G3.

Pontiac's lack of providing true value as a brand may finally have brought its demise, said Smith. "That's just death in a marketplace where there's so much competition and so much quality," he said.

Keep Your Pontiac Excitement Alive with the Top Pontiac Resources on the Web at http://www.PontiacClubs.com - News, Clubs, Parts, Videos, more

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_V

The Porsche Cayenne

Frankly speaking, it is the Cayenne that compels me to use the word vehicle in conjunction with Porsche. Before the introduction of the Cayenne, Porsche only used to manufacture cars. Thus, this model signifies a significant shift in the designing paradigm of Porsche. The Cayenne has the first V8 engine built by Porsche since the discontinuation of the 928 in 1995.

The model range

The Cayenne range, although relatively new, can be divided into two stages of development. The range manufactured from 2002 to 2006 is called the 1st generation Cayenne while the vehicles since have been known as the 2nd generation. The differences between the two are listed below.

• Porsche Cayenne 1st generation

Engine(s) 3.2 L 250 hp VR6
4.5 L 340 hp (254 kW) V8 (S)
4.5 L 450 hp (336 kW) V8 (Turbo)
4.5 L 521 hp (389 kW) V8 (Turbo S)
Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 2855 mm (112.4 in)
Length: 4780 mm (188.2 in)
Turbo : 4783 mm (188.3 in)
Width: 1928 mm (75.9 in)
Height: 1700 mm (66.9 in)

• Porsche Cayenne 2nd generation

Engine(s)
3.0L 335 hp (250 kW) V6 Turbo Diesel
3.6L 290 hp (216 kW) VR6
4.8 L 385 hp (287 kW) V8 (S)
4.8 L 405 hp (302 kW) V8 (GTS)
4.8 L 500 hp (370 kW) V8 (Turbo)
4.8 L 550 hp (410 kW) V8 (Turbo S)
Transmission(s) 6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 2855 mm (112.4 in)
Length: 4798 mm (188.9 in)
Turbo : 4795 mm (188.8 in)
Width: 1928 mm (75.9 in)
Height: 1700 mm (66.9 in)

In today's market the Cayenne is available in six different variants with two more to be launched shortly. These variants are -

• Cayenne (base model)
• Cayenne S
• Cayenne GTS
• Cayenne Turbo
• Cayenne Turbo S
• Cayenne S Transsyberia

Two new models, the Cayenne hybrid and the Cayenne diesel are eagerly awaited and are expected to hit the markets in 2009.

If you are looking for a luxury SUV, the Cayenne is the vehicle for you. To have a look at the vehicle and check out the variants, drop by the website http://www.porschemelbourne.com.au This is the website of Porsche Melbourne, which is the premier dealership of Porsche in Melbourne. Get in touch with them and get your hands on your dream car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Lambert

Green Luxury Car is Lincoln C Concept

Where have all the luxury cars gone?

It seems as though nice cars have been put on the back burner while small, cheap cars take their place. There's nothing wrong with small cheap cars, but there is something wrong with taking away the nice cars.

Lincoln seems to have a solution to this. They call it the "C" Concept. It's a completely green luxury car with the capacity to change how we think about automobiles - and is downright cool.

The "C" gets its styling from the ever-so-popular box car design, but Lincoln has rounded it off quite a bit. On the exterior one might say that a VW New Beetle and a Chrysler PT Cruiser ran into a Lincoln Navigator and formed what we see as the "C". On the interior, the Bladerunner-esque ergonomic seats make you want to take a nap while the panoramic instrument panel invites you back to the future. While you're marveling at the design the "C" senses your presence and greets you with a customizable avatar that proceeds to go over your schedule with you and alerts you to any e-mails or text messages that you've received.

Assuming you've cleaned up the mess you've made while you were drooling and decided to take the 1.6L EcoBoost powered vehicle for an environmentally friendly spin you'll probably notice that your "C" winks at other "C"s that it comes across on the road. Just a little flash from the headlight closest to the other "C".

Here's something for the audiophiles. Fingertip controls for GPS Navigation, Satellite Radio, MP3 Players, and Social Networking. Lincoln has yet to define social networking in this respect, but it will be interesting none the less.

Hopefully this will be one car we'll be "C"ing a lot of in the future.

To search for Sioux City Lincoln cars or Sioux Falls Lincoln cars, visit Siouxlandcarsforsale.com or Kelolandautomall.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_B._Bailey

3 Things Mercedes Benz Need to Think About

The Mercedes Benz line of automobiles has been hailed as one of the top rated in terms of longevity. The German engineering might have something to do with it, but typically it has a lot to do with Mercedes owners caring for their cars.

Eventually, the inevitable will happen; you'll have to give your Mercedes repair. Indianapolis or Berlin, it doesn't matter where you're from. These tips to maintain and care for your car are above borders and can drive you to 155,000 miles and beyond.

Think coolant.

The proper antifreeze mixture will lower the freezing point of water and raise its boiling point. You can pick up antifreeze in either pre-diluted bottles or straight antifreeze to mix yourself. Green is fine, but not for your Mercedes. It's best recommended to use the pale orange solution.

Mercedes manufactures a special mix containing additives that neutralize the pH in the coolant. This wards off engine block, radiator, and engine head corrosion. Although a brand of antifreeze claims to be formulated for Mercedes, only the Mercedes official coolant contains all the necessary buffers. The cost for the Mercedes antifreeze may be double per gallon over the cost of the cheaper green antifreeze.

It's also recommended to drain and change the coolant every twenty four months.

Think lubricant.

The debate looms on over standard oil versus synthetic oil, but if yours is a Mercedes built after 1998 and has the Flexible Service System, the decision has been made for you: synthetic oil only.

Which is probably fine, if the increased cost of synthetic over standard isn't enough to ruin your day. There are a few advantages of the synthetic to consider, but mainly, synthetic oil remains a liquid down to 60 below zero Fahrenheit and remains thick and filmy at extreme high temperatures, something to help you avoid major repairs. Extreme climates, whether hot or cold, make synthetic oil the only real option.

The synthetic oil reduces wear on the mechanical parts greatly as well. Depending on a variety of internal computer factors, your Mercedes may not require oil changes at a frequent interval, whereby saving you even though the cost per quart is nearly triple that of standard oil.

Think power.

Especially important in the late fall, you must be sure to prepare your Mercedes for the winter, and that definitely includes the battery and vehicle lighting. If your battery needs charging from time to time in the warmer days, you can expect it to fail you on the colder days.

The reasons aren't clear, but original factory batteries tend to last longer than replacements. Some basic checks will help you avoid a dark night of being stranded. Make sure the terminals are free, tight, and clean. Make sure the acid levels are at the mark. If not, be sure to have it tested to find out what's lacking.

As for lighting, too often vehicles are running with burned out bulbs and non-functioning signals. You shouldn't trust any kind of warning mechanism. Instead, routinely check the outside lights and interior lights for missing bulbs. You can find a list of what should be lit inside and out at the different ignition stages and under various circumstances at your Mercedes dealer's website.

When it comes to keeping your Mercedes in the long-life lane, it's important to think: about the coolant, about the lubricant, and about the power. Knowing the right antifreeze is protecting your engine, the right oil is performing for you, and the right charge is in the battery, is most of the battle. Rely on these steps to ensure you won't need a major repair anytime soon.

Douglas Scott loves his car and finds auto service in Indianapolis to be the best in the world. For more information on fine European cars visit EuroMotorworks.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Scott