Archive for December, 2011
Chevy Introduces Muscle Cars
Chevy has a long established history of creating cars that not only looked fantastic but proved durable and let us face it, classic Chevy cars turned and still turn people’s heads. I want all classic Chevy fans to join me as I travel down memory lane in giving these classic cars their due.
Do you remember the 67 Camaro? This car was Chevy’s answer to the Ford Mustang. The engine in the SS model was 350 V-8 that produced three-hundred horsepower. The car lasted through five generations of design upgrades. Sadly, production ceased in 2002 but was reintroduced to Chevy fans in 2010 and was awarded the Design of the Year Award. The Z28 was produced and designed for racing enthusiasts and competed in the Trans-Am series.
One vehicle that still turns heads to all who see it is the El Camino. Originally, this car was viewed as a small SUV (small utility vehicle). No one ever thought this car would join the ranks of “Muscle Cars.” What made this car so unique is that back in 1966 the 396 engine was offered which was also available with the Chevelle. The Super Sport Edition was equipped with a Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission and a 350 V-8 that allowed this Muscle Car to run the quarter mile in 14 seconds.
One vehicle that fought hard to park beside the Classic Muscle Cars is the Chevy Nova. This car was not known for fashion but rather was known for its compact form, speed and light-weight. The design that was given to the Nova was originally planned for what was called The Chevy II. The 64 models contained a V-8 engine that was 195 horsepower, 2-barrel 283.
If you grew up in the fifties, you might not remember the Bel Air. Why is this you might be wondering? The answer proves straightforward, the Bel Air was not as popular as Chevy imagined or hoped in the fifties. Popularity gained for this car in the sixties with the help of the Beach Boys hit “409″.
The Chevy 150 is remembered specifically for the number in the title. The numerical designation originated from the production series number which was also utilized in Chevy’s company reports. Production of this car ceased in 1957 and was replaced with the Delray. The 150 is not as valuable for collectors in comparison to its relatives the Bel Air and Two-Ten models. On a positive note, 150s that contain a V-8 engine are popular with hot rod collectors and enthusiasts because of the lower prices and curb weight.
The topic of COPO came up in a recent discussion about muscle cars the other day. For the record, COPO is an acronym that stands for “central office production order”. This term was used frequently during the muscle car era in flagging vehicles that could be ordered directly from the factory. I will officially announce that the recent COPO I viewed was sparsely equipped with no rear seats and did not have air conditioning. If you are racing enthusiasts, you will enjoy the racing bucket seats in the recent versions of these cars.
If you are seeking to obtain a Muscle Car while saving some of your hard-earned cash, you should consider the Biscayne. The reason collectors are not beating the doors down for this model is because it has always lacked luxurious interiors and exteriors. You can find these models significantly lower in price in comparison to the mid-line Impala.
If you enjoy four-door sedans, the Chevy Deluxe was introduced to the world in 1941. The following year, they offered a fastback two-door “aero sedan.” The production of this model was delayed because of War World II. Chevy stopped regular production of these models and instead focused on producing sedans and coupes for military usage.
Classic Chevy fans can all agree that Muscle Cars are sights to behold. We all have our memories of these cars and no matter how Ford wants to try; they will never be able to hold a candle to Chevy’s finest, no matter how hard they try.
Great YouTube Channels for Car Fans
If you are a car enthusiast like me you probably like watching YouTube videos with car reviews, latest news or plain awesome exotic
cars.
I have compiled a list of my favorite YouTube channels with a few comments on each. Let me know what you think and give me any suggestions for other awesome channels I missed.
1. EVOTV
Great channel from Britain focused mainly on exotic car reviews. They update with a reasonable frequency and are a little heavy on Ferrari’s.
2. FLDetours
Nice channel with reviews on new cars. The update frequency is probably once a week but the reviews are thorough. Not crazy about the style of the presentation but they do make good efforts to be objective.
3. FastLaneDaily
Coming from the same team of journalists and car enthusiasts. Monday through Wednesday they offer a news show that is quite funny and enjoyable. Presenter is Derek D that I find very pleasant to follow. Thursdays and Fridays are filled with more serious discussions about cars that I haven’t managed to follow that closely. But take a look and you won’t be disappointed.
4. Autocar
British channel with tons of car reviews that you should certainly check out.
5. MotorTrend
Excellent channel with tons of reviews focused on performance cars. They have multiple tests around the track and I like their approach.
6. RoadflyTV
I discover this channel by chance and they have multiple reviews. They update weekly on average and the presenters/reviewers are really good. I like their approach and they are very objective. Also a couple of cute girls…
7. Edmunds InsideLineVideo
Coming with the great reputation of Edmund’s this channel could not be anything less than great. I do find their reviews a bit stale though and lacking imagination.
8. CarAndDriver
A channel coming from the famous automotive magazine. Good reviews and a “Name that exhaust” section.
9. KelleyBlueBook
Also with a good reputation, their reviews are nice but I don’t quite like their very serious presentations. This is a matter of personal taste though.
10. Carscomm
Cars.com offers nice car reviews that will add to your favorite channels. It’s good to get a different opinion on any car.
11. TheSmokingTire
Another great channel by car enthusiasts. Mostly focused on race and exotic cars with nice interviews sometimes. I am a fan of their funny and light approach. Take a look!
12. Autoexpress
Autoexpress has tons of good reviews and will keep you updated on the latest releases.
13. Urgetodrive
A channel that is all about beautiful women driving exotic cars. What more do you want? Relatively new but fun to watch.
14. TopGear/Fifth Gear
Great deals on birthday party supplies
Birthday parties can be expensive to plan which is one reason that as adults many people say that they no longer want to have a birthday party. However, most adults still have that small child inside of them that would still like to play with birthday hats and party favor bags even if they say that they do not want a party which is why it can be a lot of fun to still through someone a surprise birthday party. Thus, you may want to reconsider if you have a friend or family member that tells you they do not really want a birthday party.
This said, if you plan correctly a birthday party does not have to break the bank because there are many affordable ways to plan a birthday party if you approach purchasing your supplies in a wise fashion. For instance, if you head online to buy your birthday party supplies from a wholesaler you will find that planning the event does not have to be that costly and you can still find a wide array of choices to choose your supplies from the so that the final result is still something that the guest of honor will love.
The Best Way to Wean yourself Away From Cigarettes
If you have tried many different ways to quit smoking and you somehow still keep going back to them, then it might be time to buy electronic cigarettes and gradually cut back until you don’t feel the need for them anymore. One of the more successful ways to quit smoking is the e cigarette. You still get the nicotine just like from the regular cigarettes, but you don’t get all the other harmful chemicals, toxins, and tar that come with traditional . This way, you can start making a healthier choice for yourself immediately and still smoke the same amount that you are used to.
Then, when you get used to the e cigarette, you can start using it less and less only when you really crave the nicotine. It’s much cheaper in the long run to get an e cigarette collection instead of real cigarettes because all you need is the and the juice to put in it and you never need a lighter again either. You’ll never get complaints about secondhand smoke and you’ll be much more likely to quit when you use them correctly. If you don’t want to be trapped by big tobacco anymore, then the e cigarette may be your solution to a healthier lifestyle.
