The Classic Cars of the Future is the Automobile You Are Driving Today

A true classic car is one that is completely original, and no modifications have been made decades later, including holes drilled, or add-on aftermarket parts replacing the genuine original parts. But have you ever considered that the classic cars of the future are nothing more than the automobiles we are driving today. In other words you are only 30-years too early. Now then, with that said maybe you should consider what you are doing before you drill holes in your center console, or start making major modifications.

Okay so, you probably don't plan on keeping your car for 30 years, but what if you did? Some of the cars driving around today will be totaled, rebuilt, refurbished, and be in car show someday in the future. Some of the cars driving around today may look like just regular cars, but they may win best of show at a car show in 30 years. Thus, it makes sense to take care of your automobile, keep it in good condition, and keep it as original as possible without too many major modifications if you wish to hold its value over the long term.

Why is it that so many people have a problem thinking here? Is it because everyone is busy living in the present period, rather than thinking about the future? Is it because humans live for the day, without regard to strategically planning their future? Perhaps, it is some of all of those things, but 30 years from now will be here, perhaps before you know it. After all, time does have a way of flying by when you stop thinking about it.

Over the years before retirement, I had been involved in sponsoring a number of classic car shows, as it was part of our marketing and branding strategy for my automobile service company. I can't tell you how many times that the judges who were quite well-versed in the factory specs of various cars would find sometimes ridiculous parts added to cars, often they would be Chinese trinkets, little plastic fittings and things stuck where they didn't belong.

Because of this they couldn't win best of show, because their car was not fully original, but it also showed a lack of regard for continuity of the era in which the car was entered in the contest. Well, rather than continue to lecture you, I would just like you to please consider all this and think on it. Because you might be driving a classic car, but your mindset is merely out of time.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,850 articles by July 4, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

The Automobile Industry - A Few Facts

It all started in 1769 when Nicolas J. Cugnot, a French engineer, tested his uncommon invention - a device which can be considered as the first automobile to run on roads. It consisted of a self-powered, three-wheeled, military tractor equipped with a steam engine. However, the automobile invented by Cugnot was not fit for the roads, being too heavy and large. Nevertheless, despite its ample starting point and the limited time it could run, Cugnot's automobile made its way into history and opened the road for all those to follow.

Other remarkable names in the history of the automobile are those of Robert Anderson, the Scotsman who invented the electric carriage between 1832 and 1839 or of Thomas Davenport and Robert Davison who created more applicable automobiles which used non-recharging electric batteries. It was Henri Ford who, in 1914, introduced the bulk production of cars. From then forward, the car was no longer an icon dedicated to the rich, but it started to be available for the masses as well.

During the years, the industry developed rapidly, more and more countries decided to manufacture cars, the infrastructure has developed accordingly and the initial American supremacy has gradually faded as more European or Asian companies developed. At the moment, industries such as India and Brazil are flourishing and they are threatening the selling of other existing producers. In fact, world auto industry is now concentrating on markets such as those of Asia, Eastern Europe or South America, focusing mostly on Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).

The economic climate that is governing the world nowadays has determined the major players of the world auto industry to adopt certain measures so as to make themselves known. As a consequence, we have reduced selling prices for the cars together with a better offer for after-sales services, to attract as many clients as possible. Moreover, more and more car producers opened manufacturing factories in such countries in order to take full advantage of the cheaper work force and effective costs of production as well as shipping charges.

In terms of production, the EU can be considered the world's largest producer of automobiles. The automotive industry makes a major contribution to EU's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with exports higher than the imports. As such, there are a series of principles and norms which help promoting the cars produced in one EU country among the rest of the EU without, say, additional costs. However, the competition in the automobile industry is tougher than ever which is eventually to the benefit of the customer who can buy, lease or hire a car at a competitive price.

If you or your business require contract hire, car or van leasing and hire throughout the UK, then vehicle leasing is the right choice for you.

Corvette Corvette Corvette Classic Stock Or Hot-Rodded?

Author: Harold Stofman

The introduction of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray heralded major changes in the march onward in the Chevrolet Stingray. The Sting Ray was available as both a "Roadster "version with a removable hardtop and a "Coupe" sometimes referred to as a fastback.




Onwards from 1963 to 1967 the Sting Ray got even better with a greater number of options for both luxury and power performance. This was the heyday of the days of sports car customizers. And the Corvette Sting Ray was the perfect 100 % raw material for the sports car customizers. Headlights were molded and in and the bumpers were removed. So many Corvettes received an extra pair of taillights that people that they were actually a General Motors Chevrolet Corvette factory option. Later when the low profile wide tires came along, so did large fender flares. The speed equipment industry had boomed, so the majority of Corvette engine parts were being replaced by the latest: Hot Setup". Rochester fuel injectors were being removed because of service problems, and everyone heard that the single four barrel in a high riser manifold was better. In 1965 the first Chevy big-block was introduced in the Corvette, and the performance was more than awesome.



Another new body style - both larger and heavier was introduced in 1968. Many thought that this was the beginning of the decline of the Corvette, But in the vital performance department, the 427 cubic inches Rat Motor with its three two-barrel carbs and the 435 horse power ratings more than powered the Corvette legend of lore. No letting down of the powerful image of the 'Vette.



Things got even better right on up to the 1969 L-88with aluminum cylinder heads the 1970 LS-6 rated at a mighty 465 horse power rating. The word Corvette invokes the image of high performance sports car performance. An older age group replaced the street racer cult as the primary consumers and purchasers of the Vette. More and more of the Corvettes were equipped with such luxury and comfort options as air conditioning, power steering and telescoping steering columns. It was not long before the Corvette with emission devices and soon the real 'Vette type of performance was history.



What was more than interesting was the response original hot rodder modification group. The amazing part of all of this is how the circle came round. Karma sneaks in.



The same dedicated group of sport car enthusiasts and hot rodders, who modified the older, pre mainstream luxury comfort model Corvettes, is now the very ones who restore this same converted Corvette back to exact stock specifications.



How could these people justify the work and effort of taking these cars back in time to factory specs when a great amount of time, effort and cost had been invested in these very cars? A used Corvette at the time was essentially a very attractive sports car buy.



Why were restore cars in vogue and even preferred over the earlier modified ones. Partially it was a case of limited supply and very high prices being offered by the stock type Corvettes and classic car auctions and the prices being asked in the special car groups and publications. All in all it can be said it can be a combination of the custom cars getting old and needing refurbishing and the 55 mile speed limit in the time. Perhaps as well it was a question of maturity on the kids who were the Corvette hot rodders at the time. See the influence of time, life and having a family with its change of priorities can have on the wildest kids.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/corvette-corvette-corvette-classic-stock-or-hotrodded-218474.html
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