Vehicle Protection

Collecting, trading, selling, restoring, and the list goes on for you who have the true passion for Classic Cars. Once it gets into your blood it is almost impossible to change. Although I am not an avid collector due to the lack of resources I do own a fully restored 1971 Ford Bronco and absolutely love going to events, shows, and especially checking out a nice classic ride driving down the road.

Owners know the absolute importance or the preservation of these automobiles from the tires through the guts and onto the most difficult the exterior body. The exterior is first seen by onlookers and the most important first impression for investors and collectors. Without a pristine outer layer you may as well forget about the rest.

Storing classic cars is absolutely an important part of maintaining the overall value and refreshing look of your vehicle. Owners that do not have appropriate garages may come to the conclusion that the outside elements are degrading the quality of the body through UV rays, dust and dirt, freezing temperatures, hail, rain, animal droppings and anything else possible. For you owners that do not have the resources, budget or just want an affordable solution Rhino Shelters provides a wide array of Portable Classic Car Storage Shelters. Their shelters range from one car portable garages all the way up to large portable buildings spanning 40' x 60' providing enough space for large collectors or events. Considering that the one car garages start at just over $500 and are made of industrial grade materials to last, owners can provide complete protection for thousands less that a custom built garage, not to mention no permits required and the ability to move anytime.

A perfect combination by Rhino Shelters for Classic Car Storage is the unique CarPocket along with a Portable One Car Garage for a true double layer protection from all elements. The CarPocket is a fully enclosed car cover that keeps anything from touching your vehicle and the portable garage is a perfect place to store your classic car already covered with the CarPocket. These two products purchased and shipped to most residences or businesses cost less than $1,000 and will provide many years of peace of mind.

If these products do not fit your needs check out the dozens of alternative products by Rhino Shelters as they truly are the best quality manufacturer of portable garages and buildings on the market.

Randy loves tinkering and building DIY projects. As the owner of DIY Shelters he has learned the importance of quality products like the Portable Garages, Shelters, and Storage Sheds built by Rhino and offered through his website. The Classic Car Storage Solution mentioned is the article can be found here.

Original article

What's Special About The 1969 Porsche 912? - Origins

The Porsche 912 began as the Porsche 901, introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1963. Porsche's new Model 901 for 1964 was a sensation to some and viewed with skepticism by others. In addition to a slightly larger and distinctly attractive new body, the 901 featured Porsche's new 6 cylinder, air cooled, race-derived, double overhead cam engine.

In what seems to have been a rare mistake, Porsche gave their new passenger car the 901 model designation. However, a French company had an existing copyright on all European passenger car model designations with a zero in the middle position.

Porsche adjusted quickly and introduced the new 1965 Model 911 the year after the Frankfurt Auto Show. (Porsche could, and did, use the center zero on race car models, including the stunning fiberglass bodied 904, the 907 and 908.)

Early sales of the then-revolutionary 911 were slow. Many Porsche owners who might have been early 911 buyers may have been unsure of the new 6 cylinder engine.

Thousands of owners, though, were very happy with the legendary 4 cylinder pushrod engine that had served them faithfully since the early 1950s.

The Porsche factory had a supply of the Model 356 engines on hand, so it didn't take long for the new 912 to be introduced with the more familiar engine in 1965.

The 1965 "painted dash" and later 912s were well received. The 912 actually outsold the much faster (and more expensive) 911 by about two to one in the 1965 model year.

And for good reason; the Porsche 912 featured a slightly de-tuned version of the well-known Model 356 Super 90 engine and a snappy new design. Beneath the exquisite new Porsche body were the 911's independent 4 wheel torsion bar suspension and race-proven chassis features.

The 912 was roomier than the Model 356. It also had better driver visibility and boasted almost perfect 45/55 front/rear weight distribution. The 912 cost less and weighed less than the 911.

The 912 was easier (and less expensive) to maintain. The 912's economical, durable, and race-proven engine traced its roots back through the successful "giant killer" Porsche Model 356 variants and directly to Dr. Porsche's Volkswagen of the late 1930s.

Porsche reportedly manufactured 31,270 912s during the 1965 to 1969 model years.

In the final 1969 model year, a reported 4,679 912s rolled off Porsche assembly line into the garages of eager buyers all over the world.

Mine is pictured above, in British Columbia after having been driven on U.S. Route 95 without incident from the Mexican border at San Luis, Arizona to Eastport Idaho at the Canadian border. The car has its original 1969 yellow on black California license plates and new (2006) Grand Prix White paint.

It was built as a Light Ivory 4-speed Coupe with tinted windows, front and rear bumper horns and a Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW radio. It rolled off the Porsche assembly line on May 13, 1969.

For many, including this Writer, the 1969 912 was, and is, the perfect sports car for the common man or woman.

It also happens to be an ideal high performance ride for enjoying America's current and former U.S. highways in classic style.

Michael "Mike" Newlon Retired in 2005 after a dual career in private sector corporate management and as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve.

When he is not exploring current or former U.S. highways, like CA 99, in his Porsche 912 or Lincoln Town Car, Mike enjoys reading 20th Century history and popular action novels.

If you have questions about Michael "Mike" Newlon call him today: 760-636-5560
or visit his website http://www.highwaytripbooks.com/

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

Original article

What Constitutes A Classic Car?

What constitutes a classic car, Who determines if a car is a classic, when does a car become a classic?

How many times are those questions asked? This classic car debate is a very subjective one and in my opinion there is no right or wrong answer.

There have been iconic cars that attained classic status upon introduction, the Jaguar E type roadster for example is a case in mind, when introduced at the Geneva motor show it stole the show. The model on the stand had been driven to the show over night and had rolled off the production line a day or two previously.

The Aston Martin DB 5 attained classic status as James Bond 's choice of car.

Preston Tucker and the Tucker Torpedo became an iconic car and gained classic status from inception due to the publicity and the court case. The interest it created in 1948 has not waned in the intervening years. I was fortunate to see one in the flesh and found it difficult to believe it was created pre 1960 never mind pre 1950.

The majority of us will never get to own any of these super cars however that does not stop us owning and enjoying our own classic cars. For most of us the cars of our childhood constitutes our definition of a classic car. Who would argue the Mini or the fiat 500 are not classics, yet these models were created as transport for the masses, produced in very large numbers, and yet fifty years after their introduction are very desirable.

The cars our parents or other relatives owned often stay in the mind as being a thing of beauty, each time we see one it evokes pleasant memories and perhaps the aspiration to own one. For me it was a Humber Hawk MK VI, my childhood memory of seeing one being driven by a factory owner, it looked so graceful as it glided along and in comparison with other cars of that era it was so silent. I spent many evenings as young boy looking in the showroom window of the local dealer and dreamed of owning and driving such a beautiful car. Forty-four later I realised my dream. To me it is a classic car to others it has no meaning.

We can have a yearning for the car we learned to drive in, again it evokes pleasant memories. When I attend classic car shows and see the cars from each of the decades I also notice the choices of the various generations represents the cars of their youth. So the debate of what constitutes a classic car is often personal to the individual as our memories are personal.

Each decade produces a car that will appeal to almost everyone however due to cost it will be out of the reach of the majority, equally each decade produces cars that are affordable to most and will reach classic status.

The Fiat X 19 a mid engined two-seater is an example of what is considered a classic today, it was not expensive and was built in large numbers and today is considered an iconic design.

My conclusion is there are no boundaries as to what constitutes a classic car. The appeal of a particular model or manufacturer is often deep-rooted in our childhood. If you are considering attaining a classic join the owners club before you purchase the car, the knowledge of current owners as to spares availability and what to look for when looking at your potential purchase is invaluable. They may know of your potential purchase.

Original article

Dreams Can Come True But Not Without Some Effort

I am the original owner of my 1969 4 speed Porsche 912 Coupe. The car's 1969 factory paint was Light Ivory 6804 - 131, a standard '68 -'69 color. The only factory options were tinted glass all around. It was very basic, even for 1969.

Long after delivery, I discovered the car was built on a Karmann 911S/E chassis, complete with dual battery boxes up front, rocker panel trim, factory 911 suspension fittings and cable harnesses.

When I purchased the car I arranged for the dealer to paint the car the now very rare Golden Green 6828.

I drove it daily from until mid-1976. Then I drove it only occasionally until early 1981 when I removed the battery and garaged the car.

Almost 25 years and several garages flew by. In May of 2005 I delivered my sadly neglected but complete, well preserved and rust-free car to North American Racing Werks (NARW).

My instructions to NARW's Klaus Holthaus were to, "...make the car roadworthy".

Klaus and I also agreed this was not a restoration project. We would improve and modernize the car where doing so made sense with the objective of making it suitable for safe and economical long-distance highway driving.

NARW's first job was to completely rebuild and modernize (Pertronix ignition, remanufactured carburetors, improved oil cooling/filter system, 1,750 cc displacement, Bursch exhaust, etc.) the engine. All the way down to the main bearings.

The chassis received NARW's equal attention with a new fuel tank & sending unit, fuel lines, brake lines, brake cylinders, master cylinder, axle boots, instrument panel, Hella H-4 headlights, clutch and transmission bushings, etc. Klaus and Mark devoted many hours over several months to produce a mechanically "new and improved" 37 year old car. We had plenty of discarded parts to show for the effort, too. Pico Wheel completely cleaned, sandblasted, aligned, balanced and repainted my 6" factory steel wheels (from a 1971 911).

Concurrently, on another temporary set of wheels/tires and sans engine, we delivered the chassis to Automotive Innovations & Restoration for a complete (some minor body work and new chassis rubber, wheel opening trim, driving lights, dash, windshield, etc.) top quality paint job.

Owner Kevin Mentzer and I agreed on Grand Prix White for three main reasons.

First, this more modern "clear coat" finish would be easier to maintain than "original" enamel paint. Second, my plan was to drive the car often in desert areas where a car color should be as light as possible. Third, Grand Prix White is a Porsche factory color.

After mostly just sitting for 30 years, the black vinyl seat center panels were intact but had seen better days. Since I had to do something, I wanted to do something different. My 912 Owner's Manual has a single black and white photograph of a hound's-tooth upholstery in the seat panels. My seat panels were black perforated vinyl, so I found that photo very interesting.

When I purchased the car, Competition Motors also gave me a now very rare 1969 issue of "Christophorus" magazine featuring, among other things, a full page Recaro ad showing hounds-tooth upholstery on those panels. My interest was growing.

Finally, the 1969 movie "Downhill Racer" starring Robert Redford and Gene Hackman includes scenes where the Redford character and his girlfriend sit in and drive (in the snow which looked like a lot of fun) her yellow '69 912 with this upholstery in the seat panels.

I live in Palm Dessert, California and that was enough for me - I wanted cooler fabric seat panels with a direct factory connection, and this was it.

After some electronic looking I finally found and purchased the material from a custom upholstery shop in Oregon. They certified in writing that this was a 1969 Porsche pattern. The new upholstery arrived promptly but sat in my garage for several months while other work on the car was in process.

NARW and North Hollywood Speedometer upgraded the 912 instrument panel to a more functional and very "911 looking" instrument panel.

The factory Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW radio worked but the tuning knob was balky. I took the radio to Hi-Tech Electronics (an authorized Blaupunkt service facility) for a complete cleaning, new rubber knobs and any necessary adjustments. It is a 1969 monaural unit, but still has that great Blaupunkt sound. After I picked up the beautifully reconditioned steel wheels at Pico Wheel, I put on a set of P195/HR65 X 15 Dunlop Sport Plus (DOT rated 400-AA-A) tires. They would do just fine for long distance, moderate speed highway driving.

After the body/paint, engine and chassis work were done, North Hollywood Auto Upholstery carefully installed my black and white hound's-tooth in new black vinyl upholstery for both seats. They also put the hound's-tooth fabric on both door panels and the horizontal strip across the dash. What a difference!

My 912 had been languishing in various garages for thirty years. With lots of help from, and public thanks here to, some of the finest automotive talent in Southern California, my 30 year dream had finally come true.

Michael "Mike" Newlon Retired in 2005 after a dual career in private sector corporate management and as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve.

When he is not exploring current or former U.S. highways, like CA 99, in his Porsche 912 or Lincoln Town Car, Mike enjoys reading 20th Century history and popular action novels.

If you have questions about Michael "Mike" Newlon call him today: 760-636-5560
or visit his website http://www.highwaytripbooks.com/

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

Original article