Classic Mustang Fans Unite In Their Love for the First Pony Car

The Ford Mustang is a car that was produced by Ford Motor Company. In the beginning, it was created to demonstrate some of the traits of the Ford Falcon which was a compact car. Anyone who claims to be a classic Mustang fan understands that the car has undergone several transformations.

The Mustang is responsible for creating the "pony car" series. Pony cars were sports cars that contained short-rear decks and long hoods and inspired competitors to build cars such as the Camaro, Barracuda and others.

The productions of these magnificent cars began in 1964 with being introduced on April 17, 1964 at the New York World's Fair. The name derived from John Najjar who profoundly admired the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane. He is the person who suggested "Mustang" to be attached to the sports car.

As production increased on the car, they began appearing heavier and larger as each year progressed, at least until 1971 - 1973 which are the years that Ford returned the car to their original sizes. Some of the "pony cars" have since experienced a revival from competitors; the Mustang is the only true auto in the "pony" class that is still being produced without interruption over the last 4 decades.

1964 - 1973

During this time, Ford desired to reduce development costs while achieving a reasonable retail price. They relied on utilizing components derived from those used in the Fairlane (fastback) and the Falcon. This aided Ford to shorten the learning curve for repair, and assembly workers. This allowed auto dealers to pick up the 67 Mustang without spending tons of money on spare parts inventories in order to maintain a brand-new car series. What was the result of these efforts? The Boss 302 Mustang which proved popular through the early seventies, even though some consumers considered the car overweight. In 1969, the Ford Mustang Mach 1, which was a higher-end version of a Ford Mustang debuted in class as well as the GT 350 series.

1974 - 1978

Mr. Iaccoca, a leading force behind the original Mustang, achieved the position of President of Ford Motor Company in 1970, and he demanded a more fuel-efficient Mustang for the year 1974. Originally, they wanted the fuel-efficient car to be based on the Maverick but settled for the Pinto subcompact.

The new Mustang was called the "Mustang II" and was strategically introduced to the public two months after the 1973 oil crisis. The smaller size allowed the car to compete against imported cars such as the Capri and Cellica. The Mustang was available in hatchback and coupe versions. The changes were introduced in 1975 that included the reinstatement of the 302 CID V-8 options. There were other changes in appearance which came with the "Cobra II" version in 1976-77 and the "King Cobra" in 1978.

1979 - 1993

The 1979 Mustang was originally based on the Fox platform that was originally developed for the 1978 Mercury Zephyr and the Ford Fairmont. The inside of the car was re-created for four people. The body styles included a hatchback, convertible and coupe. The car was offered in trim levels of GL, GLX, L, LX, Turbo GT; 500 series (83-84), SVO (84-86), Cobra R (93), and the Cobra (79-81; 93).

During the eighties, Ford experienced decreasing sales on the Mustang due to the ever-rising costs of fuel. Ford decided to develop a new version of the "pony car" based on the Japanese-designed Mazda MX-6. Class Ford fans opposed this approach because it would mean that the car would be produced without a V-8 option. The result was creating a makeover on the existing 87 Mustang with the Probe being based on the variants from the MX-6.

1994 - 2004

The Mustang in 1994 experienced a first; redesign. The original design was based on an updated version of the rear-wheel drive Fox platform which was newly titled "Fox-4". Since 1974, Ford no longer offered a coupe model during this year. In 1999, sharper contours and the New Edge theme styles with creases in the bodywork and larger wheel arches. The basics were still there with the chassis and the interior as being the same as the previous model.

2005 - Now

Ford again in 2005 redesigned the Mustang and the changes were based on the new D2C platform. The company announced in 2007 that all 08 Mustangs will include seats that were made of soybeans. The 2009 Mustangs would come with the new option of a glass roof for somewhat of a hefty price. The 2010 models contained a new exterior and a reduced drag co-efficient of 4 percent, while the GT models 4.6 L V-8 was revised that offered 315 hp at 6,000 (rpm) and 325 lb.ft of torque at 4255 rpm. Other new features included the dampers, traction, stability control and spring rates which came standard on all models and the car offered new wheel sizes, as well.

Conclusion

Classic Ford Fans prove the most faithful to the Mustang. The car is ever-evolving and does not have any chance of going away any time soon. The love for this car has proved evident throughout the years and fans worldwide agree that the first "pony car" is the most admired car of all time.

Original article

Purchasing Your First Classic Car

Purchasing a classic car can be a fun experience, but a little scary if it's your first. Car? Truck? Original? Modified? Already finished? Project? Where do you start?

Being a car person, I have a deep appreciation for all types of vehicles. When I was looking to purchase my first classic car, I looked for months before I decided on what I wanted. My first thought was to find something that was already finished, a pristine automobile that I could immediately take to local car shows. Unfortunately, I had a budget that wasn't quite enough to afford such a vehicle, so I opted for something less expensive with a little work needing to be done. I don't necessarily mind, as I enjoy working on vehicles and always like to throw in a little of my personal touch to anything I own.

I've done the homework and I'm leaving you with the results of my research. The top 10 things to consider (in my personal opinion) when purchasing your first classic car:

1. Involve your significant other in your decision! This is important and I shouldn't even need to explain why!

2. Budget - You can literally spend as little or as much as you'd like when purchasing a classic. If you've never watched the auctions on TV or done any searches online, you may be unpleasantly surprised to see vehicles go for tens of thousands of dollars. Unless you have an unlimited amount of cash on hand and don't mind putting it towards something you'll only drive a few hundred miles per year, you may want to start with a conservative budget and stick to it. If you've been saving for a while and have $10,000 to spend on a classic, look for vehicles $10,000 and under. I say this because it's easy to start looking at $10,500 with the thought that you can always offer less. The problem with that thinking is that you may get a vehicle for your $10,000 but you now have no more money for things like insurance, plates, title transfer, and service/repair that may need to be done.

3. What kind of vehicle? - This obviously depends on you, but think hard about this first. If you have a family and would like to use your new classic for evening family cruises, a truck may not be the best solution. Also, many older vehicles may only have lap belts instead of shoulder belts. That is, of course, if they have seat belts at all.

4. Original or custom? - Originals are nice, but could be tricky when trying to fix something that breaks. I'm more of a custom guy, but try to keep my modifications mild and easy to switch back. For instance, I built a custom removable console to house my CD player and gauges, rather than modifying the dash. This way, if I decide to sell, the prospective buyer won't be turned off if looking for an original vehicle. If you change to aftermarket wheels, keep the originals, too.

5. Project or already finished? - If you have no mechanical experience or have a lack of tools, you may opt for the finished option. If you decide on a project, make sure you know what you're getting into! Do some research on the vehicle you're buying to see how expensive parts are and if you can even get them. Some vehicles, like Camaros and Mustangs have specialty catalogs that you can get almost any part you need to totally rebuild. With some vehicles, however, you may be limited to junk yards and online forums to track down what you need. Certain engines are the same way. We have a Buick 350 engine that only has one aftermarket 4barrel intake available and it's pretty expensive. If it was for a Chevy 350, we'd have an unlimited supply to choose from, most for half the cost. Also think about garage space when rebuilding a project.

6. Where to look? - Once you've decided what you want, the fun begins! With the internet, possibilities are endless. I prefer buying local, as I like to see things up close and test drive before giving thousands of dollars to someone I've never met. If you purchase something across country, remember to add in costs for delivery or gas and lodging if you decide to go pick up.

7. What to look for? - If you're looking for a project, figure out what needs to be done first, and add up the cost of parts and labor to finish. Don't be surprised if you spend $2000 on a project, but need to spend another $8000 to get it road worthy. Only to find out that it's only worth $5000 even after you've invested $10,000. If you want a finished product with minimal work, make sure to look into some of the hidden things. For instance, it may look great, but the frame might be rotten, making it an unsafe vehicle. The engine could look good with some chrome, but the insides could be tired and in need of a rebuild. If you don't know much about vehicles, bring a friend with or ask about taking it to your local mechanic for a thorough check.

8. Collector plates or regular? - Laws vary by state, but check into the advantages and disadvantages for both. You may find that collector plates are inexpensive, but have limitations to use.

9. Insurance - As with collector plates, collector insurance policies have certain limitations. Check with your agent to see what's best for you. If you're using the vehicle for shows, parades, hobby, you may be able to get into a policy that's very inexpensive, has a $0 deductible, and pays you an agreed value in the event of a total loss.

10. Storage - If you don't have an extra garage or shed for winter storage (especially in areas of snowy, cold winters) you may want to figure in storage costs when budgeting. I wouldn't suggest just parking it in the yard and covering it with a tarp. You could find yourself very upset in the spring when you unveil your baby, only to see rust forming and tires sunk into the ground. Classic cars are, in my mind, an investment and should be protected if possible.

Once you have your purchase, join a local club. This will help you meet others that share your passion. This is invaluable when trying to find parts, needing help with repairs, and just having someone to share ideas with.

Patrick Cooke is an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance in Cloquet, Minnesota, specializing in classic car insurance, as well as all other types of insurance.

http://www.farmersagent.com/pcooke

http://www.cookeagency.com/

Original article

The First Audi Models

In the early twentieth century, car makers all over the world were experimenting and testing new and innovative ideas in the area of car manufacturing. Historically, there was no blueprint to go from and any new and ground-breaking thoughts were treated as viable ideas. It was an era of pioneering in a society that was enjoying novel ideas about where to take the automobile next. One company who ventured into these unknown waters was Audi.

The first Audi was made by August Horch in 1910 at a plant in Zwickan, Germany. The Audi Type A 10/22hp (16Kw) Sport-Phaeton was created as a recreational vehicle that felt comfortable on the open road as well as in the city. These were long, heavy, and awkward vehicles that really were not designed for the narrow cobblestone streets of small German towns. One of the main problems that existed in those days was the infrastructure of the country. There simply wasn't one. What was good was having an automobile if the streets in which you drove were 12 feet (and sometimes narrower) wide. And that was a good road. Until the German government could build the roads for these new vehicles, cars that would be the first technological success of the 20th century, the car in general was not practical.

As Audi continued to change and adapt the Type A Sport-Phaeton, it somehow found its way into the racing competition of central Europe. Competing against the well-known manufacturers of Germany, the likes of which would become recognized names worldwide in automotive engineering, the Audi stood next to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Peugeot, and a host of others.

Taking the Type A into competitive racing, Audi made numerous adaptations to the car in order to become relevant in the manufacturing and racing fields. Engines were tested and changes were made. Horsepower and acceleration were improved and body construction enhanced. It was not too long before Audi's Type A was making its presence felt.

Feeling the tight economic times of the post WWI era, Audi was not a major player in the market before the Second World War. Using the Type A as the prototype for new engineering, Audi began reducing the size and weight of the cars it built. The Type A was used for the trial of new and more powerful engines as well as the improvement of body design.

The Audi has come a long way since the Type A left the factory. Audi now creates automobiles that compete in a worldwide market and for the past 25 years has enjoyed growing success. From the Type A to today, Audi enjoys renewed success.

Enid Glasgow is an auto enthusiast who is never blue when she'd driving her Audi automobile.

Original article