Home » Articles posted by submityourarticle (Page 19)

The Ever Popular 1961 Chevelle

What makes muscle cars so great that they can transcend trends and generations in order to remain at the top when it comes to being the most coveted cars out there? Is it the way they look and their powerful engines? Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

These days, when people think of muscle cars, they immediately associate the term with vehicles that were made for speed and great performance. Classic car enthusiasts, the ones considered to be purists, believe that only mid sized vehicles from the 60’s are the only ones truly deserving to be referred to as muscle cars. In this article, we’ll discuss one of the most popular muscle car models ever to come out. It was so popular that one of the biggest bands in the 60’s even wrote a song about it. Can you guess which one it is?

Considered by many to be the first real muscle car, the 1961 Chevy Impala SS is also the vehicle wherein Chevrolet introduced its 409 cubic inch V8 engine. This is the engine that launched the Big Three car manufacturers into a horsepower race that would last up until the 70’s. Of course, muscle cars wouldn’t be referred to as such if they had weak engines. This 409 engine became so iconic after the Beach Boys created a song about the car itself. “She’s so fine, my 409”, a simple line in a song, turned the car into an icon for baby boomers.

Seeing as the 1960’s was a time to be young, wild and free, Chevrolet marketed the 1961 Chevy Impala SS as a vehicle “for young men on the move, who wont settle for less than REAL driving excitement”. But did it live up to that promise? Well, it certainly did. The vehicle’s performance was excellent for the era in which it was created. It could go from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds and could complete the quarter mile in around 14 seconds at 98 miles per hour, thus making the 1961 Chevy Impala SS one of the fastest models available. Needless to say, the car had earned its place and certainly deserved being referred to as a legend among the many other muscle cars of it’s time. This is why it is such a highly collectable car among many muscle car enthusiats almost forty years later and will remain so for many years to come.

William loves to share his muscle car passion with others and has created his own classic car blog.

Share

The Incredible Ford Fairlane

Muscle cars are a true American classic that are revered by thousands of people, including old and young alike because of both their power and their ultimate beauty. They have an undeniable appeal that goes beyond whatever trends there might be when it comes to vehicle design. These cars are as wicked as they look and are fully capable of racing through open roads at speeds like no other. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the 1964 Ford Fairlane and the changes it went through since its initial release.

The Fairlane underwent a makeover in 1964 and had its tail fins removed. The interiors were given full carpeting; turn signals were synced with the steering wheel so that it automatically turned itself off after you made the turn. But of course, a makeover isn’t just a matter of making the exteriors look sleek. Other improvements were done in order to make the vehicle ready for the road. The suspension was upgraded in order to provide better ride-quality. However, all of that became minor details when the Thunderbolt entered the picture. It became one of the fastest ever manufactured by a car company.

Ford had this brilliant idea of installing a heavily modified 427 cubic inch engine that had two four-barrel carburetors, which were then mounted onto a high-riser manifold into the lightweight 1964 Ford Fairlane. Just when you thought things couldn’t get better than that, Ford decided to push forward with even more modifications to the Fairlane. Think fiberglass hoods, fenders and front bumpers amongst others that only served to make the vehicle reach a level of coolness that made it a real stand out.

But how well did it perform? After all, muscle cars aren’t all about image. It’s got to be a truly hard-core drive as well. Fortunately, the Fairlane didn’t disappoint. In fact, Gas Ronda was able to dominate the competition during the NHRA’s 1964 World Championship by riding his Thunderbolt and completing the quarter mine in a record time of 11.6 seconds at 124 miles per hour. Keep in mind that these drag races were extremely popular back then.

The 1964 Ford Fairlane faded from view and being on Ford’s performance spotlight just as the Mustang took over. It did not completely fade into the background, however, as it did experience a revival in 1996 and 67. Today, it is one of the most popular muscle cars amongst enthusiasts.

To find more articles, such as my latest one on the 69 Dodge Charger please visit my site today

Share

A Short History of Muscle Cars

From its flashy exterior to its high-performance engines, a muscle car is every inch the perfect automobile. While this type of vehicles was introduced to the public ages ago, it is still the favorite vehicle among car enthusiast all over the world. Also, they are considered a truly valuable collector’s item, making these cars some of the most sought after automobiles on the market. You will see many of these vehicles on popular tv shows and in movies, and some of the most desirable and rare models can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Today, these vehicles are becoming more and more popular than they have ever been.

A Short Background of Muscle Cars

Muscle cars burst on the scene in the 1960’s, as drag racing gradually rose to popularity. At that point, car manufacturers such as Ford, MOPAR and American Motors produced an extensive array of muscle cars to satisfy its growing market. Muscle cars were characteristically medium sized vehicles with the power of huge engines. These 2-door automobiles were unique in every sense, from their designs to their speed capacities. Exterior designs of this car breed range from those simple yet elegant structures to the fiery and detailed ones largely used for racing. Although these cars were initially intended for sports racing, they differed very much from sports cars.

Features common in Muscle Cars

Over the years, different car manufacturers and individuals have created various improvements and modifications to the original version of muscle cars. Through this, these cars have evolved so much in terms of engines, structure and ability. However, the key features of the old muscle cars remain, and that’s what makes them so incredible and alluring to collectors today. Among the few qualities that define muscle cars and represent even most of the modern ones are large wheels, superior horsepower, expertly crafted car parts and classic, stylish designs.

Some of the Most Popular Models

Muscle cars have consistently endured the test of time. That’s why most of these models have been so popular among racers and collectors alike. There are the Ford’s Torino, GTO, and Mustang. Other well-known muscle cars include Chevrolet’s Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, Plymouth Roadrunner, Buick Skylark, Dodge Challenger and the Super Bee. Chrysler, another leading car manufacturer, has produced its own line of famous muscle cars including Valiant Charger and LX platform.

If you are hungry for more articles on old school cars please visit William’s blog, MuscleCarMonster.com.

Share

How To Care For A Classic Car

Owning a classic car is indeed a true pleasure for many enthusiasts. However, such cars do require a very specific kind of care. Every detail matters, needless to say. From making sure that the exterior is shiny to cleaning the interiors properly is just some of the things that every discerning car owner must pay attention to. If you are interested in owning one for yourself then you must familiarize yourself with the different aspects of classic car maintenance. After all, this is one investment that you simply cannot hide away in storage. Detailing your car involves many different things. Typically, the car needs to be washed by hand. The interior must also be shampooed but this depends upon the type of material that you have inside. After this comes the polishing and waxing which is also done by hand or by power polisher.

Besides cleaning, maintenance also includes making sure that the engine is in working condition. Some people have the skills to do this whilst there are those who would need a professional’s help. Now, if you are among the latter, do make sure that you’re dealing with someone who has extensive knowledge when it comes to the exact model you own. After all, these vehicles need specialized care. Have your engine cleaned every month or two to keep your car in shape for years to come. If there are parts that need to be replaced, make sure that you have them replaced as soon as possible.

While the kind of maintenance and care mentioned above can seem overwhelming at first. it isn’t that difficult to do when you get into a set routine. In fact, consider this; without the proper care given to the vehicle by its previous owner, you would not be able to own a classic in the first place. Also, regular detailing will keep your vehicle in excellent condition and of course, it can keep its resale and car show value.

So there you have it, just some of the things that a first time classic car owner ought to know about when it comes to proper maintenance and care for his or her investment.Remember, the better you take car of your car, the more rewarding it will be for you. Not only if you plan to resell it, but I guarantee you will look much classier riding down the street in a well taken car of car, than one that is not looked after properly.

If you enjoyed reading this article, William invites you to read his latest on the barracuda car at MuscleCarMonster.com

Share

The Evolution of The Model T

Many people think that Henry Ford invented the automobile and the assembly line, but that is not correct. He did change the world by using the assembly line to manufacture cars and put America on wheels. From 1909 until 1927, Ford turned out the Model T. The 1927 Model T gave way finally, to the Model A. However, from its beginning to end, more than 15 million Model T cars were made. Henry Ford almost singlehandly transformed America’s social and economic outlook in the 20th Century.

The 1927 Model T represented a basic formula for success. It was a simple and durable car that was turned out of the factory more economically than another other vehicle of the time, because of Ford’s use of the assembly line. The Model T while made on the cheap, was not cheaply made. For instance, the engine was cast en bloc, whereas other car makers made one cylinder at a time and put them together. Ford also came up with the removable cylinder head. Many feared incorrectly that the cylinder would leak, but that was not the case. Model T initially cost $825 when made in 1909. But by 1927 the price of a brand new Model T was down to $260. The reason for this was that as more cars were made, the price was dropped. By 1913 the Ford company could put together a car in 93 minutes, and sold 200,000 vehicles.

Top speed for the 1927 Model T was between 35 to 40 miles per hours, which was pretty good considering that the paved road was still off in the future. Engine cooling was very primitive as was lubrication. The gas tank was situated under the front seat with fuel fed to the engine by gravity. Foot pedals were used to operate the two speed transmission. Rims became available for $25 in 1919. Ford’s better idea took his company from making 10,000 cars per year in 1908 to 2 million cars just 15 years later. Ford was outproducing all of the other American car makers put together.

In the first years of Ford Car making, the only color that Model T cars came in was black. Ford is alleged to have said, the public can have any color it wants, as long as its black! Kind of funny now, but back in those days, Japan black enamel paint was the only paint that would dry fast enough to keep up with the helter skelter pace inside the Ford plant on the assembly line.

Today Ford has come a long way, and the power of their powerful Ford Mustang muscle car would blow away the Model T, but given it’s importance in American history, this car will always be a huge piece of Americana

Share