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The 1964 Ford Thunderbolt

Ever since the Ford Motor Company released the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt, it was a surprise to many that their production only continued for over a year. All told there were only about 100 units of these cars ever produced. The Thunderbolt had a four-speed transmission and it was an automatic. It is of common knowledge that most automobiles in America at this time were automatic since the stick shift had low preference value. This was because driving a stick shift back then, was seen as a harder way to drive. Of course many people today are now looking to buy sticks because it is more of a “cool” factor than anyting else.

The car possessed a 427 High Riser racer engine that had a distinctive ram air induction system, twelve to one compression ratio, aluminum scatter pump, dual 4-barrel Holley carburetion, tubular headers, trunk mounted battery, revised drag suspension, heavy duty breaks, electric fuel pump, gauges, tachometer, drag tires and special wheels.

This type of engine was already street legal in America as early as the 60s – that is why a lot of street racers grew fond of the 500 horsepower vehicle.

The Thunderbolt was very lightweight, which was in fact a big advantage for car racing since the lighter the car, the faster it would figuratively fly. While this wasn’t the fastest muscle car in its class, it could really hold its own on any dragracing strip. However, this car isn’t so popular because of its power, but because of how rare it is.

Due to its minute production, the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt is like caviar to car enthusiasts since only a few were ever produced. There even was once a countrywide search for the few ones that could still be auctioned or bought from previous owners. That is why the thunderbolt is one of the most sought after muscle cars by collectors, much like the Super bird.

Sure enough, this superb muscle car is indeed a gemstone in the automobile industry. For those who are lucky enough to own the Thunderbolt, it can fetch up to as much as $200,000 at an auction, making it one of the most valuable classic cars I know of and I can only see this value going upwards for many years to come. To me, owning this vehicle is like owning stock in a valuable company.

To view more articles on the muscle car you love best, visit my site today.

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Posted on January 9, 2011 by , 1 comment

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.

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Posted on January 9, 2011 by , Reply

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

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Posted on January 9, 2011 by , Reply

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.

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Posted on January 8, 2011 by , Reply

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

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Posted on January 7, 2011 by , Reply
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