The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

Posted by Steve White on Jul 30, 2010

If you are interested in motor racing, you should make a point to visit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum when you are in California. This National Hot Rod Association museum is one of the finest motorsports museums on the west coast, and it promises great entertainment and education for all auto enthusiasts. It is situated on West McKinley Avenue in Ponoma, California.

The museum was established by the founder of NHRA, Wally Parks, and its mission is to celebrate the achievements of NHRA and educate the public about the impact of auto racing on American culture. When you visit the museum, you can learn about a wide range of vehicles, including hot rods, race cars, and customs, as well as speed records and the advancement of motorsports on the west coast. Close to 50 stunning vehicles are on display in the museum, and they consist mostly of vintage cars and historic race cars. Other than cars, there are also driving uniforms, helmets, trophies, artifacts, paintings, photographs, and memorabilia, which collectively represent over 50 years of motorsports in America.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum charges admission fees of $8.00 for adults, and $6.00 for children aged 6 to 15 and seniors. Those who are current members of NHRA are entitled to free admission. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday.

Summer Elkhorn Car Show and Swap Meet

Posted by Steve White on Jul 28, 2010

The Summer Elkhorn Car Show and Swap Meet is one of the biggest classic car events in the state of Wisconsin. It was so successful last year that the organizers decided to make this year’s event a two-day affair. The 2010 car show will take place at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and it will begin on the 31st of July, 2010.

The event will be attended by more than 15,000 people, and it will feature a car show, swap meet, and a car corral. Around 800 vehicles will be displayed during the auto show, and they include classic cars, muscle cars, street rods, rat rods, custom bikes, and others. More than 1,300 vending spaces will be available at the swap meet, and vendors will be offering a wide range of auto parts and other items. Those who are interested in buying a classic car will find great bargains at the car corral, which will feature over 600 cars.

Gates at the Summer Elkhorn Car Show and Swap Meet will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the first day and 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the second day. If you want to attend the car show, you have to pay an admission fee of $7.00. Children who are under the age of 12 can enter for free.

The 2010 Hot August Nights Auction

Posted by Steve White on Jul 26, 2010

If you are anywhere near Reno, Nevada around the beginning of August, you should definitely attend the Hot August Nights Auction. The 2010 edition of this grand event will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center from the 5th to the 8th of August, and it will be attended by over 800,000 people from various parts of the United States as well as other countries. This event is organized by Silver Auctions and B&T Custom Rod, and it is known as the grandest celebration of nostalgia cars in the country.

The Hot August Nights Auction promises great excitement for all classic car buyers, sellers, and spectators. More than 8,000 cars will be present at the event, of which 900 are auction cars and over 1,500 are collector vehicles for sale. The event does not only promote appreciation for classic automobiles; it also celebrates rock ‘n’ roll music. You can enjoy live musical performances by many well-known acts and other kinds of entertainment, and attend cruises, a swap meet, auto show, sock hop, and poker walk.

The auction will be conducted from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the first day, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the second and third days, and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the final day. General admission is priced at $12.00 a day, and bidders can buy a 4-day pass for $15.00.

How to Ship Your Classic Car (Part 2)

Posted by Steve White on Jul 23, 2010

The next thing to do is to make preparations to ship your classic car. If you have any personal items in your car, you have to remove all of them. Then, turn off the car alarm and remove all specialty items and loose parts, such as spoilers, fog lights, and ground effects. Lower the antennae and fold back the side mirrors, and make sure that the tires are well-inflated. The battery has to be fully charged, and all fluids on the car have to be topped off. The auto shipping company should provide insurance for your car, and you should get a copy of its insurance plan and find out if you have to pay any deductible in case your car is damaged during shipping.

When the carrier arrives, you have to let the driver know all the operational problems that can happen and give advice on how to deal with each problem. Also, show him all the scratches, dents, and fluid leaks on the car. The driver will give you an inspection report after he has loaded the car, and this report contains information such as the car’s overall condition, mileage, and others.

If you are the one who is receiving your classic car, you should use the report as a reference when you inspect the car. Look for damages that did not exist previously, and file a claim for compensation with the auto shipping company if you find any. If someone else is receiving the car, you have to send a copy of the inspection report to him or her.

How to Ship Your Classic Car (Part 1)

Posted by Steve White on Jul 21, 2010

There are certain situations that require you to ship your classic car to a different location. You may be moving to a new place, buying or selling a car, or just giving your car away to a close relative or friend. Whatever is the reason, you want the car to arrive at the final destination in perfect condition. If you do not find the right shipping solution, your pride and joy may sustain some damages while it is being transported, and you will have pay a considerable amount of money to repair it.

There are companies that specialize in auto shipping, and they have the necessary experience to provide safe and efficient classic car shipping services. You can either go to these companies directly or find a broker to help you get a spot on their auto carriers. A broker can negotiate for a better price, but you will not be able to contact the carrier when the vehicle is being shipped. If you want better peace of mind, it is advisable that you go straight to an auto shipping company.

Carriers come in the form of open and closed trailers, and you have to choose a type of carrier that suits your budget and shipping needs. Open trailers are less expensive, but they do not protect your classic car from the elements. On the other hand, closed trailers are similar to mobile garages, and they will give your car maximum protection. They usually cost about 20% to 25% more than open trailers.