Posted by Steve White on Apr 29, 2009
The Plymouth GTX was produced from 1967 to 1971. This exceptionally designed muscle car offered a perfect blend of style and performance, and it was nicknamed “the gentleman’s hotrod”.
One of the most impressive aspects of the 1967 Plymouth GTX was its superb handling, which was made possible by its modified shocks, ball joints, leaf springs, and torsion bars. It also featured an 8-cylinder engine called the Super Cammando 440, which yielded a horsepower of 375. A Hemi engine with 426 cubic-inch displacement was also available, and it could deliver 425 horsepower. A total of 720 units with Hemi engine were sold.
The 1968 Plymouth GTX featured revised tail-lights, grill, and hood. Disc brakes were also introduced, and improvements were made to the suspension. Mechanically, it was quite similar to the Plymouth Road Runner. The following year, the 440 cubic-inch engine was modified, with its single 4-barrel carburetor replaced by a three 2-barrel carburetor, enabling the car to deliver 390 horsepower. This new engine was called the 440+6.
In 1970, a hood scope was added to the GTX to make it look more aggressive. The standard engine was the 440 cubic-inch engine, and the 440+6 became optional. Although sales were low for the 1970 model, Plymouth continued producing the GTX the next year. The 1971 Plymouth GTX featured a new design, with curvier lines and shorter wheelbase. The track was widened to give the car better handling. Only 2,942 units were sold in 1971, and this prompted Plymouth to make the GTX a part of the Road Runner line in 1972.
The Plymouth GTX was one of the fastest standards cars that were produced in the US during the 1960s. Its superb performance and energetic design is well-appreciated by many classic car enthusiasts today.
Posted by Steve White on Apr 27, 2009
A classic car is a valuable possession, and it does deserve the extra thought when you are getting insurance for it. With so many car insurance companies and policies to choose from, it is quite difficult for you to ascertain which one is most suitable for your classic pride and joy.
To narrow down the options, you should select a car insurance company that provides special policies for classic cars. However, such a company may be extra careful when they are selling their policies, since classic cars are mostly very valuable. There are a number of requirements that have to be met before you are considered eligible for the company’s classic car insurance policy. The condition, value, and usage of your classic car as well as your driving record will be taken into consideration when the company assesses your eligibility.
An agent from the classic car insurance company will give you an interview, and you will be asked questions about the maintenance, value, and usage of your car. He may also inspect your car personally. Some insurance companies require cars of selected models to be of a certain age before they are considered “classics”. There are also companies that require owners to keep their classic cars in locked garages when they are not in use. Your driving record will also be evaluated.
Most owners of classic cars choose car insurance companies that offer special classic car insurance policies because their rates are usually more affordable. While getting a policy from such companies may require more work, it will be worth the extra effort in the long run.
Posted by Steve White on Apr 24, 2009
Many classic Corvette enthusiasts regard the second generation Corvette (1963-1967) as the most fascinating of the entire series. With a provocative design that featured a chiseled front, high-arching waistline, and sharply-defined fenders, it redefined what a sports car should be. And it was aptly named the “Sting Ray”.
While the 1963 Corvette featured a totally new design, it was very much the same as the 1962 model in terms of performance. In 1965, a new 396 cubic inch V8 engine was introduced, and the Corvette became one of the meanest machines in the automotive world. The second generation Corvette would reach its peak two years later. The splendid L88 427 engine, which could produce over 500 hp, was available for the 1967 Corvette, and it turned the car into a racing car of sorts. Only 20 cars were given the L88 engine, and they are worth more than $1 million in auctions today.
The 1968 Corvette was named the “Shark”, but the rest of the third generation models (1968-1982) were called “Stingray”. In 1969, the ZL-1 427 engine was put under the hood, and it gave the car a maximum hp of 585. The following year, the displacement was enlarged to 454 cubic inch. Stricter emission controls were imposed in 1971, and it was the final year of big power for the Corvette. Engine power kept decreasing until it hit the bottom in 1975, with the ZQ3 producing 165hp. No major improvements were made until the end of the generation.
The Corvette continues to be one of the most popular American sports cars today, and it is presently in its sixth generation. Although new models are being produced every year, the most endearing Corvettes to the classic car enthusiast are still those that belong to the early generations.
Posted by Steve White on Apr 22, 2009
The Chevrolet Corvette is one of America’s most beloved cars. Its innovative design and great performance have made it a symbol of American automobile engineering at its best, and it continues to fascinate car enthusiasts until this very day.
The Corvette was introduced in 1953 as the first American sports car. The first 300 Corvettes were produced in a Chevrolet plant in Flint, Michigan, and they featured the Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine, which yielded a horsepower of 150. Only 255 of these cars are in existence today, and they are considered some of the rarest classic cars in America.
The 1954 Corvette was the last year model that carried the 6-cylinder engine. In 1955, the V-8 engine was introduced, and the ‘V’ in the Corvette logo was enlarged to give emphasis to this development. Optional fuel-injection was made available in 1957, giving the Corvette a gross hp of 290. 1958 saw major design changes on the body, with extensive use of chrome to make it look flashier. The models of the following two years featured less chrome and more hp, and the rear was changed to a boat-tail rear with 4 round lights in 1961.
A major improvement to the engine was made in 1962. The 283 cubic inch small block of previous models was enlarged to 327 cubic inch to give the car the ability to reach a maximum of 360 hp. This would make the 1962 model the fastest among the first generation Corvettes. This model was also the last Corvette that featured solid rear axle, curved windshield, and convertible-only design.
The oldest Chevrolet Corvette that is in existence today is probably the EX-122, which is a 1953 hand-built pre-production model. It is now on display at the Kerbeck Corvette showroom in Atlantic City.
Posted by Steve White on Apr 20, 2009
Enthusiasts of the Ford Mustang gathered at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday to celebrate the 45th anniversary of one of America’s most legendary cars.
It was on the 17th of April, 1964 that the first Ford Mustang was introduced to the public at the World’s Fair in New York, and the event is remembered as one of the most successful car launch campaigns in American history. The unveiling of the car was telecasted on all 3 major TV networks of that time, and it was watched by 27 million Americans.
Jim Farley, Vice President of Ford marketing and communications, said, “Since April 17, 1964, [the Mustang] has been a symbol of American freedom and fun.”
The Ford Mustang has garnered a devoted following since its emergence. Some of the famous personalities who are owners of Mustangs include baseball star Reggie Jackson, former US President Bill Clinton, and actor Kevin Costner.
The 4-day celebration will feature a number of interesting events to commemorate the Mustang’s success. These include demonstrations by world champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. and speed TV celebrity Tommy Kendall, as well as appearances of some of the original owners of the 1964 Mustang.
A contest will also be held for Mustang enthusiasts. Up to the 15th of August, those who want to take part in the contest can submit their entries through Ford’s “The Unleashed” website. The entries should include a written account of “their own Mustang dream experience” in 250 words or less. Winners of the contest will be given the chance to make their Mustang dreams come true.
Happy Mustang Day!
1969 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr. Landau Winkler, MB
1930 Ford model A killingworth, CT
1941 Chevrolet master deluxe hubbard, TX
1977 Ford Thunderbird redfield, SD
1956 Chevrolet PickUp Long Beach, CA