Removing Bird Droppings from Your Classic Car

Posted by Classic Car Expert on Oct 30, 2009

Most classic car owners prefer to park their cars in a shady place to protect the paint job from direct sunlight. However, those who park their cars under a shade provided by a tree may have to deal with the possibility of bird droppings landing on their prized possessions.

Bird droppings are not just ordinary dirt. They are highly acidic, and they can cause considerable damage to the paint job of a car. The damage will become more serious if you allow the droppings to remain on the paint for a longer time. If you use a wet towel to wipe off the bird droppings, you may scratch the paint, because the droppings contain gravel.

The best way to remove bird droppings from the paint job of your classic car is to use salt-free seltzer water. Salt-free seltzer water consists of water and carbon dioxide, and it will not do any damage to car paint. Give the bottle a good shake and spray it on the droppings. There is no need to wipe the droppings, because the seltzer water will wash them off the paint.

If the bird droppings have been on your classic car for a long time and they have caused damage to the paint, you can use a good paint polish to repair the damage. Polish the paint with a scratch remover or a fine polishing compound, and then apply a coat of wax.

Amazing Classic Car Collection at America on Wheels

Posted by Classic Car Expert on Oct 28, 2009

America on Wheels is a transportation museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania that celebrates the rich heritage of transportation in the US. It provides a comprehensive account of the development of transportation over the years through a wonderful collection of classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

Since it opened in April last year, the America on Wheels museum has welcomed more than 35,000 visitors. Visitors can learn about the history of transportation in America through the museum’s exhibits, special events, and festivals. The vehicles are displayed in four different galleries. In the Lobby Gallery, you will find a great selection of historically significant vehicles, ranging from motorcycles to sports cars. The North Gallery features innovative personal vehicles, including some of the earliest American cars and versatile vehicles that are available today. A wide range of Mack trucks are on display in the South Gallery. The Changing Exhibit gallery is currently showcasing a splendid collection of cars owned by Nicola Bulgari.

The America on Wheels museum also offers guided tours, special classes, workshops, and interesting activities such as scavenger hunts to help both adults and children learn more about transportation technology. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, and it is closed on Monday and selected holidays. Admission fees are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children aged 6 to 16.

Most Wanted Classic Cars: MG TD

Posted by Classic Car Expert on Oct 26, 2009

Towards the end of the 1940s, British auto manufacturer, Morris Garages (MG), started to take interest in making its sports cars available in the North American market. Modifications were made to the MG TC to make it more attractive to North American car buyers, but sales of the car were somewhat disappointing. MG decided that it needed a complete redesign of the MG TC, and it started working on a car that could provide a smoother ride and superior handling.

The MG TD was introduced in 1950, and it came with a left-hand drive version to suit the North American market. Despite being revised extensively, the new MG TD had the same 1250 cc XPAG engine as the MG TC. This engine was upgraded the following year with a new block, bell-housing, and flywheel to accommodate a bigger clutch.

Later on, MG started to produce special MG TDs called the TD Mark II or the TD Competition Model. These cars were actually standard MG TDs that were given extra tuning equipment and factory accessories. Some of the optional modifications that were available for these cars included a revised cylinder head for improved horsepower, bigger tires, wider wheels, increased rear axle ratios, larger carburetors, and twin fuel pumps.

MG TD production reached its peak in the year 1952, but sales started to decline in the following year. In September, 1953, the MG TF was introduced to replace the MG TD. Today, the MG TD is regarded as one of the most desirable British classic cars.

Spectacular Classic Car Events at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance

Posted by Classic Car Expert on Oct 23, 2009

The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival is a highly-anticipated annual classic car festival that features lots of exciting events. This festival will be held from the 30th of October to the 1st of November in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

One of the main events of the festival is a two-day track event called the Savannah/Hilton Head Speed Classic. Spectators can expect to see a great line-up of high-performance classic cars in action at the Hutchinson Island track, a former venue for Indy Lights races. Race participants will test and tune their cars on the 29th of October, and the races will begin the following day.

On the last day of the festival, the Concours d’Elegance will he held at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. This wonderful event will feature about 150 pre-1980 classic cars and motorcycles, and a few of these vehicles will be selected as winners for different competition categories. This year, Mercedes-Benz is chosen as the Honored Marque of the Concours d’Elegance.

Other interesting events of the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival include the Savannah Driving Tour, Motoring Midway, Car Club Jamboree, Friday Night Drivers’ Reception, Happy Hour in the Square, the Southern Belle Fashion Show, and the Flavors of the Lowcountry Oyster Roast.

How to Find Affordable Classic Cars

Posted by Classic Car Expert on Oct 21, 2009

While it is true that classic cars are usually more expensive than ordinary cars, it is possible to find classics that are considerably affordable. Many classic cars are highly priced because of their rarity and special designs, and these cars are usually beyond the means of most car buyers. However, if you can be satisfied with cars that are mass-produced, then you will have many great options to choose from.

Some of the more affordable classic cars that are available in the market include the Volkswagen Beetle, Ford Falcon, Chevy Nova, and Morris Minor. You can find many classified ads on the internet that offer these cars at very reasonable prices, ranging from $4,000 to $14,000. A very well-maintained 1964 Chevy Nova can go for as low as $10,000 and a 1969 VW Beetle can be yours for as little as $6,000. And with less than $7,000, you can be the proud owner of a 1969 Morris Minor.

One thing you have to keep in mind when looking for an affordable classic car is that base models are usually priced lower than convertibles and special run models. Another advantage of choosing base model classic cars is the easy availability of car parts. This makes it less costly for you to maintain and repair your classic car.