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Archive for October, 2011

Visit a Paint Shop and Watch Your Car’s Value Rise

October 21st, 2011 Comments off

Repairing an automobile’s visual imperfections like scratches is among the best ways to increase value. When it’s time to sell an automobile, audience view scratches and dents as a major warning sign. It may give the appearance that the car was in any sort of accident or otherwise looked after. Paint shops can repair damage like deep scratches for any very small investment, potentially helping the car’s value by up to $1,000. Combined with a deep cleaning of the car’s interior and wheels, fixing chipped paint can enhance the chances of selling an automobile for a good price.

How Paint Services Increase Value

First impressions count for much when selling a car. Even though mechanical form of the vehicle is most significant, buyers typically feel more comfortable buying a car that looks pristine and new. An automobile with scratches or dents raises a red flag to buyers and signals that the car might not have been maintained properly. It may also provide the appearance the vehicle is at any sort of accident. A paint shop can increase the worth of an automobile by restoring its original appearance for a very small investment.

What a Paint Shop Can Repair

A paint shop can affordably repair a range of scratches in a car’s splash of paint. Underneath the top layer of paint is really a coating of primer along with metal. If only the paint is scratched it’s possible to simply sand and buff the scratch. Many people do this themselves however it can certainly make the problem worse. Scratches that go all the way to the metal require the attention of a trained professional in a repair shop. For jobs like this, specialized tools are needed as well as professional paint matching.

Improve Appearance and Maintain Value

Everyone prefers the look of a clean, scratch-free car, be it new or old. Regular visits to a paint shop to fix small scratches because they occur can maintain the value of an automobile in many ways. It prevents scratches from becoming worse and cuts down on the chance of chipped paint flaking. Existing chips within the paint will worsen with time and allow rust to develop on the car. Paint shops can repair these damages once they occur for a small price, although the problem becomes more expensive the longer it exists.

Choosing a Paint Shop

Selecting the right repair shop or paint shop to repair scratches and paint chips on the car is very important. Dedicated paint shops are a good option for a lot of people simply because they specialize in paint jobs and are experts in paint matching and filling techniques. However, many body shops now offer paint services that rival expensive auto paint shops. Body shops typically employ technicians specially been trained in scratch removal and paint chip repair that can restore the initial appearance of a vehicle, increasing overall value.

It’s more often than not a good decision to correct scratches, chipped paint and dents in a vehicle before selling it. These imperfections raise issues with a possible buyer however they could be fixed very affordably for the most part body shops. Typically, from chipped paint to some deep scratch in the metal can be fixed in a repair shop as well. Always select a shop having a specialized team that has experience with filling and paint matching. Even though repairs could cost $100 – $300, it isn’t uncommon to determine a large return on investment.

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2010 Hyundai Elantra – Full Featured Compact Sedan

October 21st, 2011 Comments off

2010 Hyundai Elantra is really a well-built, roomy little sedan that accompany spacious interiors, excellent gas mileage, good safety, decent styling and long warranty. Hyundai has maintained the best reputation by manufacturing and introducing affordable vehicles in the market and Elantra is one such car with additional features and warranty. The cabin volume inside Elantra is 112.1 cubic feet with ample of cargo and passenger capacity. There are some exterior features which include trapezoidal headlamps, simple face and cup-shaped grille with chrome bars.

This years Hyundai Elantra is full redesigned with distinctive design, powerful and efficient 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine and new features. The brand new Elantra comes with frumpy exterior and classy new styling with dolled-up exterior. The Elantra gives you impressive gas mileage of 40 miles per gallon in highway cruising what’s best as compared to other rivals on the market for example Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Chevrolet Cruze Eco. It’s a compact sedan available in two different trim levels GLS and Limited. The GLS includes standard features such as 15 inch steel wheels, iPod/USB audio interface, heated mirrors, satellite radio, keyless entry, CD player, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, six-speaker surround sound system, trip computer, tilt steering wheel and full power accessories. The top of the line Limited trim level adds 17 inch alloy wheels, real-time traffic and weather updates, foglamps, rearview camera, sunroof, navigation system, leather upholstery, keyless ignition, automatic headlights, heated front and rear seats and premium 360-watt audio system.

There are some optional features this year Hyundai Elantra such as 16 inch steel wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning and telescoping steering wheel. There’s a Preferred Equipment package that consists of 16 inch alloy wheels, controls mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, sliding armrest about the center console, sun visor extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors. The all-new Elantra is powered by 1.8 liter inline four-cylinder engine that is good for producing 131 pound feet of torque and 148 horsepower. There are some standard safety features which include stability and traction control system, side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, front seat side impact airbags and active front head restraints. The cabin inside is very luxurious built with stylized climate controls and curved center stack. The most cargo capacity of this vehicle is 14.8 cubic feet that is bigger as compared to other models.

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500 Model

October 21st, 2011 Comments off

This vintage muscle car were built with a base price of just $2,727 and came with 427 cubic inches of pure Camaro terror and today there are plenty of clones that will cost you a handsome amount of money. Should you be a “Chevy Driver” back in the 60s than you know that GM were built with a self-imposed 400-cu.in. limit on exactly what rolled out of the factory besides large-sized boats and Corvettes. This was unfortunate since the 427 that Chevy offered was with a rating of 425 hp with no doubt had the possibility to clean up at the race track. Fact is that Ford and Mopars were mopping up out in the drag strips and this left one individual by the name of Don Yenko just a little upset to say the least.

For Don Yenko, understanding that GM were built with a motor that could potentially eat up any competition that came its way this was very frustrating and that he decided to do something positive about this. Don Yenko was among several factory-connected Chevy-racer dealers which were located in some places across the country coupled with designed a reputation for himself hopping up Corvettes and Corvairs at his dealership in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He was noted for dropping L72 crate motors into Camaros, striping them up and creating a descent profit. Don decided to call upon Chevy General Manager and GM Vice President in the production department and are available track of a strategy to what he saw like a big problem.

After bouncing some ideas back and forth the things they created is exactly what we all know nowadays because the COPO Camaro (or Central Office Production Order) vehicles. Generally COPOs were issued for fleet orders of 50 to 100 cars at a time involving boring cars like taxis or police cars and usually contains specific requirements and unavailable to the public. Well, at the time drag racing would be a practical market, so when Don ordered 50 or 100 hundred at a time the powers to be held the back door open as Yenko snuck in and that’s why this legendary muscle car lives today.

Don’t be fooled though, you’d be very lucky if someone was selling an original and if it was it might probably be very costly unless it was rundown and ready for restoration, even so it could set you back a descent amount. Most real car buffs will be able to tell you exactly where these old cars can be found today since there were very few made. There are many COPO Camaro clones out there today though, plus they are just like the original copies, so count on paying a healthy amount for one of those too.

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Mustang Shelby GT History: 1965-2011

October 21st, 2011 Comments off

1965-1966
The very first GTs were Shelby modified K-Code 289 cubic [4.7 liter] V8 Fastbacks which had their power increased from 271 HP up to 306 HP. Shelby ordered 252 units of 1965 Fastbacks for his conversion into 1966 Shelby GT350. The project itself began in August of 1964 as well as in September the first Shelby GT350s were born. The general public unveil ended on January 27 of 1965. Shelby GT350 also featured Hooly carburetor, Cobra valve covers, special Cobra hi-rise intake manifold, 4-speed manual transmission, side exhaust pipes, Wimbledon white body color with 2 stripes and no back seats, because of SCCA’s requirements [2-door coupes only]. Overall, there were 562 Shelby GT350 street legal and 37 GT360R units built-in 1965. The Shelby GT350R were built for races only.

The 1966 production had 2378 GT250s built where 4 of these were special order convertibles for Shelby himself. Some say, there were 6 of these convertibles, but on 4 correct VINs are discovered.

Shelby struck a deal with the Hertz Corporation in 1965 to be able to build a special line of 1001 GT350H V8s for “rent a racer” program, which helped Shelby to reveal Shelby Mustangs across the country.

1967-1968
In 1967 Mustang Gt350 carried over with 289 cubic aluminum Cobra V8. Regular Mustangs might get 320 HP power by installing 4-barrel carburetor. Of course, Shelby went further and also the new Shelby GT500 model was built-in 1967 too. It was equipped with reworked 428 cubic [7 liter] Police Interceptor engine with cast-aluminum intake manifold [from Ford's 427] and twin Hooley 4-barrel carburetors to get 355 HP. GT500 were built with a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering and ac. The body had new nose, functional hood scoop, side body air intakes.
The 1968 Shelby GT500KR [King from the Road] had 428 cubic Cobra Jet V8 engine and developed suspiciously low 335 HP.

1969-1970
Shelby terminated the agreement with Ford in 1969, but he still had a little bit of his impact in 69-70 GT model range. Actually, the 1970 GTs were 1969 Shelby leftovers and that is why 1970 GTs remained as Shelbys. The GT350 and GT 500 got a significant facelift change. 1969-1970 Shelby GT350 got a 351 cubic [5. liter] V8 engine, as the GT500 took its 428 cubic [7 liter] V8 muscle. Transmission choice was exactly the same: 3-speed automatic or 4-speed manual.

2006-2008
2006-Ford-Mustang-Shelby-GT – After Ford revived your fifth generation Mustang, Shelby made a special edition 2006 Shelby GT-H which was the offspring of the original 1966 Shelby GT350H “rent and race” muscle car. Only about 500 units were built. Those were designed with 320 HP 4.6 liter GT V8 engine, 90 mm cold air intake kit, X-pipe, performance suspension, 5-speed automatic transmission, etc. The convertible Shelby GT-H was agreed to rent in 2007.

2008-barrett-jackson-shelby-gt – There is yet another special edition of 100 units unveiled in 2008 – the Barrett-Jackson Shelby GT. The Shelby pony delivers 319 HP from the Ford Racing V8 and it is equipped with 5-speed manual gearbox which has Hurst short-throw shifter or perhaps a 5-speed automatic. The cars have special tuned dampers, unique sway bars inside and 18 inch alloys, Shelby Cobra hood scoop, Lemans stripes and fully black interior.

The 2006 Shelby GT500 uses 5.4 liter supercharged V8 and develops 500 HP. It also features 6-speed Tremec manual transmission, has some suspension tuning done and rides on 18-inch wheels. These cars were build in collaboration of SVT and Carroll Shelby for 3 years only, but there were about 30.000 units built.

The King of the Road model was unveiled in 2007, in NY auto show. The Anniversary 2008 Shelby GT500KR has got the same engine as GT500, but because of functional cold air intake and unique calibration this 32 valve 5.4 liter supercharged V8 engine develops as much as 540 HP [40 HP a lot more than GT500]. The KR Mustang features carbon fibre hood with functional scoops and vents, unique carbon fibre splitter, functional brake cooling ducts, SVT-tuned suspension, more parts from Ford Racing.

Since 2007, the Terlingua Team provides a special package for that V6 Mustangs, that includes “serious performance enhancements and striking visual cues”. The package will, of course, include the Shelby serial number…2007 Ford Shelby GT500 Red Stripe Appearance Package

If You curently have GT500 and still feel unsatisfied, You might sent it to Shelby’s Special Performance Plant in Vegas and have it rebuilt into Super Snake. This rebuilt SS features some kind of special badging, new Alcoa wheels, ram-air SS hood, stripes, splitters, 6-piston Bear brakes and several other performance features including the 5.4 Liter Kenne Bell twin-screw supercharged engine that develops 605 or 725 HP [no warranty with this one].

2010-2011
Combined with the 2010 Mustang facelift came the brand new GT500. It had exactly the same 5.4 liter engine however the power was increased up to 540 HP with the addition of cold air intake [similar to KR's]. SVT retuned the suspension a bit by adding 19 inch wheels.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 will get an engine update – it’ll be the brand new 5.4 aluminum V8 that is 102 pounds lighter, and more powerful – 550 HP. The vehicle stance is lowered by 11/8 millimeters in front/rear. The steering is assisted by new electric system, external design includes SVT performance package, 19/20 inch front/rear wheels, optional glass roof, etc.

Because of 45th Anniversary this year the legendary 1965 Shelby GT350 special Mustang edition was unveiled by Shelby. 5.0 liter small block V8 is going to be fitted with Ford’s Racing [FR] supercharger to gain 500 HP, FR suspension, 6-speed stick shift, Borla exhaust, 6 piston Baer brakes, 19 inch Cragar wheels, front splitter, functional hood scoop, redesigned tail lights, new dashboard for interior, etc.

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