FEBRUARY AUTOMOTIVE ARTICLES 2012
By Tom E Doyle
What constitutes a classic car, Who determines if a car is a classic, when does a car become a classic?
How many times are those questions asked? This classic car debate is a very subjective one and in my opinion there is no right or wrong answer.
There have been iconic cars that attained classic status upon introduction, the Jaguar E type roadster for example is a case in mind, when introduced at the Geneva motor show it stole the show. The model on the stand had been driven to the show over night and had rolled off the production line a day or two previously.
The Aston Martin DB 5 attained classic status as James Bond 's choice of car.
Preston Tucker and the Tucker Torpedo became an iconic car and gained classic status from inception due to the publicity and the court case. The interest it created in 1948 has not waned in the intervening years. I was fortunate to see one in the flesh and found it difficult to believe it was created pre 1960 never mind pre 1950.
The majority of us will never get to own any of these super cars however that does not stop us owning and enjoying our own classic cars. For most of us the cars of our childhood constitutes our definition of a classic car. Who would argue the Mini or the fiat 500 are not classics, yet these models were created as transport for the masses, produced in very large numbers, and yet fifty years after their introduction are very desirable.
The cars our parents or other relatives owned often stay in the mind as being a thing of beauty, each time we see one it evokes pleasant memories and perhaps the aspiration to own one. For me it was a Humber Hawk MK VI, my childhood memory of seeing one being driven by a factory owner, it looked so graceful as it glided along and in comparison with other cars of that era it was so silent. I spent many evenings as young boy looking in the showroom window of the local dealer and dreamed of owning and driving such a beautiful car. Forty-four later I realised my dream. To me it is a classic car to others it has no meaning.
We can have a yearning for the car we learned to drive in, again it evokes pleasant memories. When I attend classic car shows and see the cars from each of the decades I also notice the choices of the various generations represents the cars of their youth. So the debate of what constitutes a classic car is often personal to the individual as our memories are personal.
Each decade produces a car that will appeal to almost everyone however due to cost it will be out of the reach of the majority, equally each decade produces cars that are affordable to most and will reach classic status.
The Fiat X 19 a mid engined two-seater is an example of what is considered a classic today, it was not expensive and was built in large numbers and today is considered an iconic design.
My conclusion is there are no boundaries as to what constitutes a classic car. The appeal of a particular model or manufacturer is often deep-rooted in our childhood. If you are considering attaining a classic join the owners club before you purchase the car, the knowledge of current owners as to spares availability and what to look for when looking at your potential purchase is invaluable. They may know of your potential purchase.
Please take a minute of your time to look at my website.
WWW.NOSTALGICCLASSICCARAPPRAISALS.CO.UK
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Around the turn of the century, electric cars emerged as the elegant solution to horseless transportation. Because EVs were not temperamental or difficult to operate, they became the vehicle of choice among women. And many lawyers and physicians preferred them because they were clean. Charging at home also was considered a luxury, certainly more refined than pumping gas and adding oil. The 1897 Riker Victoria (shown) was one of the more refined examples of an electric car of that era, although it was one of the worst in terms of range. The stylish bodywork took precedent over battery placement, shortening its range to about 20 miles per charge. Still, that was far more than the average driver of the day ever needed. A.L. Riker, founder of Riker Electric Motor Co. in Brooklyn, blamed the car's limited range not on its design, but on the lack of a satisfactory battery technology. During a 1897 meeting of the Electric Vehicle Manufacturers, Riker said he had "yet to learn of a battery of high-efficiency and low-depreciation, which was the type required" for electric vehicles.
EARLY FWD CAR
The Horseless Age
Walter Christie's patent application for a front-drive car appeared in our June 29, 1904 issue. The powerplant sat transversely between the front
wheels, with the crankshaft connected to the front wheels through, " a novel and improved transmission-gearing and clutch mechanism. The clutch
was used to couple and de-couple the front wheels from the engine. It also was used to shift between low and direct gear, or reverse. The short
halfshafts ended in Hooke joints, and the steering pivot was carried on the outer stub shaft. Walter Christie specialized in racing cars and
"motor-propelled war chariots, including those of the amphibian type." The front-drive system shown here was used successfully by Christie on
some of his early racing cars, but the lack of a suitable transaxle design likely doomed this novel approach.
DETROIT AUTO SHOW
Unlike serious motor vehicle exhibitions such as the Paris show, the 1903 Detroit Auto Show was actually an adjunct to a Sportsmen's show that
ran at the Detroit Armory. The Horseless Age covered the event in its February 18, 1903 issue, stating that the event only had about 3000
visitors per day, and that most of them did not come to see the cars. "To put it mildly, the show from the standpoint of the automobile
exhibitors was hardly a success," our editors reported. "The growling of the 200 or more dogs and the noise in the shooting gallery put a hard
strain on the nerves of some attendants." We concluded that a dog show was not the proper place to promote the automobile.
SPRUNG POWERTRAINS
This device, written about in our May 24, 1899 issue, was designed to transmit power "jerk-free" by attaching the drive gear to a spring-mounted
arm. A casing was fitted around the solid axle connecting the left and right wheels. It carried the lower spring arm and axle assembly. This
could rotate fore and aft, changing the position of the drive pulley. Acceleration and bumps compressed the spring and moved the pulley forward,
which slackened the belt. Under braking, the spring expanded, stretching the belt tight. This was, the inventor claimed, especially effective
when an electric motor was used for both drive and braking. About this same time, A.B. Andrews of Center Point, Iowa was taking spring theory a
bit farther. He used a clock spring type mechanism to drive a vehicle. His prototype was his child's baby carriage. A winding mechanism was
fitted to permit the "engine" to rewind on downhill sections, or to provide self-winding on level roads.
RACING
Growing interest in the automobile spawned the inevitable sport of racing. Henry Ford was one of the pioneers, building his first race car in
1901. Ford's 26 hp racer was tested against a Winton in October of that year, winning the race handily with an average speed of 43.5 mph. Mr.
Ford later claimed to have done a flying half-mile in 26 seconds (69.2 mph), and defied any foreign machine to challenge him. In France, speed
was also a topic of the day. M. Serpollet drove his torpedo-shaped steam-car (shown) to a flying-kilometer record at a speed of near 75 mph. It
broke the world's record in April 1902. Two years later, Ford drove his famous 999 racer over a record flying mile, averaging 92.3 mph. In the
same year, Ford's 999 set a speed record on an oval track at nearly 60 mph.
STEAM POWER
Steam power was well understood in early automotive days, but its use in passenger vehicles peaked quickly and disappeared. Because of its
limitations in range and safety, it was best suited for industrial applications such as locomotives or overland freight trains as shown in this
1899 ad. Steam automobiles couldn't carry enough water to provide acceptable mileage, and the drive to make passenger vehicles lighter forced
boilermakers to compromise integrity for weight. Many tragic boiler explosions resulted, tainting the image of the steam-powered car. By the time
a reliable kerosene-fired boiler came on the market, along with more steam-efficient engines, demand for the technology was surpassed by interest
in electric and gasoline power.
By the time a reliable kerosene-fired boiler came on the market, along with more steam-efficient engines, demand for
the technology was surpassed by interest in electric and gasoline power.
Useful materials about auto on a site engineturbine.com.
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A vehicle identification number or VIN is found on every vehicle produced from 1981 on. Before then, some manufacturers included a VIN, but the numbering sequence wasn't consistent across the industry. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed all that, requiring manufacturers to include a 17-digit VIN on every car, light duty truck, trailer, motorcycle and moped produced. Like fingerprints, each number is unique and can never be used again on another vehicle.
VINs have been around since the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, but that does not mean that these numbers cannot be tampered with. You'll find your vehicle's VIN on the dashboard, usually on the driver's side and where the dashboard meets the base of the windshield. VINs are oftentimes found elsewhere including on the chassis, the engine and other key components. When located in multiple places on a vehicle, those numbers should match up. If not, then a car could be stolen or a part replaced.
Let's review how you can verify a car's VIN and avoid finding yourself in the middle of a grand larceny case:
1. Locate and copy. Find the VIN and jot that number on a piece of paper. If you cannot locate it, then the current owner should know where it can be found.
2. Seek and find. Several websites offer VIN identification finders, including some that are free. Search for "VIN locator" and check the results. Click on the website offering a free service and follow those instructions. Consider using a paid service such as one from CarFax that will give you that information and the car's maintenance details for a fee.
3. Logon and enter. Once you are registered with the website, log on and enter the VIN. Each site has its own requirements -- simply follow the instructions to learn more.
4. Review the report. The more detailed the report, the better for you. Review the report to learn if the car was ever stolen or salvaged. If salvaged, the car could have been retitled in another state. Be careful -- the vehicle could be damaged as from a flood.
5. Notify the authorities. Your local police department can also assist, particularly if you suspect that the car's VIN is not legitimate. Police can run a report on the vehicle, searching multiple databases to learn if it has been stolen.
If you buy a stolen vehicle and were not aware of the theft, you'll be expected to return the vehicle to its rightful owner and without compensation. You may avoid legal problems, but you'll be without the car and you could be out of a heap of cash.
Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of "Auto Trends Magazine." Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including turbocharger kits and navigation systems.
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By Paul Townsen
Whether you drive your car several times a day or just a few times a week, you need to think about safety. Are you prepared for the kind of emergencies drivers encounter everyday? By implementing just a few simple suggestions, you'll feel safe knowing that you have what you need if you do ever find yourself in an emergency. While not all roadside emergencies can be managed by yourself, being prepared means that you have a better chance at a successful outcome. Your preparation is going to keep a bad situation from getting worse. By taking the right steps, you can be sure that you'll get home quickly and safely.
Flat tires are one of the most common roadside emergencies. If you haven't found yourself with a flat tire, you can be sure that someday you will. To anticipate a punctured tired, keep a canister of flat-fixing product in your car. These products are added to the tire through the air valve and help seal the puncture to prevent the tire from becoming even flatter. You can carefully drive yourself home or to a service station. Also anticipate those times when you will need to change your tire completely. Be sure that the spare tire you keep in your car is filled with air and in good shape. Consider adding a plastic bag or small box to store the lug nuts in while you're busy changing the tire.
Keep an old blanket in your trunk or back seat. This will be useful in many situations. It can keep you warm if you need to stay in your car for an extended period of time. If you need to flag down passing drivers, a large colorful blanket will catch their attention. Similarly, a good towel is important to have, as well. Aside from being useful for cleaning up spills, a towel helps protect your hands if you have to remove reservoir caps from a hot engine. Be sure to wash the towel you keep in your vehicle every time you use it. You want to be sure that it's ready to do its job every time you need it.
And finally, consider keeping some candy in the trunk or glove compartment. If your car comes to a stop in the middle of nowhere, you'll need some energy to reach a service station. Eating a little bit of candy will give you the energy boost necessary for a long walk. When choosing what candy you keep for emergencies, choose some that are going to be stable in heat and cold. Consider individually wrapped fruit flavored hard candy or your favorite brand of peppermints.
Adding just a few things to your car's emergency kit will help you successfully survive general roadside emergencies. Since you can never know for certain what trouble you might encounter on the road, plan your emergency kit with items that will be useful in multiple situations. Once you have your emergency kit created, make sure you have the right car insurance policy, as well. A car insurance policy is by far the best tool in your safety toolkit, so make sure you have a policy that's right for you!
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If you have ever driven for longer than 30 minutes, you may have experienced highway hypnosis. Have you ever arrived at your destination and wondered how you got there in the first place? Long stretches of road have a tendency to lull drivers into a hypnotic state, thereby erasing the memory of the drive. This can be dangerous, but there are steps you can take to avoid highway hypnosis.
One of the scarier things about highway hypnosis is that you somehow manage to perform basic driving tasks without realizing it. As unsafe as it is to allow the hypnosis to creep up on you, it is quite amazing that your body knows how to keep you out of harm's way while you are in this hypnotic state. However, don't count on your excellent driving skills to keep you safe if something extreme happens, like a drunk driver crashing into you or a student driver losing control of his vehicle. These unexpected events sometimes can't even be safely handled by the most alert driver, much less a hypnotized one. Making sure to be aware of your surroundings is important on any occasion, but most especially when operating a motor vehicle.
Learning to recognize when you start drifting or staring off into space can be life-saving. If you feel even a little tired, take the time to stop at a gas station and buy a cold bottle of water or your favorite caffeinated drink. Just having the drink close by can help you stay focused on the road.
A cheap, easy way to combat the symptoms of highway hypnosis is to open a window or turn up your air conditioning. A cool breeze on your face will keep you present, and maybe shivering enough to help you ward off sleep.
The best way to stay aware while driving is to constantly look around. You should be checking your speedometer periodically anyway, as well as your rear-view and side view mirrors. Staying aware of any changes in road markers, such as a two-lane road becoming a one-lane road, is very important when driving long distances. Many highways are several lanes across when you are within city limits, but once you drive out past the outskirts, they can shrink down to two lanes or one lane. This can be dangerous if you are otherwise occupied by highway hypnosis.
If you are absolutely too tired to drive, you must take the time to stop somewhere safe and take a short nap. This is crucial because being too tired to drive is unsafe in and of itself, but being tired and hypnotized by the road is just about the worst thing you could do. Make sure you are in a safe area before stopping.
If you don't take the steps to ensure your safety while driving, you could cause an accident, which will send your car insurance rates soaring. By avoiding highway hypnosis, you also help yourself become more aware of dangerous drivers.
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Make Your Car Run on Water
By: Davy Blue
Desperate times require desperate measures and no, I’m not talking about stealing
gasoline from your neighbor’s truck. How would you like to make your car run with water?
Yeah, I know it sounds absurd, but it is actually doable.
The basic principle is rather simple: water is made of hydrogen and
oxygen. After you manage to obtain these elements out of which hydrogen
fuel is the important one, you combine them back (by a process specialists
like to call burning) and thus you get free energy. Hooray for chemistry!
Did you spot the problem yet? Well… let me help you. Obtaining hydrogen and oxygen
consumes more power than you would get by simply burning them and this would apparently make the whole water engine thing useless.
Bummer? Not quite.
Because we can do something else. We can combine these raw materials with gasoline
and thus get more power. It is a bit counterintuitive I know, but this technique
dramatically increases the efficiency with which the gasoline burns and thus you save fuel
Ok!! So how do you actually do this thing? Check out this website where you can get all
the info you need on how to make your auto run with water, the DYI route. http://scut.ly/1xn