Origin of the American Muscle Car

Peter Bouchard - PontiacCars for the most part of been one of the world’s greatest inventions to date. It allows us to transport multiple people far faster than we ever would have been able to on foot. With the invention of cars came the innovation. In 1949, we were introduced to the American muscle car. It was at this time that people wanted faster cars and the muscle car delivered on that.

The first muscle car was brought to us by Oldsmobile, the Rocket 88. The car had a lightweight Oldsmobile body with a high compression overhead valve V8. The body is similar to the body of the Oldsmobile 76 which originally had a six cylinder engine. It was this combo that ultimately created the category of a muscle car.

A muscle car has a light body with heavy engine. At the height of the Rocket 88, it took NASCAR by storm in 1950. This ultimately had people thinking speed, speed, speed. This type of car was a long time coming, starting back in the 1920s. With prohibition taking place, moonshiners and bootleggers wanted a vehicle that could speed away from police vehicles. Moonshiners began modifying their cars and eventually racing to make money. It was these cars that gave inspiration for the Rocket 88.

Racing eventually slowed down and actually came to a stop when the Automobile Manufacturers Association banned factory sponsored racing in 1957. Eventually, Pontiac released the Gran Turismo Omologato (GTO). Initially priced at $3,200, the Pontiac GTO was for the young. Due to its inexpensive price, many young people were purchasing this car that was approved for racing. In its first year of production, Pontiac sold well over their projections. Pontiac ended up selling over six times as many as originally predicted proving to other automobile manufacturers that they should begin making muscle cars, and thats exactly what Ford did.

For more on this interesting topic, check it out at gentlemansgazette.com.

Gas Pulling Plug on Electric

The decreasing price of gas is making consumers second-guess themselves about the positives of trading in their guzzlers for electric vehicles. Or at least some sources report so; other media remain hopeful, viewing the crests and troughs in sales as a more natural fluctuation than one strongly correlated with gas prices.

peter bouchard - electric carWhile only a few years ago the activists of environment-friendly driving controlled the podium, and drivers everywhere leaned toward making the switch, a new obstacle is presenting itself for companies trying to entice potential clients with the alternative to regularly fueled cars. What’s more upsetting to companies that relied on the takeoff is the fading excitement over the green benefits that come with driving hybrids and electric vehicles. What originally seemed like a growing conscious effort to reduce wastefulness seems only to have been a preliminary and transitory appeal. Drivers simply care more about the money they save than they do about their contributions to resourcefulness. Electric cars come with higher prices that some conclude only looked attractive in the wake of rising gas prices and further speculation of the same, and as gas prices fall, less efficient cars make a return.

A few figures make it clear that the industry is not suffering devastating losses—suggesting little to no influence of gas prices on electric car sales. New models including Tesla and BMW cars are still bringing new faces to driving electric. Nissan, however, which saw record-high sales through 2014 and boasted the most bought plug-in that year faced a decrease of 20% in sales from January 2015. This was the most significant change for the year. Yet, Nissan is not the only company facing unforeseen complications. Many companies including Cadillac, Chevy, and Toyota have already lowered prices and may continue to do so with hopes of arousing interest in upcoming models.

Edmunds.com, which more realistically considers the flux of fuel prices offers a piece of advice useful for customers and companies alike facing questions of pricing: “the longer you intend to keep a vehicle, the less you should rely on the present price of fuel.”

Top 10 Vintage Cars for Under $5,000

Owning a weekend car isn’t only for the wealthy, there are classic and vintage cars in all different price ranges.  Here are some of the budget classic cars to get you started.  Also, if you want to tinker with an older vehicle, these make good cars for a project.

chevy nova

10.) Chevrolet Nova SS

Behold a classic Chevy Nova. The one we found is a little rough around the edges but appears mechanically sound.  You can’t complain about a 350 and no air conditioning in a car that looks this cool.

mgb

9.) MG B

There are a number of MG Bs out there for under 5k. The question is, how much money will it take to get it running smoothly? You will you end up spending more than 5k to get it back out onto the road, at least.

datsun 510

8.) Datsun 510

There was one 510 wagon up for sale on eBay recently, but bidding has ended. When we last looked, it was going for $4,550, which seems like a good deal. The car’s interior was  ragged, but for under 5k, who would complain?

spitfre

7.) Triumph Spitfire

For a very small price in the classic car world, you can be the owner of a Spitfire. Much like the MG B though, the purchase price of a Sptifire is an initial investment. If you like puzzles, a Spitfire might be for you.

alfa romeo

6.) Alfa Romeo GTV6

Once it’s running smoothly this GTV6 will be worth the trouble it took to get there. T  If you’re looking for a home project with an Italian twist, a GTV6 might be a good place to start.

plymouth fury

5.) 1966 Plymouth Fury

A fun big production car that you can work on with a socket set, a crescent wrench, and some weekends.  This was how cars were supposed to be built.

datsun z

4.) Datsun Z

This sleep stylish sports car for under 5k?  Who wouldn’t want that?

bmw 2002

3.) BMW 2002

eBay says there are 10 2002s for sale in the United States for under $5000. This is my personal favorite of the cars listed.  This car means business.

citroen DS

2.) Citroen DS

This weird looking car is a one of a kind, and at 5k, she’s a car that only her mother could love.

mercedes benz 190e cosworth

1.) Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth

These older Mercedes are safe, reliable, luxurious, and hold their value.  A car like this will turn some head on the street, and best of all, it can be yours for under 5k.

 

The Ford Mustang, the Pinnacle of Muscle?

With Muscle Cars, there are three qualities they should possess – power, speed, and style. There is car that has all of these qualities, and is also considered by both casual drivers and motor-heads to be the bet – the Ford Mustang. The Ford Mustang in any of its styles – Coupe, GT, or Convertible is a worldwide best-seller which does not come as a surprise. The legacy of this vehicle has left its tire tracks imprinted on automotive history since it was released in 1964

Here is why the Ford Mustang is the pinnacle of muscle:

A ‘Classic’ Muscle Car The number one sign of ‘classic’ car status is longevity in the marketplace, the Ford Mustang is currently the second-longest running car in production in America.  The overall look of the car is as recognizable today as it was in the sixties, even as the shapes and models which have evolved over the decades. The long chassis, wide tires, chunky front grill and low-profile are unmistakably from the Ford Mustang.

Expertly Made and Reliable Another reason the Ford Mustang is a legendary muscle car is because of its durability and construction. Ford Motor Company have always prided themselves on how well they construct their vehicles.

Customizable Whatever the model or generation, another factor that puts this car ahead of the pack is how customizable they are. From bodywork, to power mods, to interior gadgets, many owners can find as many hours of enjoyment in their garage as they can on the road –