Monday, July 7, 2008

History of the Ford Mustang

by: Teresa Frady

The Ford Mustang was first introduced in 1964, at the World Exhibition of New York, and Americans immediately fell in love with the car. Everyone flocked to Ford showrooms, scrambling to be the first to own a Mustang. Over 22,000 Mustangs were sold on the first day! Sales reached 418,000 in the first year.

The first Mustang became known as the 1964½ and was available in two models, the coupe and the convertible. Features of both models included a lengthened hood and shortened rear deck, chrome wrap-around bumpers, chrome grill with a running horse, full wheel covers and a sporty interior. The cost for a standard Mustang was around $2,400. The GT and the fastback model were introduced in 1965.

The Shelby GT350 was also introduced in 1965. Its design was a collaboration between Ford and performance car legend, Carroll Shelby. Its goal was to create competition for the Chevy Corvette.

The Shelby GT500 Mustang was first released in 1967. It was powered by a 428 V8 engine and sported numerous luxury options. It was produced until 1970. A new version of the Shelby GT500, considered to be the most powerful factory-built Ford Mustang in history, will be released in 2006. Shelby Cobra GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 produces over 450 horsepower.

The 1967 Mustang sported simulated air-scoops and a larger grill and it was longer and appeared more aggressive. By 1969, the Mustang became bigger and heavier. New Mustangs were nearly four inches longer.

New models introduced in the 1969-1970 model year were the Grande, the Mach 1, the Boss 302 and the Boss 429. The Boss 351 model was introduced in 1971.

In 1974, the Mustang II was released. It was smaller and more fuel efficient than previous models. This was also the first year that a convertible was not sold, and the only year that a V8 engine wasn't available.

In 1976, the Cobra II package, which added a big rear spoiler, a fake hood scoop and blue stripes across white paint to a V8-powered fastback, was made available. It wasn't any faster than similarly powered Mustang II's, but it sure looked cool. The King Cobra, which was very similar to the Cobra II, debuted in 1978. Also in 1978, Ford stopped production on the Mustang II.

In 1982, the Mustang lineup included the GT hatchback, as well as the more luxurious series: L, GL and GLX. Evolving from its humble beginnings in 1982 to the hard-charging street performer of 1993, the third generation Ford Mustang GT has gained respect as one of the most versatile and popular Mustangs of all time. More than 450,000 of these cars were produced between 1982 and 1993.

The fourth generation Mustang was introduced in December 1993 and was way more aerodynamic than its predecessors, while still embodying the same personality and style. The special edition SVT Cobra, made its appearance in 1993; and in 2001, the special "Bullitt" edition Mustang GT coupe was released.

For the 2005 model year, Ford redesigned the Mustang for the first time since 1994. Ford gave its iconic car a retro look with round headlights, chrome details inside and a throaty roar when accelerating, all hearkening back to its mid-'60s roots. Fans have been enthralled. It's 1964 all over again! Except for the price, that is – pricing for a new Ford Mustang starts at around $20,000. Check out all the Mustang images at carposters.us.


Teresa Frady is webmaster of several sites including CarPosters.us and HotRodding.us

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How To Maintain Your Car Battery

by: Marilyn Pokorney

One of the most important parts of your car is the battery. If it doesn't work, your car doesn't start. And, in the winter that is even more true than in the summer.

The electrical power produced by the battery is used by the cars ignition system for cranking the engine. The car's battery also may power the lights and other accessories.

Have the battery tested on a regular basis, including when the car is serviced, before long trips and after it's been recharged.

Here are some things you can do yourself to prevent being stranded on a cold winter day.

Know how old your battery is. To see how old your battery is look for a small decal on the battery. A letter with a number should be there. The letter indicates the month, starting with "A" for January, "B" for February, and so on. I is skipped so December is "M". The number represents the year with "9" standing for 1999, "0" for 2000, etc. so D2, would be April, 2002. F5 would be June, 2005. Experts usually advise getting a new battery when a battery is four years old.

Watch for corroded terminals or battery posts, loose clamps, loose cables, or a leaking or damaged battery case. Look for dirty, wet, corroded or swollen cables and battery top.

Look for a loose or broken alternator belt. If the alternator fails the battery might also need to power the vehicle's entire electrical system until repairs can be made.

Keep jumper cables in the trunk of your car for emergency start up. Make sure the cables are free of rust and corrosion and that there are no exposed wires before using them.

Park your car in a garage whenever possible.

If you must leave your car outside all day, go out and start the car two or three times a day and let the car run for a few minutes to warm up. This will help the car to start more easily when you are ready to go.

When temperatures are below zero Fahrenheit avoid leaving the car out for extended periods of time.

For more tips on keeping your battery in excellent working condition visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/batterycare.htm

Copyright: 2006 Marilyn Pokorney

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2000 Windshields & 2 Years Later with Diamon Fusion and Nanotechnology Add Safety/Value to Arizona

by: Steven Scheeler

Diamon-Fusion patented hydrophobic nanotechnology has added value and improved safety as tested and approved by consumers in Arizona.

Desert-like weather conditions have a harsh impact on the visibility of Arizona's vehicles. A DFI Treated windshield will be able to prevent Sand pitting, erosion and will be able to deflect small impacts that typically would dent or crack an untreated windshield, due to its impact resistance properties as tested by William La Course. It has been proven by independent studies that a hydrophobic coating such as Diamon Fusion applied on the automobiles windshield will improve the visibility during rainy conditions over 30%, giving an additional second of reaction time which results in an extra 58 feet in distance traveling at 40 mph.

Visit http://www.desertbreezeglass.com for photos.

Here is a couple of windshield Testimonials from consumers like David Parkerson who added "It was what I needed. For the last year or so, I have had rocks bounce off my windshield without a mark left behind." Fleet owner Chris Callaway from Steamatic of Phoenix adds." It has reduced the number of windshields that we have had to replace on our box trucks and sales cars, plus they stay clean longer. This is a huge advantage on a large truck with nearly vertical glass. Some safety tips and some help prevent windshield cracks. Checking for hidden chips in your windshield on a regular bases's and having them fixed will help prevent cracks that can occur. If you get a chip in your windshield put a clear patch over it to keep the area clean until you get it fixed. If the windshield is cracked replace it. Check and replace your wipers regularly.

In the past year Diamon Fusion Has improved it's patented nono-coating and has made it available to apply to both new windshields and existing ones also. Adam Zax, President and CEO of DFI, added” We’ve always had great confidence in all of our products but we find this an opportune time to further establish our industry leadership by offering an unmatched lifetime warranty on our proven and patented nanotechnology."

Cathryn Scheeler owner of Desert Breeze Glass has had Diamon-Fusion applied on over 2000 vehicles which resulted in little or no damage to the windshields. Some of the publicity resulted in a newspaper article in the Arizona Republic dated May 12, 2005 .It was at that time Desert Breeze Glass invited a reporter from the newspaper to a demonstration of a windshield being shot at with a BB gun from 40 feet away. The results showed no damage to the treated side of the windshield. Desert Breeze Glass was also seen Live on 3 TV and abc 15 to show the safety of Diamon-Fusion hydrophobic coating.

DFI Nanotechnolology has multi-functional characteristics such as: Water and oil repellency-Impact and scratch resistance-protection against graffiti,dirt,stains,and fingerprints- UV stability,protection against calcium and sodium deposits-Increased brilliance and clearer visibility.

Contact Steven Scheeler for more insights into this topic. Direct line: (480) 752-8191 Email: steven@desertbreezeglass.com Other helpful information regarding this topic can be found at: http://www.desertbreezeglass.com.

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Neon Car Lights, What The Kits Include And What To Look Out For When Purchasing

by: Antonio Gabellone my web All-Neon-Car-Lights.com

When purchasing Neon Car Lights for your most loved vehicle, there are a few things that you need to be aware of so that you don't get burn and end up with less then what you started with. I'm mainly talking about the quality of the lights and where you got them from.

A lot of the Big manufactures of neon car lights like Plasmaglow, Streetglow and Liteglow are the only brands that I would recommend when it come to choosing your lights. By purchasing from one of these makers you can be assured of quality parts and performance, and not to mention getting everything in the kits that is required to do the installation. Yes, some cheaper makers of these car lighting accessories do not give you everything that is needed in the kits, so be aware of this, or else it will end up costing you more to get the extra bits required.

And one other thing that stands true when you buy car neon lights, and that is "you only get what you pay for", meaning if it cost you much less to buy the lights then what it would from one of the big brand name's such as PlasmaGlow, then your only going to get a product that will last for a short time. Think Quality first, then you won't have to re-install another kit for some time, and you'll save money in the long run too, cause believe me, it takes a full day for a beginner to install neon under car lights the first time, so you don't want to be doing that too often either.

In regards to all the websites out there that are dealers of neon car lights from some of the big brand name manufacturers, unfortunately are not all fully legit with the running of their business. When i say this, i mean that they DO sell GOOD products (their products may even be from big brand name Makers) and they will happily take your money, but a minority of them won't even send you the product! I have had customers come to me with the "upmost caution" and all guns blazing when buying lights from our online store, because the last dealer they got them from did not even send them their products, and on top of that, they would not answer any support emails or phone calls from these people, so they lost their money. So the lesson here is, be sure that the website owner you're buying the neon lights from is reputable and has FULL Company & contact details displayed on their website should things turn bad.

Our team of dedicated Market & Product Researcher's from All-Neon-Car-Lights.com, have spent an enormous amount of time & money installing neon car lights from a variety of manufacturers, and as a result after all this testing, we only recommend the brand names above for quality neon car lighting kits. We also found after this extensive testing was carried out, that PlasmaGlow had the best, all round car lighting products on the market today, outlasting and out-performing other products in every aspect.

So when it's time for you to actually purchase your Neon Car Lights, make sure you ask the dealer these three questions to prevent you from getting burnt...

1) Does the kit come with all the necessary installation hardware, components and instructions?

2) Does the kit come with a Lifetime Warranty like PlasmaGlow offers for example? And will they ship products for free during a warranty claim? Ask this in case you get your lights and they are not working due to a factory fault, and...

3) Who are the manufacturers of the light kits? If the kit is not a big brand name maker, but has a Warranty with it and all components in the kit, then this could be a quality kit to purchase, but that is something your going to have decide and take a chance on.

Finally, if your purchasing neon car lights online, be sure to check that the dealer has their FULL contact details listed on their website so you can contact them by phone to ensure their validity.

Hopefully this Article has inspired you to take your time when choosing your car lighting accessories, and it has made you aware of what to look out for when buying them. What ever this article has done for you, just be sure to have a good one, and enjoy your neon car lights at all times.

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Volkswagen Golf: 24 Million Built by 2005 and Still Counting

by: Tom Bailey Contact Me tom@samedaycarparts.com
http://www.samedaycarparts.com/volkswagenaccessories.html

Another passenger family sedan has been released by the Volkswagen and it is the Volkswagen Golf. As of 2005, the statistics from Volkswagen say that there has been some 24 million Volkswagen Golfs already built, that is why the company claims that this vehicle is its best selling model in its entire history.

This vehicle has been produced in a couple of body styles. The list of body styles for the Volkswagen Golf include the hatchback with three doors, the hatchback with five doors, the estate station wagon, the sedan or saloon, and the convertible. Each of these body styles has had their own characteristics and their own features. The Volkswagen Golf has had various functions as well that ranges from being the very basic personal cars and transportation vehicles to high performance sports coupes.

If you do have $16,030, you can own a 2006 Volkswagen Golf. It is a vehicle that could take in some five passengers inside its spacious interior and cabin. Its trim levels range from the GL 2.0 sedan to the GLS 1.9 TDI. Upon its introduction, the GL 2.0 sedan has been crafted and marketed with the standard 2.0 liter I4 engine. This engine is very much capable of providing 115 units of horsepower and could make the Volkswagen Golf achieve 24 mpg for city driving and 31 for the highway. Standard for this vehicle trim is a five speed manual transmission system with overdrive and the four speed automatic transmission system with overdrive are given as an option. As per the GLS 1.9 TDI which is considered to be the trim level found at the higher end, this vehicle comes equipped with the standard 1.9 liter I4 engine that is turbocharged and is a diesel engine. It can produce 100 units of horsepower, making the Volkswagen Golf get 37 mpg for city driving and 44 mpg on the highway. For this trim level, the standard transmission system is a five speed manual with overdrive, and the optional one is a five speed automatic with overdrive.

http://www.samedaycarparts.com has all the Volkswagen parts and equipment that Volkswagen owners, followers, and aficionados are looking for. This online store holds top of the line Volkswagen car parts, Volkswagen auto body parts, Volkswagen accessories, and more. Same Day Car Parts also has top caliber parts and accessories for the various body styles and models that this vehicle brand has. Same Day Car Parts online collection of Volkswagen parts include used parts, accessories, body parts, engine parts, performance parts, and restoration parts among many others.

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Motorcycle Parts And The Money Savers

by: Abdul Martin my web www.motorcycle-parts-home.com

Have you ever wondered how difficult it is to maintain your motorcycle as good as new by look and performance?

It's indeed difficult and its normal to have motorcycle parts wear out with time but a few tips to make them last longer and keep looking new will definitely be very helpful.

Motorcycle helps us not only for travel but also the look of it. Have you not admired a guy with the Harley Davidson ore than the ordinary two-wheeler you see everyday.

If you want to enjoy the full use of your motorcycle then learn the secrets of maintaining a high performance motorcycle.

What’s the difference between a car or any four-wheeler and motorcycle? Well its obvious the number of wheels and thereby the support and strength offered by 4 wheels are not enjoyed by motorcycles.

An accident may result in the breaking of a motorcycle part and the opposite that is a broken motorcycle part can also be the cause of the accident.

Always have a spare motorcycle part with you in case it is needed. Use of used motorcycle parts is very handy here.

OEM parts for Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, and Harley are available today at great discount prices. For Motorcycle Parts, Accessories Harley Davidson, Metric Cruiser visit directparts OEM parts are also available for cheap at various places at shopping, shopzilla and ebay.

Remember to double-check the motorcycle part you want to buy. Used motorcycle parts are very notorious for giving trouble again and again. But let that not let you down, as double-checking will clear the doubts.

There are a lot of ways to save money and time in buying used motorcycle parts.

If you have your favorite mechanic who can help you get the best deals so much the better, but make sure you double check it and confirm for yourself.

A little time spent to discover the real secrets in buying used motorcycle parts will help you a lot in making the best deals.

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Mazda BT-50 gets facelift

by: Kittipong Unparsert site http://www.carfusion.org


Mazda has given its BT-50 pickup truck a minor change and announced that the new model will help it achieve a total pickup truck sales of 12,700 in 2008, up from 11,000 units in 2007.

Produced at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong, the BT-50 is also exported to 130 global markets from Thailand. The facelifted BT-50 maintains its sporty appeal, with the new design adding a more dynamic and robust look.

There is a new front pentagonal grille, along with new front bumpers, multi-reflector headlights and turning lights. Meanwhile, the rear lights are larger and come with chrome trim. The side profile is highlighted by a new wheel fender kit, as well as 15-inch or 16-inch 5-spoke wheels. There are 11 colours to choose from as well.

Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd marketing director Sureethip La-ongthong says that the company will focus on two-wheel-drive pickup models this year. As much as 97 per cent of Mazda pickup truck sales are made up of two-wheel-drive models, while the remaining 3 per cent are four-wheel-drive models for fleet customers.

"Previously the ratio between two- and four-wheel-drive models was 85/15, but presently the popularity of thr four-wheel-drive models have grown," she daid.

Sureethip said the company will emphasize on the 4x2 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter models, with prices starting at Bt489,000 foi the standard cab and Bt541,000 for the Freestyle cab. The 4x2 Hi Racer starts at Bt602,900 and the 4-door model at Bt612,900.

Mazda is also planning to spend Bt20 million for a countrywide roadshow to 12 provinces from March to June. Caravans of the BT-50 and Mazda3 will be shown along with special activities including special stunt shows, concerts, games and prizes. Sureethip said the automobile market should finish the year at 650,000 units, and Mazda plans to sell 16,000 units, which is approximately 2.5 per cent of the market.

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Edge On Motorcycling- The BMW HP2 Sport

By. Kevin Crockett

The BWM HP2 Sport is the latest iteration of the Bavarian Motor Company's foray into producing performance driven motorcycles. The quiet, staid, and lets just admit it boring motorcycles that came out of BMW in years past is history.

The HP line is BMW's new high performance, cutting edge line up. It's the motorcycle equivalent of their M line of performance cars.

The HP2 Sport is the third motorcycle in the HP line following the releases of the HP2 Enduro and the HP2 Megamoto.

The HP-2 Sport is based on the R1200S but is out and out designed for sports riders who are looking for a machine that has performance as well as endurance.

The HP2 Sport keeps some of the concepts that BMW motorcycles have become known for such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension and the EVO Paralever rear suspension. Other components have been newly developed or highly modified for use in the motorcycle.

The HP-2 Sport is powered by a twin Boxer motor that has a capacity of 1170 cc. The engine's cylinder heads were completely redesigned which allows the engine to rev as high as 9500 rpm. The engine has a 101 mm bore and a 73 mm stroke and produces a maximum of 130 hp at 8,750 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.

The bike has a close ratio six speed gear box, with first and second gear having higher ratios. This puts the gear increments closer to each other and results in less of a rev drop when progressing up through the gears.

The bike also has a gear shift assistant which allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch. It works by sensing when the gear lever is activated. If it senses gear lever activation without the use of the clutch, it electronically reduces power to the engine which puts the engine in a low load state and makes it possible to shift without the clutch. If the rider uses the clutch, the system becomes inactive.

The riding position of the HP-2 sport can be described as relaxed. BMW has extensive experience with endurance racing and knows that for racers to be fast over a long period staying power is more important than a full racer's tuck.

The dashboard was developed by 2D Systems, which also provides analytic recording systems to Moto GP racing.

The dashboard has two modes and is switched by two controls on the left handlebar. In road mode, typical information such as speed, rpm, time, and distance are displayed. In race mode data such as top speed, circuit times, number of gearshifts and rpm is shown.

The HP2 Sport will push BMW further into the world of performance motorcycling.

www.articlecity.com

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