The Ins and Outs of Replacing Willys Jeep Tires
When it comes time to buy new Willys Jeep tires there are a few pieces of advice to follow to ensure you get the best tires for the job while maintaining the look of your Jeep.
Should You Buy NDT Tires?
There is some debate about whether jeepers should stick with the classic military NDT Willys Jeep tires or opt for something more modern. To be accurate, the original Willys Jeeps did not use NDT tires. Although many jeepers believe they did, NDT didn’t come into common use until the 1950s. However everyone associates the look of those tires with Jeeps so most Willys owners want to use them.
The main drawback to NDT Willys Jeep tires is that they don’t handle as well as modern tires. Many Jeep owners find they perform poorly off road although others think they work just fine. A larger problem is that NDT tires can be downright dangerous on wet or icy pavement.
Your decision will be based on what you use your Jeep for. If your vehicle is more of a showpiece and doesn’t see a lot of rugged driving, then NDT tires are the way to go. If you drive off-road then you may have to try mounting NDTs and see how they perform.
If you are set on NDTs then you can get increased traction by taking them to a tire shop and having them siped. The shop will cut dozens of tiny cuts in the tread to give the tire more flexibility and surface area for gripping the road.
Correct Tire Inflation
Finding the proper inflation for your Willys Jeep tires is harder than you might think. Unfortunately a lot of drivers are riding around on tires with the wrong pressure and suffering uneven tire wear and poor traction.
The right pressure is probably not the pressure in your Jeep manual. That pressure is only right if you are running a completely stock vehicle on normal surface streets. Optimal pressure will change if you’ve customized your Jeep in ways such as adding heavy accessories like winches, or if you are using non-stock tires.
The best pressure for your tires is the pressure that has the edge of the tread and the center of the tread contacting the ground with equal force. To find the perfect inflation, squirt a chalk line refill onto the tread of your tires. You don’t have to do all four but should do one in the front and one in the back. Create a band a couple of inches across that covered the tread from edge to edge.
Drive slowly down the road for a while then get out and see where the chalk is wearing off the tire. If it’s wearing off the edge you are underinflated. Center wear means you are overinflated. Adjust the pressure and try again until you get even wear across the chalk band.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Willys
Jeep Tires, visit http://www.walcks4wd.com.
Peugeot Cars, Far Removed From Their Coffee Grinding Heritage
The Peugeot Company, started by the Peugeot family originally began its life as an ironmonger. Instead of cars the main items manufactured were coffee grinders and bicycles. It was not until 1876 that the company first started to make cars for the French public. The first cars were steam driven although in later years, with the help of Daimler; the internal combustion engine was adopted as the preferred means of propulsion.
In 1891 the first of these petrol driven cars was driven from Beaulieu-Valentigney to Paris and then onto Brest. The acclaim gained for this amazing feat cemented the car in the hearts of the French public and as a result the company sold three hundred cars in 1899, a marked improvement on the five sold in 1891. The range was further improved when the steering tiller was replaced with the wheel and electric ignition systems were added in 1902.
Development naturally continued in the 1910’s when Peugeot once again entered the world of motor sport. With the help of Ettore Bugatti the cars were further improved with stylistic design and an engine that produced an impressive ten horsepower. Examples of these models can still be seen today in the French National Automobile Museum located in the town of Mulhouse.
After the First World War Peugeot steamed ahead with production, producing their one hundred thousandth car in 1925, the cars of this era predominantly had three cylinder engines although at this time the company were experimenting with two stroke diesel models. Strangely in 1926 cars were produced for the first time with front brakes, previously cars had only had braking systems in the rear. During the late twenties Peugeot even released a sports car using a six cylinder Bugatti engine that had been supercharged.
The thirties saw Peugeot produce the first ever electrically retractable roof, a development that the company is still proud of. During the war the company also produced an electric car named the VLV Electrique. After the war the company was also one of the first to re-establish production lines selling almost fourteen thousand model 202’s in 1946. During the fifties Peugeot still managed to dominate the European markets. In 1955 the model 403 was the first car ever to break the one million units produced mark. Also during this decade the company entered the American car market.
The sixties and seventies were a seminal period for the company. The release of the Pininfarina designed 404 dawned a period of success all over the world in terms of sales as well as success in the Safari Rally. This period also saw Peugeot produce its five millionth car. The company managers also decided to expand in this period, taking over rival manufacturer Citroen in 1975 thanks to the financial assistance offered by the French government. The new company was labelled PSA although this was purely a parent company as both members of the group wanted to keep the identities of the two brands distinctly separate. The expansion however did not stop there; the company launched a successful bid to take over the European division of Chrysler in 1978.
This expansion meant that the company has overstretched itself and the early eighties were a time of financial uncertainty for PSA. Thankfully, the release of the immensely popular 205 in 1983 meant that the company was able to revive its fortunes and carry on producing distinctly French cars. Today, despite having to close the Coventry factory the company is still striving to produce cars that have a French nature and are popular with drivers of all ages. The motoring giant may be far removed from its humble coffee grinding heritage, but the traditions of this family company have not been forgotten.
Motoring expert Thomas Pretty looks into the history of Peugeot cars from the turn of the century to the modern day.
Approaching Your Classic Car Restoration Project
When you first begin the process of restoring an old antique classic car, there are a lot of different decisions that a person has to make before and during the entire process. Depending on the type of approach you decide to take, you can do all the work yourself or hire a mechanic and body shop to do all the work for you. The main thing to remember though, when choosing the garage to do the work for you is to make sure you do all your homework on the people that you are hiring to make sure that you choose someone reliable and knowledgeable in what they are doing.
One of the first things that you should ask of the shop that you are thinking of using is references. Ask them for names of some of their previous customers that you could then go to and ask questions. You will also want to verify how much their hourly rate is and get estimates on how long the job will take and what the costs of any parts that they supply are going to cost. The main thing to remember is that there are always a few black sheep garages out there that can take advantage of people that have not done their homework ahead of time. As long as you make sure that you go to a reliable shop, you should be good to go.
Another good way to find some good shops that can work on your classic car restoration is to attend some of the classic cars shows that come to your area and ask the car owners there who they use for doing their work. During this time, you may even find a car owner that does his own work that you might be able to hire to do yours as well.
It is easy to remember that the main thing to do when you are searching out a shop to help you in your new classic car restoration project is to do your research and make sure you know what you are getting into before you start your project. Knowing everything ahead of time definitely helps prevent some of the headaches down the road and makes you enjoy your classic car that much more. Once all the work is over and finished, you will enjoying driving your new creation around the town without having all the potential nightmares haunting you.
Corey Palmer is a car collector and restorer who enjoys going to car shows and showing off his own cars. There are many classic cars for sale out there but the best place to find antique cars for sale or just plain old cars for sale there are some good places online as well.
The Willys Jeep: American Classic and Reliable Off-Roader
A good off-road vehicle doesn’t have to cost you more than your house. Many four wheelers like older models like the Willys Jeep. Parts for these classics are still easy to find so it’s easy to keep them running.
What’s a Willys?
Although Willys is a name that brings a blank look to most people’s faces, it’s one of the most recognizable vehicles out there: the World War II Army jeep. These sturdy and reliable performers remained one of the most popular Army vehicles for decades, serving not only Americans in Korea and Viet Nam but armies of other nations even to this day.
The original MB model was named a critical tool of World War II by General Eisenhower and an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The late 1970s saw a change in the US military’s policy toward personnel and cargo transport. They decided to go with larger and more advanced vehicles, so the venerable jeeps and trucks were replaced with the Humvee.
Although no longer used by the American military, there is still a strong community of enthusiasts that keeps their Willys fighting fit. Even 30 years after retirement, there is no lack of Willys Jeep parts and supplies.
Cheap, Tough, and Versatile
With World War II looming on the horizon, the US Army had basically three specifications for its new personnel vehicle. It had to be tough enough to survive combat use. It had to be able to drive anywhere from deserts to swamps. And it had to be cheap enough to supply an army.
The very characteristics that made the Jeep such a successful army vehicle are what make it so beloved today. It’s not fancy. It’s not pretty except to another jeeper. But it’s rugged and never gives up.
Willys Jeeps were built in the days when all you needed to fix your car was a screwdriver. When you need to replace Willys Jeep parts, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do it. You don’t need expensive tools and computerized analysis. Invest a little sweat and elbow grease and your Jeep is ready to roll again.
The Off-Road Vehicle Built for Off-Roading
Most four-wheel vehicles built today are designed to look pretty sitting in your driveway. They are status symbols rather than rugged vehicles, no matter what the slick television ads say.
Willys Jeeps are all about function over form. These are not glorified minivans. These are vehicles for people who want to come home covered in dust and mud. They are about adventure and exploration and genuine off-road experiences.
Since they aren’t manufactured anymore, it can be hard to find one – and even harder to find one that’s not obscenely overpriced. Patience will pay off, particularly if you are willing to buy a junker and replace a few of the Willys Jeep parts yourself.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Willys
Jeep Parts, visit http://www.walcks4wd.com.
A Brief History of the Hot Rod
California is considered to be the birthplace of hot rods. People were looking for cars to race across the salt flats, and many amateur mechanics looked to create streamlined vehicles for racing. They used whatever parts they could find in local junkyards. The idea was that they could build a better racer than their more affluent neighbors with sheer ingenuity.
It was important that the cars could be used both for racing and everyday driving, since very few people had more than one car. Early hot rods were created from Ford Model T and Model A roadsters. Actually, the term “hot rod” is believed to be derived from the phrase “hot roadster.” Model Ts and As were plentiful, cheap and easy to modify for racing. The absence of a top made these cars lighter than most, though sedans and coupes were soon used for racing. These would often be prepared for racing by removing the tops and giving the windshield a backwards slope to make them lighter and more aerodynamic.
The tires were usually replaced, with very large rear tires to raise the gear ratio. Small front tires were used in combination with the large rear tires in order to “rake,” or slope, the car forward. This further decreased wind resistance. Slots were cut into the body of the car to help keep the engine cool. These backyard enthusiasts made every effort to create the fastest car in the region.
After WWII, the American public became enthralled with hot rods. Many early enthusiasts came back from military service with mechanical and metalworking skills, and they were ready to put those skills into their cars. They gathered once again in southern California’s dry region and continued customizing cars and racing.
As street racing rose in popularity, so did the dangers associated with it. All across the country, kids were racing their hot rods, sometimes with fatal consequences. From cruising the streets at night to gathering at local hot spots, the youth of America became obsessed with street racing. Eventually, the American public at large looked upon hot rodding as a dangerous and delinquent pastime which, along with rock and roll, was rotting the youth of the country.
To offset this perception, the first Hot Rod Exhibition was held in Los Angeles in 1948. The exhibition emphasized the positive aspects of hot rods, such as craftsmanship and ingenuity. Hot rod associations were formed in order to develop cooperation between enthusiasts and the police, giving the entire subculture a better image in the public eye.
Many people shifted the focus from creating a racing car to creating a unique and beautiful vehicle. Custom paint jobs became all the rage, while the slope of the car changed. While early builders leaned the car forward, people started to slope the cars toward the rear. The cars were built for looks rather than racing, though their engines and performance were still held in high regard.
Hot rods are still highly popular vehicles, among both younger and older generations. Their size, appearance and performance appeal to many. Amateur mechanics still park them in their garage to tear them apart, soup them up and take them to the streets. Just like in the old days, it’s about creating a better car with a little money and a lot of determination.
Glen Francis has a passion for cars especially those high performance and small production, but Hot Rods and Custom cars are his niche.
Find out about the origins of Hot Rods and how to create these timeless machines at http://www.fixinghotrods.com
A History Of Vauxhall Cars Through The Decades
Vauxhall dealers in the past have had a range of cars on their forecourts to suit even the lowest budget. The company itself, if not the dealers, has been in existence for more than one hundred and fifty years. The founder of Vauxhall Motors was Alex Wilson, the factory he opened originally manufactured pumps and engines, it wasn’t until the turn of the century, or more precisely 1903 when the company produced its first motor car. At this time the dealers were in a minority and those who wished to buy this car will have had trouble finding one.
Twenty years later the Vauxhall Motor company made a deal that would affect its dealers and customers for generations to come. Put simply, the British company was bough out by American car manufacturing giant General Motors. At this time, GM only had to spend two and a half million dollars to purchase the entire Vauxhall company, factories and dealers included. The American influence on design and manufacture meant that for almost sixty years Vauxhall cars were very similar to their American cousins. A brief interlude during the war years saw car production cease for the manufacture of the Churchill tank for the war effort.
After the war it took Vauxhall and its dealers another twenty years to achieve a revival of fortunes. Two cars, namely the Viva and Victor were instrumental in this resurgence during the late sixties. Ford has always been a major competitor for Vauxhall and the seventies were no different. While the dealers reported high sales of the Viva countrywide, the Ford Cortina was still a far more popular option of motorists. At this time it was also the case that as well as Ford being a major rival, British Leyland was considerable competition.
The mid seventies were a battlefield in the British motor market with dealers making fortunes selling a variety of models. The primary Vauxhall model of the period was the Chevette, a three door hatchback representing a new trend in the car industry for smaller family cars while the Cavalier, a saloon car produced by Vauxhall was finally beginning to compete with the dominant Cortina from Ford. By the end of the seventies the gap between Vauxhall and Ford was closing, although Ford were still the most popular car company in Britain in terms of sales by dealers.
Dealers were blessed with a complete revolution of the Vauxhall range during the eighties. Some of the cars that rolled onto the forecourts of dealers during this period are in fact still in production today, although heavily revised. The Astra was one of this new generation and continued the trend for small family cars replacing the rather tired Viva. More importantly, the eighties saw the release of the Mk 2 Cavalier, now competing against the Ford Sierra, the replacement of the Cortina. In addition, a foray into the executive saloon market was undertaken by Vauxhall with the Carlton rolling out to dealers all over the land. This car was rather successful, packing a punch in terms of technology and comfort.
More recently the nineties saw Vauxhall building upon past successes. The Astra was still the core car in the range and the most popular amongst dealers. This decade did see the release of the Corsa representing a move by all the major car companies to produce a’ supermini’ car. These two models have continued being produced going into the new century with a variety of facelifts and minor changes. Today, the cars produced by Vauxhall range from small hatchbacks to large MPV family vehicles. Ford are still their main rival and only in recent times have the Vauxhall Motor company’s dealers released figures showing that they have finally taken the mantle of Britain’s most popular car manufacturer.
Motor industry expert Thomas Pretty looks into the history of Vauxhall dealers and the cars on their forecourts
Classic Cars – Unique Feeling Despite Various Definitions
Classic car is a term repeatedly used whenever one mentions about an older car, but the exact implication varies from person to person. Some tend to be very inclusive, classifying any older car in excellent condition as a classic. Others, including the “Concours d’Elegance” and the Classic Car Club of America are adamant that 1948 is the final year for genuine classics. The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) claims that it has coined the term Classic car and as is the case it believes that the actual definition of the term is what they have given. According to the CCCA a classic car is a fine or distinctive vehicle, either American or foreign made, manufactured between 1925 and 1948.
Generally, a Classic is costly when fresh and was produced in limited numbers. Other factors which help to assess whether a vehicle is a Classic or not includes engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and “one-shot” or automatic lubrication systems. The Club possesses an exhaustive list of the vehicles it classifies as a Classic, and even though any member may move a petition for a vehicles to be added in the list, such petitions are scrutinized with care and rarely is a new vehicle type accommodated.
Even though this definition of a classic car is acknowledged by the CCCA, it is not universally admitted. While it still insists that the true definition of ‘classic car’ is its, it commonly utilizes terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to keep away confusion. Legally, most states provide time-based rules for the definition of “classic” for occasions such as antique vehicle registration; for example, Pennsylvania defines that a Classic is a “A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, constructed at least 15 years before the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is to the extreme complying with manufacturer specifications and appearance.” Like the definitions already given other institutions have given self-compiled definitions for Classic cars.
A division of classic cars is known as the Modern Classics. The vehicles listed under this category are generally older, anywhere from 15-25 years, but are not admitted as classics by The Antique Automobile Club of America. Such cars are rather perceived as classics by auto enthusiasts, and are generally rare, and out of construction. There was a modification in styling trends worldwide just after the end of World War II. Many cars at that time modified the traditional discrete replaceable-fender treatment. After the war, automobiles of all kinds transformed to envelope bodies in basic plan.
The CCCA term, “Classic Car” has been limited to “the functionally traditional designs of the earlier period” (mostly pre-war). They usually had removable fenders, trunk, headlights, and a usual vertical grill treatment. In a large vehicle, coupled with traditional lines, might match the CCCA term. Thus it may be a car which belongs to a later time, but not belonging to the “Classic period of Design”, in the words of the traditionalist CCCA faction. In any case Classic cars are extremely popular around the world and whatever definition you give to them, they will continue to be loved and respected.
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Antique Vehicle Insurance – What You Must Consider
Many people choose to restore and then display their antique cars at shows. No serious owner would ever fail to insure this prized possession. With such interest in old cars you will not be surprised to learn there are antique car insurance companies that take a particular interest in insuring this type of vehicle. With so many classic car insurers available, an owner should have no problem insuring their prized possession. Competition amongst insurers should also mean a quote that meets with the owner’s financial requirements.
The area of antique vehicle insurance has not gone unnoticed by commercial auto insurers who now have special policies for the collectors of antique cars. These plans reflect the specialized nature of this type of auto cover and are often called ‘collectors auto insurance’. Although the policies may seem the same as the policies that regular auto cover provides, they are not and the agent will require exact details of the car to be insured before a full quotation can be supplied. The agent will be able to help you choose what level of coverage you require and can afford and the level at which the deductible needs to be set.
One particular benefit of insuring your antique car through a large commercial insurer is the fact that they should be reliable; these companies usually have a good reputation as they have been established for many years. The other advantage of this type of insurer is their ability to also arrange the protection on any other regular vehicle you own. The security of having an established company provide antique car insurance for an older car is well worth the premium they will charge.
There are also many independent auto insurers available through which you can purchase car cover for an older car; the downside being that you may have to use a (different) standard auto insurer for any other car you own. Some of these independent insurance companies will only insure a particular type of classic car, so if the car you are attempting to insure is particularly rare, it may be difficult to find a provider that will provide coverage for it. It is worth doing some research when choosing an independent antique car insurer to make sure they have a good reputation as you will have a great deal of money at stake.
It can be an awkward situation when you have been regularly paying your insurance premium only to find your insurance company will not pay out on a claim you have made. Locating an antique car insurance company is not as straightforward as finding a regular auto insurance provider so it may be necessary to persevere to end up having your car protected by the correct insurance policy. Most classic cars are worth many thousands of dollars and that is a big loss if the car is ever stolen or destroyed so having the right cover may be the most valuable protection you ever purchase.
For more advice on what you need to look at when considering
antique vehicle insurance go to http://www.aboutinsurancesite.com/antiquevehicleinsurance.html
The History Of The VW Bus
The Volkswagen Bus, officially named the Volkswagen Type 2, is the second vehicle line produced by the German automaker best known for the Type 1 Beetle. The VW Bus is also known as the Transporter and made its debut in the year 1950. Inspiration for future cargo and passenger vans, several versions of the Volkswagen Type 2 are still being made today in world-wide markets.
The very first of its kind produced in 1950, the Type 2 came with a split windshield, prompting its common nickname, the Splittie. The Splittie was made through 1967 and featured the same technology, which in large part attributed to the success of its cousin, the Beetle, built using VW Aircooled Parts. Volkswagen Restoration Parts are largely available today which makes the VW Bus a popular, classic vehicle to own and maintain. But this popularity does not come without some difficulties, in fact, the year 1959 was so troublesome for the VW Bus that a massive recall took place in which all Transporter engines were swapped out with new VW aircooled parts, specifically the 40 hp engine.
The VW bus is still popular today for many reasons, perhaps due to the fact that Volkswagen restoration parts are so readily available and cheap to purchase. A sought after car from the 1960s and on, again, much like its predecessor the Beetle, Type 2 Busses served not only as cars, but symbols of their generation. A representation of an emerging counterculture, the Volkswagen Bus could hold many people along with their belongings, and so it became known as a hippy mobile. Today, the Type 2 is still popular among travel enthusiasts, particularly campers, surfers and families who generally enjoy a leisurely drive. Models produced in more recent years started marketing campaigns directly geared toward such crowds, some busses even come with built in campers, while older versions were simply used to sleep, and even live within. All these facts along with few major car maintenance issues, VW aircooled parts continue to serve as dependable, functional pieces of machinery which comprise an overall pleasant to drive vehicle.
Volkswagen restoration parts and advice for how to rebuild and maintain the VW bus, are available throughout online and traditional retail stores. A plethora of books are available for purchase regarding VW parts and, within the internet age, there are many chatrooms, blogs and online articles dedicated to VW buses, VW parts and everything else a car owner would want to know about their classic.
If you are looking for vw bus parts, please visit our website.
How To Insure Antique And Classic Cars
People who own antique cars are generally passionate about them; nevertheless, not one owner would ever consider failing to insure their car. Although you might think it hard to obtain, it is surprising how many companies can actually supply antique car insurance. Of course, with so many classic car insurers available, an owner should not have a problem insuring their prized possession; they are also more likely to get the policy at a competitive price.
Mainstream auto insurers are also now able to provide this type of insurance for antique cars; often called collectors auto insurance, these plans meet the exact requirements of the vehicle to be protected. Perhaps more so than a modern car, these policies need to be more precise and an insurance representative will require as much information about the car before he can supply a tailor made quote. Your level of cover will depend on how much you can afford but it is possible to lower this by arranging for your deductible to be raised above the minimum set by the insurer.
It is important to know that the company you are insuring your antique car with is reliable; companies like this are usually well established with a good reputation. These large companies are also able to insure your modern car at the same time and may even have a discount scheme for multiple policies. The security of having an established company provide antique car insurance for an older car is well worth the premium they will charge.
Whilst cost is an issue you may find the specialist auto insurers that exist may be less expensive; the downside is you may have to use a standard auto insurer for any other car. With the number of classic cars still around you will not be surprised to learn that even the insurers have, in some areas, specialized even further to provide cover for only one type of car. To be on the safe side it is best to check out any insurance companies, especially the smaller ones so you can be happy in the knowledge that your premium money and antique car are not at risk.
No-one wants to find that after paying the insurance premiums for months the company will not or is unable to pay out on an insurance claim. It can be a lengthy process finding a reliable antique car insurance provider; nevertheless, it is far better to spend a little time doing this than not having the car insured at all. Most classic cars are worth many thousands of dollars and that is a big loss if the car is ever stolen or destroyed so having auto cover may be the most valuable protection you ever purchase.
Many important news and informations about car insurance with daily updated content are available at Thomas Zoellners website http://www.carinsuranceexpertsguide.com