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Even though the Porsche 64 is considered by many to be the first car produced by the company it was really only a test car and was never built as a production automobile, in fact only three were built. The 364 was built by Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche after design by Erwin Komenda, while getting its engine modeled after the VW Beetle.

The 356 was offered in the beginning as a coupe, a cabriolet, and a roadster and before being taken off the market in 1965 it underwent several modifications. The models that were the most wanted were the Super 90, the Speedster, and the 356 Carrera which often fetches over $150,000 now. The original selling price for a Porsche in the latter 1950

Throughout the 1970s, television programs (particularly hour long action/dramas) often featured heroes with enviable sports cars. Though not every car was particularly memorable or essential to the show’s personality, some television sports cars did manage to leave a lasting impression. Here are five truly unforgettable television sports cars from the 1970s:

Dan Tanna’s 1957 Thunderbird from Vega$

In the pilot for this popular seventies cop show, the show’s protagonist, Dan Tanna drove a bright yellow Corvette. Somewhere along the way the car was destroyed in the desert and Robert Urich’s character ended up with a bright red 1957 Thunderbird convertible. The T-Bird was, in essence, the co-star of Vega$. Urich commented that the sports car received more fan mail than he did. The show aired 67 episodes and through the entire production, only two of the 1957 Thunderbirds were used. The cars later appeared, painted an aquamarine hue, in the Richard Gere movie, Breathless. One cannot think of Vega$ without thinking of Tanna in his T-Bird cruising down the strip.

Jim Rockford’s Firebird Esprit from The Rockford Files

James Garner gave chase to villains in a series of gold Firebird Esprit’s during the course of The Rockford Files seven-year run. In addition to being Rockford’s most recognizable accessory, the Firebird was also a moving printing press. Always the clever detective, Rockford kept a small printing machine in the back to produce custom business cards to help him in his adventures. Over the course of the series, multiple model years of the gold Firebird Esprit were used. Despite the money problems that always seemed to evidence themselves on Rockford’s answering machine, he was able to buy new Firebirds regularly.

Joe Mannix’ custom Oldsmobile Toronado from Mannix

Though Joe Mannix began his crime-fighting career in the 1960s, the hour-long drama bearing his name survived into the 1970s. His customized 425 1966 front-wheel drive convertible Oldsmobile Toronado featured a slew of high-tech advances including a short-waver radio receiver and a hidden compartment that often housed his sidearm. The Mannix roadster wasn’t the only car used by Mike Connors during the show-in the later seasons he got behind the wheel of an assortment of vehicles-but it was certainly the most memorable ride from the series.

Columbo’s Rusty Peugeot from Columbo

One could argue whether rumpled detective Frank Columbo’s rusty old 1959 Peugeot 403 Grande Luxe Cabriolet really qualifies as a sports car. Even if it does in principle, it didn’t in terms of apparent performance. The chewed up old rust-bucket was a perfect companion to the equally disheveled detective played by Peter Falk in the popular 1970s detective series. Interestingly the Peugeot was later sold to a couple in Ohio who were located by network execs when the series was revised in the form of a few television movies in the late 1980s.

Starsky’s and Hutch’s Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch

The Ford Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch was such a big star that its red and white paint scheme and styling actually became part of the Ford product line. Even today, S&H Torino owners gather to display their souped up Gran Torinos and to revel in memories of a popular 1970s cop show. In terms of sheer recognizability, the S&H Gran Torino is in a class of its own.

You might remember Ironsides’ ride or what Kojak tooled around in. Perhaps you can recall Quincy’s car, too. But when most people are asked to discuss cars popularized in 1970s television, odds are they will mention at least a few of the top five listed above. These cars became stars in their own right, often nearly overshadowing their human co-stars.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Take care of your unforgettable car with the car care products from http://www.shineyourcar.com

Harley Earl was an automobile design expert at Chevrolet who noticed the influx of small European sports cars into the United States after World War II. He knew there was a market for a two-seat roadster and convinced Chevrolet to introduce their own version: The Chevrolet Corvette.

In 1953, the first Corvette’s were unveiled. The cars were unique in their construction. Instead of the steel bodies common for the time, the Corvette was actually built from a much lighter material-fiberglass. This innovation, combined with its Earl-designed appearance, however, was still not enough to make the car an overnight success.

At the time, Chevrolet was known for producing inexpensive, but unexciting vehicles. The Corvette, despite its sex styling and innovative construction was “just another Chevy” at heart, and lacked the performance sports car enthusiasts craved. The original Corvettes featured a less-that-impressive V6, a two-speed automatic transmission, and a brake system taken directly from the regular Chevy line. In essence, the original Corvette was a sports car in appearance alone. Sales lagged and there was even talk of discontinuing Earl’s pet project after a few years.

Sales were simply too low. Although the fiberglass design wowed potential buyers and critics within the sports car industry and the appearance of the Corvette was beyond reproach, the car simply lacked the kind of performance those searching for a true sports car expected to find.

Then came Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Russian

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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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 consider when looking at insurance for your antique automobile go to:
http://www.aboutinsurancesite.com/antiquevehicleinsurance.html

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 be sure to visit our website at http://www.eisparts.com

Hybrid cars are powered by a combination of an efficient gas engine and by electric motor that helps with accelerations. Batteries that recharge automatically power the electric motor. Hybrid cars are built with much smaller, more efficient engines than regular cars. Most of the time, you don’t need the extra power afforded by the larger engine, anyway. Hybrid cars are propelled by a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor - a complicated technology that still draws blank stares, even though hybrids have been on the market for nearly five years.

Hybrid cars are cars that are powered by an electric battery as well as a gasoline engine. A hybrid vehicle contains parts of both gasoline and electric vehicles in an attempt to get the best of both worlds. With these configurations, hybrid cars are able to have a fuel mileage of 60-70 mpg as compared to 20-40 in conventional cars. Hybrid cars are particularly fuel efficient in the city, but they are also suitable for country trips. Examples were cited of how they are being used as delivery vehicles around the city ? such as pizza or postal deliveries. Hybrid cars are powered by internal combustion engines, but are also equipped with batteries recharged during driving and an electric motor to assist with power demand. Hybrids do not need to be plugged in, yet they deliver exceptional mileage compared to their gas-only counterparts.

Hybrid cars are also designed to be more aerodynamic than most cars, allowing them to “slice” through air instead of pushing it out of the way. All these factors combined equate to a super efficient form of car that gets excellent fuel economy and helps the environment by cutting down on pollution. Hybrid cars are made with a gas engine, an electric motor and a high powered battery. The battery provides energy to the electric motor, which recharges by recapturing energy that normally would be lost when decelerating. Hybrid cars are not the final answer, but they are a good start.

Hybrid cars are better than most alternative energy sources in dealing with the energy crisis. The Japanese have led the way in hybrid cars with their outstanding Toyota Prius. Hybrid cars are designed to operate in the same range of conditions and temperatures as conventional vehicles. For example, Honda’s specs indicate that its Integrated Motor Assist system will operate as low as 22 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Hybrid cars are essentially gasoline-powered vehicles. All the electricity they use comes ultimately from the gasoline engine.

Hybrid cars are starting to become more popular in America, but they are still new to the car market. In the years to come even more hybrids will become available.

Hilal Abdelwali, Ph.D. in Automotive Engineering. SAE Member Since September 2001. Expert in Automotive Engineering and Hybrid Cars. Internet Marketer. Owner of http://TheHybridCarsSite.com, and http://MyHotProducts.com Sites.

The following article will give classic, vintage car buffs the low down on the actual differences that exist between classic car insurance and standard auto insurance. If you love and own classic cars and are busy looking for the best insurance deals available, this article not only gives you the right information you need, but also busts a few popular myths regarding classic car insurance as compared to standard auto insurance.

Many owners of vintage vehicles assume that the only way to insure their collector car is to put it into the family auto policy. That’s not true. The only policy that properly insures the investment car buffs have made on their prized classic car is the classic car insurance policy.

Classic car insurance is less expensive than standard auto insurance, but these companies require you to fulfil a few necessary criteria before you can qualify for their programs and get those great deals and low rates. Here are some of the primary restrictions vintage car owners have to face:

Before you get that good rate on your insurance coverage, the insurance companies will want to know the age of the driver (as many companies require you to meet a certain driver’s-age restrictions), the mileage of your car ( there may be mileage restrictions to meet also), vehicle age qualifications and housing and garage provisions.

In many cases, insurance policies for classic car insurance and those for standard auto insurance can differ a lot. Most standard auto insurance policies will insure the vehicle for its current price, subtracting depreciation. What this means is that, with an increase in the age and usage of the car, its value will decrease. But this is not the case with a vintage vehicle. For this, its value will increase over time provided the collector maintains his vehicle well. This is due to the fact that collectors truly treasure their precious collectible autos. They are not used for similar purposes as daily-use cars and are not driven very often.

To provide the necessary coverage in such a situation, classic car insurance providers usually offer an “Agreed Value Coverage”. This essentially means that you, the insured, and the classic car insurance agent, will agree upon the value of your vehicle up front. Such a vehicle valuation will give the full market value of the classic car as stated on the policy and factor in appreciation to the value in a time of loss.

There may also be some carriers that will offer low or no deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. Many times they will also provide coverage for spare parts or accessories that are not on or in your classic car. You won’t get that kind of coverage on your family auto policy.

As you see, getting a classic car insurance policy can be much more beneficial to your prized classic car than clubbing it under your general family auto policy. A vintage collectible needs to be treated specially; so why settle for the ordinary when it comes to choosing insurance?

1 Answer offers a selection of insurance deals and promise that you will not find a cheaper quote or you will get your money back. http://www.1answer.co.uk has all the information you need to help you find the cheapest insurance for you.

Buying and restoring classic cars is a popular hobby for many car enthusiasts but is rarely a straightforward task. Although it is very rewarding, it can be expensive especially if you don’t know what to look for. From searching the classifieds to finding cheap classic car insurance read below to find out the right way to do this.

One thing is for sure which is that there is no shortage of classic cars for sale. You can find adverts in local newsagents, specialist magazines, the internet and online auction sites. You should be able to find everything you need from these sources from cars and car parts to cheap classic car insurance.

Firstly, you will need to think about what storage facilities you have. An old car is not going to take kindly to being kept outside or even under a covered area. Even worse would be to have it sat on grass or with a plastic sheet on it. As damp rises it has nowhere else to go other than to settle on your corroding underside if you have something covering your car. If you have to keep your car parked outside then also consider where you can park it as your neighbours might not be too happy with extra cars clogging up the street.

The next advisable step is to decide what condition of car you wish to buy. If you’re more than capable of welding, then your options are greatly increased as you can do a lot of restoration work yourself. However, if you haven’t got a clue what you are doing then it’s best to go for a car that needs little or no work unless you know someone who can do it for you.
When buying an old, classic car be aware that body parts can be tricky to find.

One of the most important aspects of buying a classic car is to make sure that you trust the person you are buying from. This is especially important if you are going through a private seller as it is extremely unlikely you will ever see them again if you break down on your way home. The best time to arrange a viewing is during the day so you can see the car properly. It will be easier to spot any scratches and dents in natural light than it would be in a dark garage. If possible take someone with you who knows a lot about classic cars as they will know what to ask and what to look out for from rust to whether you will be able to find cheap classic car insurance for the vehicle.

A few quick and subtle tips you can try are walking around the car to see how it sits, is there any sagging and do the panel gaps line up nicely? Check the body all over for rot, popular places for this are the headlamps and arches. Many people make the mistake of relying on the MOT certificate which is a good indication don’t rely on this alone.

Try to see the engine start up from cold - if it is already warm the vendor may be trying to hide cold - starting problems by getting it started before your arrive. When the car is started listen for any knocks when the engine starts up or clouds of smoke from the exhaust. It sounds obvious but don’t forget to take the car for a test drive to see how it runs.
However, do take into consideration that the car you are looking at may be over 30 years old so the chances of it still being in its original state are very slim. Service items such as brake shoes, batteries, tyres and clutches are likely to have been replaced over replacement over the years.

Finding cheap classic car insurance can be a bit tricky and will go through the roof for modified cars so try to avoid this. If your car is modified you are likely to have trouble selling it on later anyway.

1 Answer offers a selection of insurance deals and promise that you will not find a cheaper quote or you will get your money back. http://www.1answer.co.uk/Classic.html has all the information you need to help you find the cheapest insurance for you.

Whether you are looking for cars, parts, cheap classic car insurance or just some information, The Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham which is held every year is the place to be. With an enormous display of 1000 breathtaking classic cars it’s the biggest and best show of its kind in the UK and is a must for all motoring enthusiasts.

There is something for every kind of car enthusiast at the Classic Motor Show from those who adore the very earliest cars to those intrigued by the classics of the future. The displays range from 1920s wealthy gentlemen’s cars and 70s family saloons to British sports cars and extreme Italian supercars.

At the Classic Motor Show you will find the biggest collection of dealers, companies and traders with every product and service available from car parts to cheap classic car insurance. Classic car owners, enthusiasts and prospective owners will be in heaven as you will be able to find every product and service imaginable. From big brands such as Footman James to smaller companies, traders and autojumblers it is without a doubt that you will be able to find someone to supply what you need.

When you fancy doing something a bit more interesting than sorting out cheap classic car insurance, head over to the Restoration Theatre where Jerry Thurston (from TV’s Salvage Squad) will be hosting a range of activities. You can see tasks such as panel beating, wheeling, lead loading and welding being demonstrated and find out exactly how to tackle any job or project.

On the Wheeler Dealer Live Stage, TV presenter Mike Brewer (Autotrader, Pulling Power and British Rally Championship) will be hosting a live and interactive stage show. Here you will see magazine style features being brought to life, Q&A sessions, cars and seminars. As well as this there will be car parades, classic game shows and surprise guests. To liven things up a bit this year Edd China will be joining mike on stage. Edd holds the Guinness World Record for ‘fastest furniture’ for a driving sofa at 87 mph and is full of other crazy ideas which are bound to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

Perhaps one of the highlights of the Classic Motor Show and something that no other exhibition in the UK offers is the opportunity for every visitor to have a ride in their dream car. All you need to do is make a donation to charity and you will be able to take a 10 - mile ride as a passenger in one of the cars available.

You will find a selection of classic cars for sale at the show with all tastes and budgets being catered for from everyday classics to prestige cars. Whether you are going to find parts for your car, find cheap classic car insurance, make a purchase or merely admire the selection of classic cars, the Classic Motor Show is a fun and enjoyable day out for all.

1 Answer offers a selection of insurance deals and promise that you will not find a cheaper quote or you will get your money back. http://www.1answer.co.uk/Classic.html has all the information you need to help you find the cheapest insurance for you.