Thinking about getting your first classic cars?   With thousands of dealers and hundreds of website selling anything models from veteran models to the 1950’s Mustangs and Camaros. You will definitely be spoiled for choices. Fact is sometimes we can accidentally make rash purchases in that “rush” of the moment.

1. Wait awhile before purchasing

Unless you happened to be searching for a rare model, there is no rush to jump into the purchase mode as there will be definitely be some options around to check out. Look for the model you want on the internet, in your local car dealer or even the off beaten track garage, get the idea of the options that are available, how much of the price is fair (refer to price guide), whether it is still possible to source for original restoration parts, what kind of restoration work can be expected and of course by getting more knowledgeable often put you in the position to negotiate a better deal. Remember classic cars are something that you want, it is not a necessity, and therefore it is okay if you decide to walk away from a not-so-good deal.

2. Make a check list

Buying a classic car can also be somewhat similar to buying any other second hand car, ascertaining the condition of the car is of paramount importance. Make a check list on what to look out for, ranging from the car body up to its interior, head lights and braking system. To make things easier, you can check out some of the check lists that are available from classiccars.about.com or even eBay. Simply copy most of the attributes and add on a few points to consider the sourcing of restoration parts and the work involved.

3. Make sure you get all the documentation

When you are about the make the purchase, request that the seller to hand over a copy of documentation including the car registration, insurances, service history and schedule maintenance. If the car has been restored before, ask the seller to provide details such as photos taken before and after the restoration. Inspect all documents to ensure that they are genuine; make sure the VIN on the documents matches the VIN on the vehicle. Also if you are paying extra dollar on a good condition vintage, check the service history to ascertain that the car is well maintained.

4. Read your custom laws for international purchases

Purchasing any automobiles from out of the country places you with the extra challenges of arranging shipping as well as clearing the customs, not to mention the higher chances of getting scammed. So unless that this is a rare model indeed, it is better to save all the trouble by looking locally first. For those of you looking to import that rare vintage, consider hiring a freight or shipping agent to handle your shipping, most of them would also be able to offer competent advise of declaring customs, all the paperwork as well as providing the amount of duty to be paid. Certain countries require special permits to import foreign cars, therefore consult with your shipping agent first before making a purchase. Also expect that once the car is in the country, you would need to enlist the service of a car agent to arrange the registration and inspection of your classic car before it can be on the road. It is also sometimes possible to negotiate with the seller for a money back guarantee if things are not what it seems, but in most cases the shipping and duty charge cannot be refunded.

5. Check up the seller, seller must be willing to answer question

There are many ways to find information on the seller; firstly sellers must be willing to answer any question regarding the car. When dealing with the seller, be polite but upfront with your questions, such as whether the car has been in an accident before, is there any rust in the structure etc. Any signs of sellers evading the question must sound an alarm for you to be more cautious. If you are buying from auction websites such as eBay, they also offer to extra feature of enabling you to trace the feedback from the seller’s pass customers to ensure that the seller is in good repute.

6. Arrange an actual inspection and test drive if possible

If you are buying locally, insist on physically inspecting and test drive the car. Bring along your mechanic or your friend who has experience in classic car restoration.   An expert would be able to alert you to minor defects that are harder to detect as well as providing an estimate on how much the restoration work is going to cost you.

Author:   Katherina Falernova

Let’s face it- owning  a vintage car takes more time and effort than those built today.  The last thing you want to do is keep it parked in a garage!  Here is a list of fuel saving tips to keep you out and about even with gas prices the way they are.

1. Run a non-alcohol based fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL year-round.  Older engines were designed primarily for straight gasoline. Using ethanol without protection may cause corrosion of some metals in the engine.

2. Replace fuel lines and gaskets or o-rings with new ethanol resistant materials.

3. Cleaning, maintaining and replacing air filters when necessary will ensure better air flow through the entire engine system.

4. Replacing spark plugs at regular intervals will help keep the engine operating at an optimum level, while improving fuel economy.

5. Change the oil and make sure you use the right oil.

6. Check fluids regularly.

7. Ease up on reaching for the A/C.  Roll down those windows when driving under 50 mph!  Driving with the windows open at highways speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers fuel economy.

8. Slow down!  What’s the hurry?  Don’t gun it when accelerating from a stop.  This improves your fuel economy greatly.

9. Turn off your engine if you expect to be idling for longer than a couple of minutes.

10. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel.
HAPPY MOTORING!!

The Muscle Car Era featured cars and trucks built between 1964 and 1972.

Muscle Cars are a product of the Classic Car Era. They evolved from the feverish
consumerism that followed World War II, when bigger and faster were always better.
Muscle Cars evolved by accident at a time when Detroit was trying to stop the invasion of
imported cars with new, light-weight models like the Corvair, Falcon and Valiant.
Pontiac GTO Muscle Car

But as the national highway system grew and gasoline became plentiful, Americans
wanted more power. More speed. And in 1964 Detroit bowed to consumer pressure by
putting big block V-8’s on mid-sized chassis, and giving them names like Camero,
Firebird and Barracuda, common household names of the Muscle Car Era.

However, despite America’s love for horsepower, the Clean Air Act of 1970 called for
pollution control devices that hampered performance. And then the oil embargo of 1973
limited the supply of gasoline. By the time congress passed the Corporate Average Fuel
Economy rule in 1978 the Muscle Car was gone forever.

Straight from Mel’s Garage…

Most Asked Gas Engine Fuel Saver Questions Now Answered

With the cost of gas going one way and our bank accounts going another, many are in dire need of relief. Many people are discovering relief in what is known as a gas engine fuel saver. Other names you may have heard are hydrogen gas saver or hho fuel kit. The name is not important here, what’s important is the dramatic results many are witnessing everyday. Be sure to continue reading as the top 3 questions on gas engine fuel savers are answered for you in detail.

So what exactly is a gas engine fuel saver? Basically it is a type of generator that enables your car to consume less gas. It is about the size of a mason jar and fits easily under the hood of your car. After the fuel saver is installed on your car you notice improved gas mileage, a cleaner burning car and most importantly, savings at the pump.

You now might be wondering how one of these fuel savers work? What this device does is produce two gases, hydrogen and oxygen, that are utilized by your engine in an efficient manner. Some of the components needed for this saver are a tad bit of baking soda, some electricity from your car battery and a little bit of distilled water. The device can be built and installed in most cases in less than two hours. The outcome is an engine that is much more efficient than it was before.

So how much do one of these little fuel savers cost. The most you’ll pay for the parts needed is a hundred bucks. Simmer down, this is a drop in the bucket compared to the future savings you will be reaping. Have you priced a brand new hybrid? Trust me, you don’t even want to know. Did you know the average hybrid vehicle is nearly 10 thousand more dollars than it’s standard counterpart? I’d pick the 100 bucks option.

If you really want to save money at the pump, you need to research a gas engine fuel saver. Gas prices are continuing to rise by the minute. With the shaky situation in the middle east these prices may never go down. If saving money at the pump, lowering car emissions and improving your cars performance interest’s you, then you need one of these fuel savers. So what’s it going to be, save now or later? I would go for the now rather than later, just think of all the money you could save.