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The Pontiac Gto: A Classic Muscle Car In Its Own Right

Considered as the first true muscle car, the Pontiac GTO is truly a groundbreaker. Most collectors of classic muscle cars see the GTO as a true gem, a real sexy and sweet beauty. And understandably so: not only is the Pontiac GTO a genre-defining car, it actually boasts of a sweet look and is capable of a powerful performance.

The Birth of a Legend

Back in the early ?60s, General Motors banned divisions from participating in auto racing. This was a heavy hit to Pontiac, since their marketing campaign was based heavily on car racing. The result is a legend: by modifying the Pontiac Tempest into a road-friendly, yet high-performance car. And it became a monster hit.

The name was after the Ferrari 250 GTO, in which GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato. For those who couldn’t speak Italian, it simply means homologated (or approved) for inclusion in the GT class.

First Generation

The first generation Pontiac GTO was released in 1964. It was only an option for the Pontiac LeMans. It had a 398-cubic inch V8 engine, which has a speed of 325hp at 4800rpm, with a 3-speed manual transmission. It came in three styles: hardtop coupe, two-door sedan, or convertible. It cost around $290–a real bargain today, but not back then!

A few changes were made the following year, including extending the length of the car by 7.9cm. Perhaps the most popular of the first-generation GTOs is the ’66 edition with the “Coke-bottle look.” Not does the ’66 GTO completely define what classic muscle cars would look like, it also heralded the start of the GTO series as an independent model (and not as an option). It was so popular that sales shot up to 90,000.

Second Generation

Around 1970s, the second generation of GTOs was up and about. There were some cosmetic changes, such as the ‘hidden headlights’ feature for the ’68 and ’69 Pontiac GTO. But function-wise, the GTO remained the same. It had the same V8 engine, albeit optimized so it would peak at 400hp.

By this time, the GTO faced a fierce battle with other newly-emerged muscle cars. There was the Oldsmobile 442, the Plymouth Road Runner, and the Chevrolet Chevelle, among others. Sales were dwindling, and the GTO was having a hard time keeping itself on top.

By 1972, sales of this classic car drastically dropped to 5,811. This was the result of several things. Aside from the tough competition, the GTO also lacked promotion. Add to that the move to make gasoline free of lead, which lead Pontiac to make this classic muscle car have less muscle–without the Ram-air option for engines, its performance was compromised. Add to that the dwindling appeal of muscle cars (because of market saturation and the emerging energy crisis), and the ?death’ of the Pontiac GTO becomes no mystery.

The Pontiac GTO is a cool and sexy classic muscle car. Its history is somehow a tragic one: it started the whole craze about muscle performance cars, but ended with not a single bang. Yet, because of this history, the Pontiac GTO is ever more valuable today as a classic car. Since not so many people have it in their garage, a restored one will surely peak at way more than ten grand–that’s a long way from $290.…

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Government Car Auctions – Cheap Used Cars For Sale to the Public

The United States Government purchases thousands of cars for use as fleet vehicles. These fleet vehicles are used by different agencies to perform their vital functions, which are required for this country to run smoothly. Due to the need for a reliable vehicle, there are strict government regulations on how long the vehicle can be used before it is retired from service, and replaced by a newer model. The regulations also require that when a vehicle is retired from service, it is to be disposed of by being sold at a public auction.
The government’s motivation is not to make a profit, but to get rid of the vehicles, because there are cars being retired from service every day, and they pile up. Due to the amount of cars being retired, auctions are held in every state, several times a year.
Before a government car auction starts, you will have the opportunity to inspect the vehicles for any major problems that could affect the safe or reliable operation of the vehicle. These problems are rare due to the excellent maintenance of government vehicles, but if you are not mechanically inclined, it is recommended that you bring someone who is, just to make sure.
When the bidding starts, it starts low. The car is sold for the highest bid. Most cars sell for a few thousand less than what they are worth, but some nice cars have been known to sell for almost nothing if there is no competition bidding on them.…

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Cheap Used Cars – Buy Them Directly From the Auction

Do you ever wonder how people get cheap used cars directly from the auction? Well, they either have a dealer license and an auction license… Or they paid a hefty fee to someone who has the licenses to buy the car for them. This seems like a pretty difficult thing to do especially since you would most likely have to do the latter. But there is another way that is much easier and cheaper… What way is that?
There are special places online where you can go to get access to many cheap used cars that come directly from the government auctions, police car auctions, etc. These vehicles are usually priced at just a hundred dollars and up and you can get a relatively new car for up to 95% off the retail price value! Not bad, right?
These websites are set up so that once you pay a small one time fee to become a member, you get access to thousands and thousands of cheap used cars! It doesn’t get much easier than that. Also, you can’t find cars anywhere else for as cheap as the ones you can find from the government auction. Why not?
Because these vehicles have been either surrendered or confiscated by the authorities for some reason or other, they get sold at auction for a fraction of what they are really worth and the money usually goes to the state. This is good news for you because you can get a car from 2008 for only 100 bucks or more! If you are looking for cheap used cars, I highly suggest you look into buying directly from the auction before anywhere else!…

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Local Car Repair Shops In Muskegon, MI

As most of us know, it’s extremely difficult to find a car repair shop that is trustworthy, and capable of performing the work correctly the first time. Unfortunately, you can’t always trust what the automotive shop says about their service. To help you find the best auto repair shops in Muskegon, MI, we have listed a couple that have a reputation of quality work and customer service.
Muskegon, MI is situated along the lake shore of Lake Michigan. It is a blue collar town, so as you can imagine, a great place for Auto Repair Shops. Not all Auto Repair facilities are created equal, so great care should be taken whenever you are choosing one. To make your search just a bit easier, we have listed a few of the most trusted and reliable shops for Auto Repair Muskegon MI.
Muskegon Brake & Tire
Muskegon Brake & Tire has been the leader in Automotive Repair in Muskegon since 1945. They are the only Triple A approved service facility for cars and RV’s in the area. They have become to be known as the go to shop for anything you might need. With a reputation for focusing on the customer’s needs, Muskegon Brake & Tire should be high on your list for Muskegon Auto Repair.
Robin Hood Muffler & Brake Center
Robin Hood Muffler & Brake has been a leader in Car Repair in Muskegon, MI for over 36 years. Don’t let the name fool you though, as they can perform almost any repair your vehicle could possibly need. Their ASE Certified mechanics specialize in mufflers and brakes, but are more than capable of tackling alignments, transmission repairs and more. For an honest and trustworthy experience, you can count on Robin Hood Muffler & Brake to take care of all your maintenance needs.
When searching for a local repair shop, remember to always do your research on the repair facility you choose. Possibly the best resource for information is from friends and family who have used the shop previously. The main thing you want to look for, as far as credentials are concerned, is whether or not the mechanics are ASE certified. This is the gold standard for Auto Mechanic Certification, and there are way too many certified mechanics out there to go with one who is not. I hope this guide will bring you closer to finding that repair facility that you can build a long lasting relationship with.…

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Auto Repair – What a Strange Sound May Mean

One of the most common symptoms of vehicular malfunction requiring auto repair is the recent onset of different types of noises. If you can hear a vehicle noise over the hum of the engine, it probably is pretty significant and should be evaluated and repaired by a professional. Some noises may come and go depending on the weather and how hot the engine is running or how long it has been running. Chirping is a common noise that may indicate a number of different problems and should be promptly evaluated by an auto repair specialist.
If the chirping noise only occurs while you are driving and you do not notice it while the engine is idling, then it may be difficult to figure out exactly where the sound is coming from. It may be helpful to ride along with a passenger that can help you determine at what point in the engine cycle it occurs or what you are doing to make it louder or softer.
Some of the most common causes of a chirping sound include brake pad wear and tear, cam angle sensor, serpentine belt, accessory bearings axle bearing, drive shaft u joint, or even the clutch.
There are a few simple things you can do to narrow down the problem and evaluate the fix that is needed. Brake pad wear is perhaps one of the most simple things to see and the quickest to diagnose. If the noise happens while the brakes are being applied, there is a very good chance that the problem is the braking system and that the pads need to be replaced. Serpentine and accessory bearings are a little less straightforward to work on, but if replacing the parts eliminates the noise, then you have your solution and have already done the fix.
As with all types of moderate to intensive auto repair, be sure to trust the experts and bring your vehicle in for a full diagnostic work up if you are unsure about the problem. Investing in a proficient and professional team of technicians is a good way to get more miles out of your vehicle and get more miles out of your fuel tank. Keep your car on the road longer even after you notice a chirping noise with the right auto repair professional team of technicians to take care of the problem and fix it properly the first time.…

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Classic Car Insurance to Keep Your Prized Possession in Safe Hands

For many, owning a classic car is the dream of a lifetime. For those that have one already, you will understand and appreciate how much care it needs, how expensive the parts can be and the importance of having the right kind of insurance cover. When you own a classic car, classic car insurance is a must have, it is as simple as that!
It doesn’t matter whether you have inherited the car from a relative, have built it from the ground up yourself, or if it was purchased in top condition as is, classic car insurance will have everything covered and can really provide you with peace of mind. Many classic cars are worth a fortune, and with the cost and limited availability of replacement parts, and the expert repair assistance that would be needed if it was damaged in any way, it could be well out of your financial means to cover the cost of these things on your own. When you are adequately covered by your insurance, the only thing you will need to worry about is polishing up and cruising around in your pride and joy.
Some people are lucky enough to have a number of classic cars, and in this instance, you could look into fleet insurance for classic cars to make sure that every vehicle you own is covered. If you keep your cars for show only, you may be able to take advantage of certain savings provided through various insurance companies, as you are not driving around in the vehicles on the road. Due to this fact, the chance of them being involved in a car accident is very slim. You will however need to still be protected for accidental damage caused by you or others, cover for theft, and even for fire.
A variety of companies can offer you top quality classic car insurance, some are offered by traditional insurance providers and others are available through their online insurance branch. If you are not sure what will be the best way to go, think about conducting a comparison for your specific insurance needs. Finding a company that specialises in insurance for classic cars, could be a worthwhile time investment. If the insurance company has a specialised service, you could almost be certain that your prized possession will be in the safest hands possible.
They will understand your needs, they are familiar with the amount of cover needed, and they also have inside knowledge of the cost of a car that is a classic. It could also be a good idea to have your car independently valued before locating the right type of insurance. Being able to provide a specific figure to the insurance company could make the process run a whole lot smoother. Having adequate insurance for your vintage car or cars will help you to sleep better at night. Why go to all the effort of owning and looking after such a car without also investing time and effort to make sure it is fully protected?…