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.…
We try to give our vehicles the longest shelf life possible, as we want to save money and keep them running for as long as we can. Every so often, we must deal with some serious problems that are going to cost us a decent amount of money. A transmission replacement is one of these various issues that, while expensive, are still cheaper than buying a new car.
If you know that you need a transmission replacement, you should look to find the automotive shop that can handle your repair needs. These different tips are going to help you to find the right shop for your repairs.
Look for Certifications
If you are in need of a transmission replacement, look for auto shops that have certifications. At the very least, you will want shops that feature ASE certified technicians. These individuals have gone through specific training for one specific area (or more) of the vehicle.
If you can, find a location that has an ASE Master Technician. This individual has become certified in all of the various areas of the vehicle and will be best equipped to handle your transmission replacement.
Look for Popularity
One of the easiest ways for you to spot an automotive shop that can handle your transmission replacement and make you happy with their service is to look for popularity. Look for shops that constantly have a long waiting time, or shops that have a wealth of positive reviews on online review websites. These places generally have reasonable prices and are known for their friendly staff members and impeccable service. Places that have constant openings generally have a lack of customers for a reason.
Look for a Quick Turnaround Time
In the end, you want to get the transmission replacement that you need at a price you can afford – but you want it done as quickly as possible. Look for places that are going to be able to handle this specific repair as quickly as possible. Let the shop know that time is a priority for you, and that you are shopping around to find the shop who can get your job done as quickly as possible. They may be able to bump up your time and get you on the road as quickly as possible.
It is important for all car owners to give serious thought to the shop that handles their repairs. You should work to understand as much as you can about all of your options and choose the one that meets your needs. There are certain shops that are going to be able to handle the transmission replacement better than others. These tips will make it easy for you to find the right one.…
If you are looking for an option to insure your new car, this article will help you to find the perfect one. As the demand of the car insurance policies are becoming more and more insisting, there are many manufactures that started providing great offers on it. You can also find many car insurance companies that are providing online services. However, this article will give you some important tips and information, which you have to consider while you opt for car insurance.
Different Types of Policies:
There are various types of car insurance coverage available in the market. Therefore, you have an option to go for bodily injury, collision, property damage as well as for comprehensive coverage options. There are also few insurance policies, which will not only pay for the repair work of your vehicle, but also provide you financial help for paying the hospital bills, rental and towing expenses etc. However, before you plan to insure your vehicle, it is very important to research on the web and find a perfect coverage for your car.
Tips for Finding the Best Policies:
Even though there are many auto insurance companies, which are providing cheap car insurances, most of them are not able to meet the requirements of their customers. Therefore, it is very important to follow some tips, which will help you to find a cheap insurance coverage without compromising the quality. Some of these tips, which you have to consider while selecting car insurance, are mentioned below:
* Select the right car insurance company
* Take the assistance of an expert to find the best one
* Compare online insurance quotes
* Know about the hidden charges
* Maintain a good driving record
The condition and facilities of your vehicle should be also considered while selecting an insurance policy. There are numerous insurance companies in the market, which will provide great offers for the people who own a car with more than the average safety features.
How Important the Car Insurances is?
There are many people who do not consider car insurances to be of such a great importance. However, this is a crucial aspect, which you have to bear in mind when you are buying a new car. These insurance policies will protect your car from many unexpected hassles like theft, various accidents, injuries etc. So, you can see that Insurance acts like a protection shield not only for your car. Therefore, it is very important to have an insurance policy for your vehicle when you buy it.
Tips To Select The Best Car Insurance Company:
As there are numerous insurance companies available in the market, most of the people will find it difficult to select the right one. If you are facing the same problem, here is the best solution for you.…