Classic Auto Loans and Classic Car Restoration

May 19, 2008

By Robin Shortt

How do you find a Financial Service that does loans for all types of Classic, Antique, Muscle, Sports, Luxury, and Exotic Automobiles?   With the advent of the internet, classic auto loans has become a lot easier for the classic auto enthusiast to find a loan company to help in financing his purchase of a classic car. The difficulty of finding a lender is as easy as clicking your mouse. Getting yourself a classic vehicle loan is that much easier.

Not every agency offers a classic car loan. However, dealers have reservations about the definition of the classic car model. The loan criteria are the same as in the case of a new car. Approvals for car loans are very quick and simple even with bad credit and as you will soon see there is hope even with challenging credit issues. One needs to understand the exact price being paid for the vehicle ( financing entirely would be costly ) , the components being

a) the amount you decide to finance

b) the cost of credit borne by you which is called the classic car finance charge

c) the Annual Percentage Rate which is the main angle giving you a pinch may be and the

d) the total sales price (the summation of the monthly payments with the down payment).

When looking for someone to finance your classic auto, take a look at specialty lenders that deal in classic auto financing. Thus they will have interest rates at a more reasonable rate than those of a regular lender. As well, they will have a better idea of what your car is worth, this will help so you won’t need to provide a lot of extra documentation to prove your classic car is worth the amount you want to finance it for. You could also benefit from these lenders in the form of extra loan money for restoration as well.

There are other challenging situations which many people face when trying to get a car loan such as self employment, short job time, unestablished credit, or being a first time buyer. Even though bad credit car loans can help individuals with derogatory credit there are also problems people encounter which are not due to poor credit. Bad credit car loans are available for all automobile types nationwide and getting approved online is the first step to purchasing a new or used vehicle.

With banks approving financing of new cars, its likely their interest rates on classic auto loans are going to be a bit higher than those of a specialty lender. You’ll also need to bring in extra paperwork in order to prove that your car is worth the amount that you’re borrowing. The blue book value of a very old car is going to be next to nothing, so you will be required to prove that either its improvements or its restoration has raised the value of the car. This will make your loan that much less of a risk having come in well prepared.

Find out what Classic Auto Trader is all about and read more great articles on Auto Repair Manual as well.

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Two Schools of Thought in Classic Car Parts

May 18, 2008

Did you know there are two schools of thought when it comes to buying parts for classic cars?  If you are into  rebuilding old cars, you know that finding the right classic car parts for your vintage can be a difficult task indeed.   We all know this, but the way that people approach it is very different. 

The first school of classic car restoration artists happen to believe that authenticity is the only thing.  If it wasn’t on there originally, then “get it out of here” attitude.  These originalists will search high and low for what they need.  They will scour junkyards, used car lots, car auction houses, ebay, online car forums, and anywhere else in the world that they can think of when looking for all the classic car parts they need.  

The second classic car school of thought is the HOT RODDERS.    Those people are a lot like Tim Allen on the Tool Time show back in the 90’s.   “Rrrhhhh  rhhh”    is the reaction like Tim when he growls.   They want it souped up.  Modified.   Kicking butt!    They believe tha that the purpose of a classic is to hot rod it and make it as powerful as possible.   The more horsepower, the more chrome, the more pipes, the better.  They don’t give a flip about historical accuracy.  It’s their toy!    They will put brand-new engines in 40-year-old cars just to see how fast they can make them run, and see if they can leave black marks in the road as they leave the house.  They want to impress friends with their big cars, and show boat it big time. 


Why Center Caps Are Important For Your Mustang’s Wheels

May 18, 2008

By Brad Gibala

If you have already invested a large amount of money into a new set of custom wheels you want to make sure that you finish it off right with a nice set of center caps. Car enthusiasts look at every detail of a car. Do not spend a lot of money on your wheels and then not put a great set of center caps on your car just because you do not have the money or worse, you think nobody will notice. By doing that you should never even of purchased the wheels.

Center caps can be as unique or plain as you want. If you are doing restoration on a car then the stock caps are the way to go. The majority of car collectors want their cars to be as original as possible. If you do not care about that and its all about customizing then do the proper research on your car. Every Mustang will have different dimensions for its wheels and upgrading them will be easy. Many times you will see that the wheels you buy will come with a nice set of caps already.

Over the past fifteen years Ford has introduced a variety of very nice looking caps for the Mustang. The majority of them have the blue Ford logo and can be interchanged with a number of wheel sizes. The coolest center caps where put on the Mustang Cobra and Cobra R models. The snake head is truly a one of a kind logo. It does not matter what type of wheel you plan on putting them on they will make your wheel setup that much nicer. Ford produced a lot of these but you can also pick them up from aftermarket manufacturers. They come in black, red, blue, and silver colors.

If you like the classic Mustang look then I would suggest you look at the original Mustang design. It involves the Mustang in the background with the red, white, and blue horizontal stripes running through the center of the horse. Many of these will have the horse in a silver or white color with a black background.

The last avenue you can take would be to put spinner center caps on your wheels. Depending on how you want your car to look these look great on a wire wheel. Not that many Mustang owners put spinners on their cars because it does not have a performance look. If making you Mustang look different is the goal then you should pick up a set of those.

Mustang owners looking for a nice set of center caps or Bullitt Mustang Wheels should go to CustomMustangWheels.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Gibala
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Note from owner of BuyOldCars.com: 
Personally I like to stay true to the original design of the Mustang wheels, but it is important to do what you like to do.  Classic cars are for our enjoyment!  So have fun! 


Reasons Why Your Classic Automobile Needs A Car Cover

May 17, 2008

It is amazing, how much pride, a classic car brings to its owner.  Lots of people, remember the good old days as they view and admire those old classic cars in the car shows. Its no wonder why people like these old vintage cars sooooo much.   Well taken care of  pieces of machinery and designed exquisitely by the greatest minds of their era, these classic cars are definitely a blast from the past.  For the classic car owner, the secret weapon to maintaining the look of show quality classic cars is the car cover.

Classic autos, if you want to care for them, require a lot of extra special care to maintain tip-top condition. The first and the most obvious thing to keep in mind is that they are unique and rare.   Furthermore, it is not an easy or an inexpensive task to get it repaired if the car is damaged.  So it cannot be stressed deeply enough, even if the classic car is garage kept, the car needs to be covered with a proper classic car cover.

Looking For A Classic Car Cover?

It is almost like beating your head over a rock when attempting to find the appropriate cover for some vintage cars since they can be so uncommon. It is not always easy to find a classic car cover for your particular car because the demand is not always there for some models. There are two choices in such a case; either one can get a used classic auto cover, or one can have a cover custom-made by a professional. Sometimes you will find car cover companies who make your exact model’s cover over the internet.

Auto covers prevent the dust, dirt, and moisture from collecting on your classic car.   Corrosion is the enemy of the classic car body. A classic cars exterior can be damaged by the effects of extended weather exposure without a cover. So I don’t suggest having a classic car unless you have a classic car cover.

What To Think About Concerning The Type of Cover to Get

One of the questions that you need to ask yourself first before purchasing a classic car cover, is where do you plan to store this car?  The environment that the car will be exposed to is very important to how you shop for a car cover. Cars that are kept in a garage do not necessarily need the same type of cover that a car that is kept outside in the sun or in the shade. The biggest factor that needs to be considered is the fabric. It all depends on the level protection that you need. It is true in the old adage which says that “you get what you pay for” when it comes to classic car covers.

Especially in outdoor conditions, water resistance is very important, but it is not the only thing. It is also crucial to make sure that the the cover’s fabric is breathable. The reason being is that a material that doesn’t allow much in the way of airflow can also causes moisture to accumulate on the car body. This is highly undesirable! So don’t go out to Wal-Mart and buy a blue tarp and toss it on top of your vintage show car! You’re asking for problems down the road.

It is crucial to make sure that the fabric is also very soft. Dragging a rough piece of material over your precious classic car is a no-no. I’ve seen grown men cry before after scuffing a good paint job.

Automobile covers act as an indispensable defense against dust, dirt, ultraviolet sunlight, temperature swings, precipitation, small hail, and a lot of things in the environment that can damage the exterior and interior of the car. Not only do automobile covers protect a vehicle, but they also help in maintaining the new looks of the classic vehicle.  So that’s why, buying an automobile cover is a first step to taking care of your classic correctly.

If you can’t acquire the vintage automobile cover that you want with exact fit, you will have to go the pricier route to getting it, You can go to someone who creates car covers and have one custom prepared for your vintage automobile. While doing so, one thing that needs to be kept in mind is to use the best possible material for producing the car cover since it is not everyday that someone gets a pricey custom-made vehicle cover for their antique car. When getting the cover made, it is a good idea to do it impeccably the first time around, because of the expense and time that it takes to make it.


Preserving Your Old Chevrolet Impala – Keys to Impala Preservation

May 15, 2008

“A prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen.” This was said by Chevrolet’s chief engineer in the late 50s when he was asked to describe the Chevrolet Impala. This sedan-based automobile is indeed one of the most successful and prestigious cars built by Chevrolet, having endured the industry’s tough competition for more than three decades. Its name seemed to have brought much luck to Chevrolet that it was revived twice—in 1994 and in 2000 after eight and four years of hiatus.

The Chevrolet Impala was introduced in 1958 as an up-level sporty trim package of the Chevrolet Bel Air, Chevrolet’s most expensive line of coupes and convertibles then. It featured six unique taillights and a distinctive body styling. In the following year, it became a separate model and eventually became Chevrolet’s best-selling car for many years. It was also the best-selling full-size passenger car during its production life. Particularly in 1965, Chevrolet produced more than a million units of Chevrolet Impala, a record which has never been matched until now.

Just like all other cars, the Chevrolet Impala also underwent several changes through the years. The most significant change was made with the 1977 Chevrolet Impala. The redesign was due to the rising gasoline prices that hampered production of muscle and full-size passenger cars. As a result, most cars in the US including the Chevrolet Impala got smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient. Although downsized, Chevrolet Impalas still possessed good qualities of the older models in terms of styling, high quality auto parts, safety and performance. What’s remarkable with the new models is their increased head, leg and trunk space.

Only a few Chevrolet Impalas were produced during its last year of production in 1996, which made it a good choice for auto collectors. If you are one of those car enthusiasts who are fond of collecting and driving classic or old vehicles, older model of Chevrolet Impala can be a great addition to your collection. Maintaining an old Chevrolet Impala should not be a problem with the host of auto parts stores in your vicinity and even online. Replacement Chevrolet Parts abound in the market nowadays so even older models like your Chevrolet Impala can still be in perfect shape and driving condition. You can customize it and give it a new look by adding accessories or replacing some of its parts.

There’s one online auto parts store that sells high quality Chevrolet Impala parts, Auto Parts Inner. Anything you need from accessories like Chevy carpet and Chevy hubcaps to bigger auto parts like Chevy hood, Chevy grill and Chevy wheels are all here.

If you care for your Chevrolet Impala, you must get replacement auto parts only from trusted sources. Auto Parts Inner is one of them, but Inner Auto parts doesn’t only give you wide variety of hard-wearing and high quality Chevrolet Impala Parts but a wealth of auto parts information as well. As part of the company’s commitment to help you preserve your car, it also gives you means to learn more about the mechanics of your car through ample amount auto parts information. So whenever you need finest quality Chevy parts, don’t forget to visit
Auto Parts Inner.

Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto related. He is currently employed as a market analyst by one of the top car parts company in the area. His automotive articles provide valuable source of information for auto enthusiasts like him as well as to those in need of automotive research.

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Big Block Engines in Muscle Cars of the Past

May 14, 2008

camaro 427 Since the turn of the last century, Americans have been fascinated with cars.  I’m not talking about wimpy fuel-efficient, stripped-down cars either. (Although with today’s economy that is changing!) What I am talking about today is the American love afffair with big block engines that make a lot of noise and generate a tremendous amount of horsepower. Don’t get me wrong, the “wimpy” fuel-efficient cars of today do have their place in today’s world with the price of gasoline going higher and higher. 

Even most classic car buffs can’t advocate trying to drive cross-country in an old gas hog of a muscle car.  Most people are now looking at the most fuel-efficient hybrid SUVs. For an everyday driver to work, I still use my Toyota Pruis (I told you it was wimpy). Money wins out.  It gets over 60 miles per gallon, who can argue with that?   I save a ton of money at the pump. But when the weekend comes, baby, I am definitely ready to get into my big block Chevy Camaro and tear out to the local race track to see the races! Just thinking about the feeling and performance of that big block engine drinking gasoline like water and running like a scalded dog down the road really makes my adrenoline pump.  Not to mention the joy of seeing the pros doing it on the track!

I can’t help but LOVE big block engines. Especially chevrolet big blocks!  Heck..Even big block Fords!  But give me a kick butt chevy 427 big block anyday and watch me nearly cry for lack of words to describe the joy of experiencing it.  In fact, one my favorite things that I love about these powerful motors from the 60’s and 70’s, of course, is the noise and the sheer horsepower. I’ll confess, I’m a typical man in this respect. Nothing is more beautiful to my ear than the growl of that big block Chevy engine of mine at full throttle!  It takes me back to my teenage years squalling tires and breaking hearts!  The big block engine roar is like music to my ears. 

When the tires burn rubber and squeal (like teenage girls at an Elvis or Beetles concert back in the day), and my muscle car tears up the strip at breakneck speed it gives me a natural high like nothing else. I absolutely love big block engines, but what I like most is the way they take me back in time. Back when cokes were a quarter, and chicks were all over me.   

I like the fact that it is so much easier for the shadetree mechanic like myself to work on these big blocks over te new-fangled computerized engines of today. Today’s trend is geared toward the high-tech computer controlled engines.  It is nearly to the point that cars are so dependent on their computer boards that it it is nearly impossible to work on them much without professional training. It is heading in that direction anyway. 

That, of course, is the exact reason why I love my old big block engine cars.  I love to crawl under the hood and be able to do what I want to the motor.  If I want to bore out the engine and add custom aftermarket parts, like the classic car grease-monkey I am, then it is very doable.  Tweaking your classic muscle car to drive and sound just you want is very doable for the diy mechanic like myself.

My favorite thing about it is that big block engines is they are fairly inexpensive to work on.  Heck, once you learn how to work on your own powerful big block engine, you will be amazed at what you can build. It gives you a real sense of accomplishment to be able to take an old Chev block engine that has been dormant for years, and bring it back to life.  Think about it, you can purchase an old broken big block crate engine and rebuild it yourself from scratch for very little investment. So basically, as long as you don’t have a cracked engine’s block, you can most likely fix the motor.  What I like about it is that you can take the individual parts, the engine block, and get yourself a little dirty and you can bring these old classic cars back to life. It is satistfying to have a hobby around what I love and that is the big blocks!