The Top Classic American Cars

Cars are not just a part of American history, they define American history. For over 100 years cars have helped to shape our culture. From cruising cross-country to burning rubber on the quarter mile, American cars develop a unique personality for every generation and as the years progress these subcultures become even more exciting to witness and be a part of. So then, what are the top American Classic Cars?

Why not start at the beginning, Henry Ford and his Model-T. No, this car wasn’t sporting 500+ horsepower or cruising down the highway at 100 miles to the gallon. So then what did it do? It turned our nation, and the rest of the world, into a car-driving species. Americans finally had access to their own cars for an affordable price, and they took to it like a fish to water.

Tip: Classic cars can be time consuming and expensive so if and when possible contact your car insurance quote provider and ask about possible coverage and fee.  AAA, Geico, Esurance are among the many companies that provide car insurance on classic and hot rod cars

It was in the cruisers that Americans found the style and comfort that they wanted. Chevy Bel-Airs and Cadillac El Dorado’s were the name of the game. Style, comfort, and customization was everything the American car-enthusiast from the 50′s through the 70′s and even today yearned for. These cars helped to define multiple generations who sought out comfort, fun, and a toy for the older kids. Whether it was candy-red paint jobs or leather seats, these cars meant luxury.

Finally, here comes the slow, ominous gurgle of the American muscle car. Prized around the world for beauty, strength, and persona, these muscle cars epitomize what it means to be an American Classic. There are a few top-contenders for this coveted position. The Chevrolet Corvette was one of the first to offer the real sports package in a car. From 1953 on, this car stood for American power. The Corvette’s main contender, and perhaps the all time classic American car, is the Ford Mustang. From 1964 to the present, this car is now synonymous with raw American power. Its sleek look, iconic growl, and persistence in the marketplace has made this pony the end-all of the American car culture.

When it comes down to what makes a car an American classic there are just too many options to think about. Getting your hands on this car will not be easy. You might need to take out some loans to be able to afford this car. The first step you would want to take before making any type of financial decision would be to check one of the free credit report scores available online. From there, you can determine if you will be able to get a good loan. Make sure the credit score you are getting is the one that car dealers are looking at. Whether you are looking for a smooth ride, iconic body, or an engine shuddering with power, the American car industry has given you a classic to go with it.

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The Defining Features of Hot Rods

Springing to life from the World Wars, hot rods have taken a special place in automobile history. While the exact origins of the name may remain a mystery, the defining features of hot rods have enthralled and excited America and the rest of the world for the past 80 years.

As troops began returning from the World Wars they started noticing hot rods. Already armed with a drivers license after passing their DMV test, they brought with them mechanical know-how, an urge for excitement, and a passion for competition and customization. Beginning with the dry lake beds of California and abandoned air strips around the country, the street race phenomenon took control of the car enthusiasts all the way back to the 1930′s. Some say this history goes back to the moonshine runners of the prohibition, but no matter when it started, it was a craze that has stayed with us through today.

So what makes these cars so unique and special? Modification is the name of this game, and the more horsepower you can pack in the better. There may be no single defining feature of hot rods, the only rule is to push a car to its limits and make it look in the process good.

Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Ford, and many other American cars were stripped down and rebuilt for the purpose of racing and expressing the owner’s sense of style. Thick tires, aluminum radiators, early Hemis, and reducing body weight by stripping excess metal and panels was only the beginning as this fad took off. Engines were pulled out of everything from military Jeeps to tractors and dropped into T-buckets and Deuce Coupes to eke out as much speed as possible.

The craze would last for years and almost every generation enjoys a renewed interest in this blend of form and function. It may be impossible to list what exact features a car must have to be a hot rod, but when that candy-red small block V-8, with with huge slicks and chrome pistons comes gurgling down the street…just about anyone can point there finger and say, “Now there’s a hot rod!”

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Key Things to Know About Auto Restoration

Anyone who enjoys being around classic or vintage automobiles should investigate the hobby of auto restoration. Many auto restoration enthusiasts have turned their hobby into a very well paying career as well. The art of auto restoration is the painstaking process of repairing a classic car in order to restore it to its original condition.

Auto restoration involves repairing any and all parts of the car that can be seen such as the dashboard, seats, steering wheel, tires and carpeting, in addition to making any and all hidden parts operational again, such as the electrical and cooling systems, the brakes, engine and windshield wipers.

Some car enthusiasts like to specialize in body restoration, focusing on the paint, chrome, trim and all exterior and interior aspects of a classic car that need to be revitalized. Other restoration specialists focus on the mechanical aspect of the restoration process, those who get excited about the prospect of seeing rusty parts and a dead engine under the hood and working to get them all purring again so that the car is road worthy.

Every auto restoration project starts with a thorough interior and exterior inspection of the vehicle, as well as carefully inspecting under the hood. Restoration specialists soon learn the 3 Rs: what can be reused, what needs to be repaired and what needs to be replaced. After a thorough inventory has been made of the car undergoing restoration, the vehicle is then disassembled to make the necessary cleaning and refurbishments. The last step is the reassembly of the mechanical workings as well as the body and interior of the automobile.

Depending upon the amount of restoration needed, restoring a classic car such as Mustang, Corvette or Volkswagen Beetle to its original condition can take years of searching for the right parts in addition to the investment of thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of labor. In order to be considered a restored vehicle, an automobile must be fully returned to the same operational condition and new appearance it had the day it was first sold so many years ago.

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Beginner’s Guide to Automobile Restoration

Finding a beginner’s guide to automobile restoration can be as simple as going to a bookstore or doing a simple search. While these books and websites can give a person a good start on what he needs to know, the actual work is more complicated.

Automobile restoration can breathe new life into an old car. It can also increase the value of a classic car that has not been seen on the road for a long time, but it must be performed carefully. Where possible, a person who restores an automobile wants to use parts that are original equipment from the manufacturer. As lofty as a goal as this is, it is not always possible.

The Ford Motors Company, for example, no longer makes parts for the Model T and has not done so for a long time. Tracking down parts from a junkyard from extremely old cars is difficult as well. If efforts to salvage a part on your own doesn’t turn out well, you could turn to the internet. Savings.com would be a good place to check, the automotive section would be a good place to start here. Also. another great place to find coupons for auto parts is TechBargains.

Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in making reproductions of the original parts including eco friendly products, fair trade goods and other parts made from organic materials. Not everyone is good at figuring out how things work on their own, and tinkering with even the simplest of automobiles is not recommended for someone who does not possess a degree in mechanical engineering. Perhaps the only known exception to this rule is a person who owns a moped or the original Volkswagen Beetle.

Even if the intent is to use the car as an investment, the most important thing a person beginning automobile restoration needs to know is that it is an expensive process. The parts can cost several hundred dollars. The time it takes to restore an older car is also quite extensive. Although it is obvious, the worse the condition of the car, the longer the process takes.

As long as a person understands what he is getting into, there is no need to worry about automobile restoration. For someone who enjoys working on cars, it can be a pleasant process.

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