Archive for the ‘ Classic Cars ’ Category

Grace and Poise With Maserati Gran Turismo

Maserati’s third offspring in the Trident series is the Gran Turismo S Automatic. It is a perfect combination of the 433hp, 32-valve, Ferrari V8 engine along with an automated 6-speed ZF gearbox.

It is a modified version of the earlier Gran Turismo, both in its functionality and looks. The wheels with the state-of-the-art flow-formed cast aluminum rims are sure to be noticed on the streets. Adding to its fury is the prominent rocker panels which seem like burning fire while on the go. The interior face-lifts are also varied with a new range of leather colors to choose from. The wood and metal textures in the interior have also been improved than its earlier versions.

Drive away in style with this Y speed rated sports car. Make sure that you have a look at your tachometer, at 7500rpm redline, you are on the roll. Maximum torque is attained at 3000 rpm till 7000 rpm. If you are looking for a valid reason to replace your Ferrari for a GT, then you should sure consider its gusto factor. It’s better than a Ferrari due to its wet-sump lubrication, restricted valve timing and 90-degree crankshaft. Go on and compete with Porsche or Ferrari, and Maserati’s Gran Turismo will never let you down. Even at the maximum speed, the engine maintains its matured and tuned tone without howling or growling. This has been made possible with its tuned engine pipes, mufflers and the X-shaped pipe connectors.

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The Coolness of the Classic Chevrolet Lingers On

My head often returns to the rockin’ 58 Chevy Impala and entrance of those notorious triple round tail lights. A few years following, owners soon discovered that the equally classic 59 Cadillac bullet tail lights fit so nicely in the same holes back there! Still rocks today!

My Pop was a Chevy Lover. He had a a couple of 1948 models, a blue 1951 and 1954. All were two door models. He upgraded to a beige and gold tudor 1956 car. That was easily one of my most favorites. Subsequent came a godawful grey 60 Bel Air with ugly fins and 4 big doors. Completed with black wall tires and those dumb half hubcaps that forever fell off. He regained my admiration a couple years after with a red 1962 Impala coupe. Another one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, my Dear Old Dad never regained his coolness in my book as he migrated back into a series of ugly 4-door Chevrolets. Yes, they were Impalas, but, no, they were not cool. For whatever reason, he purchased all of these new off the lot, and swapped each one for the next one. Lucky for me, the two he had while I was in High School and able to drive were 4 door Imps, with 283s, and those same half hubcaps. I made him mad when I took them off and painted the rims black. He made me put them back on. Nicely, they came off so easily! I tore up the tranny in one of them performing nutral rams up and down the strip. The only rubber I ever got involved some sand on the road!!! I have often wondered what a cool dude I might have turned into if Dad had held onto any of the early Chevs! I am reminded every time I see one at a car show!

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Modern Classic Cars – The Vauxhall Lotus Carlton

In the summer of 1986, Vauxhall acquired the cult British sports car company, Lotus, and the motoring world wondered what on earth the maker of the Viva and Cavalier family saloons was going to do with the high performance car maker. They had to wait three years to find out.

Take a normal family saloon car and stick a 3.6 litre Lotus Engine in it and what do you get?

The Vauxhall Lotus Carlton which in 1990 became the fastest saloon car in the world capable of speeds up to 176 mph.

Vauxhall Motors had been owned by US automobile giant General Motors (GM) since 1925 and since 1962 when GM acquired German manufacturer Opel, both companies had regularly shared the same designs, engines, components and cars under different badges for their respective markets.

The early Carlton’s were modest relations of what was to come.

The first Vauxhall Carlton or Omega as it later became known in Europe and the US, was the British version of the Opel Rekord from Germany.

The Mark 1 Carlton was a typical 1.8 or 2.0 litre petrol four door large family car aimed at the middle market to compete with the Ford Cortina and Granada. A spacious and comfortable real wheel drive motor with reasonable performance, it was also available as an estate car.

Yet despite many interior design upgrades and a diesel version, sales were not spectacular.

The Mark 1 Carlton was mostly built in Germany and assembled at the Vauxhall Luton plant from 1978 until 1986 when it was replaced by the Mark 2, which was to become the basis of the Vauxhall Lotus supercar.

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