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- My Love Affair With The GTO Muscle Car Of The 60's
In 1969, being a poor college student, I still dreamed of owning a Pontiac GTO. I was working part time in the mail room of an oil company when I had the opportunity to buy a royal blue 1967 GTO. This GTO had a 389 engine that had been re-bored to a 413 cubic displacement. Sitting on top of the engine was a sight to behold; a Holley made 3 deuces carburetors. Inside the pilot compartment was a Hurst 4 on the floor shifter.
I started that engine up and man did it purr. It didn't want to sit still. The ground vibrated under the sound of the 400 horse engine. I raised the hood of this little GTO and realized you don't get too close to the 3 deuces or they might suck you in. With drooling running down the side of my mouth, I closed the hood and got under the wheel. The salesmen said take it for a spin. He knew he was now going to make a sale.
I back her out and while still rolling slightly backwards, I shifted into first gear and put the petal to the metal. This little goat just stood there with the rear tires smoking. Finally what seem like forever, the rubber grabbed the road and I experienced what it was like to pull G's. I shot forward like I was headed for the moon. I shifted into 2nd and only to find myself being plastered against the back of my seat. It was only until I hit fourth gear I was able to move in my seat. Did I mention the grin on my face? It still happens today, almost 40 years later I still grin when I think of that moment in time.
I took it back and bought my little goat. Somehow the salesman knew and had the papers almost completed, just waiting for my signature. I now was the proud owner of a 1967 GTO. I love my GTO. The love affair had now begun. I drove out of that parking lot like the afterburners had kicked in.
I went by a friend's house who until now was giving me a ride to work each evening. He had a little 3 year old boy. I wanted to show off my muscle car. He got in the front bucket while his little boy got in the back. This was before the days of seat belts and child restraints. His little boy was standing and straddling the transmission hump with his left hand on my bucket and his right hand on his Dad's seat.
His father said, I bet you can't make him sit down. Here I am with this little GTO just waiting for an excuse to feel the G-force again. From a dead stop, I revved up that engine and popped the clutch. This little kid went flying to the back of the back bench seat. He didn't see it coming. Just as he stood up again, I hit 2nd gear. He went flying back again. He got up once again just as I shifted into 3rd. This poor little fellow was pinned against the back seat one more time. This time, he had enough and just stayed there.
I love my GTO, nicknamed the Goat. Unfortunately, I received my draft notice and knew I wouldn't be able to hang on to it. I cried when I let it go (maybe it was because I was headed to basic training) either way, I was going to miss my GTO. Even to this day when I see a little GTO, I can't help but smile and wonder if the new owner had as much fun as I did.About the Author
Jerry Johnson owns the
Love My GTO website as well as several other successful webstores. You can find new and used GTO from the past or today at LoveMyGTO.com. If you love auto auctions, Love My GTO is the place to go.Article Source:Content for Reprint
- The Link Between Water Mills And A Coat Of Arms
Peugeot and Vauxhall car manufacturers have had mixed success over the years but today are both so far up on the popularity list that some suppliers have decided to combine the two into joint Peugeot and Vauxhall dealerships.
Peugeot have enjoyed steady success since their inception into the motor industry in 1898 with their steam powered tricycle, considered the first automobile, and Vauxhall have played a very triumphant game of catch up.
Jean Pequinot Peugeot originally enjoyed success building water mills but not content with this, and using his obsession with wheels and cogs, he and his company then went on to produce coffee grinders, razors, sewing machines, roasting spits, watch springs, clocks, garden furniture (not sure how that fits!), saws, bicycles, tricycles and gramophones.
In the early years of Peugeot a gold engraver was commissioned with designing the lion trademark for steel articles manufactured in Peugeot Brothers factories. The durability, quickness and suppleness of a lion is comparable to that of steel and so the company logo was born.
With a similar looking beast representing the Vauxhall, the Griffin is based on the coat of arms of Fulk Le Breant, a mercenary soldier who, on marriage, was granted the Manor of an area of London, later known as Vauxhall. It also turns out that he had the Manor of Luton for services to King John and is therefore connected to both areas of Vauxhall production.
Peugeot did struggle at first in the bicycle market against the British but after stirring up some patriotic fervour, many competitors for the Paris - Nantes race in 1889 chose to use Peugeot cycles and were on the first five across the finishing line. Still riding on this success, the company endeavoured to set up a car hire firm in 1898 but this failed dismally.
Around the same time, Vauxhall were still building pumps and marine engines in Vauxhall, London. Their first car was released in 1903 swiftly followed in 1905 by the company's move to Luton where they were well known for their sporty looking cars. General Motors bought the company in 1925 and their sporty look was tamed into a more conservative American styling.
Peugeot took over with the sports influence and began their life-long move into the world of Motorsport winning the Monte Carlo rally in 1931. Rallies and races all over the world have seen Peugot take the lead right up to today with races now being won in the Peugeot 908. This has kept them in the spotlight and Peugeot have enjoyed steady success.
Vauxhall have not found things so easy. Even with the Calibra Coupe of 1989, which was officially the most aerodynamic car in the world at the time, they have still struggled to overcome their reputation for corrosion.
However, it can't possibly be all bad. They are now closer than ever to Ford in terms of sales figures and with their latest models veering back into sports mode they are becoming ever popular among the young. Personally, I have owned two Vauxhalls over the last 10 years. A Cavalier which proved to be very reliable and an Astra 2.0 which was a fantastic little car but did earn me 6 points for speeding!
Despite the differences in their history, Peugeot cars and Vauxhall cars are now on a par with each other to the point where dealerships are happy to combine the two.About the Author
Car expert Shaun Parker looks into the Peugeot and Vauxhall dealerships combined success. To find out more please visit http://www.dickensgroup.com/
Article Source:Content for Reprint
- Where Does A Used BMW Go?
Because of the way a BMW will hold its value, most used BMW's are re-sold but, like anything, they do have a life span and at the end of that they're on the scrapheap.
Or are they?
BMW are the most environmentally friendly car manufacturer in existence. Their South Carolina plant in the US has been named a charter member of the US Environmental Protection Agencys National Performance Track. They have recieved this prestigious accolade because of their recycling initiative when it comes to used BMW's.
A recycling centre for used BMW's at the end of their life has won the 1992 Best Recycling Innovation Award. 85% of a scrapped vehicle is recyclable, going back into creating the next BMW on the production line. The other 15% is re-used. Tyres are sent to cement kilns for fuel and even paint sludge is used as waste energy. Outside recycling companies used are subject to regular audits from BMW to ensure they are doing exactly what they claim to.
But the environmental concerns of this company are not confined to used BMW's. It starts right at the beginning. The BMW South Carolina plant is leading the way in protecting the very air that we breath. Before building even began on their factory, consultants and experts were brought in to assess the risk of construction on surrounding wetlands and wildlife. Bird and bat houses were installed in
