Millennium Custom Auto

Custom Restorations and Limousine builders

Archive for June, 2008

June-20-08

1965 Ford Ranchero - Road Race Ranchero

Posted by Hot Rod under Hot Rod news
1965 Ford Ranchero - Road Race Ranchero
1965 Ford Ranchero - Road Race RancheroGuys who eschew the norm are cool, but the ones who tap-dance all over it and bring a sense of style and nastiness to uncommon cars are our Dare to Be Different heros. Just about everything has been drag raced at some point, but the elite club of cars that have been prepped for severe road racing is much more selective. All the more reason to break out of the routine of expected platforms and create something new, we say. But there is a delicate balance to strike when treading into that territory. A phantom car is cool and is a great way to let your imagination run wild, but it has to give off the right hard-core vibe or it’s just another poser.

When we first happened upon this little Ranchero at a SoCal car show, it caught our eye with its striking two-tone paint, but we nearly passed it by as just another nice surfboard hauler. Then we noticed the re-arched and flared wheelwells covering what appeared to be really wide PS Engineering wheels wrapped in Hoosier slicks. And is that an airscoop below the front bumper? A glance inside at the Spartan NASCAR-esque interior with a full rollcage passing through the back glass and through an aluminum bedcover definitely piqued our attention. Right about that time, owner Larry Miller walked over and popped the hood, revealing a full-race Ford small-block.Larry smiled wryly and explained that he’d always been a fan of NASCAR and vintage Trans-Am, and he’d always wondered why no one road races the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. One day it dawned on him that he could mash up the two and create a vintage Trans-Am truck, something that never was raced but conceivably could have been. Read the rest of this entry »

June-20-08

Tips for the First Time ATV Buyer

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

If you are considering purchasing an ATV, you should be aware that they are a big investment. Aside form the initial cost that can run from a few hundred dollars for an older used model to ,000 or more, you also have top maintain your ATV just like your car. They require oil, gas, and eventually you will have to replace broken parts.

Buying an ATV is not a decision to be taken lightly, and you must consider your needs to determine which ATV is right for you. If you are a beginner, you should start with an inexpensive simple model that will give you practice riding. After you are comfortable, you can upgrade to a more advanced model. You will also need safety gear such as a helmet, gloves, and goggles. Some accessories are not necessary for the casual rider such as winches, unless you plan on using your ATV for work purposes.

Before you buy your ATV, think about what you want out of your ATV experience. You may want to ride for fun, to experience the outdoors and be a part of the excitement. You may want to use your ATV to haul things or help with other work such as plowing snow. You may find that your ATV can be both fun and useful. The reason you are purchasing your ATV should be the deciding factor in which type you buy. If you want it for fun, a light model without all the accessories will be fine. If you want it for work purposes, you should look into getting the accessories you need such as a winch, plow, and hitch. You will also be better off going with a heavier model that is designed for work.

The type of engine you want in your ATV is also decided by your purpose. A 2-stroke engine takes a mix of oil and gas and is better fit for riding for fun. A 4-stroke engine is better suited as a work horse. You will also have to decide which type of transmission you want, an automatic or manual. ATV’s with an automatic transmission are easier to drive just like automatic cars.

If you have experience driving a manual transmission, you may prefer the control that a manual transmission offers. You can also get a semi-automatic transmission, which is a cross between the two. You can get advice on which type is best for you from your ATV dealership or online.

You will also have to decide which type of starter you want. Some ATV’s have an electric start, some have a kick start, and some have a pill start. While this is not the most important factor in choosing an ATV, it can make a difference. If you prefer ease of use, an electric push button start is best for you. With a kick start you have to push a lever with your foot located on the bottom of your ATV.

A pull start operates the same way as a lawnmower where you pull a cord to start you ATV. You should do plenty of research before deciding and be sure to get an ATV that fits your needs.

June-20-08

The Checker Auto Parts 500

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

The Checker Auto Parts 500 is a NASCAR race run each year at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale Arizona.  It has been held each year since 1988.  While it was not always known as the Checker Auto Parts 500, the race has been continually run.

Phoenix International Raceway is a one mile tri-oval race track that was opened in nineteen sixty four.   It was supposed to be home to Phoenix open-wheel racing but that circuit never really took of in the US.

Checker Auto Parts 500 – History and Information About The Race

The cars run 502 kilometers or 312 miles for this race.  The race was previously known as the Checker 500, Autoworks 500, Pyroil 500, Pyroil 500K, Slick 50 500, Dura Lube 500, Dura Lube 500 Presented by Kmart, Dura Lube/Kmart 500, Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500, Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil, Checker Auto Parts 500 and Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Havoline.

Checker and Chevron are the current sponsors for the race and continue to sponsor it annually.  The first race was won by Alan Kulwicki in 1988.  Kulwicki died horribly in 1993 in a car crash.  Since then the race has been won by Rusty Wallace, Jeff Burton, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Senior and Junior, and Kyle Bush.  There are many other victors but those are probably the most famous ones.

This race has a rich history and tradition as being one of the most competitive and long standing races on the NASCAR circuit.  For many it is a real honor to win this race as the previous winners names will attest to.  This race occurs very late in the season when points are a must so all the racers are on their A game when they come to Phoenix.  This race occurs in November and is the second to last.  Weather in Phoenix is usually perfect this time of year for racing.

While it may not have the same name recognition as Daytona or Talladega, the The Checker Auto Parts 500 is and will continue to be one of the most important races of the year.  A win here can make or break an entire season.  For some racers the entire season is on the line, for the car manufacturers the name recognition that comes with a championship, and for those not in the running of the NEXTEL cup the chance to play spoiler and make one last splash before the season runs out.

Are you one of those people who are paying high monthly premium on your car insurance? If you think that your car insurance premium is indeed too high for you, you should find another insurance provider. No, you do not necessarily need an expensive insurance coverage just to protect yourself from liabilities, road accidents and the likes.

There are plenty of cheap insurance policies that provide you with comprehensive coverage. To find the best insurance policy, ask for car insurance quotes from different insurance companies and then compare these car insurance quotes. You will be surprised at how much money you can actually save if you compare car insurance quotes before you decided to buy anything.

Saving Money on Your Car Insurance

If you are on a tight budget, you should find ways to reduce your monthly overhead expenses. One of the best ways to save money is to reduce the amount of insurance premiums that you pay monthly. No, you do not have to give up any of your insurance coverage. You need your insurance coverage so do not be so naive to think that you can do away with most of these things and still be protected.

What you can actually do here is to reduce your cost. For instance, to get the cheapest car insurance quote, you might have to switch to a smaller car. Note that the cost of your insurance premium will depend much on the kind of car that you drive and the kind of risk that you want to protect your car against. Smaller cars have smaller engines and cheaper maintenance so you will most likely get lower car insurance quote. If you are driving a huge SUV right now and you do not really need all that space in your car, you better switch to a smaller and cheaper car.

Another way to get a cheaper car insurance quote is to fit your car with an alarm, an immobilizer or a tracker. Note that the kind of security measures that you take to protect your car against theft can greatly reduce the amount of your can insurance premiums. If your car is less likely to be stolen, you can always negotiate with the insurance company for cheaper monthly premiums. Car security gadgets do not really cost so much and you only install them once in your car so you get to save a lot of money.

June-20-08

Used Car Parts Software

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

Everyone is using a computer to make money these days, even the junk yard dogs. The fact that the value of scrap metal has risen so dramatically in recent years, supports the idea that every used car parts dealer should have some industry related software in place to help him or her make even more money. This would not only include establishing a Web page to show the parts and vehicle inventory of the business, but software that would have the entire inventory on record. Choosing software that is Windows compatible probably makes the most sense for a majority of companies

Used Car Parts – Salvage Yard Software

Key elements in salvage yard software should include inventory and sales history of 100% of the vehicles. The system should also include used car part finder interface and vehicle finder interface. Once a chosen vehicle is pulled up on the screen, the system should automatically show which parts have already been sold from the car. The user of the system should be able to look up parts by vehicle application, part type, or part number. The parts inventory part of the system can include pulled parts, parts on vehicle, as well as new parts such as radiators and windshields. In addition, any salvage software system for used car parts should track the sales of parts that were not inventoried as well as towing and storage charges.

A sales program for used cars is commonly added because a lot of salvage yards sell used cars and rebuilt trucks. Get a system that can, at any moment, add up your sales and sales tax. Customer account files, for regular customers, give counter people an easy way to build good will with regular customers. Having the ability to print receipts, invoices, and vehicle and parts catalogs, will give your business a professional feel.

Used Car Parts – Auto Parts Industry And Job Shop Software

The basic software should include, inventory, Point-of-Sale, and electronic cataloging features. Other necessary components include part number cross reference, application cataloging engine, user configurable Part-Finder and Model-Finder menus, point-of-sale invoice printing, automatic inventory adjustment, re-order report, customer file, complete sales history file, inventory editing spread-sheet screen, and a payables file. The counter person should be able to look up items by part number, by cross reference number, by catalog application, by description, by vendor product line, or by make and model.

Used Car Parts – Used Car Lots And Dealers

The chosen program should include a vehicle locater function, since many used car parts brokers will purchase an entire vehicle although they intend to sell just a few of its valuable parts. The owner should be able to see the vehicles expenses, below each vehicle, so he can quickly calculate how much money he has invested in that vehicle.

If your memories of high school shop and mechanics class involve a grizzled teacher shouting at students not to hammer their fingers while building a birdhouse, it’s time to go back to class. Todd Collins, a teacher at East Hickman High School in Lyles, Tenn., recently led a team of students from his auto mechanics class in building a drag race car to compete in a race televised on SPEED. Not your typical class assignment.

The students and their trials and tribulations in building their drag racer, were filmed from the first axle to the big race. The show, Drag Race High, airs on SPEED Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern/9 p.m. Central. Collins couldn’t be more excited or more proud.

“Sometimes in education, you get to a point where you think you’re helping as many people as you can. You don’t know how much you actually accomplish. It’s been very rewarding to sit back and see what these kids accomplished,” Collins says. “The fact they put together this car like they did is overwhelming.”

Collins’ assignment to the group was to take a beat up Ford Mustang, strip it to the bones and rebuild it as a drag racer. The students were allowed to obtain advice from experts, but had to do all the work themselves.

“It was like a team coming together. I told the kids when we first started that I was going to be the manager and they were going to be the employees, and we were going to turn this into a business,” Collins says. “The kids looked at me funny because they had never really been a part of anything like this. They didn’t believe this was actually happening.”

High Five Entertainment, the production company for Drag Race High, knows viewers will be drawn in by the process of a group of young people building a drag racer from bumper to bumper; but it’s the students’ personalities that will keep viewers coming back for more.

Student Michael Brown is the team’s resident welder who worried he didn’t know enough about autos to make a difference for the team. Collins reassured Brown that what he didn’t know they could cover together over the summer to prepare for the task. “Michael really stepped up,” Collins says. “He’s been with me on this from the very beginning”.
Another fan favorite is sure to be Megan Stone, an athlete with a mechanical background who became close friends with Brown as they worked diligently to get their car ready for the big race.

Collins is excited to see Drag Race High, but is most enthusiastic about what the show will do for his students in the future. “I would hire any of these kids in the business on different levels for different things. All of them are capable after being this responsible,” Collins says. “Some of them will benefit from this for the rest of their lives. It has opened their eyes to different avenues of where and what type of career they may want to pursue. I hope it’s life changing all the way around and for the good.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent


EDITOR’S NOTE:

SPEED is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED. For more information, visit www.SPEEDtv.com.

June-20-08

Sizing up an ATV Helmet

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

The most important thing you can do to stay safe while riding an ATV is to wear a helmet. But not any helmet will do, you need to find one that properly fits you. Just putting one on for a minute is not enough to check for the proper fit, and you want to be sure you get a helmet that will protect you. There are some things you can do to make sure the helmet you choose is the best helmet for you and will protect your head in the event of an accident.

Your ATV helmet should be snug. There is a difference between tight and snug, and while you should not have to fight to get your helmet on, if it easily slides over your head it is probably too loose. You want to pick a helmet that gives a little resistance as you pull it on otherwise it may move if you are in an accident and will not protect you.

Your helmet should stay put no matter how you move. When you are trying on a helmet, be sure to shake your head in every direction and check to see if it moves. If the helmet moves at all it is not the best fit for you. The helmet should comfortably grip your head without pinching and should not move at all, not matter how you move your head.

The ATV helmet you choose should not come off no matter what after you secure it. Adjust the chin strap and try to pull the helmet off after the closure system is secure. If the helmet moves off your head or comes up even a little, it is not the helmet for you. Either adjust the closure for a more snug fit and try the test again or pick a different helmet. The helmet should not move at all, even when pressure is applied to it, after it is closed.

Many people are tempted to buy the biggest helmet they can find thinking that it will offer them more protection. Fit is much more important than size as a properly fitting helmet will protect you much better than a large one. A helmet that is too large is unsafe and you will end up having to adjust it while you are riding which can cause an accident. Always go for fit, not size, when shopping for an ATV helmet.

Another size mistake people commonly make when buying ATV helmets is buying a helmet that is too large for their child. They think a little extra room is ok since their child will grow into it and the helmet will last longer. This is not a good idea as a helmet that is too large will not protect your child now, and can cause serious injury.

Always buy a helmet that fits your child correctly now, having to replace it sooner rather than later is a small price to pay for the safety of your child. A helmet can save your life if you are in an ATV accident, so make sure you pick on that fits correctly.

June-20-08

Making Use Of The Car Parts Store

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

We have all been to the point where there is something wrong with our car or truck that just does not seem to make sense. Even going through all of the basics, you are left with not knowing what is wrong. If you have ever been to the point where you think that you have thought of and tried everything, then maybe it is time to seek help. A lot of people would just give up and take their vehicle to the mechanic but others insist on solving the problem themselves.

For those who insist on working it out all on their own, they may still find that they need somewhere to turn for a little push in the right direction. Some people ask friends or family members for advice while others search the Internet. But a place that a lot of people miss is the car parts store as the employees there generally can answer some basic questions and help you more then you might think. A lot of the employees at the car parts store are there not just because they need a job, but also because they may have an actual interest in cars and car repairs.

Who You Can Trust

Whether it is seeking advice or just needing to pick up some parts for a repair, it is important to head straight to a car parts store that you trust. It helps if the car parts store has a good reputation as some seem to be known for bad parts and bad advice. You do not want to go to a place like that so pay attention to what other people are saying about the car parts store in your area. You do not have to accept it as fact, but you should keep it in mind.

Now, it is important to keep in mind that not every single car parts store is going to be perfect since we do live in an imperfect world, but some are naturally better then others. Try out the place that you think that you can trust from your previous experiences and the experiences of other people. Give them a few tries but if time and time again this particular car parts store fails you, it is important to move on and try elsewhere. After a few different tries, you are bound to find the one car parts store that you can go to for all you parts and help.

When you first get your license as a young driver you then face the challenge of getting your first car insurance policy.  The world of car insurance for young drivers can be complicated, intimidating, and expensive.  There are options when it comes to car insurance for young drivers and each new young driver should always investigate all of their options before getting their first insurance policy.

Sometimes car insurance for young drivers is taken care of by the parents for a while but many parents cannot afford the burden of an extra driver, especially a young and inexperienced driver, on their car insurance and the young driver is forced to get a job and fend for themselves.  If that is the case then always know your options when you are looking for car insurance for young drivers and know as much about the ins and outs of car insurance for young drivers so you can get the best deal you can.

Right from the very start the best piece of advice you can get when it comes to car insurance for young drivers is to make sure you either take a state accredited driving course when you are learning to drive or take a course after you have received your license.  An accredited driving course will help you keep your insurance rates down by giving you a discount on your insurance after you have completed the course.  It could be some of the best time and money you spend as a young driver looking for car insurance for young drivers.

Over the years taking accredited driving courses can save you hundreds, and possibly thousands, of dollars in insurance premiums.  The cost is only a one time investment every few years and it pays for itself within the first year.  It is well worth the investment and it is something you will be very glad you did.

Always Shop Around

If your parents cannot help you with your first car insurance policy then your next best bet is to shop around.  Different insurance companies handle young and inexperience drivers with different conditions.

All young and inexperienced drivers are put into the same risk pool but you will find that some insurance companies are willing to cut young drivers a break while others are not.  Sometimes it varies depending on the agent you use and sometimes it varies depending on the company you use.  It is up to you to do your research and find the best possible deal that you can.

Getting your driver’s license is exciting and at the same time it brings with it an immense responsibility.  Take that responsibility seriously and make sure you get the right car insurance for young drivers to get yourself started in your driving activities.

June-20-08

Modifying Your ATV

Posted by Hot Rod under General auto news

There are many reasons that you may want to modify your ATV. If you want to improve performance or looks, or just customize your ATV you my be hesitant because you do not want to mess anything up. Or, you may be gung ho and have no hesitation about tinkering with your ATV. No matter which mindset you have, there are some things you should consider before modifying your ATV. You should do some research before attempting modifications and make sure you have a plan and know what to expect when changing parts.

A great place to start your research is online. There are many websites and forums where you can get personalized advice. If you are not sure where to begin or have a question about a specific part, there are many people who will be willing to give you impartial advice in ATV forums. And it is free to join in the discussion. You can also find information on modifying your ATV on websites and even in blogs, so do a little research online before you start the work. If you do get stuck or make a mistake, you can get solutions to your problems from ATV forums and learn how to fix your mistakes. Even a small mistake can turn costly, so make sure you get advice before you end up spending more than you have to.

Sales people at you local ATV dealership or parts store can also give you advice, but you should be aware that sometimes they are more interested in making a sale. If you are not sure what you should do, do not let yourself get pressured into buying parts until you are sure it is the right course of action for you. Dealerships and part stores can be good sources of information but you have to be careful not to buy things that you do not need.

You should always work on your ATV slowly and complete one project at a time. You can spend a great deal more than you intended to if you do not go slowly and you may even complicate your work by trying to change more than one thing at a time. You should plan out what you want to do and estimate what each part will cost and how long each part of the project will take. Then you will now exactly how much money you will need and how long the entire project will take.

You should always plan your modification according to your budget. While this seems obvious, without a plan you may find yourself spending more than you can afford. It is important to price parts before you start so you know if your plans will fit into your budget. You mat be able to save money if you buy used parts or wait for a sale, so always investigate all your options. If you find that you cannot afford everything you want to do right away, save for a while and modify your ATV more slowly.