| The 1966 Pontiac GTO |
16 Jul |
What is the most popular muscle car of all time that goes zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds flat?
The answer is, the 1966 Pontiac GTO which is a choice muscle car. In fact, when it was released, it quickly became the best selling muscle car of all time. With the 66 GTO, Pontiac truly created a new masterpiece that has remained in high demand amongst muscle car enthusiasts for nearly four decades.
The 66 GTO has incredible features. Most notable are the unique headlights and the exceptional contours throughout the body that are the true definition of the term sleek. Of course, being a muscle car, the 66 Pontiac GTO came in a variety of colors and styles when it was produced including the sports coupe model, the hardtop coupe and the convertible.
If you are shopping for a 66 Pontiac GTO muscle car, it is probably useful for you to know that the hardtop coupes are the most common, followed by the convertibles. Comparably, there were a lot fewer sports coupe models made, so they are by far the rarest.
Pontiacs GTO line gained popularity with the release of their 1964 model with its racy style, its powerful V8 engine, and its dual exhaust system. Though it had phony hood scoops, it was definitely a muscle car with an attitude. The 66 model had a lot of the same features as the 64, but being the second body style for Pontiacs GTO line, it redefined style with pizzazz.
The 66 GTO most commonly has a four-barrel 389 engine, but there was also a tri-power option. After its release, Pontiac added an XS Ram Air package to the tri-power engine giving it a hotter cam and greater power close to 380 hp truly ideal for a muscle car. The XS Ram Air package upgrade included the cam and stiffer valve springs along with an accessory pack that enabled the decorative hood scoop to be converted into a functional cold-air induction system. There are very few 1966 Pontiac GTOs that have the XS Ram Air setup, so they are definitely unique muscle cars for a muscle car collector.
In regard to muscle cars, there are many that are strongly desired by muscle car enthusiasts. The 1966 Pontiac GTO just happens to be a favorite for many. Style, performance and originality are among the traits that make the 1966 Pontiac GTO one of the hottest muscle cars around.
Tags: 66 Gto, Accessory Pack, Air Induction System, Car Collector, Car Enthusiasts, Cold Air Induction, Cold Air Induction System, Coupe Model, Coupe Models, Dual Exhaust System, Gto Pontiac, Hardtop Coupe, Hood Scoop, Muscle Car, Pontiac Gto, Pontiac Gtos, Power Option, Sports Coupe, Tri Power, Zero To SixtyRelated posts
read comments (0)| Mazda RX 7: Legendary, Mythical |
19 May |
A legend of a sports car. The Mazda RX 7 had its humble beginnings going back to the year 1978. This vehicle may be that popular for most people around the world. This is certainly because the Mazda RX 7 has been known for various names around the world. In fact, the very same vehicle is also known as the Mazda Savanna and also as the Efini RX 7. The name Mazda Savanna was actually used in Japan. Certainly, the Mazda RX 7 has become a legend and a myth in itself because of the power, performance, and delivery that it is capable of. Proof of that is its being included in the Car and Driver magazines Ten Best list for a total of five times in its lifetime.
Behind the design, styling, and specified features and details, the Mazda RX 7 actually was first thought and designed as an affordable vehicle that would be able to compete with the biggest names in the affordable sports car segment. It has been destined to compete with the Datsun / Nissan 280Z. Inspiration for styling and design of the Mazda RX 7 came from the Lotus Elan 2 + 2. Upon production, the Mazda RX 7 came featuring and holding a unique twin rotor Wankel rotary engine. It also was a proud owner of a sporty front midship and rear wheel drive layout. This has made this sports car well balanced and very much appropriate for doing great speeds and competing in races.
One could say that the Mazda RX 7 was a direct replacement for the Mazda RX 3. Although this was so, both of these vehicles were known as the Mazda Savanna in Japan. Later on, the Mazda RX 7 then took over and replaced all the other rotary cars from the automobile company with the exception though of the Mazda Cosmo. Many followers of this vehicle point out that this vehicle has certainly been a vehicle that held a true sports coupe design compared to other sports cars like the Triumph TR 6 or other sedans that try to look like sports cars but just fail to do so. This vehicle, the Mazda RX 7, has come a long way since its introduction in the United States and the rest of North America.
For all of your Mazda RX 7 parts and all other Mazda parts needs, you can actually browse through one of the largest Mazda parts suppliers in the United States Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts. Here you can find quite a collection of Mazda a/c condensers, alternators, front bumpers, rear bumpers, carpets, catalytic converters, radiators, spoilers, starters, and wheels among many others. Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts also has a friendly and accommodating customer service staff who are ready to lend you a hand regarding your most demanding Mazda parts inquiries and questions.
Tags: Automobile Company, Car And Driver, Car Segment, Datsun Nissan, Drive Layout, Efini, Lotus Elan, Lotus Elan 2, Mazda Cosmo, Mazda Rx 3, Mazda Rx 7, Mazda Savanna, Midship, Nissan 280z, Rear Wheel Drive, Rotor Wankel, Sports Coupe, Triumph Tr 6, True Sports, Twin RotorRelated posts
| Mazda MX 6: Shining Amidst A New Trend |
17 May |
Who does not know what a Mazda is? Mazda has certainly been one of the most popular and most recognized vehicle brands the world over. A person who has been living in a world where there are automobiles and vehicles and cars would certainly know what a Mazda is. This vehicle brand is probably very popular because of the type and kind of cars that they craft and produce. The vehicles are made of quality materials, are unique, and can really do perform well.
This vehicle company was founded in the year 1920. It was known then as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. and it was led by Jujiro Matsuda. The companys first products were machine tools, however it later on shifted to producing automobiles. The very first vehicle that they produced was the Mazda Go and it was done in 1931. Uniquely, unlike any other vehicle, the Mazda Go actually held only three wheels. Even if the company has been producing vehicles since 1931, Mazda was only fully and officially recognized as an automobile maker in 1960. This time, the company had already been able to produce their very first car with four wheels. And they named it the Mazda R380 coupe.
One of the vehicles that run under the popular brand of the Mazda company is the Mazda MX 6 which was introduced in the early 1988. This vehicle holds performance, versatility and style amidst the trend in the automobile world where sports coupes were running low and the world is slowly becoming invaded by sport utility vehicles. But the Mazda MX 6 was a sports coupe and yet it continues to shine amidst the current trend that time.
The Mazda MX 6 made its way to public knowledge through the Auto Alliance which was actually a joint business enterprise of Mazda and Ford. The sports coupe, Mazda MX 6, held auto parts that were mostly the very same ones that the Ford Probe used. Because of this, the Mazda MX 6 and the Ford Probe were considered to be vehicle twins. Making this vehicle unique was that the designs were actually based on a concept car in the early 1980s. It held a GD platform. It was also made available in several trims which comprised of the LX, the DX, the LE, and the GT. The power of this vehicle comes from a 2.2 liter SOHC Mazda F2 engine which held four cylinders. This engine has the capacity to produce 110 horsepower. A turbocharged version of this very same engine could be found mounted on the Mazda MX 6 GT trim. The turbocharged version can produce some 145 units of horsepower.
Come the second generation of the Mazda MX 6. The new ones held engines that were capable of producing more power. And because of that, it also was very much capable of giving a more impressive performance. For this new batch, the engines that were offered included a 2.0 liter FS engine with four inline cylinders capable of making some 118 horsepower, and the 2.5 liter V6 engine that could produce some 164 to 170 units of horsepower.
Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts has a long list of high quality Mazda MX6 parts, aftermarket parts, performance parts, replacement parts, and accessories that can be accessed through their easy to navigate website. Cool discounts and affordable prices await buyers.
Tags: Auto Alliance, Automobile Maker, Automobile World, First Car, Ford Probe, Four Wheels, Jujiro Matsuda, Living In A World, Machine Tools, Mazda Mx 6, Mazda Parts, New Trend, Public Knowledge, Quality Materials, R380, Sport Utility Vehicles, Sports Coupe, Sports Coupes, Three Wheels, Vehicle BrandsRelated posts
| Mazda MX3: Shining Through the Dark Ages |
16 May |
If there are the Dark Ages in the journey through history, there also are some gloomy years and periods in the automobile world. The late 1980s and 1990s was considered to be the Dark Ages for most sports coupes. And yet, beneath the gloom, there was one that stood out and had brought the line on forward. The Mazda MX3 was the chosen one. Amidst the dark sales and gloomy market for sports coupes, the Mazda MX3 continued to move forward and reaped in success. Despite the gloomy period, the Mazda MX3 soared and this period became known as its golden years.
The Mazda MX3 has the capacity to take in a maximum of four passengers. It made its public debut in 1992. It lived for a couple of years. The last year for production was in 1998, thus making the Mazda MX3 a six-year-old wonder. The design and construction of this sports coupe was based on the Mazda Familia platform that was known as the EC platform. Perhaps what made the Mazda MX3 a spectacle was its departure from the classic styling of the 1980s which was boxy and quite conservative. This vehicle sported instead smooth fluid lines that showed and exuded modernity and a higher sense of excellent and comfortable driving.
The Mazda MX3 holds no secrets and is crafted not to deceive. What you see is what you get. If you see modern styling and design, that is because the Mazda MX3 has unbridled and innovative performance parts that give life to the car. Two engine options are available. These are the 1.6 liter I4 and the 1.8 liter V6. The Mazda MX3 was marketed in different countries around the globe. With that, the company, Mazda, decided to market it under different names. In Canada, the Mazda MX3 was known as the Mazda MX 3 Precidia. In Australia, it was known as the Eunos 30X. In Japan, the vehicle was called the Eunos Presso, Autozam AZ 3, and Mazda AZ 3.
This vehicle not only made waves in the automobile industry. Truth is, it also made a splash in the movie theaters for it was used and spotted in several movies. In Dumb and Dumber, it was spotted in a convenience store scene. In Ransom, it was there in the final shoot out scene. The Whole Nine Yards, viewers saw a red Mazda MX3 parked in the driveway on the ride side of the screen. The Fast and the Furious also used the Mazda MX3. Other films and movies that had Mazda MX3s included Sweet November, Someone Like You, 15 Minutes, Analyze That, ALIAS, The Italian Job, Deliver Us From Eva, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Cellular, Saved!, Spiderman 2, Laws of Attraction and I, Robot.
Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts sells replacement Mazda MX3 parts and other Mazda parts and accessories online at discounted wholesale prices. Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts online store is easily accessed and is available 24 hours a day. Their auto parts are guaranteed to be of highest quality.
Tags: 1980s, Automobile Industry, Automobile World, Autozam, Dark Ages, Design And Construction, Engine Options, Eunos 30x, Gloom, Mazda, Mazda Familia, Mazda Mx 3, Mazda Mx3, Mazda Precidia, Modernity, Movie Theaters, Performance Parts, Public Debut, Sports Coupe, Sports CoupesRelated posts
| Look At Me Baby: The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse |
9 May |
More scoops than an ice-cream cone distinguish the wider wheelbase 2007 Eclipse coupe and convertible Spyder from other cars on the road. After 16 years of turning drivers into fanatics, things are looking up for the fourth incarnation of the Eclipse, but there is still a lot at stake for Mitsubishi. When the Eclipse first debut in 1990, it became an instant hit in the rave young car buyers demographic, helping Mitsubishi launch additional models including the mid-sized Gallant and the compact Lancer Evolution. In 1995, the car was redesigned to compete more aggressively with Honda Civic and the Acura Integra. Although the 2007 Eclipse has curb appeal with shapely wheel wells, a lavishly appointed interior and a torque rich engine (263 horsepower in GT and 162 horsepower in the GS), there are a lot of cars in the $19,669 $25,389 price point. Facing competition from the Acura RSX, Mazda RX-8, and Toyota Scion, the 2007 Eclipse has been extensively reworked to retain its share of the youth market.
Open up. Communicate in your own way. Dont just pass through the world, be a part of it. This is the premise for the restyled 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe and Spyder. The wheel arches have more flair, hinting at the improved, higher performance engine that gives 23 mpg city; 30 mpg highway. Get behind the wheel and the car feels different from previous models. The ergonomically contoured cabin is well put together, featuring a twin scooped Alfa Romeo style rpm/velocity dials, and supportive seats that provide exceptional driving position. The cabin is sleek with tactile buttons. The engine is loud, which can be a good thing if you like aural feedback or bad if you prefer quieter driving.
Overall, the new Eclipse has a very clean fit and finish. But there are few things that could improve upon. The cars turn radius, for example, has grown to a whopping 40 feet. A two-door sports coupe should be able to turn more succinctly. Additionally, the car with its front mounted engine and front wheel drive has 62% of its weight in the very front, rather than towards the center, compromising cornering. Moreover, the 2006 Eclipse does not feature traction control for better handling to compensate for this imbalance on wet or slippery surfaces on all its models. (Traction control is only available as an option on the more expensive GT.) Lastly the new Eclipse has gained weight. At 3,450 lbs its not the lithe, minimalist two-door sports car should be.
Two excellent engines are at the heart of 2007 Eclipse. The GS features the 2.4 liter inline-four engine with 162 horsepower, and the GT (grand touring) has a more powerful 3.8 liter V6 engine with 263 horsepower. Peak output occurs at 4,500 rpm propelling the GT from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Additionally, the new car is filled with a variety of safety innovations, such as front and side airbags, ABS braking, impact absorbing cabin that detracts from the more Spartan racing feel of the predecessor.
One look of the 2007 Eclipse Coupe or Spyder proves that life doesnt have to be boring. In the Spyder, the roof can be lowered in 19 seconds to instantly improve your outlook. And the coupe with its quintessential high-performance flourish invites you to be always on the go. While the 2007 Eclipse may not be the ultimate of the ultimate, its torque loving engine, sophisticated interior, and engaging body language all have the look at me baby factor favoring the hyper-real driving enthusiast. Drive on.
Tags: 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Acura Integra, Acura Rsx, Alfa Romeo, Car Buyers, Cream Cone, Eclipse Spyder, Honda Acura, Honda Civic, Lancer Evolution, Mazda Rx 8, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Spyder, Mpg Highway, New Eclipse, Performance Engine, Sports Coupe, Toyota Scion, Wheel Arches, Wheel WellsRelated posts
| Bentley Versus Aston |
26 Dec |
Prestige has forever been Bentley’s well-deserved reputation for building automobiles with unmatched creature comforts and incomparable style. Even with a change of ownership and remarkable design changes, Bentley’s style and comfort departments remain steadfast. But you may need slow-mo to see those attributes found in Bentley’s Continental GT. This sports coupe-with its W 12, 6-liter turbocharged, 500 horsepower engine-is no mere GT poser. It’s the real deal.
Bentley’s four-door sedans seemingly have enough cabin space to comfortably accommodate a classical quartet; but this two-door sports coupe, by comparison, is sleek and trim. The GT’s creature comforts are nonetheless bountiful as the Continental’s interior comes in nine, exotic, natural-wood trims. Although you’ll need to leave the quartet at home, the robust entertainment center comes standard with a six-disc CD changer, GPS navigational aid, telephone pre-wiring, and voice-activated controls for the telephone. The seats are sumptuous with supple leather, offering 14 separate adjustments, including lumbar support and power memory.
In balancing its swiftness, the Continental GT rides on five-spoke, 19-inch, painted alloy wheels. The glide in the ride stems from an adaptive-variable suspension with automatic load leveling, a front independent, double-wishbone suspension with air springs and a rear stabilizer bar.
Yes, the Continental GT is definitely a ramped-up rider compared to Bentley’s revered, classic four-door sedans. Distinctively it retains the lavish qualities expected of a Bentley, but you will have to focus faster to take it all in.
The British aren’t coming! They are already back and riding high with the Aston Martin DB9 in its royal fleet. The DB9 is a lightweight only on the scale, weighing in nearly 1,500 pounds lighter than the formidable Bentley Continental GT. However, when it comes to the momentous performance/decadence ratio demands of drivers in this GT fraternity, the DB9 metes out numbers that merit its champion-level status. The overseer of the 911 Turbo, Dr. Ulhrich Bev, Aston Martin’s CEO, delivers terrifically with a bevy of amenities that make the DB9 menacingly mouthwatering.
The DB9’s frame is a revolutionary VH(vertical/horizontal) aluminum-bonded platform, which provides maximum rigidity, minimal weight and a perfect 50/50 weight balance. Combine that with a double-wishbone suspension and a 450 horsepower,6.0-liter V 12 engine, it is no problem with the DB9 going from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds. This roadster ramps out at top speed of 186 mph shortly thereafter. The six-speed, auto-manual transmission operates smoothly with magnesium paddle shifters that infuse the fluid feel of a true manual transmission. And the low-RPM responsiveness is nothing short of magnificent.
Amenities come in droves on this tabula rasa, as customers are encouraged to take full advantage ofAston Martin’s personalization program. Exterior paint options are limitless. The interior consists of handcrafted, stitched leather seats, and the door and interior trim come in exotic walnut, mahogany or bamboo. There is also a Linn 950-watt, Dolby Pro Logic II audio-system option to boot.
What is even better is that Dr. Bev promises that this is only the beginning of what promises to be the new British invasion!
Tags: Alloy Wheels, Aston Martin Db9, Bentley Continental, Bentley Continental Gt, Cabin Space, Change Of Ownership, Classical Quartet, Creature Comforts, Double Wishbone Suspension, Horsepower Engine, Incomparable Style, Lumbar Support, Metes Out, Power Memory, Remarkable Design, Royal Fleet, Slow Mo, Sports Coupe, Stabilizer Bar, Wood TrimsRelated posts
| Acura RSX: Swan Song |
4 Dec |
When Honda launched the Acura brand in 1986, two models powered the fleet: the Integra and the Legend. Since then many other models have been added to the Acura line up and the Integra was eventually renamed the RSX and the Legend was later given the RL designation. After two decades of service, the Integra/RSX is in its final year of production. Please read on for reasons why the Honda Motor Company will kill off this once popular seller.
Blowing Up Bridges – When Honda created Acura, the company wanted one bridge model to be included in the mix to help Honda owners transition to Acura. The thought back then was that the price differential between the two brands would be too much for many one-time Honda owners to swallow. Thus, the Integra was created and priced only slightly higher than the most expensive Honda model, but well below the prevailing price of the Legend. With this pricing plan in place, Honda believed accurately that Integra/RSX owners would eventually opt for a more upscale Acura. Today, however, Honda is now actively separating the two brands with individual research and development departments in play. Furthermore, Acura is being repositioned to better compete against Infiniti and Lexus, two Japanese luxury brands without a bridge model.
Invest Elsewhere – Related to the first point, the RSX was due for a change. The current model is old and the monies to bring about a new model would take away from the companys bottom line. Acura has mentioned that a coupe version of its popular TL sedan is likely to be introduced to satisfy whatever consumer demand remains for a luxury coupe.
Changing Consumer Tastes – While a sports coupe has its advantages, the market for this type of car is limited and dwindling. Chevrolet gave up the Camaro, Pontiac the Firebird, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford Mustang manage to hold their own. None of these cars are on the luxury level of the Acura and consumer interest has been steadily dwindling over the past five years.
A New NSX? – Acuras discontinued NSX, a two seat sports car, is rumored to be coming back. Although sales will likely be limited to less than 10,000 models annually the high priced NSX would be the halo model for the Acura fleet. USA Acura dealers want the car and it appears that the Honda Motor Company many oblige.
In its heyday the Integra was a popular seller and a frequently stolen car. Hard to find parts made the Integra a popular target of thieves; expect this problem to worsen as the RSX goes completely out of production. So, if you dont have an alarm system installed on your Integra/RSX yet, do so today. The Integra/RSX you currently drive may be the last one you own; dont let thieves make that determination for you!
Tags: Acura, Acura Rsx, Bridge Model, Consumer Interest, Consumer Tastes, Development Departments, Firebird, Ford Mustang, Honda Acura, Honda Model, Honda Motor, Honda Motor Company, Honda Owners, Individual Research, Luxury Brands, Luxury Coupe, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Rsx, Sports Coupe, Swan SongRelated posts
| Acura Integra: The Car, The Legend |
3 Dec |
Released as a 1987 model, the very first Acura Integra started what was to become a strong following of owners who were drawn in by the cars sports appeal and reasonable prices. Based on the Honda Civic, the Integra successfully brought customers over to the Acura brand and has been widely credited with spurring Hondas luxury division to its legendary success. In 2002, Acura renamed the car the RSX to bring the name in line with the alphabet soup designation of each of its models. Whatever you call the car, the Integra has lived up to all of the hype surrounding the model. Lets take a closer look a vehicle that has an interesting, if not a bit strange, legacy.
From Civic to Acura
Hondas decision to launch a luxury car division was based on two factors: luxury versions of Honda automobiles were already being sold in its home market, Japan, and the American automotive market was ripe for some competition. Honda felt that the US market would more readily accept an all-new Acura brand over an upscale Honda, thus the decision was made to proceed with Acura.
The brands first two models, the Integra and Legend, were based on existing Honda platforms, the Civic and Accord, respectively. As odd as this may seem today, the modified platforms made sense during the 1980s allowing Acura to concentrate on marketing and dealer network development while introducing variations of two highly successful Honda models.
True Entry Level Luxury
While most luxury brands use the $25,000 figure as the price point for their base models, Acura has held down the price of the Integra/RSX several thousand dollars less than that threshold. Truly, the Integra was never a luxury car, instead it was and is a well equipped, easy-to-tune, fun-to-drive, sports coupe. This pricing strategy opened the Acura door to many motorists who might have otherwise stayed away and kept owners in the fold once they were ready to upgrade to a pricier Acura model.
Highly PopularWith Thieves, That Is
One claim to fame that the Integra has is its appearance on every single most stolen vehicle list. Indeed, as many as seven different model year Integras have appeared on the list as a swiped Integra is most prized for its parts. As with many imports, all of the individual parts combined can retail for more than three times the vehicles price. In addition, the cars powerful engine often finds its way underneath the hood of less powerful Honda models. Check your local chop shop for their selection of truly hot Acura Integra parts!
Curtain Call
Although the Integra name is synonymous with sportiness and value, as is the current RSX appellation, Acura is discontinuing the model as Honda seeks to further separate its two divisions. No longer will a thinly disguised, yet potent Honda wear an Acura nameplate. Indeed, Honda has now separated the research and development departments for the two brands in a bid to differentiate the lines. Apparently, Honda believes that Acura can now stand on its own and bridge models such as the RSX will not have a place in its model line up.
Beyond the RSX, Acura currently has no other sport coupe to entice owners. That all may change if a rumored two door version of its hot new TSX sedan is released. If it is, Acura owners will pay a premium over the Integra/RSX price, but receive a car that is even more opulent, more potent, and better engineered than the model that it will be replacing.
Tags: 2002 Acura, Acura Integra, Acura Legend, Acura Rsx, Alphabet Soup, Automotive Market, Base Models, Honda Automobiles, Honda Civic, Honda Models, Hondas, Legendary Success, Luxury Brands, Luxury Car Division, Luxury Division, Pricing Strategy, Rsx, Several Thousand Dollars, Sports Coupe, Strange LegacyRelated posts
