Category: Automotive

Radio DJ Chris Evans Buys World’s Most Expensive Ferrari

Evans recently beat his predecessor on listeners for his Radio 2 morning show with 9.5 million weekly listeners, he decided to congratulate himself by buying a vintage 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO for an astonishing 12 million. It is the latest and most prized in a large collection of classic and modern Ferraris owned by the ginger haired Radio mogul. Last year he bought a 250 GT SWB California Spyder for 5 million in 2008.

Considered the ‘holy grail’ by collectors and classic car experts, the 250 GTO is extremely rare and. Editor of ‘Classic Cars Magazine’, Phil Bell, said he the price Evans paid for the Ferrari was not surprising. Only 36 of the 250 GTOs were ever made and only three in this body style, They were worth 6,000 when new in 1963.

The GTO is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 174 mph. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the firm, prized the 250 GTOs so highly that he personally approved each buyer. It was raced a lot when it was new, especially in Italy and came second in a Spa 500km race in 1964, a piece of history that makes it more valuable. It was then bought by ex-racing driver David Piper who raced it himself before being sold to a collector in Japan.

Classic cars are becoming more and more collectable as their value has been increasing for some years and has seen a huge boost since 2000; however it is often difficult to value the rarest cars as they tend to change hands behind closed doors.

Despite Evans’ Ferrari being Britain’s most expensive car, it is not the most expensive in the world, that title goes to an even rarer Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic which changed hands for 30 million between to private individuals. Some of the most expensive cars sold in recent times include a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which sold for 8m in Italy last May, a Shelby Daytona Cobra coupe which was bought for 4.4m last August and a 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K Special Roadster which was sold three years ago for 3.9m.

Although many of these classic cars are capable of speeds in excess of 200mph, very few of the owners would ever be tempted to commit motoring offences. However, one owner of a vintage Ford GT40 was caught speeding in Los Angeles and later convicted of bribery after he attempted to offer the officer a ride in the car to avoid the driving offence.

Government Auto Auctions – A How-To Guide

If you are interested to join some government auto auctions, then you should already know that this is one of the best ways so that you can purchase the car that you have long been dreaming of. This is indeed very practical especially since most of the vehicles being sold in these kinds of events are very cheap. And considering that you are really not into aesthetics and design, this is certainly a great option for you.

It is a good thing that there are several government auto auctions that are being held all over the United States. And if you are not yet aware about these events, then you just need to browse through your local papers. If you want, you can also ask the organizers about the specifics of these events.

But if you do not want to go through all of these troubles, then it is recommended that you just search more about it through the internet. Fortunately, there are numerous sites that feature these government auto auctions and you might want to check them out. They are actually very informative because they can provide you with a catalogue of the vehicles, schedule, prices, and a whole lot more.

But before you proceed and join these kinds of events, it can be very helpful if you have some idea as to where these vehicles came from. They are actually just confiscated by the authorities because the previous owners failed to settle their loans or mortgages. There is also a big possibility that they have been used in the conduct of criminal activities. But no matter what the reason could be, they are now in the possession of the authorities and they have the liberty to sell it at a very low price.

And since they are no longer new, there is really a need for you to see to it that you are going to purchase something that is still in good condition. This is necessary if you want to be certain that you are going to get what your money is worth.

And if you are really not into these kinds of things, then you might also want to bring a mechanic friend with you. You can also ask for the VIN report if you want.

Before you attend these government auto auctions, it is also a good idea if you are going to draft a budget. This way, you will be able to set a price ceiling and you will not overbid.

It is also a good idea if you are going to attend a preview show so that you will have an idea about these government auto auctions.

Discover more tips about repossessed car auctions such as where to find cheap public car auctions near your home. For further reading, check out this on places to find a cheap car for sale.

How To Uncover A Great Car From A Reputable Source

Everyone loves to dream about owning some swish car one day. Finding the right kind of outlet then is very important and building up a trusting relationship with those who will have just the right one is very important. Ct Toyota dealers have all the best models on offer and are easily accessible. Just put Toyota in ct or Toyota ct in a good search engine to see what kind of choice there is available in whatever region the person lives.

Of course, the first thing that people need to work out when they want to buy a new or used vehicle is what will the vehicle be used for in the main part. Is it only to be used for short runs, or should it have the ability to cope with off road or long distance traveling? Whatever the outcome of this decision, it will color the way the vehicle is chosen and will certainly have some effect on the cost of the car too.

The next decision is the price that one would expect to pay and how the finances will be set up. Of course it is not always necessary to pay cash or even apply for loans to do this kind of job. There are many schemes where one can simply lease the car over a certain period and this fits in with a lot of companies who do not have the money to put into buying up a whole fleet of cars for their staff. In some cases this is also available for the private individual and many savings can be made since all the expenses of keeping the car serviced and on the road is normally taken care of in the lease expenses.

After the set amount of years leasing, some companies will sell the vehicle on to the one who leased it over this period for a much reduced price for those who have stayed with the contract and have become attached to their vehicle, they often buy it as a second car for the family to use. They know the full history of the car and how it has fared over the years so this makes it a very good buy for them. On top of these services, many outlets will buy back cars which the customer no longer needs. Even those cars which were not bought from the company can be taken in as a solid deposit on a new car from that particular outlet. Sometimes the prices given for used cars are not very favorable so it is wise to check around local outlets to see what the usual price will be from anyone and then the best deal can be found.

So whether the new vehicle is going to be just for work, running the kids to school and then shopping, or for purely leisure purposes, finding just the right supplier is of the utmost importance. Second hand car salesmen have created a very bad image for themselves so it is up to the individual to ensure that he follows some simple guidelines before parting with their hard earned cash and making a mistake that they may long regret.

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When You Have To File A Chicago Auto Insurance Claim

It is bound to take place. Sooner or later, in case you drive long enough, you’re most likely to have some sort of automobile automobile accident. With luck, it is going to be minor. But irregardless, knowing how to handle an automobile insurance policy claim can possibly save you thousands of dollars.

Should you be involved in an incident, particularly in moderate to severe accidents, the first issue you need to do is get in touch with the police. They’re going to arrive rapidly and assist you sort out what happened, who may perhaps be at fault, and speak to towing corporations to remove your auto from the scene with the accident if necessary.

The second issue you should do is contact your insurance organization. They will likely want the insurance coverage data with the other driver. Get that facts from the other driver if probable, but if they’re angry or uncooperative, don’t push them. They should give that info to the police, and your vehicle insurance organization can get it that way if necessary to be able to method your state. It takes longer, but it can still be done. This also saves you from escalating an already stressful situation if another driver is extremely agitated.

A Chicago Auto Insurance claim is merely a practice by which that you are covered inside the event of an accident. When you were at fault in an automobile accident, your insurance coverage corporation will conduct an investigation, and pay for damages. This will probably result in an increase inside your premium, or if you have had multiple accidents over the past few years, your insurance policy corporation might drop you completely.

If an additional party was at fault for that automobile accident, your insurance firm will manage to process of handling the claim with another drivers insurance company. Depending for the severity of damage to your car or truck, they are going to either issue you a check for that current market value in the car or truck, or they will provide you with data about where you possibly can take your auto for repair.

The practice of filing a Chicago Auto Insurance claim can be a incredibly stressful one. Nonetheless, one probable benefit to this unfortunate event is that you understand quite a bit about your insurance firm within the course of action. It is incredibly simple for companies to promise the world, until you in fact will need them. At this point, you could have the opportunity to evaluate how they treat you as a paying customer. Are they responsive when you contact hem? Do they practice your state quickly? Do they get you back for the road having a repaired vehicle or a verify in a timely manner? Do your rates go up? Do they drop you?

As hard as it may perhaps be to go by way of, there is merely no greater way then having to file an vehicle insurance coverage state, to find out if you’re while using perfect firm. Here’s hoping you don’t have to discover this out for several, several years to come!

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Requirements For A Great 4WD Holiday

A 4WD holiday can be a tremendous amount of fun. If you and your family love the great outdoors, there are few other things that can bring the amount of satisfaction than to spend a couple of days away from the rush of city life in an environment where you are able to breathe fresh air every day.

The way to get going is of course to buy yourself a 4WD. There’s no need to buy a brand new one. In fact, if you plan to take it into the wild often, it’s really not a good idea to buy a new 4WD costing more than your house, since it will go through a lot of wear and tear quite quickly.

Your next recommended step is to join a 4WD club. It’s certainly much more fun to share the outdoors with people like you who love it, than spending days on your own. On top of that, you will also get the chance to learn the ins and outs of the 4WD game from people with years of experience behind them.

Very often your 4WD trips will be into virgin country, where there will definitely not be a hotel or restaurant anywhere near. That means you have to arm yourself with the right equipment. Get a respectable quality tent that is able to withstand all the weather conditions you are likely to encounter on your trip. Your sleeping gear is also very important: A comfortable sleeping bag and a good quality camping mattress will go a long way to make sure that you have a good night’s rest.

Without any restaurant in the immediate vicinity, you will have to rely on your own cooking skills for food. For this you need equipment such as a portable gas stove, a gas cylinder and of course the necessary cooking utensils.

The right kind of clothing for the outdoors is also important. Take clothes for all weather types, especially if you will be venturing into the mountains. Weather there can often change without any warning. Tough yet comfortable clothing is a good idea in this regard.

Your club will most likely undertake quite a few trips during a year. Some will be longer trips, taking a week or more, and others will be weekend camping trips. For a novice, the latter is a good way to start. You will get the opportunity to test your equipment and buy anything that you didn’t think about before you venture on a longer trip where the equipment is more important.

A 4WD holiday will provide you with the chance to experience the outdoors in a way other people seldom can. You will visit remote spots of outstanding beauty. If there’s something you should never forget during all your trips, it’s this: be a responsible 4WD traveler. In the wrong hands, a 4WD can do substantial damage to the environment. Have fun, but always leave the area where you were driving or camping in the same condition you found it, allowing other people to also enjoy the great outdoors after you have left.

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Toyota Prius Reports Runaway Sales In April; Spurt Of 49.7% Makes It A Dream For Toyota

With all the heat that has been generated on Toyota in the last couple of months, few would have given it a chance of beating market expectations so easily and effectively. The surprising element about all this is that this surge in sales has happened in a matter of couple of months.

For the benefit of those who are unaware of the self-wrought agony of Toyota, I will reiterate the background behind this discussion. Toyota had reported a glitch that has been aptly called ‘gas-pedal’ recall wherein the accelerator pedal of the car gets entrapped under the faulty mat, thus creating a situation of uncontrolled acceleration and subsequent danger to the safety of the occupants of the car and the people on the road.

Such was the size of this recall that it nearly impacted 8 million vehicles and brought about a complete shakeout for the empire of Toyota. While Toyota still finds itself in the midst of the lawsuits and huge costs of recalls, few thought that it will emerge stronger after the fiasco.

I say stronger because Toyota Prius was the hybrid car that was the primary focus of attention in these recalls. From the time that the recall was announced in the month of January, there was a discussion about the future of Toyota and specifically the Toyota Prius. The heat was on Mr. Akio Toyoda and while he tried his best by appearing in front of the US Congress to apologize and assure of improvements in the near future, no analyst had given a thought about recovery for Prius and Toyota.

However, the things have taken a turn on the merry side for Toyota. It has not only salvaged the falling sales in the month of April, but its year numbers for 2010 indicate that it has already sold 26% more vehicles when you compare it against the sales made in the last year for the same period.

While I may not be the definitive authority on what makes this turnaround for Toyota, but the resurgence of the brand Toyota and specifically, Prius, is a fit case study for the students of automotive industry. Only time will tell if Toyota’s agonies will end soon, but the consumer confidence and rising sales do indicate that the time is nearer that anyone would have thought it to be.

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Alfa Romeo 156 GTA ( 2002)

The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA has a speedo in the style of the original race-bred GTA. But unlike its ’60s namesake, a stripped-out version of the Giulia Sprint, the dial goes all the way to 300km/h. And rightly so.

Over an extremely brisk 600km drive through the Top End at the launch of the new 184kW GTA in August 2002, we took the mid-sized, four-door sedan to a knee-shaking 250km/h. It could have gone faster, yet the increasing likelihood of hitting one of the fat feral cats common along the Stuart Highway put an end to our experiment.

Above 200km/h, the GTA was a touch twitchy but remarkably stable for a road car, no doubt assisted by the front airdam and rear bumper’s central splitter, both designed to keep the GTA nailed firmly to the tarmac. No useless boot spoiler here – the GTA is all business, from its finely-tuned suspension to its specially-designed Michelin tyres.

Getting from A to B in a hurry is the GTA’s reason for existence. Under the bonnet is a highly responsive 3.2-litre V6 that propels the 1410kg sedan from rest to 100km/h in a WRX-like 6.3 seconds. From 4000rpm it surges with a low, throaty growl, and revs incredibly quickly to its 7000rpm redline. This is no peaky, turbocharged donk either, it’s flexible enough to accelerate from 30km/h in sixth gear with little fuss.

The 156’s tweaked 3.2-litre engine is backed up by a race-track tuned chassis. Reinforced and revised 156 suspension results in a satisfying compromise between comfort and control. Even when pushed along at 180km/h down the sweeping Daly River Historic Highway it remained flat and composed, steadfastly glued to the road.

The GTA is a front wheel drive car, yet Alfa Romeo engineers have tuned in an amount of oversteer so the rear end can be flicked into a corner and then powered out with sure-footed confidence.

Pinpoint steering with only 1.7 turns lock-to-lock provides instant feedback and super-quick turn-in, although the turning circle is relatively large as a consequence. The six-speed manual gearbox, beefed-up like most of the mechanicals, is slick and precise – the Selespeed auto version will arrive in 2003.

Powerful Brembo brakes, six airbags and unobtrusive electronic braking and traction aids provide reassuring back-up at breakneck speeds.

The GTA is not all race-style engineering though. Inside is a well-trimmed, well-built interior with one of the most comfortable and supportive leather sports seats in the business, plus a long list of features including top-notch CD player, trip computer, and cruise control.

From the outside the GTA’s subtle styling, including a GTA badge, lowered suspension, body kit, twin exhausts and wider guards to accommodate the distinctive, five-hole 17-inch wheels, provide clues to its hard-edged nature.

The 156 GTA is the first of a number of GTA-badged models from Alfa Romeo (watch out for a 147 version with the same stove-hot V6 next year). With four seats and a boot, it’s a car equally at home in the supermarket as on the racetrack. Or Darwin’s endless stretches of unrestricted highway. We know which one we’d choose. Every time.

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Use GPS Tracking For Tracking Just About Anything

Several visitors are speaking about GPS Tracking these days. So, what simply is this? Well, it is simply done through the help of a hardware labeled GPS tracker which makes use of the system referred to as Global Positioning System.

This system is required to find out the precise location of one thing. It may be utilized as a way to track down a truck, any person, a ship or anything more. One can find out the placement of certain van or person by using this method quite simply.

It works by making use of a tracking system plus the data obtained through this tool could be stored in this unit or is usually carried to another gadget. It can also be sent or sent to a pc using net connection, to a hand phone utilizing GPRS, to a satellite on top of that.

Currently, GPS trackers have emerged being a very helpful gadget as a way to keep law and order in position. Almost all huge nations are utilizing it for obtaining the data and transmitting it for helpful reasons.

Receiving position of bad guys, cars and trucks, lost things or any individual is like a cake’s walk at present. GPS tracking is far and wide utilized in a number of nations to be able to make certain that law is acted upon and bad guys are not openly traveling around.

These records works extremely well inside a circumstance of unfortunate happening if any. Besides that, it is very useful when the automobile is lost as it may immediately be located.

GPS tracker is a interesting product when it happens to bail system for crooks. Some times, law has got to permit certain criminals to step free on bail for several motives.

With countless positive aspects and lot’s more, its usage is escalating. If employed perfectly it can assist to minimize criminal activities.

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Holden Monaro 2002

Holden has released its Series II facelifted Monaro, adding VY Commodore upgrades to the popular Commodore-based coupe in time for the 2003 model year. Major modifications include an all-new interior, more power for the 5.7-litre V8 and different alloy wheels. Prices increase roughly 1.5 percent on both the supercharged six-cylinder and V8 models.

Little is changed externally, apart from new five-spoke alloy wheels and the new Purple Haze & Vespers metallic paint colours, exclusive to Monaro Series II. Monaro’s interior gets the VY Commodore dashboard and fascia treatment, with updated controls and graphics, a large-screen radio readout and a new steering wheel with four alloy-look spokes.

Series II Monaro gets new interior colour schemes, incorporating leather trim and stitching on steering wheel, park brake and transmission shifters.

The CV8 Monaro gets a more powerful 5.7-litre V8 engine with power up 10 kilowatts to 235kW thanks largely to a new exhaust system. Torque is up 5 Newton-metres to 465Nm. The twin tip exhaust has been tuned for a more distinctive V8 burble.

The supercharged V6 version’s service intervals are up to 15,000km from 10,000km, along with a “dampolator” to iron out harsh vibrations and allow a freer revving engine character.

Specification adjustments across the range include a new Blaupunkt stereo system and a mobile phone power outlet. The CV8 model gets two additional cupholders and rear park assist (optional on CV6).

Because of the minor nature of the mechanical changes, very little has changed dynamically with Monaro Series II. Certainly, this road tester was hard pressed to identify the extra 10kW of power, though a more accurate timing device would probably record a tenth or two of improvement on standing start acceleration.

BOTTOM LINE: Can’t help but want one. It’ll take a fully-fledged card-carrying member of the Lion-brand fan club to pick the latest Series III Monaro from the pack. Indeed, save for a couple of new colour choices, there are very few visual clues to set the latest version of Australia’s only big coupe apart. And your seat of the pants dynamometer will also have to be finely honed to pick the extra 10kW the Gen III 5.7lt eight has been gifted, along with the VY Series II SV8 and SS four doors and SS ute.

The official release kit states the Monaro gets detailed changes such as new, taller seats complete with safer, active head restraints, as well as trim and paint system upgrades. As noted above, there are also new colour options — arguably the ‘loudest’ is the exclusive-to-Munro, brilliant blue, Impulse. The hue comes complete with blue leather and Alcantara highlights in the still-for-four cabin. For this tester’s money the exterior treatment gets a big thumbs up, but the interior is a little over the top. I’ll take mine in plain old boring black, thanks.

The Monaro (V8 only, from Series III onwards) still suffers in initial urge from the Gen III’s paucity of low down torque. Those extra kilowatts Holden has dialled in would be better placed at 1500rpm, rather that at the 5600 peak the handbook reveals. Add moonshot gearing (sixth in the manual box is next to useless at anything under 130kmh) and you end up with a near-6.0lt muscle car that struggles to pull away from standstill in second gear.

Autos are a popular, no cost option for Monaro buyers — the somewhat ponderous six-speed manual box isn’t for everyone. If the engine had twice the torque at cruise revs, the long loping throws might be seen as endearing. As it is you learn to accommodate the gearbox’s idiosyncrasies, but never learn to love it…

This is especially so when you go searching for a snap third-second change to keep up the pace in the twisties, and get… Well, second… Eventually.

Perhaps the most ‘talkative’ of the big Holdens, however, the Monaro delivers good turn-in and substantial levels of grip. Unlike the other fast Commodores, via the seat of the pants this car seems to have more chassis grip, rather than sheer stick due to wide rubber. Direction changes are just a touch sharper, too.

Holden has chosen to equip the 245kW cars with a front strut-brace, though whether this yields detectable changes to front-end precision is debatable. The original Monaro was better than the equivalent Commodore and the gap remains. Certainly looks the business when you lift the bonnet, though.

Driving the Monaro, I couldn’t help but compare it to another two-door I had the pleasure to drive recently. Over 20-years young, the original Porsche Series One 928 was a supercar in its day and perversely remains one of my favourites (Even though later 928s were critically acclaimed as better things!).

With a big capacity V8 up front and similarly recalcitrant manual box, the original ‘other’ Porsche has the same big car ‘Get outta my way I’m coming through’ feel as the Holden. The automotive translation of why use a scalpel when an axe is perfectly adequate!

Alright, alright, it’s a boy thing… But could you have imagined even comparing a Holden to a Porsche (albeit a 25 year old one) just a few years ago?

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Relationship Between Color And Car Safety

The safety of the passengers has been one of the constant worries of modern societies, especially as the increasing number of traffic accidents has taken more and tolls in human lives than ever before. One of the concerns surrounding this topic regards the influence of car color on the safety of the passengers. Although the issue is constantly researched on dedicated websites by responsible drivers acquiring new vehicles, up to date there are but few scientific investigations in this direction.

The lack of scientific evidence results from the complex data that needs to be correlated in order to be able to draw clear conclusions. Color visibility on the road is a factor of many variables, most common being the time of day, the color background against which an observation is made, the weather conditions and the eyesight capabilities of the observer. All these make it virtually impossible to draw statistically accurate conclusion without involving a huge amount of resources. There were however scientists who ventured in the field, but they themselves admit that they were not able to draw clear conclusions.

More light on this topic may come from apparently unrelated fields, such as optometry, which determined with a high degree of certitude that one of the best visible colors is lime-yellow, because of its very central position in the color spectrum. However, it is still to be determined if lime yellow is also the safest color on the road. Could be, considering all modern painting techniques out there, able to provide special fluorescent coatings and brightly colored paint swatches.

The lack of scientific data is rooted in the fact that the issue is more complex to analyze. Color visibility on the road is a factor of many variables, most common being the time of day, the color background against which an observation is made, the weather conditions and the eyesight capabilities of the observer. This makes it very hard to have statistically accurate conclusions without involving a huge amount of resources.

This soundly and perhaps more safely reduces the issue of the relationship between car color and traffic safety to an increased attention paid to traffic conditions, to using the safety belt and to good driving skills. In the same time, this has the advantage of allowing drivers to base the decision regarding the color of their car solely on their taste and on the protection the painting can provide to their vehicles. Leaving open, of course, the possibility of repaint at any time, should color prove by any chance to be unsafe.

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