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Thousands of people flocked to Detroit to witness the North American International Auto Show on Friday, January 14, 2011. Car admirers from across the globe walked around and gawked at fantastic specimens and rare birds. Information and brochures were handed out. It seemed like an ordinary day at an auto show, but the one thing that was unusual about this Detroit event was the lack of roars from V8 engines. SUV’s were not even allowed! There was no place for gas-guzzlers. The stars of this show were the electric and hybrid cars. So instead of roaring engines, there were quiet, whisper-soft purrs.

Carmakers displayed their newest and hottest electric cars to taunt the audience. These cars are in such high demand that the only way to get them is used. Every electric car that rolls out of the factory is snatched up. Companies are realizing that they need to up the production of these environmentally friendly vehicles. The concerns about the range and power of electric cars are slowly evaporating, and now the only problems are with the low inventory. Know that factories will begin moving these treasures out at a faster pace. Once production is boosted, expect to see more of these readily available and displayed in local showrooms. Relatively soon, carmakers hope, electric and hybrid cars will be in millions of driveways and parked in special, city supplied charging stations.  Read more...

The more I research about cars in Qatar, which got initiated with the three am phone call I mentioned in my earlier article, the more it amazes me how much the interest in classic and custom cars has escalated in Qatar and the neighboring countries. The research has lead me to believing that the trend starts in Dubai, then soon later moves to surrounding countries especially Qatar.

Certainly, the economic situation is currently in a booming mode, and that has a positive reflection on the money being injected into the car market. The demand has lead to establishing a car show that is held in Dubai every other year, Middle East International Motor Show. The year 2005 saw the show as the largest international automotive event in the Middle East. The show occupies 11 exhibition halls at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The question that came to my mind was, how much influence did the show have on the increased demand? The show attendees were from every GCC state, royal family members, top ranking government officials, VIPs were amongst the many visitors drawn to the show. Having lived in the GCC region, I have experienced the fact that new trends tend to find it easy to dominate the market, or at least attracting attention at a very rapid speed. To bring the article facts together, Qatar and Dubai are currently witnessing the highest per capita incomes in the world. This allows for the citizen that has an income slightly above average, simply for prestigious reasons to follow a trend or a fashion that is done by VIPS simply for  Read more...

Vintage car rallies are always a pleasing site, not just for the cars themselves but the entire aura that surrounds such an event for you truly feel that you have gone back in time. Having said that, the recently held Teachers Origin Heritage Celebration Vintage car and  Classic car rally proved to be a rather spectacular journey, for there was no option but to be mesmerized by the timeless machines that took part.

Set on a lazy Sunday, the Teachers Origin Heritage Celebration rally comprising of 50 exquisite vehicles was flagged off from the exclusive DLF Emporio mall in Delhi and the participants had to make their way to Pataudi Palace and back, covering a distance over 100 kilometers. Onlookers were visually treated to showstoppers such as a 1964 Ford Mustang, a 1950 Jaguar XK 120, a 1934 Rolls Royce, a 1952 Cadillac Coupe de Ville and 1937 Mercedes 170 V amongst other fine metal that includes a 1957 Chevy Bel Air and a number of Buicks. A magnificent site none the less.

Standing as a testimony to India’s solid motoring legacy, most of these vehicles at some point belonged to royalty. Each car has a story to share and each story involves numerous ups and downs, however the cars have been refurbished to the minute detail and the fact that they are still capable of making such a drive with ease goes to show the amount of engineering excellence that these machines possessed. In the very essence of the drive, the rally was a great way to experience the beginning!  Read more...

Classic cars have become extremely popular in the last 15 years, and every day someone is buying their very first muscle car. They are experiencing the pride and joy that all of us felt, when we bought our very first model.

Are you looking into buying your first muscle car? Then follow these simple tips to help you get your ideal muscle car and make your decision that much easier.

The Car Brand or Model

In buying a classic car, you must first know the model or type you want. List all the specific brands or models you may want to purchase and try to get some information on their features and prices. Moreover, always remember that car brands differ greatly on their capabilities, even if they are all considered under the same class.

Budget

Having a budget always makes your hunt organized and trouble-free. Therefore, it would be very helpful to at least know your spending limits. With that, you can trim down your options and pick only your desired muscle car at a rate suitable to your budget.

Compare prices

Another way of ensuring that you get the best model for you is by searching for other possible car dealers and comparing the prices they offer. You may not visit all of those manufacturers, but you can still obtain some information from the Internet.  Read more...

We’ve all got a favourite vehicle – whether it be a classic Jaguar or a Dodge pick-up truck – and with many enthusiasts around the world, the variety of automobile collectors worldwide is very large.

Indeed, the challenge of rebuilding a classic car to it’s former glory using parts from trade shows and a bit of elbow grease attracts collectors interests. With a wide variety of websites and stockists out there, it has never been easier to rebuild and restore vehicles from the past and present.

When it comes to finding car insurance for older vehicles, where do you turn to? Many enthusiasts look to specialist insurers in order to protect their vehicles. Even if you’re only looking to transport the vehicle to rallies and trade shows, taking out some insurance on it can help protect you and your vehicle should anything happen on the journey.

Depending on the type of vehicle you’ve purchased, there are a number of different methods of searching for classic car insurance for your beloved vehicle. Many enthusiasts make use of the internet in order to locate both parts and fellow enthusiasts – usually through forums and collectors’ clubs that offer e-mail updates.

Online shopping has made it easier for classic car owners to find shops that stock spare parts. As well as this, many insurers will allow you to compare car insurance policies to help you find affordable cover. But it can also be worth looking to the local phone book in order to see if there are specialist shops in your local area.  Read more...