Choosing the Right Car for the Snow By Graham Eason Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5481464
As the snow swirls around, the temperature drops it's tempting to just stay inside. But eventually we all have to venture out and when we do we need a set of wheels that will pull us through. If you are a classic car owner, perhaps you don't have the option of a modern car. Or if you have a modern car, perhaps you recall slithering and sliding around in the ice and snow last year. So we decided to take a look at what makes a good snow and ice car. And do old cars really work better in the snow than new ones?
The first question to ask, of course, is whether you should use a classic in the snow at all. In the face of salt and safety, the answer is probably no. Classics like to rust a lot and they are somewhat bereft of the nannying features like airbags, ESP, ABS and the like which keep modern drivers so well insulated from their actions. But if we just decided never to use them in the snow then it wouldn't make much of an article frankly so lets assume we're talking strictly hypothetically.
To work well in the snow, conventional wisdom has it that a car should be either 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive. This rules out most classic cars, which are resolutely rear wheel drive. And, to be fair, much more fun. For example, my Ford Capri may have been rear wheel drive but it is a lot of fun in the snow and copes extremely well. Which may be down to the second rule for snow driving success - narrow tyres and high profile rims. The Capri runs on 175 r14 tyres, which might be laughable in today's world of 245 20 inch rims but it was us laughing as we sailed past the stranded BMWs and Mercedes. Narrow high profile tyres literally cut through the snow and ice rather than skate across it, as fat tyres do.
Snow-plugging cars also need to be light - or have four wheel drive. A light car needs less power to keep going and is inherently more nimble when the going gets tough. On a slippery hill a low power, light car will keep going when a powerful, heavy car gets stuck. Plus, it has the added advantage of being much easier to push out of trouble. Classic cars also have the advantage over modern cars because they lack so-called driver aids like ESP (traction control), which prevents cars losing traction. ESP cuts power to a spinning wheel. This is great news on damp roads or sudden sharp bends, but unfortunately the car can't differentiate between these and a snowy, icy road. Consequently, when the going gets tough in the snow and the wheels need to spin to clear the ice and gain traction, the ESP system simply cuts power to the spinning wheels. So the car can't move.The trick with maintaining momentum and traction in the snow is to select a high gear and manipulate the clutch and throttle. This tends to be easier in older cars which have mechanically operated clutch, gearbox and throttle, giving the driver greater feel and control compared to modern 'fly by wire' type systems.So despite the onset of modern driver aids, perhaps classic cars are better in the snow than modern cars because they are simpler. But what classic would be best for snow driving? Pushing aside classic 4x4s because they're just cheating, at Great Escape Classic Car Hire we'd probably plump for a front wheel drive 1980s classic like a Golf GTI mk1 - light, fairly powerful, no driver aids and narrow high profile tyres. The problem is, we wouldn't want to take our mint 1982 example out in the snow!Graham Eason owns Great Escape Classic Car Hire and operates a fleet of 50 classic cars which are used 12 months of the year in snow, rain and sun.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Eason
The first question to ask, of course, is whether you should use a classic in the snow at all. In the face of salt and safety, the answer is probably no. Classics like to rust a lot and they are somewhat bereft of the nannying features like airbags, ESP, ABS and the like which keep modern drivers so well insulated from their actions. But if we just decided never to use them in the snow then it wouldn't make much of an article frankly so lets assume we're talking strictly hypothetically.
To work well in the snow, conventional wisdom has it that a car should be either 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive. This rules out most classic cars, which are resolutely rear wheel drive. And, to be fair, much more fun. For example, my Ford Capri may have been rear wheel drive but it is a lot of fun in the snow and copes extremely well. Which may be down to the second rule for snow driving success - narrow tyres and high profile rims. The Capri runs on 175 r14 tyres, which might be laughable in today's world of 245 20 inch rims but it was us laughing as we sailed past the stranded BMWs and Mercedes. Narrow high profile tyres literally cut through the snow and ice rather than skate across it, as fat tyres do.
Snow-plugging cars also need to be light - or have four wheel drive. A light car needs less power to keep going and is inherently more nimble when the going gets tough. On a slippery hill a low power, light car will keep going when a powerful, heavy car gets stuck. Plus, it has the added advantage of being much easier to push out of trouble. Classic cars also have the advantage over modern cars because they lack so-called driver aids like ESP (traction control), which prevents cars losing traction. ESP cuts power to a spinning wheel. This is great news on damp roads or sudden sharp bends, but unfortunately the car can't differentiate between these and a snowy, icy road. Consequently, when the going gets tough in the snow and the wheels need to spin to clear the ice and gain traction, the ESP system simply cuts power to the spinning wheels. So the car can't move.The trick with maintaining momentum and traction in the snow is to select a high gear and manipulate the clutch and throttle. This tends to be easier in older cars which have mechanically operated clutch, gearbox and throttle, giving the driver greater feel and control compared to modern 'fly by wire' type systems.So despite the onset of modern driver aids, perhaps classic cars are better in the snow than modern cars because they are simpler. But what classic would be best for snow driving? Pushing aside classic 4x4s because they're just cheating, at Great Escape Classic Car Hire we'd probably plump for a front wheel drive 1980s classic like a Golf GTI mk1 - light, fairly powerful, no driver aids and narrow high profile tyres. The problem is, we wouldn't want to take our mint 1982 example out in the snow!Graham Eason owns Great Escape Classic Car Hire and operates a fleet of 50 classic cars which are used 12 months of the year in snow, rain and sun.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Eason
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5481464
Jumaat, 13 Apr 2011
Classic Cars Always Wanted....by Johnnie McGee
Classic car auctions are the first place you need to look if you're the type of person that has been saving up all your money, ever since you were a kid, for the car of your dreams. Classic cars are timeless, and they will always appeal to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or status. Just seeing one pass by would already give you the thrills; owning one is a totally different experience, one that doesn't compare to owning other material things in this world.
Classic car auctions are different than ordinary car auctions, because it appeals and caters to individuals who are willing to spend a lot of money for their love of classic cars. These auctions usually span two to three days in a row, and the cars are lined up to give auction-goers and potential buyers a better view of each car.
If you are interested in taking home a car from one of these auctions, you can wait for the actual auction to begin, or you can just buy the vehicle right on the spot for the owner's asking price. There is no definite time and location for these auctions so you need to get as much information as you can if you want to participate in one.
As mentioned earlier, the time span normally allotted for these types of auctions is two to three days. In the first day, the cars are first shown to the potential buyers, bidders, and curious spectators. On the second day, the interested buyers and bidders get to test drive the cars they like in a nearby testing stage. The last day will be allotted for the actual bidding and occasional buying of the cars. You should take note when it's time to bid for the cars so that you bid on it at the right time.
There are also fast-paced car auctions, wherein the cars being auctioned are shown running and then automatically be auctioned off. After a winning bid is placed, it will immediately be replaced by a new one and the bidding will commence soon after. These classic car auctions are commonly featured on television and in magazines.
However, the first type of auction is usually for invitational events, for example, an exclusive event of a classic cars motoring club, wherein members and friends of members are the ones invited. Unless you know people who can take you to these auctions, you have to look for other ways to go in.
The second type, which is advertised on TV and magazines, could be excessively priced compared to the first one.
Classic car auctions are different than ordinary car auctions, because it appeals and caters to individuals who are willing to spend a lot of money for their love of classic cars. These auctions usually span two to three days in a row, and the cars are lined up to give auction-goers and potential buyers a better view of each car.
If you are interested in taking home a car from one of these auctions, you can wait for the actual auction to begin, or you can just buy the vehicle right on the spot for the owner's asking price. There is no definite time and location for these auctions so you need to get as much information as you can if you want to participate in one.
As mentioned earlier, the time span normally allotted for these types of auctions is two to three days. In the first day, the cars are first shown to the potential buyers, bidders, and curious spectators. On the second day, the interested buyers and bidders get to test drive the cars they like in a nearby testing stage. The last day will be allotted for the actual bidding and occasional buying of the cars. You should take note when it's time to bid for the cars so that you bid on it at the right time.
There are also fast-paced car auctions, wherein the cars being auctioned are shown running and then automatically be auctioned off. After a winning bid is placed, it will immediately be replaced by a new one and the bidding will commence soon after. These classic car auctions are commonly featured on television and in magazines.
However, the first type of auction is usually for invitational events, for example, an exclusive event of a classic cars motoring club, wherein members and friends of members are the ones invited. Unless you know people who can take you to these auctions, you have to look for other ways to go in.
The second type, which is advertised on TV and magazines, could be excessively priced compared to the first one.
There are websites that offer information about these classic car auctions near you, so checking them regularly can bring you closer to the classic cars that you've always wanted. To get more information on where you can find auctions in your area, click here: Classic Cars for Sale.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnnie_McGee
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6020807
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