Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Duesenberg Cars - A Marketing Rather Than Engineering Success Story

By Shaw U. Allard

The Duesy. The Dusenberg fine automotive creations. These legends have not only entered the American if not European and worldwide vocabulary as "Its a Doozie". On top of that the impact of the Duesenberg Motor Company live on today in the likes of many replica large touring cars that you may see the likes of Winnipeg's famous scion Peter Nygard.

What is interesting and of great note , is that it was not that early innovators of this fine automotive tradition - the pair of the two world renowned car racing Dusenberg brothers - that resulted in this ultra fine luxury stable of products - but rather business and marketing staff and future factory owners. Indeed the model that the Duesenbeg family produced was a rather staid product. Their "Model A" was introduced at the'20 New York Auto Show and then went into full production in December'21. This Dusenberg Model "A" was from the designed from the same name racing vehicle that had won the French Grand Prix race , where its innovative hydraulic brakes had proved to be the most decisive factor in the automotive racing circuit. The A was of a most durable design and overall construct that it would later appear in the Indianapolis 500 mile race as late as'34 .

The Duesenberg J was the creation of Mr. Errett Lobban Cord , who gained management and ownership control of the Duesenberg Motor Company of Indianapolis in'26 and made it an integral component of its his Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg empire. This great automotive industry pioneer said himself many times that his vision was to father a home gown domestic American car that was as best as the world could produce. To this day many would still believe that the Duesenberg was of course of European - German, American or perhaps Italian vintage and origins. Even the name of the automotive creation Duesenberg belies this point and viewpoint.

Why was it that it took a luxury high end automotive series of products to bring the Duesenberg line of motor vehicles to the automotive historical forefront and not the innovations of the racing car brothers ? First as always is cost - that is in relation to its marketplace. Always consumers and car buyers look and compare a vehicle for purchase to other products in its market segment and niche. Its a price comparison process to the "competition" and competitive vehicles in the auto transportation marketplace. The Model A was priced over the budget of most car buyers - a hefty seven to 8 thousand dollars - which was a very large sum in the eras of the roaring'20's. Also add historical happen-chance to the mix. After all this was the era post World War 1. It was not only Duesenberg which suffered from the associated stigma of a Teutonic Germanic nameplate. The Chrysler Corporation as well suffered from the same automotive marketing issues to the American motoring public and communities.

Yet as is always interesting in the automotive market it was a business people along with marketing staff that brought the wonderful auto creation to fruition not off all things the racing pair of the Duesenberg brothers. Cord immediately initiated the design of the Model J super car. The rest as they say is simply history and historical fact of the future mainstay of the American economy - the automotive industry.

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Monday, November 9, 2009

Most Vehicle Drivers Take Their Vehicles Auto Coolant System For Granted

By Syd U. Dithers

Who ever takes care of their vehicles radiator and cooling system on a regular and ongoing basis. Few is the answer. Yet with a small amount of simple care and attention on a regular basis you can extend the life of your automotive vehicle and as well provide years more of trouble free service on the roads and highways that you traverse. If you do not have the knowledge or inclination of radiator and cooling system routine maintenance simply ask your auto dealer or local garage who provide maintenance to your vehicle or vehicles.

Yet your car or trucks rad or cooling system is not 100 % maintenance free. Forget about it and you may well have engine overheating damage, substantial auto engine repairs or worse, and no heat from your heater.

When it comes to checking fluid levels of the radiator cooling levels many motorists are downright mystified and intimidated they need not be. If they are simply consult your local mechanical genius or at the worst your local competent garage or automotive dealership.

All in all it is the owners responsibility to ensure that coolant levels are maintained. If you as an auto owner are unsure of how to do this or the procedure then its your responsibility to assign this task and responsibility to someone knowledgeable " be it your spouse , son ,daughter or the mechanic or dealership that services your vehicle on an ongoing basis.

Simply put take care of your automotive cooling system and maintain fluid levels and you will be rewarded with more trouble free driving , longer vehicle engine life and comfortable fall and cold wintertime heat in the comfort of your vehicle.

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Finding Safe Auto Insurance Prices The Online Way

By Daniel Safta

When you think about it, the Internet has really changed our lives so much especially when it comes to the obtaining of information and buying goods and services. Because of this these days it really is very easy to quickly and easily price shop your auto insurance from the comfort of your own home.

These days the Internet offers many websites with the ability to provide you with online forms that you can use to obtain some great quotes from auto insurance companies throughout the country.

You really can save a lot of money on your insurance so it is definitely worth your time seeking out insurance quotes throughout the web to see just how much you could be saving on your own auto insurance policy. Nevertheless with these online quotes there can be for some people some disadvantages as well though.

Let's explore some of the benefits of instant safe auto insurance quotes online and how to avoid some of the problems that you run across with them.

The Pros

Of course, the big advantage to obtaining instant safe auto insurance quotes online is that the speed of the process allows you to compare different auto insurance companies in one evening, often less than that.

No more expensive phone calls that for the most part do nothing but waste your time and no more running around like mad from one auto insurance company to the next dealing with sales reps! Just a couple of minutes filling in online forms and you can start comparing.

And it gets even better because now we even have access to websites that have set up forms which will allow you to submit your information just once and receive quotes from many different auto insurance companies that you can compare side-by-side in no time.

And while on the subject of no phones, no calling means no pressure from a salesperson on the other end of the line. This means no haggling, no rebuttals, and more time to do your own research.

If you prefer to come to your own decisions without the intervention of sales representatives, going the online route may well be a better way for you.

Some possible drawbacks

You will normally have to provide at least an e-mail address for the delivery of quotes and this will mean that you may also get some follow-up e-mail's oriented to push you to signup.

There is of course a very simple way to make sure the e-mail's do not get mixed up with your more personal e-mails and that is to set up an additional e-mail address only for the purpose of getting auto insurance quotes and other product/service information oriented e-mails.

The other disadvantage you have when obtaining online auto insurance quotes is that in some irregular cases some of the not so good sites that compile results for you won't ask all the questions that each individual company might on their own sites.

This can sometimes lead to you having to redo the odd quote. Nevertheless if you use a good site that shouldn't happen very often and even when it does overall the service will still save you a lot of time.

Just make sure that after you have gone through all candidates and have selected those you are most interested in that you double check with these companies first before going forward with them.

For most people I'm sure that these few disadvantages are not enough to put them off going the online route and searching for safe auto insurance quotes quickly and easily like so many others do these days.

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Saturday, November 7, 2009

1985 Ford Bronco Ii Xlt

By Arhur Monderos

"The ugly duckling. It may be rusty, but it runs better than most newer cars" What things have gone wrong with the car? Headliner falling down.

Driver seat a little twisted and ripped.

Engine valve noise, probably from driving 388,000 KMs.

Fenders and rear quarters rusted as well as other rust spots and peeling paint.

Speakers blown, but still work OK.

Valve cover leak and minor power steering hose leak.

General comments? Bought the truck for $500 and drove it 143 KMs home, and was surprised at how well it was running, and how well it rode for being a rusted cheap Bronco II.

The body is ugly brown on tan with a shade of rust, but still solid. Most of it is just surface rust.

4X4 works great, the manual transmission shifts good, and the clutch seems to be fine.

Heat works amazingly well, and surprisingly so does the A/C.

Handles bumps really well, and you do feel them, but you feel them in most true 44 offroad vehicles.

Carburated engine starts up quick, like as soon as the key hits the start position, it's running, and very quiet and smooth, you can barely hear or feel the engine running except for the minor valve tick.

I definitely need to put in a tachometer in it so I know it's running, because it's so quiet that every time you get to a stop sign or traffic lights and push the clutch in, everything is quiet and it seems like the engine stalled, but it's still running quiet and smooth.

I am very happy with this vehicle so far, even though it has 388,000 KMs. I would have no problem fixing up the body a little bit to get rid of most of the rust, and if I ever had to replace the engine or transmission, I would, but the way it seems right now, I almost think it would last another 300,000 KMs.

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Friday, November 6, 2009

How You Can Save Money With a Car Insurance Quick Quote

By Andy Darwinson

If your jaw dropped the last time your car insurance company sent you a premium notice, then it might be time to start saving money with a car insurance quick quote. Many people have found that they can find the most competitive rate for their car insurance simply by using the services of an online site.

A common misconception for many is that their coverage will suffer if they pay less in premiums. This isn't true at all. Insurance rates are set according to a variety of criteria, including investment experience, operating expenses and a company's loss experience. High rates just indicate that a company isn't doing well in one of those areas.

You might recognize some companies immediately because they advertise on television. Their clever advertising campaigns cost thousands of dollars, dollars that the customers pay for through their insurance premiums.

When you secure a car insurance quick quote, you may not recognize the name of some of the companies. That doesn't make them good or bad. It simply may be an indication that they allow their service to speak for them rather than spend the extra money to drive in customers.

If you want to feel less uncertain about a particular company, an easy way to discover how solid they are is to check their financial rating. Most companies freely offer that information at their website. Another option would be to check for customer complaints, particularly in your state, which you can do by visiting the website of your state's Department of Insurance.

If you want a name you recognize, you'll find those included in a car insurance quick quote. Websites offer a number of different companies. Some are relatively small and others are the giants that have been around for years. You can see the difference in rates and decide for yourself.

When you look for a car insurance quick quote, make certain that you compare apples to apples. Input the exact information on the coverage you presently carry. Make sure the deductibles remain the same in the quote and that you secure a quote with the same liability coverage. Both of these factors make a huge difference in the final price. A bargain isn't a bargain if you get less coverage.

When you have narrowed it down to the company you want and the rate you like, look to see if you can do even better. Double check for discounts you may have missed. Discounts are often offered for multiple cars, safe driving, good students, or even having alarms installed.

Don't finalize your choice until you have the package you want. And play with your quick quote options until you have the company and the coverage that's best for you. The more deductibles you have, the lower your premium will be.

Also, consider increasing the limits of your liability. You'll find that the price difference isn't that great for the increased coverage. If you have too low of limits and cause an accident that involves high costs for medical bills, lower limits or state minimums may not cover the cost. Anything not paid for by your insurance company is your responsibility. It only makes sense to pay a few dollars more for the best possible limits.

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Thursday, November 5, 2009

Trim Your Car Insurance Cost

By Graham McKenzie

Shopping for a car is not an easy task by any means. When you are thinking of buying a car, there are several things that you consider. For example, the first question that comes to your mind is whether you desire a two-seat sports car to catch the attention of the female species or you want a reasonable sedan with comfortable spacious seats? Another factor is whether you want your new car to be fuel-efficient or it should be easy on your legs with ample amount of leg space to give you a relaxed feeling. This is the thinking that goes on in one?s mind when one is intending or visiting a car showroom to buy a new automobile. However an important factor that people miss out in the process is that which particular car will give them a lower cost of insurance.

If you or your friends have been boggled down by high cost of car insurance in the past, then it is time to gain some knowledge on that front. It would be good to know what factors govern the calculation of car insurance premiums. This would help you to take a sensible and judicious decision in future. Some cars attract huge insurance premiums because they are considered to be easily prone to accidents. You may be proficient on the wheels, but that definitely is not going to reduce your insurance costs. The insurance company can only make judgments based on the car?s features and not your capability.

The car market deals with different types of cars like big cars, small cars, sports cars, luxurious cars, etc. For those, who cannot afford to buy a new car can go for used cars. This on-line platform will provide you a complete database of car dealers who are willing to buy and sell cars. Browse through the extensively researched categories of cars and get the most updated information related to cars.

Choosing the best family car can be a truly complicated affair. Nearly every car manufacturer offers a range of cars, ranging small family cars up to larger-sized family cars.

Most car companies will claim, for example, that they make the best small family car that offers space and reliability in one neat package. Some have even taken up the challenge of trying to produce the most economical family car to help motorists reduce their costs.

Security devices such as car alarms and GPS tracking systems can also contribute to lower cost of car insurance. The reason for this is that because your car insurance company has to foot the bill, if your car goes missing as a result of car theft and/or your car is vandalized, taking precautions in that direction will definitely award you bonus points with your insurer coupled with the lower insurance premiums that are associated with it!

With the need to save money increasing daily, many motorists need to look into whether they are prepared to pay for a new car, or settle for a used car. And of course there's the question of arranging a car loan and finding good car insurance.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Discover Features And Money You Can Save Using Insurance Quotes Online

By Lewis Culbreath

If you would like to get an auto insurance quotes, check the internet before contacting companies and making several appointments with agents. Get an insurance quote from the website of each company; or check out sites where they quotations from several underwriters based on the same set of personal information. Entering your name, gender and the make and model of your vehicle are some that might be asked from you.

Doing things, this way will save you time and money. In just minutes, you may already have several quotations to choose. This is much better than spending so much time in meeting individual agents. Online rates are just the same anyway. From those quotations, you can then choose which underwriters you will contact for appointments with their agents. You may even just proceed to making a secured online payment.

State laws regulate the factors that insurance companies use to determine the rates that are charged. Some states have laws prohibiting the use of religion or race as basis for insurance premiums. Other states do not allow the use of credit history or zip codes.

The more common factors that an insurance company will use to determine which group you belong to are age, marital status and gender. These information help the company determine your risk level and are weighted differently. This alone will explain the difference in quotations.

Companies also look at the history of claims, if any. Severe or multiple accidents can certainly cause a premium to go up. In cases where the state has a no fault clause, the claims made by either party is considered instead. This is certainly on more reason why you should not drink and drive.

If you feel that you are considered a high-risk client, it is advisable that you also get a quotation or two from companies that specialize in non standard or risky clients. Students, for example, are considered high risk drivers. So are those who have a history of prior accidents. Also, be sure to report any prior violations or tickets. An insurance company may cancel your policy if they find any ticket that is unaccounted for.

If auto insurance companies have the right to place their clients under certain groups according to risk, they themselves are also grouped by other companies that rate underwriters on the basis of financial stability. Depending on their capacity to pay, underwriters are given alphabet ratings. So before you decide which quotation is best, check the respective company ratings first.

What you can do is to get multiple quotations from the websites that offer auto insurance quotes only from companies with a B rating or better. Choose a couple of good deals, and then go the individual websites of those companies. You can either set up appointments with their agents or choose to pay online if your chosen underwriter has a secured payment option on its site. Remember that a low premium is not always a good deal. Check the coverage carefully. Ensure that benefits match those required by the state law. In case you travel often, being covered when you are out of state should be non negotiable.

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