Last But Not Least

Blogging has truly gave me a new expirenece of being able to express my views and learn through the use of technology. The world is expanding through technology and the media and blogging is one way that I now am able to tap into this source. My blog has taught me more about cars than I thought i new in the first place. It enabled me to expand my knowledge further and interact with my fellow students. It is truly incredible just how much my peers know about their topics and their information broadened my view of their topics. Im very fortunate to have the expierience of blogging and becoming apart of the arising global network. I will continue this blog and intend to continue updating my car blog as well as create another I plan to do on military history.

Rebirth of The 5.0

Ford is now unveiling its new 5.0 Liter V-8 mustang which brings to bear memories of the old muscle performance icon that the Mustang was in the 1960's and 1970's. The new 5.0 is pumping out 412 horsepower to the wheels. This new life on Mustang performance comes at a time of a renewal of American Muscle cars such as the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challanger SRT. Its a sign that Ford is trying to put more muscle and power in their new 5.0 Liter pony. Even fords new v-6 will now be putting out over 305 horsepower with 31mpg in the city. A truely perfect blend of fuel economy with muscle power.

Worlds Fastest Street Legal Car

The Maxximus G-Force. According to World Record Academy this is the world’s fastest street-legal car. Its extreme power comes from a 7-liter twin turbocharged Chevrolet V8 engine that outputs 1600 hp. The G-Force accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 2.1 seconds. 0-100 mph (161 km/h) comes in 4.5 seconds. 0-100-0 takes just 8.8 seconds.Kirby is the founder of Maxximus Technologies ans McMahan is the guy who financed the program. Kirby first started with the Ultima GTR 720. He modified Ultima’s drivetrain, gearbox and most of the chassis so it would handle the acceleration. To get 1600 hp from small-block V8 they are using Turbonetics turbochargers. Power flows through a custom-made paddle-shifted three speed transmission.This mid-engined supercar weighs 2,700 lbs (1224 kg) and can suck the fuel tank dry in 9 minutes!If you have $3 million, then you can get one and leave all other supercars in its dust. According to McMahan already has couple of inquiries from buyers in the Middle East. To attract more customers from that region Kirby and McMahan will be taking the car to the Big Boy’s Toys Super Show in Abu Dhabi on April 30th.

DUB Mustang

Ford and automotive lifestyle magazine DUB are rolling out a specially customized version of the new 2011 Mustang, introducing the iconic sports car. The DUB Edition Mustang is based on Ford’s new 3.7-liter V6 Mustang, and I will be available in the fall of 2010.

Working together, Ford, DUB and Roush Industries created the DUB Edition Mustang V6 which will be offered as a coupe, convertible. It will also be available with the best-of-both-worlds Glass Roof option. Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be available.

“The Ford Mustang is the most customized vehicle in the world, and this collaboration pushes the boundaries even further,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “We’re proud of our relationship with DUB and Roush and how they worked together to bring a new look to Mustang, helping the 2011 DUB Edition Mustang V6 appeal to a whole new audience.”

Available only with Ford’s new high-tech, 305-horsepower DOHC 3.7-liter V6, the DUB Edition Mustang will offer:

•20-inch TIS wheels with Pirelli performance tires
•Roush front fascia and splitter
•Roush quarter window louvers and windshield banner
•Roush lowering springs
•Coupe, convertible or Glass Roof body style
•Six-speed manual or automatic transmission
•3.31:1 rear-axle ratio for spirited acceleration
•DUB logo embroidered in front headrest and DUB stripe package
•Black interior

This will truly be another incredible Ford powerhorse on the streets

Rambler - An interesting But Sad Story

Cheap and easy to repair, the new Rambler was a hit in the recession-racked year of 1958, when American Motors was the only domestic car manufacturer to show a profit. In 1960, Rambler produced over 450,000 cars, and became number three in sales among domestic brands.Ramblers were the first cars to use Unibody construction throughout their model lineup. The primary advantage of this technology was a stronger structure without the need for a separate chassis. With less squeaks and rattles, the overwhelming majority of contemporary automobiles, with the exception of trucks and some SUV’s, owe their design to some form of this 1960s cars' original unitized body construction innovation.In another safety milestone, Rambler was the first to offer seat belts as an option in 1950, and the first to provide them as standard equipment by the end of the decade.By 1962, the introduction of compact cars by the big three automakers had decreased Rambler’s market share.

The Vietnam Horse

I know this article isnt about cars but hey we are studying the Vietnam war and i thought it would be cool to blogg about an important piece of equipment used in the conflict. The Bell UH-1 series Iroquois, better known as the "Huey", began arriving in Vietnam in 1963. Before the end of the conflict, more than 5,000 of these versatile aircraft were introduced into Southeast Asia. "Hueys" were used for MedEvac, command and control, and air assault, to transport personnel and materiel, and as gun ships. Considered to be the most widely used helicopter in the world, with more than 9,000 produced from the 1950s to the present, the Huey is flown today by about 40 countries. It was an essential piece of machinery during the Vietnam war and was used in the film We Were Soldiers that we watched. Its seen as a symbol of the Vietnam war.

Cloth Interior

Cloth is known for its comfort. There is no sticking, no sliding around, and no burning. Speaking of which, this material is much more breathable. What this means for you is that its temperature won’t change with the weather. Plus many 2007 vehicles come with the option of heated cloth interiors. See it for yourself in the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Dakota, Ford Focus, Subaru Outback, nearly all Volvo’s, MINI Cooper, Saturn Aura, and the Hyundai Santa Fe to name a few. Many of these new models are also coming out with a variety of materials like velour or a suede/tricot blend which are even cushier and stain proof than the regular cloth interiors.To boot, cloth interiors don’t need to be maintained. It is a personal preference how clean you want your car to be. A bi-monthly steam or vacuuming can do the trick. And it certainly doesn’t require any of the extra TLC that leather does.But, speaking on terms of cleaning, it must noted that cloth interiors do stain more easily and, depending on what the stain is, are more difficult to remove. You can’t just take a rag to it. You’ve got to haul out your trusty vacuum or steam cleaner and take your vehicle to get re-scotch guarded every few years. You’ll probably also note that the new car smell gives way quickly to the different odors of the items that you bring into your automobile. The fact is that cloth absorbs odor, whereas leather doesn’t.Cloth can also look cheap and won’t give you that luxurious, status quo feeling that many leather lovers search for. Because there isn’t that lofty feeling with cloth, resale value is not as great.With both options, it is certainly give and take – cloth is affordable but doesn’t have as good a resale value while leather is sumptuous but changes with the weather, literally. At the end of the day, base your decision on durability and comfort that fits you.

THE EARLY CAMARO

Inspired by the success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet launched its own pony car, the Camaro. Chevrolet stated that the "Camaro" was named after the French word for "comrade," although some linguists argued that it was actually Spanish for a type of shrimp. Not exactly an awe aspiring name for a new pony car. Luckily, the Camaro had the muscle to back up its case. The Camaro was available from the start in hardtop coupe and covertible body styles, and could be order with nearly 80 factory options and 40 dealer accessories, including three main option packages and a choice of four different engines. The RS package included numerous cosmetic changes including a blacked out grill with hidden headlights, revised parking and tail lights, upgraded interior trim, and RS badging. Of greater interest to enthusiasts was the SS package which included as standard equipment a modified 350 cid V8 with an available 396 cid big block producing 325bhp (L35) and later a 375bhp version, along with simulated air-intakes on the hood, special bumble bee striping, and a blacked out grill. It was possible to order both the RS and SS packages, and get a RS/SS Camaro, in which case the RS badging took precedence. Camaro popularity soared when a RS/SS Convertible with the 396 paced the 1967 Indianapolis 500 race.

In December 1966, Chevrolet then quietly released one of the most famous options codes of all time, option Z-28. Unpublicized and unknown by most of the buying public and not mentioned in any sales literature, the only way someone could order the Z-28 package was to order a base Camaro with the Z-28 option, mandatory front disc brakes with power assist, and the Muncie 4-speed transmission. You could not order the SS package, automatic transmission, air conditioning, or the convertible. What you got was a unique 302 cid small block (Non-California emission cars were labeled MO while California emission engines were labeled MP) that was created by taking the 327 block and installing the short-stroke 283 crank. Specifically designed to compete in the Club of America Trans Am racing series which placed a 305 cid limit on its entries, the Z-28 was available to the public solely to qualify the car for racing. Advertised horsepower was listed at just 290bhp, which was not very impressive until one hooked it up to a dyno and got actual readings of 360-400 bhp. The Z-28 also came with a competition suspension, broad racing stripes on the hood and trunklid and could be combined with the RS option package. There was no Z-28 badging at all, lest it attract to much attention. The Z-28 proved to be difficult to launch on the street because its high reving engine was lethargic under 4000rpm and worked best when it was shifted at 7500rpm (!). Once it got going, the Z28 was tough to beat and boosted a 140mph top speed and numerous racing victories. Only 602 Z-28s were sold in 1967, making it a truly desirable collectable.

Helpful Tips to Save Gas

Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.


Keep Tires Properly Inflated
You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Whats Really In Your Tank?

Gasoline is not a simple chemical compound like water or ethanol. It is a mixture of hundreds of different compounds. The reason for this is that gasoline is made from crude oil. Crude oil, or petroleum, is made up of thousands of different compounds, and the exact compounds present and their relative amounts differ depending on where the petroleum is produced. For example, oil produced in West Texas differs remarkably from oil produced in the Middle East. After the oil is produced (or taken out of the ground via oil wells), it is shipped to an oil refinery, where it is separated into different products, including gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel, among others.

Birth of a Legend

The first Corvette rolled off a makeshift assembly line in Flint Michigan on June 30, 1953. From the beginning, the Corvette was unique. It was only available as a two passenger convertible in Polo White with a red interior. All Corvettes were built by hand and its attractive and original body was constructed out of fiberglass, not steel. Its chassis was basically a shortened Chevy passenger car unit. The only engine available was named the Blue Flame Special and was an upgraded version of the 235 cid six found in other Chevy cars. It produced 150 bhp due to the use of a higher lift cam which provided a significant boost in torque in the mid-range of engine speed. The valves were special alloy steel and fitted with double springs. A dual exhaust was installed. The only transmission was Chevrolet's Powerglide two-speed automatic. Although the powertrain was a departure from typical American straight-line performance, coupled with its light weight, the Corvette boasted excellent handling and road feel. The Corvette's front suspension of coil springs and wishbones, used slightly altered springs enclosing one inch diameter tubular shock absorbers. The Corvette also had a large diameter anti-rool bar and at the rear, had four-leaf semi-elliptical springs which were inclined front to rear to approvide approximately 15 percent roll understeer. Only two Regular Production Options (RPOs) were available, a heater and an AM radio. Exterior styling was done by Harley Earl and featured a toothy grille, stone guards over the inseft headlamps, "twin pod" rear fenders, and "rocket ship" taillights. The first Corvette was a sales disaster as its high price (more than a Cadillac or Jaguar) and low performance made it far from desireable. A mere 183 were sold in 1953 out of 300 built.

Fuel Injection

A fuel injector is nothing more than a high-speed valve for gasoline. An engine computer or controller is used to control the fuel injector. Contrary to popular belief, this is not done by sending power to the injector. Fuel injectors are normally fed power whenever the ignition key is on. The computer controls the negative, or ground side, of the circuit. When the computer provides the injector with a ground, the circuit is completed and current is allowed to flow through the injector. This energizes an electromagnetic coil inside the injector, which pulls a sealing mechanism away from its seat. This makes it possible for fuel to flow through the injector and into the engine. When the computer removes the electrical ground to the injector, the electromagnetic coil becomes demagnetized and a spring forces the pintle, ball, or disc shut to cut off fuel flow. Even at an engine speed of just 1000 RPM, this is done hundreds of times per minute.

The Batmobile

In the late summer of 1965, an all-new Batman TV series was gearing up, with Dean Jeffries hired to build a Batmobile for the show. When the show's production schedule was moved up, Jeffries had to pass on the job, which then went to custom car builder George Barris. With merely three weeks to build the car, Barris decided to use the Ford Motor Company's abandoned Futura concept car as a basis for what would go on to become one of the most famous cars in the world.

The Futura worked perfectly as a Batmobile, as it had many "bat" features built into the design already, such as the long fins and bubble canopies. According to Barris, he further enhanced the theme by converting the nose into an integrated bat mask, a first for the car. He also opened the wheel wells, and modified the Futura's fins into subtle bat wings by extending their leading edges into the doors and scalloping the trailing edges. Once bodywork was complete, the car was painted gloss black with red trim to accentuate the various lines of he car. Three replicas were eventually built by Barris' shop, though only one appeared on the show itself.

The car featured an impressive array of bat-gadgets. In addition to the "atomic turbine engine" (the car was actually powered by a blueprinted Ford V8), the car had a nose-mounted chain slicer, lasers, rockets, an on-board telephone, radar, dash monitor, on-board computer, and police beacon. If needed, the Batmobile is capable of a quick 180° "bat-turn" thanks to two rear-mounted 10' parachutes, and the it is equipped with a smoke emitter and a nail spreader to discourage pursuit. Some changes were made during the run of the series, including different license plates, a change in steering wheel, and the addition of extra gadgets such as the rear-facing camera and battering ram. Today,the #1 car has been returned to its gloss black finish, though many of the extra gadgets remain in place. Along with its enduring popularity, its influence continues in Batmobile designs today and is considered by many to be the Batmobile.

Fighting Land Rover

During World War 2, Willys Jeeps and Chevrolet trucks were used very successfully by the British Army both as a part of the regular forces and for use in long range special operations missions. The British Government realised, very slowly, that it needed its own vehicle to meet these needs. The project became known as 'FV1800' and saw its first prototype running in 1945. Government regulations and repeated modifications extended development over many years, and the vehicle did not enter production until the early 1950s. By that time, Nuffield had merged with Austin and the resulting vehicle became known as the Austin Champ. The development contract committed the British Armed Forces to a large order. In parallel to this order, the British Army purchased a trial batch of Series I Land Rovers in 1949. The earliest Land Rovers were found to complement the Austin Champ very well. The Land Rover was cheaper, lighter, consumed less fuel; and was ideal for behind-the-lines transport duties. However, the Champ was better suited as a front line combat vehicle.

Over time the Land Rover was modified, and became better suited to the British Army's needs. The initial contract order of Champs was never expanded and production ceased after only five years. In contrast, Britain's armed forces continued to buy Land Rovers. The British Army had also introduced armoured personnel carriers, reducing the need of a front-line light 4x4.The Land Rover became an ideal platform for development by the military.

Top 20 Problematic Cars

#1 2002 Ford Explorer
#2 2001 Honda Civic
#3 2000 Dodge Intrepid
#4 2001 Dodge Intrepid
#5 2003 Honda Accord
#6 1999 Dodge Intrepid
#7 2002 Toyota RAV4
#8 2003 Ford Windstar
#9 2001 Chrysler Sebring
#10 2003 Ford Explorer
#11 2002 Honda Accord
#12 2002 Nissan Altima
#13 2002 Dodge Intrepid
#14 2004 Ford Explorer
#15 2002 Honda Civic
#16 2002 Chrysler Sebring
#17 2002 Honda Odyssey
#18 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
#19 1998 Honda Accord
#20 2008 Honda Accord

From what this data is i suggest not purchasing Ford Explorers,and Honda Accords or Civics for they seem to have the highest amount of problems year by year on average.

Used or new ??

Recently my family and i have been researching and looking for a new car. From a 2010 camero to a 2005 mustang and pickup truck, we have scoured far and wide looking for a car. While we have many cars, we also have many people. I am one of 5 children in my family and they all are as car crazy as me. So we have recently been looking at both new and used cars and I have come to the conclusion that there are both positives and negatives of both. For a new car... well its new, lower to no miles, lover finance and interest rates and the 3 year warranty. But it comes with a much larger down payment as well as monthly payment that extends on average 6 years. While a used car while having usually higher miles and a higher interest and finance rate will, depending on the cost, cost you less per month and should be able to be paid of over a course of 3 years. So in the end I feel I’m swinging toward a used car. Its cheaper and easier to pay off.

And The Wheel Goes Round

The first invention that is directly related with today's tire was the process of vulcanization. Invented in 1844 by Charles Goodyear whose name was adopted by the company which continues today as one of the leading manufacturers of tires in the world. Goodyear's process became the basis of the manufacture of cured rubber tires and is still in use today. The first air filled or pneumatic tire was patented in 1845 by a Scotsman, an engineer named Robert William Thomson, born in Stonehaven, Scotland. He called his invention the Aerial Wheel. It consisted of a canvas inner tube surrounded by a leather outer tire which gave a good ride, but there were so many manufacturing and fitting problems that the idea was abandoned.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.

Working on my 79 Trans Am Firebird is my passion. Its hard, dirty, and stressful work that requires precision and a massive amount of guesswork. It gets annoying when im working on what I call "The Bird" and as im fixing something another thing goes wrong. But the great thing is that I can even work on the Bird in the first place because of its old 400 V-8 that is easy to fix and has very little electronics and complicated belt systems like modern cars do. She’s old but powerful and great to work on. Its brought me closer to my car because I know its every inch and how "The Bird" works. Its incredible to be able to work on something that’s way older than me and see it back on the streets. Its hard though because like my dad says when I work on The Bird its always "One step forward, two steps back." Meaning that when i fix one part, another breaks. Its a stressful process but i love it.

Gas From State to State

Gas prices can vary substantially from state-to-state and this has a lot to do with demand. In less populated regions of the U.S. it is not surprising to find cheaper gas. This is true within cities as well, try driving from South Central Los Angeles to Beverly Hills and you will find gas prices increase the closer you get to the prime location of Beverly Hills.

California has redone gasoline that meets stricter guidelines than those required by clean-gas laws. This provision makes gas in California burn cleaner but can also mean a higher price at the pump due to the additional processing required.

The Midwest saw gas prices far above the national average as they required ethanol-blended gas before the rest of the country. Since this special blend of gas was not as readily available it was quite possible that demand could exceed supply and thus pricing was higher in the middle of the country. While this became a national standard in 2007 it is factors like this that can produce varying gas prices from state to state.

The Birth of The Muscle Car ??

The growing public interest in speed and power gave birth to what many regard as the first muscle car, the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was a car any hot-rodder could understand. A powerful new engine in the lighter Oldsmobile body. And the engine was a breakthrough. America's first high-compression overhead-valve V-8, the result of research begun at General Motors well before WWII.

Though GM's Cadillac Division introduced a similar V-8 for '49, it was the smaller, fleeter Olds 88s that grabbed public attention, especially when they started to dominate stock-car racing, which along with drag racing and the beginnings of NASCAR was blooming.

Because success in Detroit never goes unchallenged for long, the Rocket 88s soon had showroom competition and a horsepower race was on. By 1955, most every U.S. nameplate offered light, efficient V-8s. Two of the best remain performance legends to this day.


One was Chrysler Corporation's Hemi, first offered for 1951 and named for the half-sphere or hemispherical shape of its chambers. No less significant was the 1955 Chevrolet small-block V-8, a design so right that its basic engineering concepts are still in production.

Birth of the Car

The first milestone vehicle was built in Germany in 1889 by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. Powered by a 1.5 hp, two-cylinder gasoline engine, it had a four-speed transmission and traveled at 10 mph. Another German, Karl Benz, also built a gasoline-powered car the same year. The gasoline-powered automobile, or motor car, remained largely a curiosity for the rest of the 19th century, with only a handful being manufactured in Europe and the United States.

The first automobile to be produced in quantity was the 1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile, which was built in the United States by Ransom E. Olds. Modern automobile mass production, and its use of the modern industrial assembly line, is credited to Henry Ford of Detroit, Michigan, who had built his first gasoline-powered car in 1896. Ford began producing his Model T in 1908, and by 1927, when it was discontinued, over 18 million had rolled off the assembly line.

Sorry Toyota

Toyota issued a recall covering 2.3 million late model cars, SUVs and pickup trucks several weeks ago, broadening its largest recall ever and acknowledging that potential accelerator pedal problems were more numerous than previously acknowledged.

Toyota previously recalled about 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal trapping caused by floor mats, according to a news release issued by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. About 1.7 million Toyota vehicles are subject to both recalls, the company said.

Toyota stated in "rare instances" the accelerator pedal may stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

Toyota previously had maintained there was no evidence of a mechanical fault linked to reported bursts of unintended acceleration that prompted the original recall last year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had received reports of 100 incidents at the time of Toyota's first recall. Those reports included 17 crashes and five fatalities possibly linked to floor mats and accelerator pedals in Toyota cars and trucks.

One of those crashes involved a Lexus that accelerated to more than 120 mph before crashing in San Diego, killing four people.

The safety stumbles have harmed Toyota's reputation in the U.S. as a builder of dependable, high-quality cars. Last year's recall was the sixth-largest ever in the United States.

Vehicles affected by the latest recall are:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
• 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
I think that this Recall is pure proof that this so called dependable Toyota and Honda are supposivley superior to American cars when in reality they are not. Every automaker has their issues with defects and recalls, but this one for Toyota is massive and should be seen as a wake up call to the American people. American cars are safer,more relaible, and even becoming cheaper. So i think that more people should look at an American option before they put there foot on the pedal of a Toyota!

The V-8

A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.In its simplest form, it is basically two straight-4 engines sharing a common crankshaft. However, this simple configuration, with a single-plane crankshaft, has the same secondary dynamic imbalance problems as two straight-4s, resulting in vibrations in large engine displacements. As a result, since the 1920s most V8s have used the somewhat more complex cross plane crankshaft with heavy counterweights to eliminate the vibrations. This results in an engine which is smoother than a V6, while being considerably less expensive than a V12 engine. Racing V8s continue to use the single plane crankshaft because it allows faster acceleration and more efficient exhaust system designs.

The Return of the Muscle Car???

Are we witnessing a little American Muscle car returning to our streets? With the new Mustang GT,Camero SS, and Dodge challenger SRT we are taking a time machine back with the looks, styles and larger V-8 that still are trying to modernize and economize. It sure looks like it. The American muscle seems to be making a return. With faster standard horsepower and that sleek powerful American look, it seems to be a bright future for the Muscle car. The New 2010 Shelby Gt Ford Mustang thanks to its Roots-type Eaton supercharger bolted to its all-new, cast-aluminum engine block, the special 5.4-liter four-valve V8 delivers 550 horsepower and 510 lb.–ft. of torque at 6,200 rpm. Now thats a whole lot of pure power and thats just the standard car. The new Camero SS is even putting out 500 hundred horsepower standard right of the lot. These cars are incredible and all a person needs affordability, fast, sleek, powerful, and even not to terrible on fuel.

History of the Firebird first generation

The Pontiac Firebird was released five months after the Chevrolet Camaro, and offered buyers choices of six and eight cylinder engines. Pontiac was able to use that additional time to create a unique identity for the Firebird, despite having to use the Camaro chassis and some body panels. Despite using the same front fenders, doors, and rear fenders as the Camaro, the Firebird's styled split front grille, beaked hood, and GTO-slitted taillights gave it a distinctly Pontiac apperance. But the key differentiator was under the hood, where the Firebird offered a range of Pontiac engines. Initially, five different Firebirds were available, named after their respective Engine choices. At the bottom was the lowly 230 cubic inch six cylinder Engine with a single 1bbl carb, rated at a measily 165 bhp which was crazy weak. Stepping up to the "Sprint" version got the buyer a 230 I6 with a 4bbl carb rated at 215bhp. Either six cylinder was linked to either a three or four speed manual or two-speed automatic transmission. Although the six cylinder engines were more powerful than Chevy's offerings, most buyers wisely opted for one of the available V8 engines. At the bottom was Pontiac's 326 V8 with a two barrel carb that was rated at 250 bhp. A special "H.O." (High Output) version of the 326 V8 fitted with a four barrel carb was rated at 285bhp. At the top was the 400 V8 borrowed from the GTO. This Engine was rated at 325 bhp, and was available with or without Ram Air . The Ram Air Engine included a hotter cam, stronger valve springs, and made use of the otherwise decrorative hood scoops. With no publicized power increase and a hefty $600 price tag, the Ram Air option was rarely ordered. All V8s came with a standard heavy-duty three speed manual transmission; a four speed manual and two and three speed automatic transmissions were optional. Performance axle ratios up to 4.33:1 were available as well as front disk brakes. Firebird prices were roughly $200 more than comprable Camaros and the Camaro outsold it two to one. But Pontiac's pony car had arrived.It would later evolve more sufficently away from the Camero as the 2nd Generation rolled along. However they continued to use similar body styles.http://tachrev.com/JPEG_Images/1969-firebird-photo.jpg

Opening Post

Old cars and especially Muscle cars are my passion. I own a 1979 Trans Am Firebird that was my dads first car and I grew up working on several of my grandpas cars that he owns,most being classics such as a 1967 Shelby Gt mustang, or his 1972 Dodge Challenger. Modern cars just cant match up to that that old steel and power that was the American muscle car. The simplicity and workability of the engines make them ideal for ease of working on them and they have a sleekness and class thats not rolling off the assembly lines anymore. Thats why im dedicating my blog to Muscle cars, and cars in general. Enjoy