The Lava Bot

If you have read the previous articles in this series you should now have a clear idea of what brochures you are trying to obtain for your collection.

Now for the fun bit! Starting, maintaining and increasing your collection.

As you are collecting second-hand items, the condition of an item you are after can vary dramatically. Also, it does not help that sellers regularly either omit or misdescribe items.

Therefore, it is paramount that you ask the right questions and look for what the seller hasn’t said as much as what he has in his advert description.

Having been disappointed on more than a few occasions when a “pristine” item has arrived through my letterbox, I have a checklist that I consult before committing to buying. The list is as follows:

1) What is the size of the item in centimetres? Pictures can be deceptive and what looks like a 21cm x 29cm item, may be much smaller in size.

2) How many pages long is it? Beware that on smaller brochures, there can be confusion between seller and buyer with what represents a page. My firm only uses the term “pages” for items that are 6 pages long or more. Otherwise, we use the term number of “sides”. As a reputable seller, this avoids any confusion and disappointment.

3) What is the reference number of the brochure? Most manufacturers have a code system for their brochures that you will become familiar with very quickly. By keeping a note of the references, you will avoid duplicates in your collection.

4) What is the condition of the brochure? Amazingly, very few sellers have a condition scale attached to the advert (we do). One person’s “pristine” may be fit only for the bin in other collectors eyes! I therefore ignore vague words like the above and ask direct questions - Has it any creases or tears and if so how many and how bad? Any fading? Any foxing (A term used to describe stains, specks, spots and blotches in paper)? Any water or damp damage?

5) How will the item be delivered to you? On auction sites especially, it is natural to go for the cheapest posting method. However, if the item is being sent for the cost of the stamp, can you really expect anything more than for it to be delivered in a flimsy envelope? Probably not. The only way that a collectable paper item should be sent is in a card-backed envelope preferably marked “do not bend” with the item wrapped in plastic to prevent water damage and a return address inside, just in case the postal system loses it. I also insist on a proof of posting, again just in case the item goes missing. For any item over a preset limit, in my case £30/$60, I offer to pay extra for recorded delivery. Better safe than sorry.

If you get a satisfactory answer to the questions above, you will be as certain as you can be that you will get the item and that it will be of a standard reflecting the price you have paid. The list sounds a bit daunting, but essentially it boils down to ensuring you know what you are getting and making sure it arrives in the same condition with which it left the seller.

Many is the time that I have received a sodden envelope that contains a perfectly preserved item because I have insisted on it being wrapped in plastic. If the seller says, he does not normally do this, offer to pay extra for the service or if practical, collect the item. If your seller cannot or will not take this care, may I suggest that you walk away and wait for another to turn up.

Please remember that for older brochures especially, a bit of fading and foxing and the odd crease or small tear is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I prefer an item with a patina to an “as new” item as it seems to have more character.

Finally, unless it is extremely rare, I would avoid buying any incomplete, falling apart or badly damaged brochures. On the whole, they have little or no value and it is best to wait for a better one to be offered for sale.

Next week, I will be discussing the correct way to store your collection.

I own an internet firm specialising in sourcing and selling all kinds of paper automobilia.

Whether you want a car or auto brochure, rare workshop manual or simply to chat on our forum about collecting and classic cars a warm welcome is guaranteed.

I supply items worldwide, a large number of which can be downloaded 24 hours a day.

Filed by admin at 8:07 am under Cars + Wagons
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Several years ago, a friend loaned us a front-porch bench. It’s iron and
wood, heavy and awkward to carry. On a recent weekend, it was time to
return the bench. Its owner, once a neighbor, now lives nearly 100 miles
away.

With remarkable ease, my wife reconfigured the back seat arrangement
of the new-look and more spacious 2005 Honda CR-V, and the cargo
area opened into a flat and cavernous compartment. The bench is five-
feet long, but with a little twist here and a turn there it fit lengthwise.

It
was tight, but at 60 inches long it was secure in the back compartment,
and the tailgate and rear window closed securely. Sport Utility Vehicles
are designed for versatility, but transporting the cumbersome outdoor
piece provided a nice example of the new CR-V’s ever-expanding uses.

The 200-mile round-trip, primarily freeway miles, also provided plenty of
time to experience the vehicle’s all-wheel drive system. It’s called Real
Time AWD, and it offers fine handling and traction. The roads were dry
on our outbound trip and periodically wet on the return voyage. It didn’t
make any difference. The drive was smooth and comfortable, further
assisted by the new Vehicle Stability (Anti-Skid) System. In short, the
CR-V maneuvers well and has a confident feel on the open road.

The CR-V has been top-rated for years, but in 2005 several new
features only add to its designation as a best value in the compact sport
utility vehicle class.

In addition to the aforementioned Vehicle Stability System, side curtain
airbags, a 5-speed (not 4-speed) automatic transmission, antilock
brakes, an increase from 15 to 16-inch wheels, a six-disc in-dash CD
changer and steering wheel radio controls are all standard.

The 2005 CR-V also has a new body and trim style that includes a
shorter, more blunt front end and a redesigned, more aerodynamic front
bumper and grille. Headlights have also been redesigned. The SE
model I drove for my weekly test also included leather upholstery,
heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated power
mirrors - all new standard features.

One potential issue: Despite its size, the CR-V has a standard 4-
cylinder, 2.4-liter, 16-valve, 160-horsepower engine. Yet, the vehicle
accelerates well, all things considered. Honda uses i-VTEC, a system
that generates power to the engine while still utilizing fuel economy. The
CR-V’s 22 mpg (city) and 27 mpg (freeway) mileage are good averages
for the SUV class.

The CR-V has two unique features: the positions of the parking brake
and the transmission shifting arm. The shifting mechanism is located on
the instrument panel and is reminiscent of vehicles from yesteryear
featuring “three on the tree” shifting. The parking brake is positioned
vertically on the forward console panel. I forget to set the brake on a few
occasions considering its unique location. But the location became
more practical the more I drove the car.

Like all Hondas, instrumentation, gauges, storage compartments,
cupholders, seat pockets, grab rails and clothing hooks are all smartly
designed, well-positioned and plentiful on the new CR-V. The spare tire
bin cover is also a folding picnic table.

There’s not much not to like about the new CR-V. It has an improved
design and more standard features. The previous CR-V edition was
already exceedingly popular. But Honda has done even better with the
vehicle - even if it’s just used to lug around old outdoor furniture.

HONDA CR-V 2005

Safety features - Dual-stage driver and front passenger dual-stage front,
side and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) - 22 mpg (city), 27 mpg (highway).

Warranty - Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power train, 3
years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited mileage

Base price - $25,050

James Raia, a journalist in Sacramento, Calif, is author of The Weekly
Driver Review. To read more vehicle reviews or subscribe to his free
newsletters visit his web site: ByJamesRaia.com

Filed by admin at 2:25 am under Cars + Wagons
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Perhaps the most popular of the aftermarket accessories for any
enthusiast to install is a truck performance muffler. There are
many companies who manufacture them, some of them even offering
customized designs. Whether you drive a ford, chevy, or import
there are many options to choose from. An aftermarket muffler is
a terrific way to give your pickup a new identity and a little
of an attitude.

Not only do dual exhaust systems give your truck more
horsepower, they also look and sound great. When you step on the
gas you will immediately know why you decided to install one.
The sound will resonate through the cabin like music, and your
rpm’s will quickly increase more rapidly than before. Plus you
will have a nice chrome exhaust tip (or tips) jetting out the
back to warn all others that you mean business.

The renewed popularity of the trucks has driven the aftermarket
accessory industry to all time highs. There are many different
companies to choose from depending on your personal tastes. You
can go from relatively mild to complete race systems, and many
variations in between. And with a couple of tools and an
afternoon you can install them yourself. Whether you go with a
complete dual exhaust system or just a cat-back system, you will
be increasing the fun factor of driving your pickup.

You can find the right truck performance exhaust on the internet or at
your local parts store. One benefit of searching on the web is
you can quickly compare and learn about many different brands at
once. You can find the best deals and have them shipped direct
to your door. It’s never been easier to accessorize your truck.

So if you have a favorite truck, consider installing a
performance muffler for show and go. You will turn heads whether
you are driving or just sitting still and have fun doing it.
There are many styles to choose from for just about any type of
pickup. You can cater your purchase directly to your personal
tastes, virtually guaranteeing your happiness.

Filed by admin at 8:48 pm under Cars + Wagons
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Taking care of your car maintenance can be very rewarding if
done properly so here’s a list of seven tips that can help you
save money on your car parts and service.

1. A well tuned car can has a fuel consumption from 25% to 33%
lower than a poorly tuned car making a tune-up cheaper than
driving without it, tuning your car for better performance can
save you between $150 and $250 per year.

2. Regardless of the number of miles the manual recommends a oil
change and filter change you should change them every 3,000
miles. This is one of the most important factors in your
engine’s life since it’s going to prolong your engine’s life and
you’re going to save on engine car parts. The potential savings
are $500 to $3000.

3. Dirty air filter means more gasoline used and reduces the
engine’s life so you should check it regularly, maybe monthly.
The air filter can be cleaned by blowing it with a hose or can
be replaced. You can save about $130 per year..

4. Using steel-belted radial tires can increase the number of
miles you make per year by up to 10%, saving this way about $130
per year.

5. Most cars, don’t work better on premium gas, so, unless your
car is pinging or knocking you shouldn’t use higher octane gas.
If your car doesn’t have a high performance engine, using the
gas that best suits your car’s engine can save you $200 to $400
per year.

6. Having under inflated tires makes your engine burn about 6%
more gas so make sure you check your tire pressure regularly.

7. If your tires are improperly balanced the tread on them will
be destroyed. In addition, your suspension and shock absorbers
can be damaged leading to more expense on car parts and service.
Balancing your tires once a year can add thousands of miles to
their life.

Filed by admin at 6:51 pm under Cars + Wagons
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Calling all of the best and the brightest aspiring filmmakers. The Ford Motor Company’s luxury brand, Lincoln, and the NBA legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson” are calling you. All you need to do is “Define Lincoln Luxury” and you will be winning a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr.

This challenge is in part of Lincoln’s presenting the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) for the seventh year in a row. The American Black Film Festival is held annually. It serves as a channel for film aficionados to show off their stuff, gather together, and be amazed at the various pieces of creativity. Oftentimes, this festival is held for five days. There are premieres, networking, panel discussions, workshops, and competitive film showcase.

Lincoln is sponsoring this year’s American Black Film Festival. As part of that, the brand is introducing its “Define Lincoln Luxury” contest. Aside from the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, the prize also includes a whopping $10,000 prize money.

Tom Grill, the brand manager for Lincoln, states, “We are proud of our long history with the American Black Film Festival and Film Life which reinforces our support of the independent filmmaking community as it reaches higher to bring its unique voice to a wider audience. ABFF provides an outstanding platform to showcase the many innovative and original perspectives of the Black experience.”

Since 2003, Lincoln and Earvin “Magic” Johnson have both been working together as partners. They have collaborated in various activities in events. There have been television commercials, charity events, and other sports appearances. The most recent is the world debut of the brand new 2007 Lincoln Navigator and Navigator L at the Chicago Auto Show. And at present, they are going to embark on the “Define Lincoln Luxury” competition together. Again.

To win the prize, aspiring filmmakers must have created an original commercial that articulates their own interpretation of Lincoln luxury. This commercial should be around 30 seconds to a minute long. And of course, there must be a feature of at least one shot of a Lincoln vehicle.

Lincoln luxury could also be seen through the various Lincoln Versailles parts and other Lincoln parts that Lincoln Parts and Car Parts offer. The parts are absolutely the lowest prices and yet they assist in keeping Lincoln vehicles maintain their claim to luxury.

Lincoln Parts and Car Parts,
Lincoln Versailles parts
===

Pamela Hewitt is marketing consultant of a successful auto body shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 39 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications. She is also an offroad enthusiast.

Filed by admin at 4:21 pm under Cars + Wagons
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A few years ago, everyone driving a SUV panicked as the safety administrations struggled with various overturned SUVs on the road. It seemed that these models of vehicles were just not being built correctly. This started the trend of creating the safest automobile. It turned out that after all was said and done it was found that SUVs are safe after all. However, how can someone tell which cars are the safest?

The best thing to do to figure out which cars are the safest is to do research. Some companies, such as Volvo and Saturn have done the research for you. In fact, they pride themselves on building strong vehicles. They use the strongest materials and test endlessly to be sure their models come out on top. However, there are many Volvos and Saturns in wrecks each day, so you never can be too sure.

More important than anything, you should realize that the driver and other drivers on the road have more of an impact on your road safety than anything else. Of course, if you are in a tiny convertible, you are not going to be as protected as if you are in a Volvo SUV, however you can rationalize that easily. So, just remember that although model does matter, you should simply do what you can to drive properly and in safe ways and be aware of others on the road with you. Those are the best things you can do to stay safe and keep those in your car safe as well.

Filed by admin at 5:23 pm under Cars + Wagons
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Volvo calls this vehicle the true convertible. After all, this vehicle actually boasts of the prestige and fame brought about my a convertible yet at the very same time, this vehicle holds and provides utmost comfort and the kind of safety that only a Volvo vehicle could provide. This vehicle is the Volvo C70 and at present, it is already on its second generation of vehicles.

The first generation of the Volvo C70 was made available in two body styles which comprised of the convertible and the coupe version. This generation lived from the year 1997 up until 2005. It was designed, crafted, and manufactured equipped with both low pressure and high pressure 5-cylinder turbocharged engines that also had additional help from manual and automatic transmission systems.

The first time it made its way to public knowledge, it was introduced as a 1997 model in Europe and as a 1998 model in the United States and the rest of North America. And after that introduction, the Volvo C70 went on sale and had to double their efforts for there was quite a limited demand for coupes. Despite this, the Volvo C70 had developed a group of followers who were mostly Volvo enthusiasts and aficionados.

The second generation of Volvo C70s will be making its way to the automobile scene this year, on the 13th of April 2006. This time, the vehicle holds a variety of choices. Like its exterior color, one could actually choose from a wide range of colors that includes Black Stone, White Pearl, Passion Red, Silver Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Blackcurrant Pearl, Magic Blue Pearl, Celestial Blue Pearl, and Zanzibar Gold Pearl.

This vehicle holds and uses the platform that was also used by the Volvo S40. The second generation Volvo C70 was designed by John Kinsey and was built by Pininfarina. It now features a three piece retractable metal hardtop rather than the soft convertible top which was the traditional one. However, there are no more coupe versions to be offered to the market.

Hans-Olov Olsson, the CEO and President of Volvo Cars exclaims, “We’ve succeeded in creating an attractive convertible which, at the mere touch of a button, converts into an equally elegant coupe. The customer gets two cars in one. Both with space for four adults. Our all new C70 is one of the first open top cars in the premium segment with both a steel roof and space for four adults. We believe this is a highly sought-after combination. That’s why we expect to more than double our sales compared with the first generation C70.”

Whenever there is a need for Volvo parts and accessories that would not only enhance the performance of the vehicle but also add to the a more head-turning appearance of the Volvo C70 or any other Volvo vehicle, Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts has these Volvo C70 parts and accessories available for its large customer base.

———–

As a former news correspondents for an auto-related websites, Khevin has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old father of three from Pennsylvania is a genuine car lover.

Filed by admin at 1:48 pm under Cars + Wagons
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Take advantage of the hundreds of free on-line classifieds to
sell your used car. Many of these sites will allow you to place
an ad for free for up-to 30 days. Some sites will even let you
upload a picture as well.

Look for classified sites that will provide an “advance” search
capability to ensure that the potential customer can search on
location as well as other details. It is not very effective if
someone in Canada wants to buy a car that you are selling in
Texas, unless you have a hard to find classic.

There are several things your add must contain to help target a
potential buyer. Make sure that you are honest about the
condition of the car and that the mileage from the odometer is
correct. Pricing is important as well; you can go to Kelly Blue
Book http://www.kbb.com/ to get a good estimate of how much your
car is worth.

Place in your ad as much detail about the car, by doing this you
will not waste your or a potential buyer’s time.

A final technique to using classifieds is to link your ads
together by using a site that offers photo ads as a base and use
the URL option on all other sites to link back.

Zeoh.com - http://www.zeoh.com/ is a free classifieds website
that offers 30 day ads, unlimited renewals, photo uploads, URL
links and advance searching.

Filed by admin at 2:31 pm under Cars + Wagons
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