30
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category: Uncategorized
Movies dedicated to cars? Not so. How about movies with cars? That fits. Cars are so ingrained into American culture that they have become a sticking point in movies as well. So much that there have cars that have debuted in recent films. What are some of the more popular cars that have appeared in movies? Or, what are the more recognizable vehicles from movies?
Flashback to the early versions of the James Bond films, when Sean Connery played Bond, and many moviegoers remember his incredible car. The Aston Martin DB 5. It was riddled with all kinds of different gadgets to help him defeat his enemies. Now, flashback again to the 1960′s, when rock star Elvis Presley ruled the airwaves. Not only was he popular in the music industry, he was also a movie star. In almost all of Presley’s movies his 1955 pink Cadillac Fleetwood was featured in plenty of shots. That was the only car he kept until he passed away.
One of the most famous vehicles in all of TV and movies was the Batmobile. Owned and driven by Batman, it is one of the most popular vehicles in cinematic history. Many kids growing up had Batmobile hot wheels, replica toys and sometimes even a homemade Batmobile out of a wagon. The Batmobile has evolved over the years from the comics to the movies and has been redesigned when new Batman movies are released. Many replicas of the Batmobile are on display at theme parks across America to market the Batman ride.
Another famous car from the movie industry was named “Bullit” from the movie “Bullit.” The car was driven by Steve McQueen in one of the longest car chase scenes in movie history. The car was a Mustang Fastback and it instantly became one of the most popular makes and models in the automobile industry overnight. Fast cars were also made famous and popular in other movies from the ’60s and ’70s such as “Italian Job,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “Grand Prix.” Movies in the modern era that feature fast cars are “Minority Report,” “The Fast and Furious,” and “I, Robot.” All of these movies prominently feature fast paced cars that Americans have grown to become fixated with.
The movie industry has helped the automobile industry grow throughout history. Some of the most famous scenes in film have happened in cars. Car chases have always been a popular part of the movies. They can be serious or comical, like the one in the movie “The Blues Brothers.” Probably one of the most comical movie scenes involving a car is from the movie ***** Gun. Actors O.J. Simpson and Leslie Nielsen, two of the cops in the movie, get stuck in their squad car when parked at a weird angle.
Movies have been a part of the American culture for decades and have coincided with the automobile. Where would movies be without cars in them? Cops would have to chase criminals on foot all of the time and that just wouldn’t be as exciting as a damaging car chase.
24
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category:
Social Marketing
Handbags are the new shoes, the must have “it” accessory that has all the fashion-istas clamouring for the latest offering from popular designers. It’s also a market that has more in common with the male-dominated world of classic cars than you’d realise.
Few of you will have missed the fuss a couple of months ago when Sainsbury’s sold 20,000 “I’m not a plastic bag” Anya Hind-march totes for [pound]5 each. Within hours those same unbleached cotton bags were selling for in excess of [pound]150 on eBay. “Every girl has a handbag,” says Christie’s specialist Monica Turcich, “and every girl wants one. Women now want the ‘it’ bag and the one nobody else is carrying. They’ve always been popular and they are the section of our 20th-century fashion sales for which we get the most phone calls, but now they are doing particularly well because everyone wants handbags, whereas 10 years ago there weren’t the ‘it’ bags like we have today, simply the classics.”
Like cars, most of the more recent designer handbags which sell through dealers and auction houses make significantly less than their original retail price, losing value the second the initial purchase has taken place. That is good news for both collector investors and handbag enthusiasts, but there are some exceptions to the rule.
Last March Christie’s sold a red Hermes crocodile skin Kelly bag for [pound]10,800, this had only been purchased in 1994 and was originally a bespoke product. The Kelly bag is the “holy grail” of the classic handbag world according to Turcich. “Chloe and other more contemporary bags are more driven by what’s popular now, but for Hermes and Chanel’s quilted bag, these are classics which never go out of style and are always useable.” Kelly bags can be bought for [pound]600 and can often be sold on for [pound]1,000- [pound]2,000, which isn’t bad for a bag which might have been bought back in the 1960s.
There’s no doubt that most handbags are being bought to be used, it’s not an investment market in the same way as many other collectables such as paul smith,Abercrombie and Fitch,dsquared etc, but again there are parallels to the car market. By buying a classic bag and looking after it, you are unlikely to lose money, rather see a steady gain with the added return of enjoying using it.
Hindmarch’s “I’m not a plastic bag” bags are unlikely to make it to “classic” status, they are after all mass-produced cotton totes, but other handbags from her range might well do so. So far Christie’s has-n’t sold any Hindmarch bags, but Turcich says she wouldn’t be surprised if they start turning up at auction soon and she wouldn’t turn them away. “Kylie Minogue was pictured carrying a Chloe bracelet bag around a few years ago which sparked a fashion and now we are selling the same thing at auction.”
There is a pristine one in the next auction which is estimated at [pound]800 to [pound]1,000 along with another Chloe handbag in the same lot. “I think Chloe has started the ‘it’ bag scene” adds Turcich, “I don’t know how long it will take for them to become classics of their own, but I’m sure these will hold their value in five or 10 years’ time. People just don’t seem to have paid attention to the fact that handbags have become the new shoes in the last few years, there is now an appreciation of the design that goes into them. There are shoe designers that are artists and so too with handbags.”
It’s not always about big names, a few weeks ago Ms Minogue was at the shop of Tony Durante, a handbag dealer at Alfie’s in London, and purchased a white raffia bag with a horse’s head on the front for around [pound]200. Brightly coloured raffia bags are in at the moment because it’s summer. Durante says that Kylie loved this particular bag because it was unusual. Buying it from a vintage fashion dealer she’s unlikely to bump into another celebrity carrying one. Durante says that his customers are looking for this “unusualness” factor.
If you do want to retain the value in your handbag then you should go for one that is in excellent condition, is a good design and beautiful. Some “it” bags will undoubtedly go down in value as fashions change, but the classics should stay steady.
20
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category: Uncategorized
Classic pedal cars are such a great toy for kids. They provide summer fun, they’re classy to look at, and kids love being able to drive their own vehicle. You can’t imagine the excitement you’ll see on their faces as they open up the door to their very own car.
Parents can use classic pedal cars as a way to encourage a good physical exercise program to their children. They are a great motivation to get the kids off the couch or away from the computer and out into the great outdoors. Your kids will be using those little legs to just pedal away as soon as they hop in their new ride. They’ll be working their major muscle groups, burning calories, and increasing gross motor skills.
Kids love to imitate what they see us doing. Driving a car is one of the things that kids enjoy the most and driving a great looking classic car will do the job in this area. Your kids will be able to open and close the door, steer the vehicle, and power it themselves. Before you know it they’ll be out for a casual drive to fill up the afternoon, gaining independence and more self confidence.
These classic cars have durable steel bodies, working steering columns and steering wheels, and real rubber tires. They have adjustable pedals so your child can grow with the car and ride it for years to come. These are just a few of the most popular cars that are available:
The Mercedes Pedal Car
If you’re looking for a really cool retro looking car then the Mercedes Car will fit the bill. This red convertible is a replica of the Mercedes Benz 190SL. It has an authentic Mercedes Benz license plate and hood logo. It’s very classy looking with its chrome bumpers, hubcaps, headlight and windshield holders. I love the fact that the headlights really work and the seat is padded for extra comfort.
The InStep Street Rod Pedal Car
The Street Rod car is a classic pedal car that simulates the hot rods from the 50′s and 60′s. This car is so nostalgic looking that it even has the great hot rod flame design from years ago. This is a fun car for those really adventurous kids who love flashy and fast cars. I love that this car has chrome hubcaps for that extra edge of style.
Classic pedal cars are so much fun that your kids will love you for providing such a fun means of transportation.
17
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category:
Classics
Maintaining a classic car has never been an easy job. All the hard work that has been put its maintenance and not forgetting its age makes the car even more special. So when you decide that you want to put a price on it and sell it, then several major factors have got to be put on the picture.
Most classic cars are never sold as spare parts, but if they were to be sold in such a manner then chances are you could make a fortune from there sale. Most classic cars are normally sold under the assumption that someone is going to restore them and not tear them apart.
The first thing one should do is to ensure that the vehicle looks the part. This means that the vehicle must be polished and cleaned in a manner that is attractive to anyone who intends to buy it. The engine goes without saying must be in proper working condition. If you want to change the engine only do so but remember it will decrease the vehicles value as the new owner probably wants to feel the engine of the classic car. Wiring hanging out of the classic car will leave people with more questions than answers on the condition of the car thus any repairs must be done in moderation and skill. Any new re-carpeting or upholstery normally in such a car will normally tend to look out of place.
The next step would be to gather around all the relevant documents that pertain to the vehicle. This includes the receipts, registration papers, manuals and even historical contacts of the previous owners if that applies. Create another document that describes the vehicle as per your description including the strengths and its weaknesses. This makes you as a person to appear more genuine and honest in your dealings. Besides the more the information you provide in your documentation then the more likely that the prospective buyer will meet your asking price as he or she will feel less risk has been taken when purchasing the vehicle.
The next step is to advertise the vehicle. One could choose to do so in classic car magazines as the best bet to find people who actually understand the cars true value. Always remember that a car is never an investment as it is most likely to decrease in price as it ages. Try to value your vehicle at current market prices no matter how much you have been spending on its restoration. But keep in mind the lowest price your most likely to accept because most people would always be happy to purchase something at a bargain price. This should not mean you give it out at a throw away price especially if you were to sell at a public auction. Auctions have proven to be the best option since the people there are out to buy vehicles.
At the end of the day the classic cars overall condition should be enough to find a buyer.
10
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category:
Cars
With in the influx of new and better cars today, classic vintage cars are slowly increasing in value. This is why a lot of people are looking into buying one, imitating one, or resurrecting one. However, classic cars don’t really impress everybody. Some might even regard them as junk unworthy of garage space. But hey, if you’re a real car enthusiast, the love for classic cars would come naturally to you.
But the bigger question is this: how much of an enthusiast are you to go out of your way and buy a century-old car? And what would be your reasons for buying it? Would you really use it as an alternate car? Or you merely want to try your newly-acquired restoration prowess with it? Maybe you just like to look at the car everyday in your garage?
Enthusiast or not, it’s not right to just waste your hard-earned dollar on something you don’t need. There should be a reason why you want to buy a classic car. It could be as stupid as you feel like straying away from the conventional vehicles of today and decide to drive a vintage all over town. At least you have valid reasons for buying a vehicle some people would regard as junk.
When buying classic cars, the first you should care about is its actual running condition. Most of these cars have problems. You should be aware of this fact at the least. Cars 15 years and older tend to have irreplaceable parts, non-working motor, a tattered interior, or all of the above. Assess how much you’ll spend on restoring the classic car you want to buy before actually shelling out the money for it. Thing is, if you don’t know anything about repairing or restoring cars, don’t stray too far in the classic car category.
Be realistic when assessing the value of a classic car. You might be able to get a vintage vehicle for just a few hundred of dollars. But is it really possible to put it back to life? Would there still be some replacement parts available for it at the biggest auto parts dealer shop in town? If you aren’t sure, better be. You can browse the internet for car parts to know if the ones you need are still in stock and are shipping. Otherwise, you might have to turn your head around and look for another vintage to save.
Keep in mind that not all classic cars are restorable to its usual condition. Oftentimes, you can only make it look good on the exterior but it will never run smoothly again. You have to accept that there will be flaws on the car even if you’re the best auto repairman in the whole world.
When buying vintage cars, you have to consider your budget, your car expertise, and the time you can spend around the car. At times, you should also consider what your wife and neighbors would think about the car you’re bringing home. So unless you want to go into any trouble, think twice about buying the oldies.
06
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category: Uncategorized
. Many dream of them, some own posters, some own model cars, and so few get to sit in the driving seat. Imagine Ferrari, Bughatti, McLaren and the jaw drops! Can sports car rental allow you to rent out a supercar? Who doesn’t dream of sitting in the latest Lamborghini? Who doesn’t dream of sitting in that nice red Ferrari Stradale, Enzo or whatever else rocks your boat? Fast cars are beautiful, sublime, and when the engine roars our hearts can seem to skip a beat. For many it is a distant dream, a one of occasion in the day when we might see one driving past. We may wonder – how they can afford such a car. Many times though the truth is far from reality. Many of these cars come from sports car rental. So few people actually buy a supercar. Why? Because they are not only expensive to buy, but running costs are prohibitive. Add insurance on top, and you need a small fortune to own such a car. Ok, if you are a multimillionaire, but even then, do you want to take on the costs of this car? Be a bit more thrifty Warren Buffet the investment giant would say! Instead many opt for sports car rental, and the good news is that you don’t have to be a millionaire! Many people are enjoying fast cars, and this is thanks to sports car rental. This is big, and many people take it up on the offer! With so many places that offer sports car rental, you are bound to find your favorite car. Why sit with a poster? Why sit with a model car, which doesn’t make the sounds, which doesn’t offer the feel of being in the driving seat? Sports car rental allows you to take your favorite car for a spin. For a whole day that car is yours, and it is the most thrilling experience you can experience. Your friends will be your envy, they will look in amazement. And you will be in the front seat having all the fun! The thought of how much will this cost, comes to mind. However, the good news is that it won’t cost you the price of the car, nor will it cost you 10% of what the car will cost. In fact a look at these places that offer these cars for rent will show you the most amazing and affordable prices. For many it is a direct route to owning the car. You start with a poster, go onto a semi expensive scale model, rent, and then many people find the ways and means to buy. That is if they choose to, but many people still rent the car, rather than buying outright. The choice is yours and sports car rental is a great way to experience supercars.
04
Aug
Posted by: Brad Lithium / Category: Uncategorized
The past year has given us many great cars and while researching cars to be released in 2009 it would seem that the future is bright indeed. In this time of financial uncertainty we all have to take better care of our money; value for money has never been more important really.
Whether your car’s service costs a fortune or maybe it’s time for a new car insurance policy, we all need to find ways to help save some money. Right, enough of all this shop talk, let’s get down to three of the most anticipated cars of 2009.
Nissan 370Z
Its predecessor, the 350Z was and still is hugely popular because of its looks; interior and performance so the newbie has some rather large shoes to fill and on the surface it would appear that Nissan have done just that. The new 370Z has power, 332 bhp to be precise, we know it will handle and drive well (because the 350Z did) and reliability has never been a problem for the Japanese manufacturer, so look out for a horde of 370Z’s at a local football club in the very near future.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Now the Insignia replaced the popular Vectra and it has made quite the impression on motoring journalists the world over (even the boys from Top Gear liked it a lot). The new incarnation of the Insignia is a sports tourer, a sort of family car built for the open road and long trips, sounds idyllic doesn’t it? I am reasonably sure that the sports tourer will be quite popular as it looks great and the drive is sure to be comfortable as well. One of the big bonuses of the Insignia is that it is a reasonably easy car to own with affordable services, fuel consumption and car insurance costs. Brilliant!
Audi S4
The S4 has become, dare I say it, the new “trendy, fast car”, mostly because of the astounding RS4, but make no mistake the S4 is very much a player on the same field as the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes Benz C-Class. It is roomy, cheaper and maybe just a dash prettier than its German counterparts. So look out for the gorgeous new S4 to really make an impact on the market.
So there we have it, three of the most anticipated cars for 2009 and I am sure you will agree that they all have the potential to be brilliant, so now we can only wait and see.
Disclaimer:
Please note that Direct Line does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of the article above.
