What is ironic is that the seat covers are probably the most overlooked things in a person’s car. However, there is a lot of importance put on the looks of the seats. They are just as an important part of the car as anything else. They protect your seat from harmful elements and keep them clean from dirt. Also, a proper seat cover will never allow your seat to lose its shape.

There are many companies that will sell you designed seat covers. Some are going to be made of different fabrics such as silk and cotton in order to not irritate the skin. For a baby seat cover there is a level of protection it gives the baby during the time the car is in motion. There is also the aspect that it will maintain its cleanliness, because you can detach it and wash it in your washing machine.

There are several materials used for seat covers:

For a soft touch, poly-cotton is the most commonly utilized fabric for automobile seat coverings. It is soft to the human touch, as well as it also providing constant protection to your seats.

Sheepskin seat covers are the next most common to poly-cotton covers. It is known to be thermostatic, as well as being warm when it is cold, and cool when it is hot.

UV Protected Sheets are another solid and dependable choice of material which is used for making Velour seat covers. They are also very soft to the touch, like the poly-cotton covers. These types of seat covers will protect your seats from wearing out.

There are also several different types of seat covers. The first type being Universal auto seat covers. These types of covers are a universal fit, which means they will fit to almost every kind of car seat, including high-back bucket seats, as well as low-back seats.

The other type of seat covers are the custom auto seat covers. These are the tailor made auto seat covers that are tailor made especially for your car. They can be made to the measured size of each specified car seat. While creating custom covers, every little detail of the car seat is noticed and pondered over. This fitting is considered to be perfect, as it is made exactly to fulfil the particular requirements of your car.

Weight is one of the most important issues to consider when building a fast car for road or track. Putting a car on a serious diet is pretty much free horsepower, as any attempt to lighten a car improves the power to weight ratio, this seriously improves acceleration.

The gains on a lightening a car are huge and not just limited to gains in acceleration either. Once you have lightened a fast car you will find the car performs better in the corners and under braking, parts such as brakes and tires will last longer on the car also.

The potential gains are huge but it must be done correctly, you would not want to lighten a rear wheel drive car too much on the rear or you may find traction a problem particularly with a high power output.

The truth is your fast car could be made a great deal faster cheaply and easily just by shaving a few pounds off the body.

How do we remove weight from the fast car?

This bit is as easy as you want it to be, but as with most forms of car modification it depends on how far you want to go. I know a guy who races a BMW and he decided to go all out on weight saving, he even scraped every bit of under-seal from the floors of the car, extreme perhaps but he managed to remove nearly 2 stone of under-seal, not a bad effort.

The obvious place to start saving weight on your fast car is by removing the interior, and anything else that you do not need, the front seats can be replaced with light weight racing items, the unused wiring removed, carpets and sound deadening, pretty much all of the unnecessary parts, my car has just a driver seat and a cage with much of the unnecessary wiring removed. This makes for a car with very impressive performance.

Many other components can be replaced with lighter parts, gear box casings, axle covers etc. It is worth noting that a stainless steel exhaust is lighter than the same in mild steel, so this constitutes a worthwhile investment.

It is also important to reduce the unsprung weight on the car also, by this I mean wheels, brakes and anything else before the suspension mounts, this provides a very good increase in the handling of the car.

The use of car seat covers is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle’s interior in good condition. Car seat covers are an excellent investment if you want to retain the value of your vehicle and keep it looking clean and tidy.

Car seat covers have many benefits and are practical as well as nice to look at. No more sticking or burning on your hot vinyl seats, or the fear of unsightly stains appearing on your upholstery. Besides protecting your car’s seats from the sun and general wear and tear, you can wash them in the washing machine when they become dirty.

Car seat covers are available in a wide range of styles and fabrics, from warm and woolly to cool and comfy. Styles are available for bucket seats, as well as the back seat of your car or SUV. It is not difficult to find car seat covers which will suit all of your needs.

If you have kids who create a mess in your car, there are novelty car seat covers available in many colorful designs. For newborn babies, baby car seat covers are almost a necessity. Baby car seat covers are designed to fit over the original manufacturer’s cover, providing even more support for your baby.

If you take your pet with you in your car, there are dog car seat covers which protect your car seats from dog-related problems. A shedding pet will change the appearance of your car seats forever, so using seat covers in this situation would be a must.

Car seat covers come in two main types: Universal, and Custom.

Universal car seat covers: These come in one standard size to fit most vehicle makes and models. The disadvantage of these is that they do not always provide a perfect fit.

Custom car seat covers: The great thing about custom car seat covers is that they are designed to fit every popular model of car, van or truck. These provide a much better fit, as they are designed specifically for that particular vehicle.

There are several materials used for car seat covers. These are poly cotton, and sheepskin.

Poly cotton is the most common fabric used for car seat covers. It is soft to the touch, and is also very durable.

Sheepskin car seat covers are also very common next to poly cotton. Sheepskin car seat covers are known to reduce stress, as they provide warmth and massage your back while you drive. They are also cool during hot weather. Sheepskin car seat covers can also be machine washed.

Car seat covers are an excellent way to protect your expensive car seats, or make old seats look like new. Having a set of unique car seat covers is a great way to add some personal touch to the interior of your vehicle, as well as a cost effective method to extend the life of your car’s seats. Car seat covers are a great relief if you are worried about preserving the overall look of your vehicle.

High performance and low cost were Plymouth’s design goals for a brand-new model in 1968. The company believed that the time was right for a factory hot rod for the youth market, and its guess was right on the money. It would have the macho name of Road Runner.

It was also a very “B Body” budget-friendly machine which made it another very important reason for purchasing. The high cost ruled out many of the muscle cars of the era.

Less money meant less chrome on the body, along with fewer options. In fact, those that intended their Road Runner for the drag strip sometimes ordered the Runner with the small hub-cap-style wheel covers and even deleted the radio.

A member of the Belvedere line, the new model came with a stock 383cid engine capable of 335 horsepower. But that was just the beginning, the awesome 426 Hemi and 440 Six-Barrel engines would become available the following model year.

Of course, the Hemi has been a legend for many years, but that triple-carbed 440 engine had adopted a cult following of its own. A significant body change had been planned for the ‘70 model, but that would be put off until the 1971 model year.

The 1970 440 continued to be capable of 390 horsepower when equipped with the so-called Air Grabber induction system. That interesting system provided a solid connection between the hood scoops and engine once the hood was closed. The sides of the pop-up Air Grabber door were eye-catching with evil-looking shark’s teeth etched on the sides.

The front end was menacing-looking with the blackout grille containing twin headlights mounted in its ends. The aggressive bumper contained a pair of round parking lights on either side of the license plate.

When looking at the ‘70 Road Runner, and comparing it with the other garnish MOPAR muscle machines of the era, it appeared downright stripped. Oh, there was a stripe and 440+6 lettering on the hood, but that was about it. About the only eye catcher was the simulated rear-fender-scoop cut-out.

Some of the models did, however, have a dust trail that reached from near the front of the front fender and disappeared into that scoop.

The only sizable name identification externally was the “Road Runner” lettering contained in a stripe located on the rear end of the car, just above the tail lights. As far as engine identification, in addition to the aforementioned 440+6 designations on the hood, there was also a “440” in the rear of a hood bulge.

With that famous name, the company made the most of it with a special horn to sound like that famous cartoon bird. The horn made the Road Runner ‘Beep Beep’ sound which was unmistakable.

Mike Cenky of Huber Heights, Ohio owns this ‘70 Road Runner hardtop with such an six-barrel 440 engine installation. A retired phone company employee, Mike acquired the four-speed model in 1988 in “fair condition.” I redid the powertrain and suspension system which both needed attention.”

As he was restoring the Road Runner, Mike came across some interesting clues that provided firm indications of the car’s early history. “The engine had a scatter shield, there was an indication of once having a drag-style line-lock set-up, and the rear wheelwells had been trimmed for large racing slicks.

“I bet that it made many runs down the drag strip during those days.” He indicated, though, that type of activity is not in his plans for the orange beauty. “Oh, I might get on it once-in-awhile, but that’s about it!”

Cenky did, however, make several minor changes for better driving comfort. “I used a wider eight-inch rear wheel. Then too, I changed the factory 4.10 ratio rear end to a 3.54 unit which makes the car much more streetable.” For a cleaner look, the small Road Runner decals-normally on the front quarters-and small chrome RR emblems on the rear quarters.

The car is coated in a flashy Tor Red color, a color which is carried to the exposed wheels which carry the small wheel covers, and in MOPAR style, also into the engine compartment. It’s highlighted with that broad black hood stripe which contains the hood scoop and is outlined by two narrow stripes. There is definitely a racecar look about this stunning machine.

The car also carries the Super Track Pack which included front disc brakes, heavy duty cooling package, special cooling fan, and the Dana rear end. The interior is done in black vinyl and sports bucket seats.

Cenky explained that even though the car is 36 years old, most people at car shows know exactly what it is. “I am always hearing from them that they owned one or knew somebody that did,” he explained. Mike’s long been a Chrysler fan, and it comes naturally. “My dad worked for the company for many years and all we ever had were Chrysler cars.” And over the years,

Mike has owned a number of vintage performance MOPARs, including a ‘67 440 R/T, a ‘70 Dodge Challenger 440 Six-Pack, a ‘72 340 Plymouth Duster, and a ‘70 Chrysler 300.

There is no mistaking the look of those Chrysler-built ‘60s and early muscle machines, and they are certainly a favorite of mine.”

And ours too!

Copyright © 2005-2006 Muscle car News Magazine Privacy Policy

High performance and low cost were Plymouth’s design goals for a brand-new model in 1968. The company believed that the time was right for a factory hot rod for the youth market, and its guess was right on the money. It would have the macho name of Road Runner.

It was also a very “B Body” budget-friendly machine which made it another very important reason for purchasing. The high cost ruled out many of the muscle cars of the era.

Less money meant less chrome on the body, along with fewer options. In fact, those that intended their Road Runner for the drag strip sometimes ordered the Runner with the small hub-cap-style wheel covers and even deleted the radio.

A member of the Belvedere line, the new model came with a stock 383cid engine capable of 335 horsepower. But that was just the beginning, the awesome 426 Hemi and 440 Six-Barrel engines would become available the following model year.

Of course, the Hemi has been a legend for many years, but that triple-carbed 440 engine had adopted a cult following of its own. A significant body change had been planned for the ‘70 model, but that would be put off until the 1971 model year.

The 1970 440 continued to be capable of 390 horsepower when equipped with the so-called Air Grabber induction system. That interesting system provided a solid connection between the hood scoops and engine once the hood was closed. The sides of the pop-up Air Grabber door were eye-catching with evil-looking shark’s teeth etched on the sides.

The front end was menacing-looking with the blackout grille containing twin headlights mounted in its ends. The aggressive bumper contained a pair of round parking lights on either side of the license plate.

When looking at the ‘70 Road Runner, and comparing it with the other garnish MOPAR muscle machines of the era, it appeared downright stripped. Oh, there was a stripe and 440+6 lettering on the hood, but that was about it. About the only eye catcher was the simulated rear-fender-scoop cut-out.

Some of the models did, however, have a dust trail that reached from near the front of the front fender and disappeared into that scoop.

The only sizable name identification externally was the “Road Runner” lettering contained in a stripe located on the rear end of the car, just above the tail lights. As far as engine identification, in addition to the aforementioned 440+6 designations on the hood, there was also a “440” in the rear of a hood bulge.

With that famous name, the company made the most of it with a special horn to sound like that famous cartoon bird. The horn made the Road Runner ‘Beep Beep’ sound which was unmistakable.

Mike Cenky of Huber Heights, Ohio owns this ‘70 Road Runner hardtop with such an six-barrel 440 engine installation. A retired phone company employee, Mike acquired the four-speed model in 1988 in “fair condition.” I redid the powertrain and suspension system which both needed attention.”

As he was restoring the Road Runner, Mike came across some interesting clues that provided firm indications of the car’s early history. “The engine had a scatter shield, there was an indication of once having a drag-style line-lock set-up, and the rear wheelwells had been trimmed for large racing slicks.

“I bet that it made many runs down the drag strip during those days.” He indicated, though, that type of activity is not in his plans for the orange beauty. “Oh, I might get on it once-in-awhile, but that’s about it!”

Cenky did, however, make several minor changes for better driving comfort. “I used a wider eight-inch rear wheel. Then too, I changed the factory 4.10 ratio rear end to a 3.54 unit which makes the car much more streetable.” For a cleaner look, the small Road Runner decals-normally on the front quarters-and small chrome RR emblems on the rear quarters.

The car is coated in a flashy Tor Red color, a color which is carried to the exposed wheels which carry the small wheel covers, and in MOPAR style, also into the engine compartment. It’s highlighted with that broad black hood stripe which contains the hood scoop and is outlined by two narrow stripes. There is definitely a racecar look about this stunning machine.

The car also carries the Super Track Pack which included front disc brakes, heavy duty cooling package, special cooling fan, and the Dana rear end. The interior is done in black vinyl and sports bucket seats.

Cenky explained that even though the car is 36 years old, most people at car shows know exactly what it is. “I am always hearing from them that they owned one or knew somebody that did,” he explained. Mike’s long been a Chrysler fan, and it comes naturally. “My dad worked for the company for many years and all we ever had were Chrysler cars.” And over the years,

Mike has owned a number of vintage performance MOPARs, including a ‘67 440 R/T, a ‘70 Dodge Challenger 440 Six-Pack, a ‘72 340 Plymouth Duster, and a ‘70 Chrysler 300.

There is no mistaking the look of those Chrysler-built ‘60s and early muscle machines, and they are certainly a favorite of mine.”

And ours too!

Copyright © 2005-2006 Muscle car News Magazine Privacy Policy

Flooded Vehicle - is considered, a vehicle that was damaged by water level raised to seating level. Most flood damaged cars, trucks and SUVs are sent to a salvage yard, but some are cleaned up and put into the auto market where they’ll be bought by unsuspecting buyers who think they’re getting a great deal.

Flooded water leaves long lasting damage. Electrical and mechanical components will probably fail early. Mold and mildew can also create a serious problem. Any remaining warranty is voided. While buying a used car be on the lookout for these cars even if you don’t live in a flooded area, because dishonest people move them around. Here are some tips and points to detect flooded vehicles.

I) Get a Vehicle History Report Enter the vehicle’s VIN number to get a history report. Carfax does a great job of researching a vehicle’s background, but a clean slate is not a 100% guarantee that the car or truck hasn‘t suffered water damage. You can also contact CarSnaps and ask them for advice or request a vehicle background report.

II) Look for Moisture. Look for moisture within the lights. Check the glove compartment, console and trunk and inspect them for any sign of dampness moisture or the dirt that looks like a leftover from a flood. Look under the hood for accumulated dirt or signs of rust. Check under the seats for signs of moisture.

III) Take a deep Sniff This can really help in detecting flooded vehicles. Do you smell a sour, mildewy-like odor? Soaked seats, carpeting and other components are difficult to dry in a hurry, so there’s plenty of time for mold and mildew to grow, especially if the flood occurred in a hot and humid location.

IV) Look for Mismatched Interior Components Does the carpeting look brand new or mismatched or too new for the vehicle? Do seat covers seem out of place with the carpeting? Components that don’t match-up might have been changed in a hurry after the vehicle was pulled from flood waters.

V) Request free advice from CarSnaps Contact CarSnaps.com and request free advice from their qualified technicians who are there to help and it is free so there is nothing to lose.

VI) Let Your Technician Examine the Vehicle Take the vehicle to a technician if possible and ask for a thorough examination. Experienced auto technicians see evidence of flood damage more often than most individuals do, so they know exactly what to look for.

VII) Turn it On and Go for a Drive Turn the car on and check every electrical system possible, including the exterior and interior lights, the gauges, the clock and the audio system and the dash lights that display air bag and seat belt information. Go for a drive and test electrical components again to make sure they work correctly. 90% of the time you will be able to suspect an electrical problem with flooded vehicle unless it is repaired or electrical parts are not damaged which is very rare though.

Flooded vehicles should be avoided as much as possible even if seller tell you about the manufacturer warranty because warranty voids when a car goes through a flood. If you suspect a flooded vehicle walk away from it. Flooded vehicles are not worth the hassle they provide.

Harley Davidson is a famous brand of motorcycles, and it all started back in 1901 when a young man by the name of William Harley crafted a blueprint of an engine that would fit onto a bicycle.

In 1903 the very first Harley Davidson motorcycles were made available to the public when William Harley and his friend Arthur Davidson produced one built as a racing motorcycle. It was purchased by one of their childhood school friends, Henry Meyer. During this time, the Harley Davidson production plant was nothing more than a crude wooden shed with the words “Harley Davidson Motor Company” scratched across the front door.

1905 was an important year for Harley Davidson, as they hired their first full time employee and one of their motorcycles won a race in Chicago, putting them on the map in a sense. Years and years go by, and the 1950’s find Harley Davidson’s winning races, being featured on magazine covers with Elvis Presley, and becoming a household name among race and motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.

In 1983 the Harley Owners Group was formed, and was referred to as H.O.G. It became the largest motorcycle club in the world to be sponsored by a factory. In a mere six years, the club had grown to include more than 90,000 members. In 1987, Harley Davidson became listed on the New York Stick Exchange, and owners everywhere realized what a wise investment they had made!

More years pass, with Harley Davidson inventing new motorcycles on a regular basis, winning more races, and selling more motorcycles than any other manufacturer. In 2006, Harley Davidson appointed the first authorized dealer of their motorcycles in China.

Today, Harley Davidson produces a wide variety of motorcycles that come in all different styles, shapes and colors. Harley Davidson not only makes recreational and sport racing motorcycles, they also make touring bikes. The Ultra Classic Electra Glide is the king daddy of them all, loaded with extra features and offering the ultimate in comfort. It even comes with an advanced audio system!

While Harley Davidson is most well known for their motorcycles, they also produce a full line of accessories to compliment their motorcycles. Some of the available accessories include sidecars, saddlebags and pouches, chrome covers, windshields, seats, mirrors, backrests, hand controls and sissy bars.

They also make a full line of clothing including leather goods, warm, cold and wet weather gear, helmets, gloves, jackets, vests, shirts, pants, boots, eyewear, as well as racing attire. There clothing accessory line is available in a wide range of sizes for men and women, as well as children.

If you are in the market to buy a Harley Davidson, you’ll be able to find one no matter where you are in the world. Harley Davidson has dealerships in over 60 countries, and as a company employs more than 9,000 people.

It is an irony that auto seat covers are the most neglected thing in a car, while so much importance is given to its looks. Auto seat covers are as important for your car as any other part of your car. These covers will keep your seats free from dirt and other harmful elements. They will also maintain their shape.

There are several companies which offer designed seat covers. There are some companies which make baby seat covers made of cotton and silk, so as not to harm the baby’s skin. The most important feature of an infant seat cover is the security it provides to the baby while the car is moving. Also, it provides security to parents against the mess created by children. You just need to detach the seat cover, toss it in the washing machine and refit it again to give the seat its usual look.

Auto Seat Cover Materials

Soft Touch: Poly-cotton is the most widely used material for auto seat covers. It is very soft to touch, and also renders protection against harmful elements simultaneously.

Sheepskin: The usage of sheepskin is common next to poly-cotton for seat covers. It is considered to be thermostatic in nature, as it is warm during cold conditions and cool during warm conditions.

UV Protected Sheets: Another good choice of seat covers that you can consider having are Velour seat covers. They are also very soft to touch like poly-cotton. However they are different, as they possess an additional ultraviolet coating. So they will protect the color of your car seats from fading.

Types of Auto Seat Covers

Universal Auto Seat Covers: These kinds of seat covers are a universal fit. This means that they can be fitted to almost every kind of car seat, whether they are low-back or high-back bucket seats. It is very convenient to fit and remove them. But they cannot be used for car seats with side-impact airbags.

Custom Auto Seat Covers: These auto seat covers are tailor made. They can be made as per the measured size of specified car seats. While making custom covers, every minor detail of the car seat is taken notice of and pondered over. This fitting is considered perfect, as it is specifically made to fulfill the particular requirements of the car.

Hybrid Semi-Custom Auto Seat Covers: These kinds of seat covers are best if you cannot afford custom covers. They may not provide you with all the features which are rendered by the latter, but they are able to protect your car seat against any harmful elements.

Maintained car seats give a beautiful look to the interior of your car. So it is always recommended to use auto seat covers to provide your car seats with protection against any harmful elements. This will increase the durability of the interior of your car.