When inventor Marvin Weinberger decided he had enough of flimsy ice scrapers, he came up with a revolutionary idea which would “tenderize” the ice build up on windshields.

The IceDozer, tenderizes the ice before scraping it off and leaving a clean windshield.

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When it comes to cars, Americans in particular practice extreme brand loyalty. Those who are financially successful often want a car befitting their success; a brand that reflects their appreciation for the finer things in life. When it comes to luxury cars such as this, nothing comes close to the BMW Car.

The BMW car had its beginnings in Munich, Germany in the year 1913. The Bavarian Motors Works company (BMW) was the brainchild of Karl Friedrich Rapp who wanted to build a solid, luxury vehicle that was unsurpassed in performance. As each year passed, the BMW experienced a bevy of design changes; but the principles fundamental to the company’s reputation remained the same –superlative craftsmanship and high quality materials.

Thought of in the same class as such fine vehicles as Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and Jaguar, the BMW car speaks volumes about luxury, elegance, and comfort. It’s no wonder that its place in the industry has lasted nearly 95 years. The modern BMW car continues to project the same high-quality image and, even today, nearly a century after its inception, BMW continues to be the pinnacle of car ownership for many people.

But the BMW car is not exclusive to those with limitless budgets; with a number of designs on the market at varying prices, owning a BMW car is well within the realm of possibility for many buyers.

Today’s BMW car offers a full line of vehicles that vary in features and price – everything from the compact I series and the classic 3 series, to the luxurious 5, 6, and 7 series. The modern BMW design has even been incorporated into an SUV model – bringing convenience and comfort along with the luxury and elegance BMW customers have comes to expect.

There are some things that never go out of style. The BMW car has a classic quality that transcends time; chances are that even far off in the future the BMW car will still be one of the most desired vehicles on the road.

For decades we have seen the national auto shows, where the major manufacturers roll out their new models and a few flashy "prototypes" that will never see an assembly line. Then there are the rod and custom shows, populated thirty years ago by twenty- and thirty-somethings and filled these days with middle aged and older auto enthusiasts who still love classic American cars, both stock and in all the different permutations of customization they have gone through over the years.

And of course there’s the Concourse D’Elegance crowd, oohing and aahing at priceless Ferraris from the fifties and sixties as well as the older exotics such as Packards and, going even further back, Hispano-Suizas and Auburns.

For those who lived American Graffiti and those who live for the foreign classics, if you’re involved at all in building, maintaining or participating in the fellowship that has built around classics and exotics, you should consider utilizing a website.

First of all, it’s a great way to show off your car or cars, whatever you’ve got in the garage that is carefully driven once a week and towed, gleaming, to car shows. Secondly, it’s a communications device for like-minded collectors or builders that may be interested in your specialty - whether old Corvettes or sixties Alfa Romeos. There are current web sites for national and regional organizations as well as a number of sites that specialize as classified advertising for scarce auto parts.

A personal site, however, is going to give you a far different type of interaction with your fellow wrench addicts. Instead of searching impersonal national websites for parts or people with similar interests, you can use your site to bring them to you. Proper use of keywords and perhaps a classified ad or two online will bring potential contacts to you personally, and there they will find a site with photos of your car(s), your shop and a little history about your involvement.

You don’t have to find contacts like that at shows or in pulp publications for parts and project cars. A properly designed site for a car enthusiast that elaborates on his area of interest and the history of his cars will give that person a potentially national social role in the company of his peers, just as the kids are using MySpace to communicate.

You can advertise for parts, show vehicles for sale - with unlimited photos and videos, if you wish - and put the word out for a car you might be seeking for your next project. This approach will also limit your needs for entering ads in national locations. All you need to do is mention "55 Chevy for sale at www.old55.com" or whatever your site address is, and the interested parties will come to you. No more details listed in long paragraphs done in tiny print - and no more photos of your car on a page or in a lineup of dozens of other vehicles.

Extang are a leader in their field of manufacturing soft tonneau covers. They seem to be the manufacturer of the most different model soft covers on the market today. In my opinion they are still in business because they provide quality products at a reasonable price.

Extang produce everything you could want from roll up covers such as the low profile of their RT to snap up, velcro sealing system to folding lids as well as a hinged tonneau cover.

To briefly describe some of the products they have to offer I will start with their lowest price truck bed cover to their most expensive.

The Black Max is one lower price covers on the market today. It comes with a aluminum powder coated black frame and a snap up tarp which is adjustable for all seasons.

The Tuff tonneau III is the next in line price wise. This truck bed cover is a snapless lid that seals together using Extang’s J45 peel and seal system. They use a rotating tail rail that tightens up the tarp. This tarp also uses the spring loaded monster bows.

Next comes the Classic Platinum. This has an all aluminum frame which installs with clamps that are included. Extang boasts this cover to be made of an all-climate nylon and polymer tarp with stainless steel and brass snaps.

The Saber is next on the list which uses a peel-on design which attaches evenly to the entire frame to ensure the lowest possible fabric stress even during high speeds.

The tool box tonneau cover is a snap up lid with a leather grain black vinyl tarp. This tool box tonneau accepts a tool box between 18 and 21 inches deep. This is a no drill installation with and all aluminum frame and adjustable snaps to keep your tarp snug in different climates.

The RT and the RT Tool box models come at the same price. The RT low profile sits nearly flush to your truck bed. This cover rolls up quickly along with the bows to give you quick access to your truck bed. The RT has adjustable controls by the cab. It has a Velcro sealing system and secures your cargo with a locking rail. The tool box edition accepts a 20 inch tool box.

The next product they have to offer is a hinged tonneau called the Fulltilt. This one comes in both snap and snapless editions. The snapless is a few dollars more. This cover has hinges back by the cab and lifts up from behind on gas shocks. You can lift it up or roll it up or remove it without tools easily. This tonneau cover also comes in a tool box edition.

Another one Extang can be quite proud of is their Trifecta which is a folding tonneau cover. This truck bed cover folds up in sections from the back towards the cab giving you complete and easy access to your truck bed. This cover comes fully assembled and ready to mount on your truck.

The express model was designed to be just what the name implies, fast. Customers asked Extang in their reviews for fast and they gave them what they wanted. It rolls up or closed with integrated bows very quickly. The frame is a strong black anodized aluminum. The strong vinyl tarp seals with industrial strength Velcro.

If you are looking for a soft tonneau cover whether it is a roll-up, snap or snapless, hinged, folding or a tool box edition, Extang has you covered.

Let’s face it guys; we’re not all going to be able to pay for a Ferrari or a Porsche. Despite this may be a sad fact to have to face up to, yet its there nonetheless. At times exotic cars are out of reach for all except for those who are affluent and even they occasionally have trouble keeping up with the payments and maintenance of a Bentley or a Lotus. Sure the allure is strong; simply imagine slipping into the leather cockpit of your Lamborghini and cruising around curves at hundred miles per hour with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.

Sure you may have everything from your driving gloves to your sunglasses and your driver’s license, though the one thing you wish for is to have enough money for a Lamborghini. And then there’s the Camry or Taurus, which in spite everything just don’t have enough horsepower to take mountain roads at 100, and even though you could get it going that fast it would in all probability fly off the road due to its lousy suspension.

Nevertheless what if you didn’t have the chance to own a Lamborghini or Lotus to be able to drive it around those hairpin turns? Well, nowadays we do have a great way to try out a luxury or high-powered sports car of our dreams, with exotic car rental we don’t have to sell our house or steal one from one of your yuppie friends. There are a number of can rental companies, mainly in wealthier areas, starting to specialize in exotic car rental. In fact even the regular airport car rental companies like Enterprise and Hertz are starting to rent out exotics or perhaps luxury cars along with the standard economy and touring cars.

For those who would like to try one out, you don’t need to fly out of town or go on a holiday, almost any special occasion will do. Maybe you want to knock the socks off your date or perhaps impress your wife on your anniversary. Yes, you can either show up at the door behind the wheel of a Lotus Espirit or a Porsche 911. And for those who feel like making their son or daughter’s prom a night to remember then forget about the limo; a sleek black Bentley will get them there in style.

Despite the fact that the exotic car rental is generally a little more expensive than renting a Camry at the airport, it’s at all times a lot more memorable. Besides exotic car rentals also make great gifts; as some rental agencies which rent exotics also rent classic cars, so you could give your dad or uncle the ride of his dreams in a vintage Corvette or brand new Ferrari. Sure, it will make a great gift instead of the usual set of gold clubs or tie clip that you were considering as an alternative!

In the past, Jaguar, high class cars from England had small-sized and active features and high performance were favorable. Their appearance looked sedan and suited the passengers who loved to get anywhere in a group. They thought that there were many playboy millionaires, and if they were to produce a sport-car model, they could have marketed quite well. At least, Jaguar had built its good reputation from the racing cars for a very long time, especially Le Mans 24 hours.

A lot of people said that Jaguar’s sport series which began to be known well and were affordable could be XK series. XK 120 in the year 1948, followed up by XK 140 in 1955, and became XK 150 in 1957. They used quite modern engines that their competition had not known. Modernization, streamline that made a big positive impact on sport cars drivers, curved doors, and roadsters were the real style of sport cars.

Jaguar made its reputation in the Le Mans race course by a car that had been showed in 1954, D-TYPE, which was 3.4liters, 245 horsepower. The initial production was considered extremely fast. Moreover, it was empowered by making it 270 horsepower for racing, and that made it three-years-in-a-row champion in 1955-1957. There would not be anyone who would not wish the dignity of Le Mans’ championship sport cars which later was extended to 3.8liters, 306 horsepower. It competed in United States and made so big impact on sport cars guru that made a newer model to drive in a street.

The manufacturer decided to make them sport series, and not involved with normal cars except the engines and systems used together in order to reduce the cost of production. Therefore, E-TYPE Jaguar was influenced by XK series and D-TYPE. It was officially debuted in 1961, taking over XK 150, and completing the new full sport style, which was the long front and short end according to the classic style sport cars.

The appearance of E-TYPE is brilliant like Italian sport cars. At the beginning, it had been decided to name as XK-E, but eventually was E-TYPE, which seemed more okay and newer than old XK series that had been used for many models. It had been decided to be 3.8liters, twin cam, then later on extended to be 4.2liters in order to make it right for the size of the cars. The 3.8 liters one had been eventually stopped, until 1971 it was given a new 5.3liters, V12 engine in order to be an alternative choice for customers who were interested in pretty big block. The 4.2liters one’s production was terminated in 1974.

If you would like to own this model, you may need to consider if you are a millionaire or not because this kind of classic cars cannot be found at any car dealers. If you would really want it, you should check it out from a catalogue of car auctioning company. You might be that lucky that someone would sell it.

Cars have long since been held as a fascinating piece of engineering and the vehicle has come a long way since the invention of the wheel. Boys and to some extent girls are into playing with cars from a young age and for many this fascination goes on to become a hobby. Some collect, others learn to drive and drive as much as they can, yet others turn their driving passion towards racing and other car oriented sports. In the sporting arena we have the sports car enthusiasts who will do anything to be with their cars.

Another category is the sports car fan and drivers who have graduated to actual production of these cars. They will go on to build cars from scratch to resemble some of the most valuable and rare cars in the history of cars. These are called kit car owners who go the distance to make quality replicas of the original vehicle. Now the end product looks almost indistinguishable from the original. Take the famous Cobra - it has a lot of takers.

There is something to be said about getting the tool box out and building your own replicar. Some actually revel in the challenge that this hobby brings with it. You also get to create your dream car without spending a fortune on it. Replicars facilitate building your own car ground upwards using a kit body along with a common mainstream automotive base and other parts. In itself the world of replicars is a different world altogether which comprises builders and fans. They hold rallies and get togethers where there is a lot of interaction and a lot of ideas are exchanged and most tend to find parts that they need and another does not. Not only does this hobby encourage more socializing with like minded people it also brings with it a heady mix of people from different walks of life and one gets a chance to learn about different aspects of replicars and others’ experiences.

A personally-built car means you have a very clear idea of your car’s capability and limitations. So the success of your car depends on your ability to have understood what you have made and to use it to its optimum strength. Of course there is always the option of buying your favorite classic model and driving it around but to build a replicar and then use what you have put together is a feeling only true enthusiasts can understand. These classic cars models sure make heads turn and they come with interesting stories too. Replicar enthusiasts and kit car builders are the ones who really know what driving is all about as they are both the creators and the users.

>From 1st July 2007 the UK bans smoking in enclosed public places with as many as 600,000 people forecast to quit smoking as a result. This article looks at if charging people to drive will have similar results for the Motor Trade.

In The Beatles classic song Taxman the lyric goes, “We’ll tax your feet”. Whilst the government hasn’t yet decided to do this it seems the introduction of “pay as you drive” schemes may soon be hitting the roads of the UK but what impact (if any) will this have on the UK Motor Trade.

Well there appears to be a few factors that road users might want to consider:

1. If you’re a driver who drives infrequently or at less busy times you could end up paying less. 2. Or you might drive an average number of miles but due to you driving at rush hours (on you way to/from work or school) you will end up paying more money 3. You may want to use public transport more often 4. You and your friends may set up a car pool scheme so you take it in turns to drive 5. If you spend a lot of time on the road travelling to see friends and family maybe you won’t be able to visit them as often as before 6. If you spend time travelling for work maybe you won’t be able to visit customers as much or worse still increased transport costs may mean your less competitive or jobs have to be cut

And what about people in the Motor Trade itself?

If the smoking ban just announced makes people stop smoking then maybe forcing people to pay more to drive will mean people will simply drive less often. Therefore less cars are needed, less people are needed to service and repair them and jobs are lost in the Motor Industry.

Of course these are all what if’s as nobody really knows what impact this decision will have on the transport system, the motor trade or indeed modern life.

If maybe a positive move with a journey to work being halved due to less vehicles on the road. It may mean a change in the opening hours for businesses or schools so not everyone is fighting to get to and from work as the same time as the school run is being done.

It may mean more money is invested in public transport so we have buses, trains, tubes and other forms of transport that are reliable and we’d be happy using.

Or of course it may mean nothing changes apart from the fact that we have less money in our pockets.

If the results of this survey conducted by Northern Counties Insurance Brokers are anything to go by.

People were asked what impact will having to pay per journey have on you?

- 40% said no impact as they couldn’t live without their car

- 13% said they would stop driving altogether

- 6% said they would drive less often

- 21% said they would use public transpoty more often

- 11% said they would car share to cut costs

- 5% said they would walk more often

- 3% said they would still drive as often but at different times

Whatever your thoughts are on the governments new “pay to drive” schemes the chances are it will happen and the impact on the motor trade could be massive

Citroen C5 is the large sedan car for adults who crazy about the French style automotive design. The exterior of C5 shows memorable and dignified image. Large front lights are designed by the aerodynamic theory and the few gradient of its make the luxurious feeling. Besides, Front Citroen logo, hood, fender and front bumper are designed to create the car’s image modern. This is the French blending between with classic style and modern style actually.

The report news described about C5 which began manufactured in 2003 that Citroen spend 6,900 million franc to invest in the R&D process and the marketing survey. The C5’s factory, which can produce 920 cars per day, is on Rennes-la-Janais of France. It uses the new platform that developing process take time 3 year. C5 is designed by modern design technology, and it received the strict safety standard and environment standard. The suspension kit, uses the 3rd generation Hydrative system which is entity of Citroen, can reduce the vibration well and it has good road surface gripping attribute.

Citroen had offered three C5’s engine choice. First choice is the V6 benzene engine which has 3,000cc plunger’s capacity with 24 valves. It can generate 152 Kw or 210 Hp. powers at 6,000 rpm, 285 Newton-meters or 30 kilogram-meters torque at 3750 rpm and 232 Km/Hr maximum speed. And the distinctive thing of this engine is VTC (Variable Timing Camshaft) system which can control open-close degree of valves by accelerating rate and engine’s cycle.

Second choice is the benzene straight engine which has 2,000cc plunger’s capacity with 16 valves. It can generates 100 Kw or 138 Hp. powers at 6,000 rpm, 190 Newton-meters or 19.8 kilogram-meters torque at 4,100 rpm and 202 Km/Hr maximum speed.

And the last choice is the 2.0 HDi diesel engine which has a high pressure diesel injection system and common-rail nozzles. It can generate 80 Kw or 110 Hp. powers at 4,000 rpm, 275 Newton-meters torque at 1,750 rpm and 188 Km/Hr. maximum speed. The direct-injection with common-rail high pressure pump which is controlled by ECU and the Variable Geometry Turbo Charger give the good performance on every speed and reduce 20 percent of gasoline usage. And additional merit of C5’s diesel engine is the low loudness like the benzene engine. Also that HDi engine gives better responsibility than old version because the gasoline feeding accord with the engine need.

Furthermore, the 3rd generation Hydractive suspension kit was developed by Citroen which increase the vibrate reduction, road surface gripping and driving performance. It is cooperated between electronic devices which are controlled by computer unit and the improved hydraulic system. It has 4 modes for appropriate usability. H mode for the wheel changing, P mode for the hitch crossing, N mode for the normal driving and B mode for the high-loading.

If you interested Citroen C5, you can ask a near car dealer. You should check the C5’s current price from car magazine or websites before you will buy it. Because different models have different prices.

If you are looking for a German motorcycle helmet, there are many quality choices available for you. You can check out your local helmet shop and you will be able to check out a number of German motorcycle helmets.

There are helmet makers that offer you a wide selection of attractive German motorcycle helmets. There is the Biker’s Choice Skid Lid for you. This helmet is made of super strong ABS Thermoplastic Shell that offers you the protection and durability that you need. It also has D-ring fasteners for a more secure enclosure and is manufactured to meet and even exceed DOT standards for motorcycle helmets.

There is also the Cyber U-69 motorcycle helmet from that has a new polycarbonate shell and a redesigned shape to offer a sleek and streamlined motorcycle helmet for you. This helmet also comes with a 3-snap visor and meets DOT standards to ensure you total safety and protection.

There is also the Jockey motorcycle helmet for you designed with rubber trimming and steel rivets to offer you classic styling. It has a nylon Y strap and D-ring enclosure to ensure that it stays in place all the time. There is also the Big German motorcycle helmet available for you made of fiberglass shell with rubber trim and steel rivets. Then there is the Eagle 100 motorcycle helmet designed with traditional styling using a fiberglass shell and equipped with a D-ring enclosure. This helmet also has a sun visor and has plush moisture absorbent interior to offer you comfort and a hassle free riding experience.

Now that you have seen your choices, there are still some things that you need to know before you buy that German motorcycle helmet. You must be able to find the right sizing that would be comfortable for you. Whether you plan to buy a full face motorcycle helmet or a shorty, you must know what will fit best and comfortably for you.

Different types offer you different levels of comfort and protection. You must be able to know what type would fit you best and ideal for your kind of riding lifestyle. If you are a motorcycle speed demon, then a full face motorcycle helmet would be the right choice for you. It will provide you with the overall head protection that you would look for.

If you are the occasional motorcycle cruising enthusiast, open face and shorty motorcycle helmets would be ideal for you. Such helmets will offer you the comfort and fit that you would welcome for your cruising enjoyment on your motorcycle. But be aware that such helmets may not give you total protection and you might need to add some goggles or sunglasses as part of your headgear to provide some added protection.