Finding Antique Auto Parts

by: PDS


There are thousands of people in the auto industry who are antique car buffs and there are actually many reasons to get involved with collecting antique cars. Not only are antique cars worth a pretty penny if they are in pristine condition, but they are also hot collector's items if they run and meet certain criteria. Furthermore, many people love collecting antique cars because they like to restore them to their original condition; however, many times this requires some auto parts that are needed for various systems throughout the automobile.

On the other hand, if you or someone you know has ever tried to get their hands on some antique auto parts then you already know how much of a pain they can be to find. Indeed, the reason that antique auto parts are very hard to find is because normal auto parts retail stores hardly ever carry them or anything else that's related to antique cars. The main reason for this is that there is very little profit in doing so, except from the antique car collectors themselves.

In order to find antique auto parts, many people are forced to search high and low for these much sought after parts. These auto parts are definitely needed, though, in order to restore an antique car to its original condition. However, one suggestion to find these antique auto parts is to ask around through connections that are forged and acquaintances that are met through antique car shows. Most people, especially antique car owners, will be more than happy to divulge the information since there is no profit in hiding the information and keeping it a secret.

Another suggestion that one has to find antique auto parts is the resources on the World Wide Web. There are many specialty groups that can be found online and one of these groups is devoted to antique auto parts. You may be very surprised to find out that there are a great deal of antique car owners that are located on the web for the sole purpose of connecting with other antique car owners and to start up antique car groups throughout the whole United States. Within these antique car groups on the internet, though, there is bound to be some antique auto parts resources that one is able to use in order to help restore their antique car they're working on.

On the other hand, its very possible that the antique auto part that you are looking for is no longer available and there's nobody that is carrying the part anymore. If this situation arises then the very next best thing to do would be to make modifications and adjustments to the antique auto parts that you can find that will nearly do the trick.

All in all, even though some antique auto parts are very hard to find, there are always going to be options and alternatives available in place of the antique auto parts themselves. Even though it may be difficult to grasp the notion that no part is available anywhere, life must go on and the restoration of the antique car must continue if one is to succeed with the goal of getting it back to pristine and working condition!

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Six Most Economical and Best Selling Hybrid Cars

By Bilal Sajjad


If you are planning to go green, then you should take that passion and apply it to your automobiles too. Nowadays, you will find multitudes of fuel efficient cars that consume less fuel than regular ones, thus help in conserving the environment. These hybrid cars are equipped with a gasoline engine and an electric motor. But going green does not necessarily mean skipping out on style and exterior. As manufacturers now have started to combine both, hybrid cars are selling like hot cakes.

Here is my list of the most popular and top notch hybrid cars. The following six best selling hybrid cars have many luxury features too, which make them so attractive and expensive of course.

Toyota Prius Hybrid:

It is definitely not as large as the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (mentioned later), but Escalade's sales are nothing as compared to the selling power of Prius. Actually, Prius is the number one selling hybrid car in the market. Green loving people adore it for its excellent fuel economy and exterior design which has become its signature style. The latest version is larger and more comfortable and also has solar panels on the roof (which do not ruin its overall look if you are concerned about that). The cheapest of all on the list, it has an attractive price of $24,200.

Cadillac Hybrid Escalade:

This fabulous car is a perfect example of how you do not have to skip out on the bling to save the environment. It is the world's first full size luxury hybrid SUV and hence has a whopping price of $73,850. I would not skip out on this one if I were you because it has features that are totally worth the price. It has a powerful V-8 engine and can seat up to eight passengers. Its high tech interior features include: an ultra-sonic rear parking assist, a rear camera vision and music control that automatically adjusts to background noise. It comes with a 25% enhancement on fuel economy when evaluated to the standard Escalade. Obviously, it does not save as much fuel as the standard smaller sized hybrid cars, but if you are looking to combine luxury, space and utility and a more environmental friendly vehicle, then I would highly recommend the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

Lexus LS600h

For those of you who would like to opt for a smaller yet equally luxurious car as the Cadilac Hybrid Escalade, this one is for you. It is the largest and most luxurious car produced by Toyota (which is Lexus' parent company). It is different and unique in both, external and internal aspects. The electric motor can power the car at slower speeds to save gas and provide a power boost to the gas engine fuel economy at its best. I would recommend this if you want to combine a thrilling ride with green driving. Its interior is equally beautiful with a combination of sleek leather and wood. Every Lexus vehicle has a Remote Touch Interface (RTI), but this particular 12.3 inch version is more eye catching than the road. It even has a rear seat entertainment system with an underarm cool rest for cool beverages. Obviously, with all these extravagant features the price of this car is $119,910 which exceeds that of the Escalade.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

If you are looking for a family vehicle that can hold a large number of people as well as luggage and is environmental friendly, then Toyota's Highlander Hybrid is the perfect fit for you. It can seat up to seven people as well as having plenty of space for luggage, sports equipment etc. It has a sophisticated powertrain with a 3.5 liter V6 engine accompanied with two rather than the usual one, electric motors. It gives you up to 37 percent more fuel economy. It is also quite strong externally and is able to weather rough conditions and uneven dirt roads without a hitch. Internally, as mentioned before, it is spacious with adequate leg room. It is equipped with the latest technology like, a "Display Audio" multi-media system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and Toyota's Entune service, which offers apps like Bing search services, iheartradio.com and Pandora music. The price $46,370 in my opinion is quite reasonable and affordable considering all the features it has to offer.

Honda Civic Hybrid:

Honda Civic hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid cars in the market, therefore it automatically earns a place on this list. It is not very different from the standard Civic model which makes it difficult to distinguish. Its gas electric powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline-four that teams up with electric motor to give 110 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The exterior is the same as Civic but the latest model has been upgraded with slightly different features and a better interior too. The air vents have been revised and the cabin has been made more sound proof. Overall, the driving experience is also quite enjoyable; it is easy to handle and accelerates well. It is priced at a fair $24,360. However, lately its price has been trumped by the cheaper Honda Insight.

Toyota Camry Hybrid:

Another Toyota car on the list, which is hardly surprising considering Toyota offers some of the bestselling and popular hybrid cars. Similar to Highlander Hybrid, this all in one type also provides excellent performance and a comfortable and spacious interior. The engine is a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle inline four-cylinder gasoline combined with an electric motor. The car is available in two trim grades: the LE and the XLE. The former has all the basic features such as A/C, keyless entry, cruise control etc. The XLE is a more advanced version with extra interesting features such as a 6.1 inch touchscreen and a leather strapped steering wheel with audio control. Contrasted to the standard Camry, on the whole, there is a 26 % enhancement in fuel economy. The price is reasonable at $26,140 and the XLE version costs $1530 more.

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The Motorized Bicycles: How to Get One

By Gavin Mathews


A bicycle with a motor is commonly referred to as a motorized bicycle. This type of bicycle has a motor attached to it is used to assist the rider when peddling. These motors are electrically run. The motors on the bicycles can be small to assist the rider to propel the bicycle on tough terrain. Larger electric motors propel bicycles for longer distances. The electric power on these bicycles is supplied by rechargeable batteries. Bicycle with motor for sale are available in very few countries like Germany and China.

Building a motorized bicycle is a project you can do on your own in a few simple steps.

1. First, find a bicycle that is in good condition. This is because the motor will add-on an extra load on the bicycles. The bicycle should also have a carrier. This is where the batteries will be tied.

2. The second thing you should have is a battery pack and batteries. A bicycle with a motor requires batteries with 24 or 36 volts. The battery pack should have a charger to charge the batteries whenever they are low.

3. When buying a motor for the bicycle, it is essential to be strictly buying the required motor. The motor should have a bicycle chain sprocket. Most bicycle motors come without a sprocket. This type of motors requires a lot of modification to fit the sprocket and may break down after a short period of time. The sprocket size on the electric motor should also match the one on your bicycle.

4. Another piece of equipment needed for the bicycle is a throttle. A 1/aluminium steel plate and a single speed bicycle chain.

5. After collecting all the equipments needed, you can connect them to the bicycle. Connect the throttle to the controller. The motor is also connected to the controller. Using wires connect the batteries to the controller.

6. After connecting all the parts, turn the throttle to check if the motor is spinning. If it works the motor is ready to be fixed on the bicycle.

7. The motor is fixed on the bicycle triangle frame. The motor is aligned with the sprocket so as to power the bicycle. The controller is mounted to the bicycle frame from which it runs the electrical system.

8. Test the motor again before fastening the structure. If it runs, it means everything is fine. If not, carefully double-check the connection to ensure it is correct.

9. The throttle is attached to the handlebar and the battery pack is tied to the carrier.

10. Test the bicycle again to find out whether you can pedal and use the motor without any problem.

These bicycles are currently very costly and it would save you a lot of money if you are able to build one for yourself. You can engage your local mechanic to assist you with connecting the motor. The motor bicycle is still classified as a bicycle hence a rider should adhere to rules and safety measures that are stated for bicycle users. You should also be careful when riding by keeping the safety of other commuters in mind.

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Electric Vehicle Connectors

By Nick Altrup


Green is no longer just a color; it's a movement rooted in environmentalism and sustainability. As people around the world have realized that we need to protect the planet if we want it to stay healthy and beautiful for future generations, more and more products have entered the market to push the green movement forward. Electric cars are one of those developments, giving consumers the choice to be more environmentally friendly in their everyday transportation. Although most Americans own and use gas-powered cars, electric vehicles are growing in popularity and as their technology progresses, they will become even more convenient and appreciated. Electric vehicle connectors are an integral part of this new form of transportation; the cars need them to power up. But before we get into specifics, let's look at the basics of electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles are a type of automobile that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion. Unlike gas-powered cars, they are fueled by electricity, which can come from a variety of sources (fossil fuels and nuclear power, but also renewable sources like tidal, solar, and wind power). They require less maintenance because they don't have as many parts as traditional vehicles, and they offer tax benefits. Electric vehicles are also easy to charge at home, run on renewable energy, and emit no pollution from their tailpipes. There are many benefits to owning an electric car, but like most things, they come with disadvantages too. Electric vehicles can take several hours to charge and aren't able to last on long road trips. They will also increase the demand for electricity and there are very few models currently available.

Charging up an electric vehicle is easy, but it will require some patience. The most convenient (but also expensive) option would be to purchase a charging station for home use. If you charge your car overnight, it will always be ready for the morning commute.

To make the process of charging an electric car more convenient, national societies and commissions work together to establish industry standards for electric vehicle connectors. The common connector for the United States is the J1772 combo plug, which was chosen by the Society of Automotive Engineers. It allows for AC and DC charging, is 43mm in diameter, and contains five pins. Designed for single phase electrical systems with 120 V or 240 V, electric vehicle connectors use a 1 kHz square wave at +/- 12 volts on the pilot pin (to detect the vehicle, communicate the maximum allowable current, and control the charging process). These connectors will often be located outside, so it is important that they are able to withstand environmental concerns like wind, rain, and heat.

They are also equipped with many safety features like shock protection, connector pins located on the inside (so humans have no physical access), and pins that have zero voltage when not in use.
Technological advancements and growing popularity are helping consumers see electric vehicles as a viable alternative to their gas-guzzling automobiles, but it will take a while longer for them to truly compete. Right now, electric cars are just a great alternative for environmentally conscious drivers looking to make a change.

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