Wednesday, November 27, 2013

CAR WORLD RECORDS





If records are made to be broken, the folks at Guinness World Records are likely to continue to publish the oddest, most amazing, curious and incredible records on every conceivable event, product, invention, and anomaly -- even geographic irregularities. As car aficionados, you might be a bit surprised at these 5 car records combed from the pages of Guinness World Records.
Smallest roadworthy car
Created by Perry Watkins in Wingrave, United Kingdom on May 8, 2009, the “Wind Up” is touted as the world’s smallest roadworthy car. It measures just 41 inches high, 26 inches wide and 52 inches long. The Guinness World Record website says the car’s body was constructed of or an old Postman Pat coin-in-the-slot children’s ride and the building process took seven months. Surprisingly, the car conforms to all construction and use regulations and includes all the usual features found on a car, including windshield washers and wipers, turn signal indicators, head lights and brake lights. It is registered in tax class PLG a, has insurance and road tax.
Most times hit by a car in two minutes
We’re not making this up. Dietmar Loeffler was hit by a car eight times in two minutes. The amazing (or crazy) feat took place on the set of Guinness World Records – Die Grossten Weltrekorde in Cologne, Germany on November 23, 2007.
Longest distance covered by a car driven on two side wheels
Who would want to do this? Apparently Michele Pilia of Italy did on February 26, 2009 at SantElia Stadium, Cagliari, Italy. He drove a modified BMW316 mod.E30 1766cc (1983). Modifications included an Axle Blockage and an additional gas tank. How far did he drive it on two wheels? The answer may amaze you: 230.57 miles.
Longest journey by a car in a single country
This one’s a bit more recent, occurring February 8 – April 8, 2013. It happened in Russia and involved a nine-member crew that drove Volkswagen Amaroks from Moscow to Petropavlovsk (Russia), a distance of 9,813.3 miles. Team members included Gannadij Paramonov, Alexey Vorobiev, Alexander Nesterov, Andrey Ivanov, Ilya Novikov, Alexey Simakin, Rafael Usmanov and Denis Solomovich (all from Russia), and Rainier Zietlow of Germany.
Longest journey by car using alternative fuel
Here’s something to talk about when it comes to long-distance travel and being green. Driven to Sustain (out of Canada) used biodiesel and vegetable oil to travel 30,158.5 miles by car. The trip began in Columbia South Carolina on November 15, 2009 and finished in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 4, 2010. Tyson Jerry drove the entire journey, with Cloe Whittaker also joining during several legs of the trip and providing ground support throughout the entire journey. During Jerry’s travels through North America he collected fuel from many different locations, including fast food restaurants.
 
If you want to set some records of your own make sure your car is looking sharp. Visit us at Hubcapzone first!
 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Hubcapzone Q & A

 
 
 
Hubcap Q&A





Q-I was unfortunate enough to have a hubcap on my 1991 Toyota Previa stolen while on a trip to New York. Back in Chicago I inquired at several Toyota dealers about a replacement and was shocked to learn that the price was an outlandish $58.45. Ridiculous. At $58.45 the hubcaps become a temptation for thieves to pursue. As a good gesture to its customers who are victims of ripoffs by unscrupulous thieves, replacement hubcaps should be made at cost plus a minor profit. But $58 is far from that. When it comes time to purchase another vehicle, I will remember what a Previa hubcap cost. B.B., Chicago

A- Your first mistake was to immediately contact a Toyota dealer. First of all, Hubcapzone not only has a huge selection of Toyota hubcaps but we average 30% less cost than the dealers. We also always have free shipping and a great product. Customer service is our top priority and we'll do everything to make it right. If you need personal assistance call us toll free: 800-804-0776

Q- I lost one of my hubcaps off my Honda civic but the dealer says they only sell sets of 4. Can I buy just one at a time and still qualify for the free shipping?

A- Absolutely! We carry singles, sets, and specially priced fleet sizes of orders always with free shipping in the contiguous 48 states. International shipping available at a reasonable fee.

Q- Can I contact you for instructions on how to install my hubcaps without breaking them? I'm afraid of shattering the plastic if I use a hammer.

A- We are always a phone call away and will gladly walk you through it to ensure they are properly installed and fit to form so you won't lose one the first day you get them.
 
 
1-800-804-0776



 

What do the 1 percenters drive? Not what you think!

 
 
The top 1% aren’t buying Bentleys, Lamborghinis or Ferraris. Instead, the country’s most affluent car buyers are driving off in a new…Jeep?
The most popular cars among residents in 15 of the 25 wealthiest zip codes in the U.S., where median home prices range from $3.4 million to $6.7 million, include those typically associated with middle-income buyers. Even buyers with plenty of disposable income to spare — think Silicon Valley — are opting for a luxury car that’s more of a social statement than a financial one. The Tesla Model S, the first luxury all-electric vehicle, accounted for most car sales in eight (all in California) of the 25 most expensive zip codes, according to Edmunds. It has a starting price of roughly $71,000 though most purchases are in the $90,000-plus range.
To be clear, it’s not that the affluent aren’t buying super expensive cars but those purchases tend to occur less often, says Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst at Edmunds. Secondly, these lower-cost cars are probably adding to an arsenal of cars they already own.
Here are the five cars most in demand by the 1%
 
Tesla Model S
Starting price: $71,070
Several electric cars came to the market before it, but the Tesla Model S is the first luxury electric ride that actually looks like a luxury car -- and it’s resonating with affluent buyers. Just over 12,100 of these cars sold during the first nine months of the year, according to Edmunds.com. Year to date through August it had double-digit market share of all new car sales in the most expensive zip codes in California’s Portola Valley, Los Altos Hills and Atherton where median home prices range from $4.3 million to $6.7 million. “It’s the new it toy to have,” says Caldwell.
Analysts say it’s poised to be the first successful marriage of high-end design with a futuristic look wrapped up in an eco-friendly car. The Model S can cover over 200 miles after charging on a 60 kWh battery pack and includes amenities such as dual-zone climate control, seven-speaker stereo system, and a backup camera similar to most high-end new cars.
The car manufacturer hasn’t been without setbacks. Tesla shares fell 17.3% in October — a decline that started after a YouTube video showed the car ablaze after an accident. Still, analysts say demand for Tesla could pick up going forward. The car manufacturer is expected to begin selling a crossover SUV next year and a $30,000 car in the near future.
 
 
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Starting price: $51,905
For much of this year, most wealthy New Yorkers have been buying midlevel Mercedes models, including the E-Class sedan. Billed as an executive-class vehicle, it suggests stature without attracting too much attention, which may be favorable for someone trying to stay under the radar. Similarly, the Mercedes GL-Class SUV, with starting price of roughly $63,300, has been in high demand.
Also making the list is the C-Class, the company’s entry-level vehicle with a starting price of around $36,000. The C-Class accounts for about 29% of all Mercedes car sales during the first nine months of this year, according to Edmunds. Among the wealthy, these cars are likely purchased as gifts to lucky teenagers and 20-somethings.

Jeep
 
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting sticker price: $28,690
The latest changes to the Jeep Grand Cherokee have given it a somewhat sleeker and high-end look for what’s supposed to be another rugged, sporty SUV. That seems to be the perfect fit for wealthy families in Newport Beach, Calif. Residents in another coastal wealthy enclave, Long Island’s Sagaponack, have been buying its sportier counterpart, the Jeep Wrangler whose sticker price starts at just shy of $24,000.
Could the wealthy revive demand for Jeep models? Sales are down about 3% during the first nine months of the year compared to the same period a year prior, according to Edmunds.com. Parent company Chrysler’s majority owner, Fiat, is trying to reboot Jeep by adding some of its Italian feel to new models, though it remains to be seen if changes will resonate with buyers.
 
BMW 3 Series
Starting price: $33,475
Neither the 7 series nor the 6 series, which are among the most expensive BMW sedans, made the list of top cars so far this year for the most affluent. But the 3 series — BMW’s entry-level model — did, according to Edmunds. It’s the most popular car in Coral Gables, Fla. for retirees who want to keep attention away and for the affluents’ children and grandchildren.
In general, the 3-series is having a moment. During the first three quarters of the year, more than 75,000 of these models sold — a 15.5% increase from the same period a year ago, according to Edmunds.com. They also account for the largest share — 35% — of all BMWs  that sold during the first three quarters of the year.
 
Ford F Series
Starting price: $25,065
What car do you buy when you have lots of cash and live in a city where it can snow more than four months out of the year? In Aspen’s most expensive zip code, where the median home price is $4.2 million, affluent buyers are opting for the Ford F trucks, including the F-150 or F-250.
Ford   F-series sales are actually the highest nationwide: More than 550,000 sold during the first nine months, up 21% from a year ago, according to Edmunds.

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