Wheel Simulators Revisited

     Typically, the wheels that a vehicle is equipped with when it comes straight from the factory generally lack the charm and beauty. However, the installation of snap-on  wheel simulators is the ideal solution to enhance the appearance not only of the wheels but the vehicle itself as well. Unlike the costlier and attractive aftermarket wheels, while a wheel skin can look equally appealing however it is simply a snap-on accessory and therefore is not as expensive. Thus, it should not take more than five minutes if these snap on simulators ever need to be taken off the wheels.


     Spending on buying a wheel simulator will definitely be a wise decision by car owners who want to upgrade the look of their automobile so that their car looks simply stunning with eye catching wheels. These simulators are made of steel shaped much like the wheels and an almost similar size, or maybe a bit smaller, which allows them to be fitted into the hubs of the wheels. The addition of a wheel simulator over all four wheels of a vehicle will not only improve how the car and wheels appear, but they will even prove wheel support too. The use of these simulators will sort of allow owners to upgrade the look of their vehicle somewhat without actually spending too much. They will be able to find various designs of wheel simulators in different sizes. People who have car models of brands such as Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Toyota, can conveniently make use of these simulators for the wheels of the automobile.


     Car owners can head over to any car accessory store if they want to purchase simulators for the wheels of their vehicle. It does not really matter whether they choose to purchase them from an actual store or an online shop, as long as they make sure that they are selecting good-quality simulators. Going to a physical store might be a good option for the owners who actually want to inspect the simulators before buying them. Not only will they be able to get a good look at the simulators they are purchasing, but they can even make further inquiries about the simulators too by speaking to the salesmen face to face.


     The price and quality are the two major factors that need to be essentially considered when car owners are in search of the right wheel simulators. Reading reviews about any particular simulators before buying is definitely a wise decision, however, even when buying they should keep several considerations in mind.


     To get the best simulators at the best price, car owners should focus on shopping around and visiting at least three stores till they actually decide which simulators they will be purchasing. The material these simulators are made of should be essentially checked before buying one. It is important that the chosen simulators are constructed of high-quality steel to ensure that they will last longer. Not only should the simulators have a shiny appearance, but they should also ensure that they are non-corrosive so that all sorts of driving conditions can be endured by them. Since the price of these simulators can be affected by the material they are made of, therefore, they should select them depending on their budget. If they truly want to buy quality simulators for the car wheels, then they might have to pay more.


     The size of the simulators is another factor that matters when choosing one. It is important that the chosen simulators have a similar size as that of the wheels; in fact, their size should be slightly smaller to be able to fit into the hubs and ensure that the driving experience is secure. Car owners, however, should have no problem in finding just the accurate simulators for their car's wheels since they are available for a variety of wheel sizes from different manufacturers and sellers.
Keeping in mind how simple it will be to install the simulators and whether or not they are covered under a warranty will also allow car owners to make an informed decision. With enough searching and keeping all these considerations in mind, they will eventually come across the perfect wheel simulators for their vehicle. High quality stainless steel wheel simulators are always available at Hubcapzone.com- always free shipping as usual.






CLASSIC CARS UNDER $25,000

If you haven’t noticed, the classic car market is hot right now. The formerly quiet entry level of the market is fully awake, and cars that formerly sailed under the radar are now commanding attention. Here are seven of our favorite new Ford Focus-priced classics that won’t be affordable for long:

1. 1987 Buick Regal Grand National: Darth Vader’s official car (most were black), the turbo V-6 Regal was one of the few non-V-8 cars that the primarily baby-boomer muscle-car crowd took an immediate shine to. They’ve never been cheap, but that’s how current prices will seem in a few years when the Gen-Xers who wanted them new start pumping money into the collector car world.

2. 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Black-and-gold Malaise Era Trans Ams, particularly those from the “Smokey and the Bandit” years, are among the hottest things in American collector cars right now. Barrett-Jackson had about 15 of them on sale this past January in Scottsdale, Ariz., and all brought good money. In five years, $25,000 for a nice one may seem like a gift.

3. 1978-83 Porsche 911SC: The window on affordable classic (read air-cooled) 911s is closing fast. The early pre-safety bumper cars (1964-73) are now in the $50,000 to $350,000 range, and the dirty little secret is that while they may have more vintage charm, they’re not nearly as good as the later 1978-83 cars. With excellent rust-proofing and 300,000-mile engines, these are the last bastion of affordable classic 911s. Cars that were $15,000 two years ago are now pushing $25,000. Act now.

4. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL: The R107 series SL (in the U.S. the 350/450/380/560SL) were the darlings of well-to-do dentists and their former hygienist/second wives from the early 1970s until the late 1980s. Attrition has thinned the herd and few outstanding low-mileage examples remain — those that do now command good money, particularly the more powerful last of the line 560SL. One sold at the Gooding and Company auction in Scottsdale, this past January for about $45,000. Lesser examples were everywhere at the Scottsdale sales. Care for something a bit edgier? The 1988 BMW M6 is equally hot.
5. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 coupe: The fact that you can still (if you shop hard enough) find a decent original engine, big-block, chrome bumper C3 Corvette for $25,000 is simply amazing. With the spotlight on collectible Corvettes at Barrett-Jackson this past Scottsdale, we sense that this is another rapidly closing window. Your only hope is probably a 1968, which was the first model year for the C3 and had a reputation back in the day of being a bit troublesome. Those issues however, were relatively minor and have long since been sorted out. Do it now or settle for a small block later.
6. 1988-91 BMW M3: The E30 M3 as it’s known to Bimmerphiles is smoking hot right now and is only likely to get hotter as more younger collectors enter the market. The first of the officially badged M-cars (along with the four-door M5) to hit the U.S. is just hitting its stride as a collectible. A beautiful 40,000-mile example sold for over $40,000 at the Russo and Steele sale in Monterey, Calif., last August. In just seven months, the perception of that sale has gone from “pricey” to “a steal,” a sure sign that this car has hit the collectors’ radar. Good ones for $25,000 or less are going to dry up any second now.

7. 1991-92 Acura NSX: Early NSXs have never been cheap per se — we struggle to recall too many ever selling for much under $20,000. These are supercars that you can live with. Honda quality and execution are everywhere (including the interior which detractors compare to a nice Accord). Only the car’s voracious appetite for rear tires detracts from the ownership experience. Rare Alex Zenardi special edition NSXs are destined to break the $100,000 mark in the near future, and they’ll likely pull up the earlier cars. The last decent $25,000 NSXs will likely be sold sometime in the third quarter of 2014.

Cars that are haunted?

Here are three true stories of Cursed Cars and Haunted Automobiles. "You Will Be Dead Next Week!" James Byron Dean (1931-1955) was an American film actor who became a real cultural icon with such films as “Rebel Without a Cause”, “East of Eden” or “Giant”. His early death in a dramatic car accident helped to ensure his legend and was the beginning of another famous urban legend.

After Dean got the part in “East of Eden”, in the spring of 1955, the movie star went racing with his Porsche 356 Speedster and came in second in the Palm Springs Road Races, third in Bakersfield and fourth in the Santa Monica Road Races. While he was on the set of “Rebel Without a Cause”, he traded his Speedster for a Porsche 550 Spyder - one of the only 90 which were made. Filming “Giant”, he was contractually barred from racing, but after completing the movie, Dean was free to compete again.

Dean’s Spyder was customized Georges Barris, by the man who would go on to design the Batmobile. The car was called “Little b******” by his stunt driving coach Bill Hickman in “Giant” and this nickname was painted on it by pin striper Dean Jeffries.

On September 23, Dean asked the actor Alec Guinness to take a look at the Spyder and Guinness said the car looked “sinister” to him. “If you get in that Porsche, you will be dead next week,” he warned his colleague.

On September 30, the Porsche 550 Spyder was prepared by Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich for a sports car race at Salinas, California. Dean wanted to trailer the Spyder to Salinas behind his station wagon, crewed by his coach Bill Hickman and photographer Sanford Roth, who were planning a “James Dean at the Races” story. But at the last minute, Dean decided he needed more time to familiarize himself with the Porsche, and he drove the Spyder himself. Rolf Wütherich sat beside him.

At 3:30 pm, Dean was ticketed in Kern County for driving 65 in a 55 mph zone. He was driving west on what is now State Route 46 and what was then US Route 466 - near Cholame, California - when a Ford, coming from the opposite direction, attempted to take the fork onto State Route 41. Donald Turnupseed, a 23 year old student, crossed into Dean’s lane without seeing him. The Porsche and the Ford hit almost head on.

Highway Patrol officer Ron Nelson and his partner had a coffee break in Paso Robles. They were called to the scene of the accident and found Turnupseed there with a gashed forehead and a bruised nose. Wütherich had been thrown out of the Porsche and suffered from a broken jaw and other injuries. James Dean was just being placed into an ambulance, breathing heavily. He was taken to the Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival, on September 30, at 5:59 pm.

His last words, just before impact, were: “That guy’s gotta stop!… He’ll see us!”

Wütherich survived several suicide attempts and died in a road accident in Germany, in 1981.

After Dean’s accident, many fans refused to believe their idol was dead. An urban legend emerged, stating Dean was alive, but terribly disfigured. Also, there were soon more than just a few stories circulating concerning the jinxed car, the haunted Porsche, in other words: the Little b******.
The Cursed Car that Started the Great War In 1897, the three brothers Graf formed a partnership with Josef Stift and produced Austria’s first automobile. In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie came to Serajevo in a brand-new Graf & Stift phaeton, a large red limousine with a four cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The sleek automobile would have a rendezvous with history.

The Graf & Stift company had its origins in the bicycle business, but in 1914 they were building luxury automobiles for a prestigious clientele. Among the famous people who bought a Graf & Stift were members of the Austrian Imperial Court.
When he came to the Bosnian city of Sarajevo, on 29 June 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand, risked his life. In the great Austro-Hungarian empire all sorts of people were revolting: anarchists, Serbian nationalists… And he had been warned by the “Turnfalken”, the ravens which presaged disaster for the Hapsburgs.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie visited the city in their brand-new six seat, open touring car. As the Graf & Stift approached the corner of Rudolph Street, shots were fired by Gavrilo Princip, a student anarchist. Both Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were killed, but the Graf & Stift survived the attack unscathed. With this event started a conflict.

Some of the horror of that moment seems to have remained alive in the Graf & Stift, because all who owned the car thereafter had their lives cut short or were injured. In the next dozen years, the automobile of Franz Ferdinand was owned by fifteen private parties, was involved in six accidents and took the lives of thirteen people…

The Ghost of the Hitchhiking Girl… and Resurrection Mary The ghost of a hitchhiking girl gets you in a deadly car crash… or just vanishes behind the gates of the cemetery, as Chicago’s most famous phantom: Resurrection Mary!

Feeling brave? Pick-up a set of hubcaps for your ride, we can't guarantee you won't pick-up a few new friends as a bonus......

Hubcapzone

FAREWELL 2013

 

 

 

It's been an interesting year at Hubcapzone, we've made a lot of new friends through our social media

outlets like Facebook, Twitter, and Google + as well as stayed in touch with our already great family

spread all over the country. We've had the pleasure of sending our products all-over the world from our customers to the north in Canada, all the way south to the tropics, and even to Dubai. We thank

all of you for your business, friendship, and loyalty.

 

 

We've also had a banner year for giving back. Hubcapzone has become certified through the Green Business Bureau because of our belief in recycling and shrinking the carbon footprint. Many thanks to all of you who continue to send us your hubcaps, center caps, and trim rings and allowing us to be

able to donate all recycling monies to charities such as March of Dimes and Canine Companions for Independence. It is heartwarming to see you all come through in such a big way especially during the

last few years of financial hardships and overall recession.

 

 

The new year of 2014 will be an even bigger year here. We've expanded our inventory even more with many new products such as the latest in wheel simulators that will blow you away! The RV market has really picked-up with more than 50 million travelers this year alone choosing not fly-

who can blame them? You practically have to give blood nowadays just to get through the airport!

 

 

From our family to yours we wish everyone of you a prosperous and wonderful new year in 2014!

 

Whether restoring a classic, updating an existing ride, or just replacing lost parts feel free to call

us or better yet visit us at Hubcapzone.com 1-800-804-0776

 

Til next time...



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!

 

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.

 

Hubcapzone.com

 

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.

What's your favorite? Let us know @ Hubcapzone.com or find us on Facebook!