Hot Rods In Film

American Grafitti

One of the top all-time movies featuring this type of car is American Grafitti. This 1973 film was directed by George Lucas and is still a favorite movie of many people. Although this movie, which was set in 1962 features a number of sub-plots, the classic cars, including several awesome hot rods that are featured, almost steal the show. Among the incredible autos in American Grafitti are a radical yellow deuce coupe, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala.

Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit, released in 1977, starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason. Burt Reynolds drove a hot rod black Pontiac Trans Am in this film. With Jerry Reed driving a tractor trailer filled with contraband beer, Reynolds uses this Trans Am as a distraction and lookout vehicle. Excellent stunt-driving and lots of tire squealing are offered in this classic car movie.

The Lively Set

Another great example is the 1964 movie The Lively Set, which starred James Darren, Doug McClure and Pamela Tiffin. Centering on a road race from Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, this film features a turbine-powered hot rod and several other excellent cars. This great film also includes a great surf and pop music soundtrack.

Viva Las Vegas

A classic Elvis Presley film, Viva Las Vegas revolves around a Grand Prix race being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this movie, Elvis drives a beautifully stylish British Elva automobile. Elvas were produced for only a few years in the 1950's and they are highly valued by automobile enthusiasts and collectors everywhere.

An array of race cars and rods, including Ford Cobras and Ferarris are featured in this 1964 film. The soundtrack to this film is also excellent.

Hot Rod

The title of this 1950 movie about street racing really popularized the term 'hot rod'. This movie is still considered one of the best examples of this type of ride in film. This film starred Art Baker, Jimmy Lydon, Gloria Winters and Gil Stratton. A 1932 roadster hot rod is the real star of the show in this seminal movie.

By Jan Harvey

Volkswagen Car Care An Overview

There are different ways on how you can take proper care of your Volkswagen, as well as a number of services that car dealers and auto repair shops offer in enhancing the overall working condition of your car. On the other hand, if you merely familiarize yourself with the basic details of car care, you will realize that you can save a significant amount of money through examining the entirety of your car and its parts every now and then.

Unbeknownst to many car owners, the cooling system of a Volkswagen is one of the most essential parts that keep it functioning in an effectual manner. Your car is depended on the cooling system's function of regulating the engine's temperature by means of the coolant's circulation. Through this, the engine releases the heat it has absorbed and emits it through the radiator, where the heat wanes into a lower temperature.

The cooling system of Volkswagen cars mainly consists of three parts, namely, the (1) water pump, (2) hoses, and the (3) radiator, sensors, and thermostat. Firstly, the water pump functions as the regulator of the cooling system of your vehicle, and controls the movement of the coolant mixture. It is essential that you regularly inspect your Volkswagen's water pump, and promptly replace it if you have distinguished any damage.

Hoses, on the other hand, is located in the cooling system, and is comprised of the control valves, the heater core, the radiator hose, and the expansion tank. For the primary reason that these parts are frequently utilized and subjected to heated coolant, there is a greater probability for it to worsen easily and require replacement.

Aside from the water pump, the hoses are also essential in keeping your car's system working properly. In a general sense, you should inspect all the hoses of your car's cooling system at least twice a year, and ensure that there are no scrape, leakage, or cracks. If such damages are found, you should communicate with a Volkswagen professional in order to assess the overall condition of the hoses and determine which ones should be replaced.

Lastly, the cooling fan, fan clutch, temperature sensors, thermostat, and expansion tank cap control the temperature of the cooling system. Each of these parts works individually, but they all regulate the engine cooling through transmitting control signals to the electronic systems of your Volkswagen. What is good about these cooling system sensors is that it only needs maintenance through internal and external cleaning, which is why you should regularly clean these parts in order to spare the cooling system of your car from any eventual damage.

By John Alvar