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Volvo 140 Owning Up to Its Personal Space in Automobile History

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In its own history, Volvo is a Swedish world leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, buses, and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and service, and this group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Cars, however, which is the manufacturer of automobiles that we know at present, has since been owned by the Ford Motor Company starting the year 1999. 

 

The name Volvo is a Latin word that means “I roll”. This name surely fits well as a description of their products – vehicles – that the company crafts. However, originally, it is a name for a ball bearing that was being developed by the company which, at that time, provided funding to a small number of employees for them to be able to set up the car manufacturing business. Today, the Volvo Group has been manufacturing vehicles in twenty five countries with its sales in more than 185 markets around the globe. 

 

Some of the reasons why Volvo had took the initiative to sell the automobile manufacturing was because of the increasing development costs for new car models, added up with the fact that at that time it was a relatively small producer of such. Its strategy was then to grow as a truck manufacturer where it had a stronger market position. Now, Volvo the line of vehicles is included and part of the Ford Motor Company’s line up. 

 

The list of Volvo models could look seemingly endless with new models coming up out in the market regularly. A part of the list includes the Volvo 140 which consists of the models Volvo 142, which is a two door vehicle, the Volvo 144, which has four doors, and the Volvo 145, which is an estate wagon. This model was first introduced in 1967. The Volvo 140 series was the start of using a three number system for their crafts. It is some sort of acronym for the first number indicates the series, the second number displays the number of series, and the third number shows the number of doors. 

 

The very first Volvo to feature the classic boxy look is the Volvo 140. This provided a lot of interior space, as compared to the Volvo Amazon. It also bore a radical new design with the only similar features to the Amazon being the split grill and some parts of the interior. The basic shape of the Volvo 140 lived into the 1990s with the 200 series. It used the same 85 hp engine, and then later was changed to the B20 engine. A 115 hp engine was also made available. Going back to 1966, the Volvo 140 had been awarded and had been named as the Car of the Year for that year by the Swedish magazine Teknikens Varld. 

 

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Written by warren2000

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5 Iconic Modern Classic Cars

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Audi Quattro 80-91

The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car produced by the German auto manufacturing company and is part of the Volkswagen Group. Audi released the Quattro to European customers in late 1980. It was the first car to feature Audi’s Quattro permanent four wheel drive system. The Audi Quattro was also the first production car to introduce a turbo charged engine to a four wheel drive system.

The Quattro was produced between 1980 and 1991 and during that time frame there were no major changes in the visual design of the car. If you’re looking to buy an older Quattro there are a few models that you may wish to consider. The WR a 2144cc Quattro, the MB a 2226cc 10-valve Quattro and the RR Quattro which was the 20 valve edition.

Not only did the Quattro dominate the World Rally scene but it was blisteringly fast. It had the performance of a Ferrari or Porsche 911 and the price tag that many more avid car enthusiasts would be able to afford.

The original Audi Quattro was not only a thorough bred sports car, comparable to today’s Subaru WRX, but also a very capable family car with plenty of rear passenger space and a big boot area.

As with the Golf GTi 16V it would be prudent to view a potential car you are planning to buy with an expert by your side.

The parts are quite expensive and you do not want to purchase one that has been put through its paces at every opportunity. Ask the owner when last the cam-belt was changed and ask for the receipts. Test the clutch and gearbox thoroughly when you take it for a test drive and as with the Golf Gti have a look underneath the vehicle to see if there is any damage, especially around the suspension mountings. If it has had an accident before then you’re not likely to be making as good an investment and with a quality classic car of this one’s heritage, one in great condition will become more valuable as the years go by.

Ford Escort (Mk I/II) – 1968

The Ford Escort Mark I made its debut at the Brussels Motor Show in 1968 and it replaced the long running Anglia. The Escort was a best seller in the UK in the 1960′s. It had conventional rear wheel drive and a four speed manual gearbox. For its time, it had contemporary styling including a “dog bone” shaped front grille. The Mark I Escorts became very successful as a rally car and ended up being one of most successful rally cars of all time.

Dodge Charger

Starting out life in the form of the 1965 Dart produced with the “Charger 273″ name, around 180 cars were only made at the factory. The Dodge Charger is one of America’s most revered performance nameplates. It was an icon of the muscle car era and has recently been reborn as an affordable performance sedan. It made its debut in the mid 1960′s because of America’s growing interest in cars with above average performance.

The original Charger was a two door coupe with fastback styling. It had big V8 power and a 426 Hemi. The 318 Charger was produced with a 3 speed manual gearbox, and the bigger engines were supplied with the choice of a 4 speed manual automatic gearbox. The Hemi is an engine still used to this day. The 1966 Dodge Charger was quickly replaced by the 1967 model, with few changes. The 318 was far lighter; the 361 was replaced by a two-barrel 383; and the 440 Magnum was available with a mind blowing 375 hp motor.

The 1967 Dodge Charger was a truly beautiful piece of machinery, but it seemed that American public preferred the restyled 1968 Dodge Charger widely attributed to the true success of the Charger. Among the unique features attributed to the Dodge Charger was the early use of electroluminescent dash rev counter, speedometer, alternator, temperature and fuel gauges. This feature looked absolutely amazing as did the unique front grill Dodge used on the Charger. It would open and close exposing the fully rotating headlights.

The 1967-1972 Dodge Charger was the one that was used in the Dukes of Hazard, and again in the Blade movies a Charger features as the heroes’ transport.

The glory of the Charger faded after 1970 because of rising car insurance and petrol prices across the United States. It is still sought after today and is an iconic classic muscle car.

Thankfully some classic cars do make come backs and in 2006 The Daimler Chrysler Motors Corporation re launched the Dodge Charger. The new model has been both well received and criticized at the same time. It has kept true to its roots with stupendous amounts of torque and as a muscle car it is up there with the Corvette, Camaro SS and the mighty Ford Mustang, but perhaps it could do with just a little more technology to make this modern day beast more forgiving to drive.

Today Dodge are more famous for their range of Sport Utility Vehicles and Trucks like the Dodge Ram which they supply to the US domestic market and even the British footballers rely on luxury vehicles like the Chrysler 300C to arrive anywhere they go in true style.

Peugeot 205 GTI 1984 – 86

The Peugeot 205 GTI is a small hatch that was well built. It was specifically trimmed for the sporty driver and was available with either a 1.6L or 1.9L petrol engine. It had front traction system and some say it drove as well as vehicles with rear wheel drive. The 1.9L had half leather seats and four wheel disc brakes. It is considered one of the best hot hatches of all time. This car is regarded as a modern classic due to its design and handling, reliability and affordability.

Land Rover Series I – 1948

The Land Rover Series I was the British reply to the American Army’s go anywhere four wheel drive vehicles. Based entirely on the Jeep chassis it was built as an agricultural vehicle. It was introduced in the early postwar period and had fully enclosed front wheels and stark angular body lines. The first models had inboard headlamps mounted behind a mesh grille guard. It had rugged durability and superb all terrain capabilities for a vehicle of the day. There were a wide choice of sizes, types and specifications and it had a rust free body.

The Land Rover Series 1 was fitted with a petrol 1600 Rover engine which gave the vehicle a top speed was only about 60mph but it could go just about anywhere. The engine capacity grew to 2 ¼ liters before The Rover Company gave it a diesel engine in 1957 – 1958.

The Land Rover Series 1 very quickly became a very capable vehicle and soon production was expanding as a lucrative export market opened its arms to the Land Rover. Farmers could buy a variety of body types each designed to perform specific functions. These alterations were made by companies under license and soon Land Rover agreed to assemble the now very versatile Series 1 in countries they were exporting too. Sales were very good and Land Rover had exploited a gap in the market Jeep could only have dreamed of in a very short time. It was only in the late 60′s that Rover decided to produce a vehicle aimed at the public as opposed to a pure work horses and that is when then Range Rover was born.

Remaining largely unchanged the Land Rover Series II took over from the Series 1 in 1958 and had to wait until the 1970′s when the Series III took over.

The Land Rover Series 1 was originally built in Birmingham (Solihull) and today Land Rover are world famous for their Range Rover, Freelander, Defender, and Discovery models. All of which vary in size and ability as a 4WD. Today Land Rover are 61 years old and one of the most recognizable vehicles on the planet.

The internet is a great place to find detailed specifications and information on the vehicle you plan to buy. There is however far more information available online which can help you to plan your finances when buying a new car. Car Depreciation, Motor insurance costs, Gap insurance, Car finance packages and Car Warranty Information all help car buyers when negotiating a deal with your local car dealership. A small amount of research could easily save a car buyer a small fortune on motor insurance and vehicle tax, not to mention maintenance and new car depreciation.

ezinearticles.com How do you find a Financial Service that does loans for all types of Classic, Antique, Muscle, Sports, Luxury, and Exotic Automobiles.With the advent of the internet, classic auto loans has become a lot easier for the classic auto enthusiast to find a loan company to help in financing his purchase of a classic car.
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Ten Best Hollywood Drug Movies

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Frank Sinatra as heroin addict Frankie Machine with Kim Novak in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) – Heritage Auction Galleries

Illegal drugs are everywhere, especially in Hollywood movies. The drug theme is not a particularly new one in Hollywood, but in recent years it has been elevated to an art form.

Here are ten illegal drugs/war on drugs movies that no film fan should ever miss. Inhale deeply…

Blow (New Line Cinema, 2001)

Johnny Depp stars as George Jung, a New Englander who finds his “niche” in southern California during the 1960s. Not wanting to end up a poor working stiff like his father Fred (Ray Liotta), George begins dealing in marijuana and then the more lucrative cocaine (blow), eventually becoming one of the major drug dealers in the United States. Johnny Depp gives an outstanding performance as Jung, with Penelope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths, Paul Reubens and Jordi Molla in mind-blowing support. One of the best scenes takes place in Columbia, where Jung meets legendary drug cartel king Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis). One almost sympathizes with Jung in one memorable scene, where he is told that his stashed millions in drug profits in a Panama bank are no more, confiscated in a power move by dictator and fellow dope pusher Manuel Noriega. Poetic justice?

Great line: “I was busted. Set up by the FBI and the DEA. That didn’t bother me. Set up by Kevin Dulli and Derek Forreal to save their own asses. That didn’t bother me. Sentenced to 60 years at Ottisville. That didn’t bother me. I’d broken a promise. Everything I love in my life goes away.” – Johnny Depp as George Jung

Director: Ted Demme

On DVD: Blow (Kinowelt Home Entertainment, 2002)

Traffic (USA Films, 2000)

The war on drugs unfolds from three different angles in this hard-hitting, offbeat film. Michael Douglas plays Ohio Supreme Court Justice Robert Wakefield, who is tapped by the President to become the nation’s drug czar. Wakefield tries to do his job, but is quickly sidetracked at home when his own teenage daughter Caroline (Erika Christensen) turns to illegal drugs. The two other stories center on a Mexican general’s (Tomas Milian) corrupt campaign against drug traffickers south of the border and a young, naive wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) whose husband is jailed as a major drug dealer. Benicio Del Toro, Amy Irving, Don Cheadle, James Brolin and Miguel Ferrer offer fine support, with real-life U.S. senators Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, Don Nickles, Orrin Hatch and Charles Grassley playing themselves at a Washington cocktail party.

Great line (to DEA agents on the war on drugs): “You guys remind me of Japanese soldiers on deserted islands who still think World War Two is still going on. The fact is that your government surrendered this war a long fucking time ago.” – Miguel Ferrer as Eduardo Ruiz

Director: Steven Soderbergh

On DVD: Traffic (Universal, 2002)

The Man with the Golden Arm (United Artists, 1955)

Frank Sinatra stars as Frankie Machine, an ex-con, card dealer and aspiring drummer who struggles to stay off the big “H” in the old neighborhood. A one-time heroin addict, Frankie had cleaned up his act while in prison, but soon succumbs to the lure of “horse” once again, seeking out drug dealer Louie Fomorowski (Darren McGavin). Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and Robert Strauss are along for the ride into heroin addiction hell. Watch Sinatra’s Frankie go cold turkey in Kim Novak’s apartment, fighting his inner demons as he tries to kick the monkey off his back for good. A groundbreaking movie, with Elmer Bernstein delivering a tough, jazzy music score.

Great line (to Frank Sinatra): “The monkey is never dead, Dealer. The monkey never dies. When you kick him off, he just hides in a corner, waiting his turn.” – Darren McGavin as Louie

Director: Otto Preminger

On DVD: The Man with the Golden Arm 50th Anniversary Edition (Hart Sharp Video, 2005)

Less Than Zero (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1987)

Andrew McCarthy plays Clay Easton, a college frosh who returns home to Los Angeles for the Christmas holidays. Here he encounters his ex-gal pal Blair (Jami Gertz) who has hooked up with his old high school buddy and cocaine junkie Julian Wells (Robert Downey Jr.). Julian, along with Jami, are underwater in drugs, with the former owing ,000 to dealer Rip (James Spader). Blow, crack cocaine, speed and heroin are the drugs of choice in this film, which ends tragically when Julian dies of an overdose as the trio flee L.A. Robert Downey Jr., who battled a real-life drug addiction, turns in a gripping performance as a cocaine junkie truly down and out in Beverly Hills.

Great line (to Robert Downey Jr.): ” I don’t wanna trust you, Julian, I just want my 50K, all right?” – James Spader as Rip

Director: Marek Kanievska

On DVD: Less Than Zero (20th Century Fox, 2002)

The French Connection (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1971)

Gene Hackman stars as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, a New York City cop out to bust the fabled French Connection international drug ring. Roy Scheider plays Hackman’s partner Buddy Russo, with Fernando Rey as the French drug kingpin Alain Charner and Tony Lo Bianco as the traitorous Salvatore “Sal” Boca. This is the 1970s cinema at its best, featuring an intelligent, relentless storyline populated by gritty characters and one of the all-time greatest car chase sequences. One of the more memorable scenes takes place in a police garage, where the cops are disassembling a car looking for a hidden fortune in drugs. It’s there, but they just can’t seem to find it. The movie won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Hackman) and Best Screenplay.

Great line (to the chemist who has just analyzed a heroin shipment): “And by the time it gets down to nickel bags, it will be worth at least thirty-two million.” – Tony Lo Bianco as Sal Boca

Director: William Friedkin

On DVD: The French Connection (Twentieth Century Fox, 2005)

Gene Hackman as NYPD detective Popeye Doyle out to bust a drug cartel in The French Connection (1971) – Twentieth Century-Fox

Scarface (Universal, 1983)

Al Pacino goes way over the top as Cuban immigrant Tony Montana, the ruthless head of a drug cartel who shoots his way to the big time in drug-infested Miami of the 1980s. Pacino’s performance is raw, obscene and unnerving, with Steve Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia in strong support. Get ready for the f-bomb in this picture, which is uttered 226 times, along with plenty of automatic fire, flying lead, hot cocaine and a body count of 42. Al Pacino copped a Golden Globe nomination as Best Actor.

Great line: “In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women.” – Al Pacino as Tony Montana

Director: Brian De Palma

On DVD: Scarface Platinum Edition (Universal, 2006)

New Jack City (Warner Bros., 1991)

When crack cocaine is introduced to New York City Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) and his Cash Money Brothers gang are there, raking in the illicit drug profits. Out to bust Nino and his brothers are NYPD undercover officers Scotty Appleton (Ice-T) and Nick Peretti (Judd Nelson), who recruit small-time stick-up artist Pookie (Chris Rock) to gather inside information on their operation. New Jack City is a tough, gritty film with the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and early ’90s serving as the focal point. Wesley Snipes won an NAACP Image award for his riveting portrayal of the amoral drug dealer.

Great line: ” I’m not guilty. You’re the one that’s guilty. The lawmakers, the politicians, the Colombian drug lords, all you who lobby against making drugs legal. Just like you did with alcohol during the prohibition. You’re the one who’s guilty. I mean, c’mon, let’s kick the ballistics here: Ain’t no Uzi’s made in Harlem. Not one of us in here owns a poppy field. This thing is bigger than Nino Brown. This is big business. This is the American way.” – Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown

Director: Mario Van Peebles

On DVD: New Jack City Two-Disc Special Edition (Warner, 2005)

Easy Rider (Columbia, 1969)

Illegal drugs kick off this classic biker road movie from the Woodstock era when Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) score a lucrative cocaine deal with their connection (Phil Spector) in Los Angeles. The pot-smoking duo then hit the road, picking up alcoholic lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson), who is later murdered by a band of southern rednecks. The pair continue to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, where they engage in an LSD trip while frolicking with prostitutes (Karen Black, Toni Basil) at a Big Easy brothel. Heard on the film’s classic rock soundtrack is “The Pusher,” Hoyt Axton’s memorable song of drug woes, as performed by John Kay and Steppenwolf. Both Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper were stoned and/or drunk during most of filming, with the pair (along with Jack Nicholson) smoking real marijuana for their camping scene.

Great line (on seeing his first marijuana joint): “Lord have mercy! Is that what that is?” – Jack Nicholson as George Hanson

Director: Dennis Hopper

On DVD: Easy Rider Special Edition (Columbia Tristar, 2002)

Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson using drugs and riding free in Easy Rider (1969) – Columbia Pictures

Midnight Express (Columbia, 1978)

Based on a true story, Midnight Express stars Brad Davis as Billy Hayes, a young American who is busted for trying to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. Hayes is tossed into a brutal Istanbul prison where he plans his escape. The scene at the airport where Hayes is searched is white-knuckle intense, with the Turkish soldiers eventually finding the hashish strapped to his body. “When you get busted over there, you’re in for the hassle of your life,” an official U.S. government TV commercial later warned its citizens traveling abroad. Yeah, just ask Billy Hayes.

Great line: “What is a crime? What is punishment? It seems to vary from time to time and place to place. What’s legal today is suddenly illegal tomorrow because society says it’s so, and what’s illegal yesterday is suddenly legal because everybody’s doin’ it, and you can’t put everybody in jail. I’m not saying this is right or wrong. I’m just saying that’s the way it is. But I’ve spent 3 1/2 years of my life in your prison, and I think I’ve paid for my error, and if it’s your decision today to sentence me to more years…” – Brad Davis as Billy Hayes

Director: Alan Parker

On DVD: Midnight Express (Sony, 2008)

Reefer Madness (Motion Picture Ventures, 1936)

No best drug movie list would be complete without the camp/exploitation movie classic Reefer Madness. Originally financed by a religious group and titled Tell Tour Children, this cautionary tale grossly overhyped the dangers of marijuana use, with its practitioners taking a mere toke and instantly turning into homicidal/suicidal sex fiends. Reefer Madness, cast with unknowns Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles and Dave O’Brien in the starring roles, was rediscovered in the 1970s where it became a big hit on college campuses. Pack plenty of munchies when viewing this Depression Era novelty, but remember to save room for the unintentional laughs.

Great line (to a suspected marijuana user): “I’m going to ask you a straightforward question: isn’t it true that you have, perhaps unwillingly, acquired a certain habit through association with certain undesirable people?” – Jospeh Forte as Dr. Carroll

Director: Louis J. Gasnier

On DVD: Reefer Madness (Legend Films, 2008)

Ten More Drug Movie Favorites

Trainspotting (1996)Monkey on My Back (1957)The Trip (1967)Where the Buffalo Roam (1980)Woodstock (1970)The Basketball Diaries (1995)Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke (1978)Boogie Nights (1997)Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

Written by William J. Felchner
Professional Writer

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