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  • Cheap Rental Cars – What People are Saying About Cheap Car Rentals

    December 31, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    Any car that is used to transport goods or persons can be considered as rental cars even if it is only for a small time period. Lots of cheap rental cars are around based upon the specifications by the renter. Many options are available for cars for business or pleasure.
    Cheap rental cars such as; luxury cars, economy cars, premium cars, mini vans, SUV’s, and trucks are all available in the wide range of possibilities. Each car is different from one another and has comparable features. Just imagine as if you were shopping for a car but you are only going to have it for a few days or a week.

    There are many cheap rental cars available all over the country. There are two separate categories of rates, basic rates and inclusive rates. Basic rates are based upon a person’s credit and used for covering an insurance policy. Inclusive rates on the other hand offer insurance to the individual who is renting the vehicle. The companies that have cheap car rentals have many laws and conditions which must be followed before the car can be provided in most cases.

    I would suggest that if you are going to get cheap car rentals from an agency you would want to look into the economy feature. The cars of this caliber are cheaper with good gas mileage and can be the best option if you are going to be shopping for price. The best thing I can recommend is to look for a Honda, generally a civic is going to be the best option but you can go with anything you choose of course.

    Obviously you are going to need a credit card and a drivers license to get cheap rental cars but if you don’t have one, most agencies won’t have a problem with you having a friend or loved one to get the car for you as long as they are going to drive or accompany you to your destination. If they are not going to be with you then you may have an issue with them on that front. It is also a well known truth that agencies in the US will not rent to people unless they are at least twenty five years old as well.

    You must also remember that when you go out and get cheap rental cars there are also taxes applied by the agency. The tax should not be too much but it is enough to add up to fifty dollars to your end result. Bear in mind that all states have this fee and it is nothing special just for your car. Getting a rental car does not have to be a burden and can be a fun experience if you are willing to enjoy yourself! Get out for the weekend and have a great time. I would suggest that you and your friends all get cheap rental cars and get out there. Happy Driving!

    One Or Two Steps To Follow When Using Propane Gas Grills

    December 31, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    One of the hottest methods of healthy cooking is outdoor barbecuing; you are using either charcoal or gas. Anywhere around the planet, almost 75% of the household uses a grill. Even eateries offer grilled menus. It is definitely one of the most typically used techniques of cooking. 

    Another sort of griddling is the employment of a propane gas grills. There are some factors that we have to consider in using this kind of grill. It is a good idea that you use this griddle outdoors. Never use it on an enclosed area especially inside your place. When not in use always turn it off with the cylinder valve closed. Make sure also that the equipment is off and cooled down before covering the grill. Have it checked for dents or leaks every time you have it refilled for safety reasons. Always keep the cylinders on an upright position and store it outside of the house. 

    When griddling using the propane gas keep in mind that it is combustible therefore smoking is precisely restricted. In as much as it is not acceptable to expose propane gas on high temperatures. Always keep it away from youngsters’s reached. Now that you have safety tips in your hand then there would be no problem handling propane gas grills

    With this under consideration, there’s no stopping us from the enticement of delightful griddled meals. May it be from home, away from home and to the beach or park, or even when you’re in the midst of a nowhere you’ll bring the griddle with you. 

    What’s important now is that you buy the sort of griddle that’s suitable to your need, handy for your use and is in your budget. It doesn’t need to be pricey so long as it bears the grilling taste that folk love. As long as it serves the purpose then choosing the proper grill for you would be an easy task.

    Rentals Marbella Villas Style

    December 30, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    Eclectic Marbella has over recent years gained notoriety as one of the most luxurious resort towns in the world. Often referred to as Spain’s answer to Saint-Tropez, the city and beaches of Marbella have become renowned jet set destination points for some of the worlds most celebrated clientele.

    Famous for world-class sailing, golf and tennis, the city is a Mecca of prestigious charm and upscale living. Whether you decide upon renting a private Marbella Villas or decide on a Marbella apartment is your preference you will be guaranteed dazzling white buildings set against the deep, azure Mediterranean sky, the splendour of Marbella is undeniably pleasing to every eye.

    The Spanish Costa del Sol has Europe’s most favourable climate with over 310 days of sun and temperatures ranging from 16 to 30 degrees Celsius all year.

    The holiday Villas Marbella rentals type websites specialise in giving you a wide choice of quality accommodation away from the hotel scene allowing you to run your holiday on your timing and freedom. Many have maid cleaning services, spa’s; swimming pools; etc but offer a more private and relaxed atmosphere for the discerning client who realises the extra value afforded by being home from home.

    Within a short drive of your accommodation you have the pick of more than 20 first class 18 hole golf courses – all open to the public -little wonder that this area is internationally known as the ‘Costa del Golf’. For family fun days out there are a Zoo, Water Parks, Wild Life Parks and Marine Adventure Centres all very close.

    Short journeys by hire car include Nikki Beach arguably the best beach in the area, La Canada shopping centre, Calahonda for the liveliest amongst you and Cappibino port for a more relaxed and Spanish feel towards fine dining.

    How to use Recycled Aggregates for the 2012 Olympics

    December 30, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    Introduction

    Mention the word demolition to almost anyone and the picture that instantly comes to mind is a vision of a building being blown up and collapsing to the ground. Many people have stated that they would love to push the button, to detonate the explosive devices which bring a disused building to the ground. In many cases what comes down, must go up and we are seeing many unsightly buildings being demolished to make way for future development, often as part of a regeneration project.

    For companies who over many years have built their business around the demolition of buildings, the demolition sector is now far more reaching than just blowing up old buildings. Once the building is demolished the huge task of site clearance begins and in a world where consideration of the environmental impacts are high on most peoples agenda, the material residues from demolition need to be separated for recycling purposes. This will include such materials as steel, wood, plastic, brickwork and concrete.

    Most of the materials can be bulked up and shipped to the appropriate recycling plants for reprocessing. Materials such as bricks and concrete can be crushed and turned into a recycled concrete aggregate product ready for reuse in the construction of new roads or buildings. Increasingly though, through advances in technological development, residues such as rubble to be recycled have to meet a very high specification for reuse in construction projects.

    Crushed into different sizes of recycled aggregate will determine the future usage potential of the product. Large sizes could be used as decorative rockery products in landscaping whilst much finer, almost shingle like product can be used as a bedding for pipe laying or as a layer in road construction. With an increasing number of opportunities identified for the reuse of recycled aggregate, the entire demolition and construction industry is making a significant contribution to sustainable development.

    Reasons Behind the Increased Focus on Recycling from Construction and Demolition Projects

    In 1996, UK Government imposed a tax on all wastes going to landfill. The tax is paid on top of normal gate fees for waste being disposed in landfill and since its introduction the cost has increased on an annual basis. When first introduced, the standard rate of tax for general wastes going to landfill was £7 per tonne and £2 per tonne for inert materials. The tax is designed to encourage commercial and industrial businesses and local authorities collecting from households, to divert waste away from landfill for recycling. In April 2009, the standard rate of landfill tax increased to £40 per tonne and is scheduled to increase each year by £8 per tonne until 2013. The lower rate of tax charged upon any inert materials going to landfill such as concrete and soils, has remained relatively steady in recent years and is currently at £2.50 per tonne.

    However, the weight factor alone of a bulk load of these inert materials going directly to landfill will ensure that the entire cost of disposal becomes very expensive and so even in the demolition and construction sector, diverting waste from landfill is a priority. The introduction of landfill tax has been a key driver in encouraging greater diversion of inert materials from landfill, to be used in sustainable development projects.

    Having completed the specific demolition work, contractors often bring crushing machinery on site to crush the brickwork and concrete remains.

    Next time you see a demolition project in progress or pass any construction site during a build programme, it is clear to see the volume of waste being generated. If waste is not in skips, piles of rubble will be stacked high. The placing of concrete waste in skips has been a major problem for waste contractors for many years. Having worked in the waste industry, I have seen skip lorries tipped backwards with the cab of the vehicle up in the air, due to the sheer overloading of waste skips with construction site waste.

    Each year, the UK generates around 330 million tonnes of waste and it is estimated that around 90 million tonnes of this is from construction and demolition wastes. This figure has remained fairly constant since 2001. Around two thirds of this waste is usually recycled or reused in land reclamation or agricultural improvement projects. Since the late 1990s there has been a steady rise in the volumes of construction waste being recycled and this has been helped with advances in technology which have led to improved crushing technology to create more widespread use of different specifications of recycled aggregates.

    In recent years, the construction industry as a whole has worked hard to encourage construction site managers to place a greater focus upon recycling on site. This has led to an increase in the recycling of all inert materials from site.

    Prior to the introduction of the landfill tax all construction site waste including bricks and concrete would be bulked up and transferred to a landfill site for disposal. No consideration was given to recycling. There are now stringent regulations across the sector, coupled with an increase in environmental awareness, as well as the commercial benefits in ensuring that this type of waste is now recycled. There is also greater recognition of the vast array of opportunities to re-use recycled aggregates within the construction process on new construction projects or in areas such as landscaping or home and garden DIY. Following the demolition process, together the waste concrete, bricks, masonry etc will be transformed into a recycled concrete aggregate.

    To recycle concrete aggregate to a high standard and resalable product, it must be entirely free of other contaminants such as wood, paper, card, steel and other general waste materials. The final product must also conform to the requirements of British Standard BS 8500. The process of recycling the concrete can usually be achieved in one of two ways. Some demolition contractors will transport a crushing machine on the demolition site, whereas some contractors will prefer to transport the waste to be recycled, back to their own premises for segregation for recycling or re-use. On projects where demolition and new construction is to take place at the same location, the contractor is very likely to locate a crushing machine on site to avoid incurring additional transportation costs in taking the material back to a sorting and crushing facility. There is now very sophisticated crushing equipment available to reduce concrete to a very fine specification.

    Check the credentials of building demolition contractors before confirming their appointment to undertake your project.

    The Increasing Demand for High Quality Recycled Aggregate

    Before commencing the crushing process, it must be determined what the end product is to be used for to ensure that the recycled aggregate is to meet the required standards. There is huge demand for recycled concrete aggregate to be used back in the construction process. As a product, recycled concrete aggregate can be used for almost any type of concrete structural work, road surfacing or pipe laying project. Having passed through the crusher the pieces of aggregate will be sorted by size. Bigger pieces may be retained as a decorative product for use in garden rockery projects, or they may be passed back through the crusher to be pummeled to a smaller size. The smaller pieces of recycled aggregate may be suitable for use as a gravel on new construction projects, road laying or driveways at home. The crushing machines are now capable of achieving good quality small aggregate grades such as the production of a 20-5mm gravel which can be bagged and used in the garden at home or bought in bulk as part of projects involving new concrete production. The advances in technology mean that the recycling of aggregates for other uses such as a simple gravel product or for use in concrete products has greatly reduced the need to dig quarries to mine for gravel.

    The demand for high quality crushed aggregate is increasing. There are key standards in place which are focused upon improving the recycled aggregate industry. Through research and development, more widespread uses are being identified for the use of recycled aggregate. No longer is concrete, just concrete. What we are talking about now are many different grades of recycled aggregate, ranging from the large chunks of aggregate to very specific 6f2 recycled concrete which can be employed as a sub-base material for construction jobs, or 20-5mm recycled aggregate, which is a gravel and can be used in road construction or at home on driveways. As well as being used as a mix for road construction, recycled aggregate is being used as bedding for pipe laying or foundation material prior to construction projects commencing. In achieving such good quality grades the 20-5mm recycled aggregate can be used as an aggregate base in road construction and the quality meets the standards required to allow its reuse in concrete production. The 20-5mm recycled aggregate is a very versatile product.

    One of the important criteria when using recycled aggregate is choosing the right specification for the task. For example, when using 20-5mm coarse graded aggregate as a road base, the thickness of the layer required must be determined to withstand traffic flows. Traffic flow on a motorway will be significantly different to that of a country road. One reason aggregate produced to a 20-5mm specification is used as a road base is that it aids good drainage. Once the recycled aggregate is laid, appropriate layers of asphalt or concrete can be laid over it to create the road surface.

    In recent years, in the UK we seem to have more rain than sunshine and therefore the selected aggregate must be able to withstand variances in temperature and conditions e.g. dampness for long periods, torrential downpours, long dry spells. With its good drainage qualities, the recycled 20-5mm product is the perfect choice for many sand and gravel applications including, pipe bedding, driveways and footpaths, landscaping, plus for use in ready mixed and precast concrete products. With its drainage qualities, 20-5mm recycled aggregate is a versatile product.

    Crushing machines are capable of producing good quality recycled concrete which can be used for a variety of purposes.

    Recycled Aggregates and the 2012 Olympics

    In its bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, London placed sustainability as the focal point of its bid. The bid team identified a major opportunity to increase awareness of climate change and the issues which surround it, and bring it to the World’s attention. With the eyes of the World watching, the Olympic Games present a unique opportunity to communicate key messages about sustainability. Throughout the entire development of the Olympic project, there is a commitment to make 2012 the most sustainable Olympic Games ever held. This focus began when planning the development and build programmes for the facilities and venues, the transport links and network, the hosting of the Games themselves and will end by leaving a long lasting legacy of a sustainable environment.

    Since London was awarded the Games, all companies involved in the development requirements, from the construction of the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Village and transport links to the venues have been encouraged upon ensuring the use wherever possible of sustainable materials. Across the entire Olympic build programme developers have worked hard to identify suitable sustainable materials for use in the build programme. At the end of the overall project there will be some clearly visible examples of the use of sustainable products.

    qually there will be many more much less visible and furthermore, many which will be not visible at all. One of those products which visitors to the games and its many venues will not even think about will be how recycled aggregates have been used as part of the overall construction project. But developers and specifiers of materials for use in the build programme will be comfortable in the knowledge that they have selected sustainable products including, the most appropriate recycled aggregates as part of the project. With its identified qualities, let’s hope that somewhere in the world wide TV coverage the 20-5mm recycled aggregate gets a mention somewhere, somehow. Imagine being asked to supply recycled aggregate which meets a very specific 20-5mm clean material specification, to help build the 2012 Olympic Village.

    Conclusion

    How times have changed in recent years for the demolition and construction industry. Companies have had to adapt to meet challenging environmental requirements. As with almost any industry, new regulations and legislation dictate the standards to which your business must aspire, if it is to be successful.

    Businesses involved in the production of recycled concrete aggregate are no different. These are classed as processed materials and must conform to a particular product specification which can be used in the construction process. The standard BS8500-2 offers a full specification for the uses of recycled concrete aggregates in concrete, although with such a vast range of recycled aggregates an all encompassing specification for the use of these aggregates is yet to be determined. The most important thing is that the industry does not stand still and wait for the specifications to be finalised. The versatility of recycled aggregates means that demolition contractors operating crushing plants are seeking to identify markets through which to sell their recycled products. The advances in crusher technology and machinery has seen a big increase in the options now available in supplying large chunks of recycled aggregate for landscape gardening use in rockeries, down to a gravel type 20-5mm recycled aggregate with its good drainage qualities for use in road construction and driveways.

    Fly to Crete: the southernmost island of Greece

    December 30, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    If you want to fly to Crete, the experience can be both enjoyable and educational. Upon arrival, visitors can visit the home of the legendary Minotaur, the Minoan Palace at Knossos, or Malia and Phaestos. There is also Europe’s longest gorge at 18 kilometers, this is the Samaria gorge.

    There are a good number of Airlines that fly to Crete. This list includes Aegean Airlines, Olympic Airlines, Lufthansa, Atlantic Airlines De Honduras, Athens Airways, Sky Express, Cyprus Airways, Big Sky Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Jetairfly, TUIfly and Eurocypria.

    With all the things to do, do not forget to enjoy the sunshine during the summer months. The climate is temperate for visitors to enjoy the beach, surf, and local attractions. Most tourists that visit the island stay on the northern side of the island where most of the resorts are located. By hiring a car and driver, tourists can explore the rest of the island where most tourists do not venture. This is the southern coast. There, a person can get a real sense of the life and times of this historical place.

    If you arrive before May, the snow capped mountains can be seen and visited. All year round you can visit the legendary home of Zeus’s parents at the Kronioan Cave in Tzermiado. There are towns where you can still see traditional cobble stone roads. There are numerous restaurants were local delicacies can be enjoyed. One of the best sites is from on top of Mount Juktas at 2703 feet. Many believe this panoramic view was enjoyed by Zeus himself.

    You can enjoy all of these when you fly to Crete.

    Songwriting Contest Mistakes No Songwriter Should Make

    December 29, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    This list but just a quick compilation. These points are only observations that I have made followed by some suggestions on how to address the points. This list is by no means comprehensive.

    Cliches and platitudes fill the lyrics.

    It amazes me that we are all unique, special and different in every way and yet when we write a love song it all sounds the same lyrically. A good love song is unique and stands out as such. Re writing old stand by love songs will not get you very far in the songwriting business.

    A songwriter needs to quieten his or her mind and listen for the true essence of themselves. Only then can you write a song from a unique and different perspectives. It does take a lot of practice to get there though. One sure fire way to know if the song you have written is a good one or not is the immediate reaction on the faces of those you first preformed it for. The eyes never lie.

    The lyrical delivery is fumbled.

    If the rhythm of the lyrics and melody is all jumbled up and the song does not have a natural flow to it, you might have a loser. Sometimes it is like there are too many words in the song and the writer is having a hard time exploring all of the ideas. Keep it simple both the story and the lyrics. Do not try to sing a novel. If the song becomes to complex, make two songs out of it, maybe three or four. Just do not cram too much into a song.

    Remember, a song is at its most effective when you are dealing with one concept or idea. If you find you have too many ideas in a song then pick one to run with and write another song with the leftovers.

    Not enough attention paid to the song format.

    There have been many a time where I have been listening to a song and I have said to myself there should be a bridge here, or a chorus has been written that does not stand out enough. These elements may not be immediately noticeable to your average listener but a pro will hear this at once. Obvious song formatting mistakes like these are sure to derail a songwriters career quickly.

    It pays to have an idea of what a verse, chorus, pre chorus and a bridge does and how you can use them. To be considered a pro you have to learn what the pros know and then apply that knowledge.

    Songs go on too long.

    This is mostly a formatting problem as well but sometimes you can see that there is an anthemic phrase that the songwriter loves because it is repeated over and over and over and over again. Once again, keep the story simple and up tempo. Do not drone on for all of eternity. If people are carrying on conversations during the performance of your song, it may well be to long.

    There is nothing wrong with a long song as long as the journey and the story is there for the listener. if say after 3 and a half minutes you are starting to repeat things and your idea runs out of steam then finish the song.

    Past, present and future tenses are mixed up.

    Be careful that you do not mix up your tenses when you are telling the story in your song. This sends a mixed and confusing message to the listener. I would think it would also make performing the song a little more confusing than it should be.

    People want to be taken by the hand and led on a a journey, unless you are the songwriting equivalent to a Hollywood movie director, you should be aware of how the story is going chronologically.

    Practice your craft, have fun with it, preform your songs for family and friends and when a song contest comes around, put your best foot forward and preform like a professional.

    Plastic name badges

    December 28, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    If you are a manager or state worker or just a person who needs to be known and popular or a public service employee you are definitely wearing a badge whether this is a public event or an every-day routine. What is a badge, anyway? Is it always of the same size, form and material? Wearing a plastic name badge or name tag can make all the difference when you’re at work. Now you’re memorable, and the little rectangle with your name ends up telling your customers something about you.

    The layout of your custom badges would depend on what the badge is for. If the badges are used in a formal event or organization, the design should be in a sophisticated style and color, but if the badges are used in a professional event the design of the badges should be customized in a way that the badges give a professional look. Retractable badge reels are made from either metal or plastic, and you can choose from a variety of styles. Some even have specialized features, and you can certainly order customized badge reels.

    We are proud to say we have a variety of great relationships within the fulfillment industry, and a number of programs within our great business. It’s an excellent way to promote your business. You have the same types of options as you do with any other retractable badge reels, but they’re customized for your business. Imprinting your company name, slogan, or logo is easy to do, and it’s certainly affordable. You can even incorporate a message.

     

    Great reasons to buy a Reebok Treadmill

    December 28, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    Reebok is one amongst many treadmill manufacturers, who between them produce an array of different machines for every type of user, and environment. Whether you’re looking for a casual occasional use machine, or one that can take a daily pounding, there will be a treadmill to meet your requirement. Reebok Treadmills are a very popular choice for many reasons.

    Reebok treadmills have grown in popularity over the past few years. This is as a result of producing a very wide range within a budget that most can afford. They deliver good value and high-end features, without a high price-tag.

    One of the most popular features with reebok treadmill users is the ability to fold away and store your treadmill in a compact way. This reduces the overall footprint of the machine and offers up opportunities for those with very limited space. Combined with other great features like the pulse grip, which will ensure you get the most out of every workout, propels Reebok treadmills into a ‘great-buy’ category.

    The large walk areas are a strong feature of these treadmills. Unfortunately some older models had relatively small motors, which in resulted in performance issues. Fortunately this failing has been recognized by Reebok and all current models have a much bigger motor and don’t suffer from the ‘burn-out’ issues of old.

    Overall you could do a lot worse than buy a Reebok treadmill. They’re great machines that will give you years of pleasurable use. Yes of course there are alternatives in the market such as the very good Horizon treadmills or the very popular Lifefitness treadmill range. Ultimately whatever you choose the critical success factor is actually getting on the machine and using it. Set yourself some goals and work towards them on a regular basis and you’ll soon start to see some excellent results.

    www.brolum.co.uk

    Cheap Local Manchester Solicitors

    December 27, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    What a time I’ve had of late it all commenced with a problem with my tap leaking well anyway I tried to find a local plumber in the local telephone directory – who would appear within a week no luck there Anyway I decided to do a search on google for Manchester Plumber. Hit gold with that one there they where online .Anyway I used the contact form and inside of about 20 minutes I had a telephone call to arrange an appointment .That’s what I call service.To cut a long story short they arrived the said day and where rather a bit cheaper than the firm who would not get to me for nearly a week.

    Shortly after the original problem was concluded don’t I get a telephone call from a friend saying someone has crashed into his car from behind and are refusing any obligation. Not actually sure how that works as they clearly drove into his car. Well hot on my winner with google and the phantom plumbers don’t I get online and go looking for a Solicitors in Manchester for him. Only on the off chance that his policy has some microscopic little clause about legal costs who knows?

    On a brighter note an individual I know has resolved to expend some of their redundancy on purchasing a gardening business. Not really sure if they have done as much research as they should before going all out for it .I have told them that they need an Accountant in Manchester to look at the account books as these individuals recognize precisely what they are looking at. For the price it may well spare him thousands if the business concern is going to fold or with a bit of luck the accountant will turn around and say that it looks like a profitable business go for it.

    So all in all the last few weeks have been quite eventful around here. Looking onward to a few dull weeks now with no more leaks or telephone calls about car accidents

    3 American Performance Cars

    December 27, 2009 by Resident Author  
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    Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn’t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.

    So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.

    Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these “pony” cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison’s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.

    Ford Mustang – Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM’s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World’s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 ½ model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the “retro” look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.

    Dodge Challenger – After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth ‘Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the ‘Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.

    Chevrolet Camaro – GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustang’s sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.

    So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the “me too” look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing today’s technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.

    No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.

    Article By: Tony Alves

    Tony Alves has been online since 2002. He owns and manages several websites. Some of his websites are: Performance Auto Parts and Home Business. He also owns a Blog Car Pictures where he posts regularly.

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