Zebra4's blog

ACE - Association of Car Enthusiasts

DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS SITE AND THE IMPORTANT WORK THEY DO TO HELP PROTECT OUR FAVOURITE PASTIME - BY SUPPORTING THEM THEY CAN ACT ON OUR BEHALF AND NOW IS A TIME FOR ALL OF US TO ACT.

If you haven't already checked out the A.C.E website (Association of Car Enthusiasts) you should as they are there to protect our favourite pastime.

This website is a platform for vehicle based legislative issues, which can also provide a rallying point if required - and now is one of those times.

It’s probably just me, but I think the whole scheme is a crock. The question is what exactly is being addressed by this scheme, because no matter which angle I approach it from it doesn’t stack.

The US government have at least put an age restriction in place which means cars over 25 years old don’t qualify for the scheme and so won’t be scrapped – shame the British government haven’t adopted the same policy, it didn’t escape some of the media that Humbers, Morris Minors etc have surprisingly been scrapped over here.

If you take the environmental angle you’ll be told it’s to get all the old cars off the roads that are belching smoke and pumping out tons of CO2. Hmmm, not sure about that.

The latter part of 2008 brought financial difficulties for all of us with the global economy on its knees and the UK loosing that enviable two dollars to the pound. There was serious talk of doom and gloom and so going into 2009 I wondered how much effect it would have on the American and Rod & Custom car scene.

It's no secret that GM are going through a particularly tough time and are set to cut around 21,000 jobs this year as it focuses on the June deadline for the revamp of its business.

GM are also looking to reduce debts by encouraging bond holders to swap bonds for shares, but the other element to ensure the government loans and avoid bankruptcy is to phase out the Pontiac brand and push Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick along with the other GMC brands.

The dizzy heights of $2 : £1 are now long gone and whilst we were languishing close to $1 : £1 at the early part of the year, the pound is currently sitting around $1.45 : £1. If you are like me you will still be cursing for not having stretched your budget and purchasing those parts last year!

But there is hope. The Canadian Dollar offers us a better rate of exchange than the US dollar (at the time of writing $1.78 : £1) and they can supply American cars and parts.

There is no doubt you will have to search a little harder but when you find what your looking for the reward will be that your budget will stretch a little further.

The Fast and Furious franchise has gone from strength to strength using that always popular mix of suped up cars and girls, and the latest offering doesn't disapoint.

This film provides something for all car enthusiasts with the spectrum of cars used for the movie including Muscle Cars, Tuners and Exotics, with the well known Camaro "Big Red" also making an appearance.

That's the latest coming from California on new cars and how best to save energy. The thinking behind it is simple and although I hate to admit it, does make sense.

So you've spent the money on your ride and it runs as you want it, you've carried out the mods that you wanted, and show time is coming so you want it to look its best. Easy just go and buy some polish and a wax wash and that'll be fine right?

Well, we've all got our opinions on the best polish etc to use, but I just used Zymol on my ride and it is without question the best product I've ever used - without question. Its not cheap there's no denying that, but I figured I've spent a good deal of money on her so far and she deserves the best.

directed by Clint Eastwood
Well I never expected to see the car too much and I was right in my expectation level. That said it is a great film, with all that you'd expect from Eastwood.

With elements more associated with "Dirty Harry" he plays a recently widowed and bad tempered Korean War Veteran, who takes exception to the attempted theft of his much cared for Torino by the boy next door as part of his initiation into a local gang.

360 degree LED bulbI have just ordered some LED bulbs to replace the rear stop/tail and indicator standard bulbs. They say they're brighter, will last the life of the car (33 years so far!) plus they only use 1 watt of power.