The Value of a Classic Car

When a classic car drives by on the road, you cannot help but to stop and admire it. They are breathtaking, unique, and coveted by many. For some people, a classic can bring back memories from their youth and for others it inspires a dream to own one of these fine cars. Classics do not come cheap and you will pay a pretty penny to own one, especially if it has been restored. So what makes a car a classic and why are they so valuable?

A classic can be defined as a car that is twenty five years or older, but this is a very vague classification for a classic. There is more to it than simply the age of the car. Older cars that were really popular during the time they were manufactured can now be classified as a classic. Old cars that are hard to find because they are rare or were limited editions are often called a classic. A lot of muscle cars, rare, and limited edition models are often classics.

The value of a classic increases as the desire to have one goes up. There is an inverse relationship between desirability and rareness and the amount of value they are worth. Limited editions are often the most valuable classic because a lot of people want them but there are few available. Some common classics that are widely available because they used to be in mass production are less valuable.

Askmen.com came up with a list of the ten most expensive classic cars. To make the list, the cars had to be at least twenty years old and had to be on the market for a “quantifiable amount.” Here is the list of expensive classics and the value that was compiled by askmen.com starting with number ten.

10. 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza – Valued at $2.5 million
9. 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Spider Corsa - $2.53 million
8. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster - $3.63 million
7. 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 - $4.07 million
6. 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe - $4.4 million
5. 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B - $5.6 million
4. 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM - $6.5 million
3. 1931 Type 41 Bugatti Royale - $8.7 million
2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $16.6 million
1. 1954 Mercedes W 196 – Valued at $24 million

As you can see, these classics are worth millions of dollars. If you have a rare or limited edition car in your garage, it could be worth millions twenty years from now.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.


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History of the Muscle Car

The day of the muscle car may seem far behind us, but there are those who still love the power behind the wheel, despite the lack of fuel efficiency.

So what is a muscle car? It is typically defined as a vehicle that is of high performance. In America, it is considered a 2-door, rear wheel drive vehicle equipped with a V8 engine. The muscle car is different than the 'sports car' as they are affordable in price and were typically used for drag racing.

The peak of the muscle car in America was around 1964. Thereafter, other countries came out with their own version of muscle car. In 1967, Road Test magazine profiled the muscle car's popularity commenting on how Americans enjoyed taking a small car, and putting a big engine in it for racing purposes.

What was the most popular muscle car of its day? That would depend on whom you are talking to. Some say the original muscle car was the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The Rocket 88, with its Rocket V-8, was said to have set the standard for every American V-8 engine that would follow for three decades. Others may claim that the Hudson Hornet was one of the top cars, as well as the Cadillac. In 1955, Chrysler built the 300. Two years later the Rambler Rebel was considered the fastest stock American car.

During the 1960s, muscle cars were all the rage. Mopar (Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler) competed with Ford for drag racing championships. Dodge had the Dart Max Wedge which could run a 13 second ¼ mile drag strip over 100 miles per hour. By 1964, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Pontiac joined the race. Ford had the Thunderbolt and Mopar unveiled the Hemi engine. Other vehicles that hit the market after 1965 included the Rambler Marlin, Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda.

The evolution of the muscle car continued as the youth of the time latched on to owning such vehicles. The trend was to provide an affordable and yet powerful car for drag racing. Cars that followed the trend throughout the 60s included Chevy Chevelle, Plymouth Road Runner, Plymouth GTX, Dodge Super Bee, Plymouth Duster, and the Plymouth Valiant.

In 1970, models came out with front disc brakes and without hood scoops. These cars included the Rebel Machine by American Motors and the Plymouth Barracuda. In 1973, with the OPEC oil embargo and air pollution was at a high, companies had to focus on emission controls and vehicles with better gas mileage. This was to be the decline of the muscle car. To boot, the auto insurance industry levied surcharges on all high-powered vehicles. High performance engines started to become discontinued. Pontiac's Trans AM was considered the last of the fast ones and by 1975 even its performance was markedly reduced.

The few other lasting muscle cars were the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. In the 1980s, American performance cars made a small resurgence. Luxury coupes with performance packages included the Buick Regal T-Type, Ford Thunderbird Turbo Couple and the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

Jumping forward, in 2003 and 2004, Mercury revived its old Marauder as a modified 302hp Mercury Grand Marquis. In 2005 Ford revived its Mustang with a retro-inspired design. In 2007 Ford and Shelby re-released a new G.T. 500 with Super Snake and King of the Road editions. During this era Chrysler introduced a four-door version of the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet introduced a new Camaro.

As for the muscle cars of old, you may not see them on the road as often as you would at a car show. Many are very valuable, with the rarest versions auctioning off for nearly half a million dollars. While the day of the original muscle cars are behind us, whose to say they may not make a comeback.


Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Finding That Perfect Car For Summer

Summer is upon us and looking for the perfect car, no matter where you live, can be a challenge. The types of cars and their numerous options are endless. To refine your decision, first you should ask yourself what you are looking for. Make a list of everything you want to do and see this summer and decide if your current vehicle can fit the bill.

For instance, are you somebody who just wants to take a long road trip and enjoy the sun and wind in your hair? Then a convertible is right for you. But which convertible should you choose? There are many out there on the market these days. The price range is just as variable. When shopping for a convertible, do you need rear seats for guests or extra luggage? Do you want something sporty and powerful or economic? Both are important questions as they can determine the difference between purchasing a Corvette or a Mini Cooper. While the Corvette packs a lot of punch, the Mini Cooper gets 28 to 36 miles per gallon. That is a lot of miles one can put on a tank of gas. If you want punch but don't have the money for a Corvette, there is also the Ford Mustang. This muscle car doesn't get bad mileage either, averaging around 26 miles per gallon.

If you are looking to combine some four-wheel drive action with a little convertibleness, you might want to try the Jeep Wrangler. While getting the top off and on isn't as convenient as with the sedans, it does get you off road.

Speaking of off-road, there are a number of four-wheel drive SUV's on the market these days. The question is how much room do you need? Jeep has other models than their Wrangler that offer more interior room. The Patriot has rear fold down seats for campers to sleep within their vehicle. Chrysler even has a roomy SUV called the Town and Country. It too has a flexible seating configuration allowing more room inside for more stuff on the outside. For better fuel efficiency, there is the Subaru Outback. It can go off road, has seats that fold down for sleeping, optional racks for hauling gear and gets around 28 mpg. The Chevy Tahoe Hybrid has a lot of room and includes a 115 volt outlet which can run small electronics without draining the battery. This is great for the casual camper who likes their television and coffee maker while roughing it in the woods.

Towing toys this summer? Whether you have a camper trailer, boat, quads or all of the above, you will need good towing power on your summer vehicle. There are plenty of trucks and SUVs on the market that can pull anything from 8,000 to 16,000 pounds. The strongest of these would be the Dodge Ram 3500. It is said to have more than 16,000 pounds of towing capacity. Behind it is the GMC Sierra 1500 with a 9,990 pound rating. Of course you can step up the towing capacity of the Sierra by going into a more heavy-duty truck series and even Dodge, Ford and Chevy are just as compatible.

Want an SUV that can tow? How about the Nissan Armada, its towing capacity is just over 9,000 pounds. It is also very roomy. The Dodge Durango isn't as big but can tow 8,950 pounds. The Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL can also tow their weight and are big enough for those large families.

If you aren't up for camping on the ground or staying in hotel rooms, there is always the old stand-by Volkswagen camper van or as it is also called Eurovan or Vanowagon - depending on the model you choose. These vehicles often come with everything -including the kitchen sink. If you just want something you can sleep in without all the extra equipment, the Honda Element is quite roomy as well, with space for two adults to sleep comfortably on a double mattress.

Whatever your needs might be, there is most likely a summer vehicle for you out there.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used car Austin and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Benefits of Auto Window Tinting

Hot summer heat can make the inside temperature of your vehicle reach scorching temperatures. The sun can damage the interior after time by fading the car seats or damaging the quality of leather. There are ways to help cool the interior temperature and some ways work better than others. One of the best ways to help block the sun from heating up your car or truck is to have the windows tinted. There are many reasons to tint your automobile windows such as safety, energy savings, UV protection, and comfort. Here are some of the benefits of having tinted windows.

One of the best benefits that window tinting can offer is privacy. Some window films are so dark that you cannot see through to the interior of the car. You may have noticed this dark interior of limousines. You can also have the same privacy that the rich and famous do on their vehicles. There are laws that regulate how darkly tinted the windows can be. The divers’ window and the windshield cannot be so dark that police are unable to see you.

Another great benefit is the protection from the window tinting. The tint not only protects the vehicle’s interior but it also protects the passengers and driver. The film on the windows helps to block UV rays that are very damaging. These harmful rays from the sun are the leading cause of skin damage and skin cancer. You may not think that being in your car would affect your skin, but there is so much sunlight that is on you while driving. This can be dangerous if you spend a lot of time in your vehicle. The sunlight also damages the interior, and the tinting helps to protect it.

Going green does not just have to happen while you are at home. Believe it or not, you can also help in the green efforts with your vehicle. Using the air conditioning is a necessity when you are driving in the summer, especially in Texas. Operating your vehicle with the air conditioning running can burn up a lot of gas. The window tinting will help keep your car cool, so you will not have to use as much air conditioning or run it on high the entire time you are on the road. A cooler car will require less air conditioning which will, in turn, use less gas and create fewer emissions.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Boat Towing Safety with your Truck

The Fourth of July is a fun summer holiday weekend. You will find a lot of friends and family on the lakes near central Texas this weekend and throughout the summer. Lake Travis is a popular weekend destination and is crowded with boats and jet skis over the holiday weekend. The roads also become very busy with drivers taking off for a fun weekend out of town. The roads can often be seen with trucks or SUVs towing a boat, four wheelers, and jet skis behind them. Here are some safety tips to remember this weekend if you are towing your boat to the lake with your truck.

First and foremost, you have to adjust the way you drive your vehicle when you are towing something such as a boat or an RV. Extra caution will be needed on the road and drivers around you should also be more cautious on busy holiday weekends with a lot of towing trucks on the road. The weight of your moving truck will be much different with a boat in tow. You will have to use extreme caution when pulling out, braking, accelerating, and changing lanes. You will need more room to come to a complete stop and you should drive slower than normal.

Before you start driving, you should check to see that your boat trailer is a safe and properly attached to your truck or SUV. It is important as a boat owner and driver that you know how to operate a towing trailer and the rules and regulations for doing so in your state. Make sure that the vehicle you are towing with can handle the weight of the trailer and boat in tow. Here is a checklist you can follow when attaching the trailer and loading up your boat:

Is the hitch and hitch ball (coupler) properly fitted and the right size?

Are the coupler and all safety chains attached to the hitch securely?

Are all attachments tightened?

Is the boat tied down to the trailer?

Are the wheel lug nuts and bearings tightened and adjusted?

Are you in proper weight capacity for the trailer and towing vehicle?

Are the trailer tires inflated?

Do all trailer lights work properly?

Do the brakes work? (You may need to purchase a trailer with its own brakes)


Once you have checked off on the requirements and safety measures, you are ready to get on the road with your truck and boat in tow. Use extreme precautions and never drive too fast, aggressive, or recklessly. Have a fun and happy summer!

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.