Get set for a year of great motoring events in 2013

A SUMMER of motoring fun is just a few months away, if the list of exciting events across the north west and further afield is anything to go by.

Fans of classic cars and bikes will be spoilt for choice when a host of events get underway, with draws including the Ormskirk MotorFest - now in its third year - on August 25, the Lydiate Classic Car Show on July 7, and the Bank Hall show in Bretherton on July 28 among others.

Its also hoped that the Woodvale Rally, a longstanding favourite with car and bike fans, will return to its traditional home at RAF Woodvale for 2013, after concerns about asbestos at the site prompted a change of venue to Victoria Park last year. The shows organisers are still awaiting confirmation, but the event is provisionally set for the weekend of August 3 and 4 so keep an eye on their website at www.woodvalerally.com for any further announcements.

A little further afield theres the return of the North West Indoor Classic Car Show, after the inaugural event proved to be one of last years surprise hits. This years show takes place at EventCity in Manchester - a stones throw from The Trafford Centre - so make sure youve got the weekend of April 6 and 7 in your diary.

A couple of other big draws to make a note of are the Classic Car Spectacular, due to take place over the first weekend of June at Tatton Park in Cheshire, the Classic, Vintage and Sports Car Show at the same venue on August 17 and 18, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power between June 14 and 16, the Gold Cup at the Oulton Park race circuit over the August Bank Holiday. Theres also word that CarFest - a motoring event organised by Radio 2 DJ and Ferrari nut Chris Evans - will get the green light for a 2013 event, so while theres no official dates yet dont bet against it being hosted at some point in August or September.

Theres also - if youre prepared to hop in the car and venture even further - all manner of national events being held at Goodwood, the NEC, Beaulieu, Silverstone and Santa Pod to name just a few, but even if you cant it looks set to be a vintage year for automotive outings.

If youre organising a motoring event or show why not share it with Life On Cars? Get in touch with David Simister, our motoring correspondent, by sending an email to david.simister@hotmail.co.uk or leave a comment below.

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How much is that auto in the window

 

I’m writing this article on Monday, September 10, 2012. I copied the title and the illustration above from an article in today’s Wall Street Journal. I’m not guilty of plagiarizing because I’m giving credit to the Wall Street Journaland the reporter, Charles Passy who wrote the article. After what happened to Fareed Zakaria, I want to be very careful. You can read the entire article online by clicking on www.earlstewart.com/pdf/WSJ.pdf.

The Wall Street Journal reporter interviewed me several times over the past month for this article. I sent him copies of invoices, buyer’s orders, dealer addendum labels, and names of people I knew around the US who were experts on unfair and deceptive advertising by car dealers. It was important to me because having what I’ve fought against for so many years written about by a national publication adds credibility. Not only does the Wall Street Journal have the largest circulation of any newspaper in America, but it’s also arguably the most respected daily publication.

One might ask, why don’t local newspapers write stories about car dealers’ unfair and deceptive sales and advertising? The answer, like so many, is “follow the money”. Every local newspaper has an auto advertising section with most of, if not all of the dealers in that market. Newspapers seem to be the advertising choice of many dealers, although TV has definitely cut into their revenue. In large metro markets TV ads are so expensive that most dealers have no choice but to use the newspaper. Car dealers are the single largest source of ad revenue in many newspaper markets.

Now I know that journalistic ethics require a separation between the news, editorial, and advertising departments. But that’s the way it used to be. Today local newspapers and even some national ones are struggling for survival. Ethics go out the window when it comes to survival. Would you steal food for your child if you had no other recourse?

Another reason that I’m encouraged by this Wall Street Journal article is that every auto manufacturing executive reads this newspaper every day, especially articles about automobiles. Also, most car dealers also read the Wall Street Journal. Reading a negative report about deceptive car dealer sales practices in a highly respected national newspaper has got to get their attention. Many manufacturers and most car dealers seem to be in denial about how they endeavor to trick their customers with misleading, false ads and sales practices. I’m a Toyota dealer and I was shocked when Toyota recently removed the financial penalties from violating the Toyota Dealer Advertising Covenant, TDAC. They said they did this based on a request from the national dealer council. The TDAC was created over ten years ago to establish ethical guidelines for Toyota dealers’ advertising. It was written with the input of dealers and all dealers had to sign to promise to abide by its tenets. An example of a tenet would be that a dealer cannot advertise a car for a price unless he will actually sell the car for that price…no “bait and switch” advertising. As you would agree, laws are not effective without penalties and Toyota used to fine dealers very large sums for violating these advertising covenants. Now, there are no financial consequences for a Toyota dealer violating the TDAC. Other manufacturers have similar covenants but enforcement and and penalties are rare.

I have to believe the auto industry will awaken one day and realize that almost all other retailers in the 21^st century have left car dealers in the dust. Most car dealers are still employing the “get ‘em in the door any way you can and make as big a profit as you can get away with” shabby tactics that were common practice fifty years ago. Most manufacturers and some dealers are beginning to realize that car dealers are held in the lowest esteem of any other retailer. Car sales and service complaints top the list and car dealers rank dead last in the professional ethics ranking, tied with congressmen, lobbyists, and lawyers.

I tell manufacturers and my fellow dealers that if we don’t regulate ourselves, you can bet the government will step in and do it for us. As I write this article, the Federal Trade Commission is conducting hearings all around America asking for input about unfair and deceptive trade practices by car dealers. If the government steps in like they did with our nation’s banks, car dealers and manufacturers can expect to be up to their eyeballs in expensive regulations, red tape, and bureaucracy.

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some of the dragsters I found interesting in Dragster Alley Bldg 4 at the Grand National Roadster Show

and its the newest Rodders Journal cover

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just an old trade in on a new truck sheesh

found on http://truquetructruk.tumblr.com

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Top 10 Fastest cars in the world List 2012 2013

Many people dream to have a “Supercar” in his possession. For luxury and speed, thus making many people want to own these Supercars.

Today we present…..Top 10 fastest cars in the world : List 2012-2013

10 Fastest cars we offer are legally available in the market. And measured by the test speed. (Theoretical speeds do not count.)

10. Jaguar XJ220

Jaguar XJ220

Top Speed : 217 mph (349 km/h), 0-60 in 3.8 secs

Engine : 3.5 L Twin Turbocharged V6

Transmission : 5-speed manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,642 mm (104.0 in)
Length	4,930 mm (194.1 in)
Width	2,007 mm (79.0 in)
Height	1,151 mm (45.3 in)
Kerb weight	1,372 kg (3,024.7 lb)

Base price of a Jaguar XJ220 is $650,000. Made in 1992

10. Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari Enzo

Top Speed : 217 mph (349 km/h), 0-60 in 3.4 secs

Engine : F140 Aluminum V12

Transmission : 6-speed semi-automatic

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,650 mm (104 in)
Length	4,702 mm (185.1 in)
Width	2,035 mm (80.1 in)
Height	1,147 mm (45.2 in)
Curb weight	1,365 kg (3,010 lb)

Base price of a Ferrari Enzo is $670,000. This car is a top class Supercar and Racing Car.

10. Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster

Top Speed : 217 mph (349 km/h), 0-60 in 3.4 secs

Engine : Twin turbocharged AMG V12

Transmission : 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed sequential

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,730 mm (107.5 in)
Length	4,395–4,435 mm (173.0–174.6 in)
Width	2,055 mm (80.9 in)
Height	1,151–1,141 mm (45.3–44.9 in)
Curb weight	Dryweight: 1,250–1,210 kg (2,756–2,668 lb)

Base price of a Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is $1,850,000. The Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster has a Body style 2-seat Berlinetta and 2-seat Roadster.

9. Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador

Top Speed : 220 mph (354 km/h), 0-60 in 2.9 secs

Engine : 6.5 L L539 V12

Transmission : 7-speed ISR Semi-automatic transmission

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.30 in)
Length	4,780 mm (188.19 in)
Width	2,030 mm (79.92 in)
Height	1,136 mm (44.72 in)
Curb weight	1,575 kg (3,470 lb)

Base price of a Lamborghini Aventador is $379,700. Made in 2011 – present

9. Ascari A10

Ascari A10

Top Speed : 220 mph (354 km/h), 0-60 in 2.8 secs

Engine : 4,941 cc (302 cu in) BMW V8 S62

Transmission : 6-speed manual (sequential manual in option)

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,636 mm (103.8 in)
Length	4,300 mm (169.3 in)
Width	1,852 mm (72.9 in)
Height	1,138 mm (44.8 in)
Curb weight	1,280 kg (2,822 lb)

Base price of a Ascari A10 is $650,000.

9. Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin One-77

Top Speed : 220 mph (354 km/h), 0-60 in 3.4 secs

Engine : 7.3 litre V12 with 750 hp

Transmission : 6-speed automated manual

Base price of a Aston Martin One-77 is $1,850,000.

8. Noble M600

Noble M600

Top Speed : 225 mph (362 km/h), 0-60 in 3.7 secs

Engine : Twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 650 hp

Transmission : 6-speed manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,540 millimetres (100 in)
Length	4,360 millimetres (172 in)
Width	1,910 millimetres (75 in)
Height	1,140 millimetres (45 in)
Curb weight	1,275 kilograms (2,810 lb)

Base price of a Noble M600 is $330,000.

8. Gumpert Apollo

Gumpert Apollo

Top Speed : 225 mph (362 km/h), 0-60 in 3.0 secs

Engine : 4.2 L (260 cu in) Twin Turbocharged V8

Transmission : 6-speed sequential manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,460 mm (175.6 in)
Width	1,998 mm (78.7 in)
Height	1,114 mm (43.9 in)
Curb weight	1,100 kg (2,400 lb) to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb)

Base price of a Gumpert Apollo is $450,000.

7. Zenvo ST1

Zenvo ST1

Top Speed : 233 mph (374 km/h), 0-60 in 2.9 secs

Engine : Turbocharged and Supercharged 7.0L V8

Transmission : 6-speed manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	3,055 mm (120.3 in)
Length	4,665 mm (183.7 in)
Width	2,041 mm (80.4 in)
Height	1,198 mm (47.2 in)
Curb weight	1,376 kg (3,034 lb)

Base price of a Zenvo ST1 is $1,225,000.

6. McLaren F1

McLaren F1

Top Speed : 240 mph (386 km/h), 0-60 in 3.2 secs

Engine : 6.1 L BMW S70/2 V12

Transmission : Weismann Transverse 6 Speed manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,718 mm (107.0 in)
Length	4,287 mm (168.8 in)
Width	1,820 mm (71.7 in)
Height	1,140 mm (44.9 in)
Kerb weight	1,138–1,062 kg (2,509–2,341 lb)

Base price of a McLaren F1 is $970,000.

5. Koenigsegg CCX

Koenigsegg CCX

Top Speed : 245 mph (394 km/h), 0-60 in 3.2 secs

Engine : 90 Degree V8 with 806 hp

Transmission : 6-speed manual, 6-speed automated manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,660 mm (104.7 in)
Length	4,293 mm (169.0 in)
Width	1,996 mm (78.6 in)
Height	1,120 mm (44.1 in)
Curb weight	1,280 kg (2,822 lb) (Dry)

Base price of a Koenigsegg CCX is $545,568.

4. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo

Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo

Top Speed : 248 mph (399 km/h), 0-60 in 2.8 secs

Engine : Ford 427, 7.0 L naturally aspirated V8

Transmission : 6-speed manual

Dimention

Wheelbase	106 in (2,692 mm)
Length	188 in (4,775 mm)
Width	78 in (1,981 mm)
Height	41 in (1,041 mm)
Curb weight	2,750 lb (1,247 kg) (Dryweight)

Base price of a Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo is $555,000.

3. 9ff GT9-R

9ff GT9-R

Top Speed : 257 mph (413 km/h), 0-60 in 2.9 secs

Engine : 4.0 Litre V6 Twin-Turbo with 1120 hp

Base price of a 9ff GT9-R is $695,000.

3. SSC Ultimate Aero

SSC Ultimate Aero

Top Speed : 257 mph (413 km/h), 0-60 in 2.7 secs

Engine : Twin-Turbo V8 with 1183 hp

Dimention

Length	176.2 in (4,475 mm)
Width	82.7 in (2,101 mm)
Height	43.0 in (1,092 mm)
Curb weight	2,848 lb (1,292 kg) – 2,800 lb (1,270 kg)

Base price of a SSC Ultimate Aero is $654,400.

2. Koenigsegg Agera R

Koenigsegg Agera R

Top Speed : 260 mph (418 km/h), 0-60 in 2.9 secs

Engine : 5.0-liter V8 with twin turbo’s, housing 1099 hp

Transmission : 7-speed Dual clutch transmission with paddle-shift.

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,662 mm (104.8 in)
Length	4,293 mm (169.0 in)
Width	1,996 mm (78.6 in)
Height	1,120 mm (44.1 in)
Kerb weight	1,290 kg (2,844 lb)

Base price of a Koenigsegg Agera R is $1,600,000!!!.

2. Hennessey Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

Top Speed : 260 mph (418 km/h), 0-60 in 2.5 secs

Engine : 7.0 L (430 cu in) LS7 Twin Turbocharged V8

Transmission : Ricardo plc 6-speed

Dimention

Wheelbase	110.24 in (2,800 mm)
Length	15.27 ft (4,655 mm)
Width	6.34 ft (1,960 mm)
Height	2.45ft
Kerb weight	2,685 lb (1,218 kg)

Base price of a Hennessey Venom GT is $950,000.

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Top Speed : 268 mph (431 km/h), 0-60 in 2.4 secs

Engine : Aluminum, Narrow Angle 8 Liter W16 with 1200 hp

Transmission : 7-speed DSG sequential

Dimention

Wheelbase	2,710 mm (106.7 in)
Length	4,462 mm (175.7 in)
Width	1,998 mm (78.7 in)
Height	1,159 mm (45.6 in)
Kerb weight	1,888 kg (4,162 lb)

Base price of a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is $2,400,000!!!!!.

Source : thesupercars, wikipedia

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