As a rule, most of the valuable and prestigious number plates seen on the road today will appear on expensive and prestigious cars. This is true of most Bentley and Rolls Royce cars. Most of the exclusive Bentley type registrations are in fact on Bentley cars rather than on cars who are owned by Mr Bentley, and as such, can be quite expensive.

Over the last few years, with the introduction of the Bentley Continental GT, more car registration numbers for Bentleys than any other prestigious car maker have been sold.This is quite an incredible fact when you consider that these cars cost, on average, five times as much as your average car. Interestingly, Rolls Royce owners are less likely to buy private number plates, which is unusual, although again some of the most valuable plates do in fact appear on Rolls Royce cars.

When you see a Bentley motor car, as a rule most of them will have cherished number plates. Cherished number plates for Bentleys are popular because provided that a Bentley is looked after, it should last a lifetime. So a private registration is a great way to disguise a 4 or 5 year old Bentley so that it looks like a new model. In fact over 70% of all Bentley cars ever built are still on the road. This is because the attention to detail is so intense. It takes 150 hours to hand-build a Continental GT and even longer for a 4 door Bentley Arnarge. So its easy to see why people buy number plates for these cars.

There are a few quite specific number plates for Bentleys recently advertised for sale. They are BEN 71Y and BE11 TLY. Both these plates look like the word Bentley and would look fantastic on the back of a “GT” or a “Flying Spur” model. Another great registration number is ARN 46E which would suit a Bentley Arnarge model. The only drawback with these plates are the prices and age restrictions, as they are not dateless, or cherished, as they are sometimes referred to. This means t hat they cannot be used on vehicles older than the plate depicts. So no good for the vintage models.

The registration number 1 WO is probably one of the most famous Personalised Number Plates. It is used on all the promotional advertising for the car maker and is used in memory of Mr W.O.Bentley, the founder and creator of the luxury car brand, however it is not known whether the plate is really owned by the car maker or just used with the permission of the real owner.

Source by Martyn J Davies

Because they look cool right! The performance benefits of custom wheels should be your answer. In the 1950s and 1960s race car drivers developed lighter magnesium wheels to reduce weight and enhance performance in all form of racing. They were called Mags by the racers, a term still widely used today. However, most magnesium wheels were far to fragile for daily street use. Plus magnesium oxidizes very quickly and require frequent polishing. Magnesium wheels used in modern race cars are often forged to make them stronger and reduce weight. As a result contemporary forged magnesium custom wheels are very expensive. The oxidization problem is the reason you don’t see contemporary custom wheels made of magnesium.

Fortunately for the custom wheel market today manufacturers developed light weight aluminum alloy wheels that provide the strength needed and come in numerous finish options while reducing wheel weight. Trendy wheel finishes include chrome and polished aluminum, plus painted aluminum alloy come in hyper-silver, silver, white, black, gray and Anthracite. While many of us choose aftermarket custom wheels for their good looks, there are many important performance benefits resulting from reducing a wheels weight compared to factory steel wheels.

The additional strength of a custom alloy wheels can notably reduce tire deflection and tire rollover while cornering. You also get increased brake cooling with custom alloy wheels because aluminum alloy is a great conductor of heat. The large mass of the aluminum wheels help dissipate heat from the brakes. The open design of 5 spoke and 6 spoke custom wheels allow more air flow over the brakes cooling them as you drive in city traffic.

One of the most significant factors affecting a car, truck or SUV road holding ability is the reduced weight of custom aluminum alloy wheels over factory steel wheels. By reducing weight, custom wheels provide improved acceleration and braking. You must also be careful not to exceed the design weight of the original wheels and have the reverse effect by adding larger wheels and tires or aluminum alloy wheels that are gravity cast. Gravity cast aluminum alloy custom wheels are cheaper but heavier and prone to bending. Look for aluminum wheels that are either low pressure cast or forged, they cost more but will reduced weight and adds strength.

Keep in mind that sizing up or adding larger wheels and tires will actually add weight. So plus sizing should be done the proper way. By using a larger diameter wheel with a lower profile tire it’s possible to properly maintain the overall original diameter of your wheel and tire. It’s important to keep your new custom wheels within 3 percent of the original equipment. Differences larger than 3 percent can cause problems with transmission shift points which can decrease fuel mileage. It can also confuse braking system computers, reduce ride comfort and cornering capability. Go for wider rather than taller wheel – tire diameters, the results is a larger contact patch and a sportier look.

Source by Steven Farber

A modern way in which the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced is by using carbon fiber wrap. It can be used on cars, motorcycles, trucks and vans. It provides a solid exterior coating that protects the original pain from chips, nicks and scrapes while adding personality and beauty to a vehicle. Following are some of the most ideal reasons that carbon fiber vinyl should be used in a vehicle.

Affordability

In comparison to a custom paint job, the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced and modified at a much cheaper price if carbon wrap is used. If applied properly, the original color of a vehicle is not affected but the same professional look as paint is achieved. Finished vinyl wrap looks very similar to paint, so telling the difference between the two is not easy. Unlike real carbon fiber, the vinyl is considerably cheaper and working with it is much easier.

Convenience

For car owners who are handy with tools, they will be able to install fiber vinyl on their vehicle quite easily since no special equipment is needed. If they get involved in an accident, which leaves their vehicle damaged in one section, the area can be repaired easily and cost-effectively by cutting out the wrap from the damaged section. Working with the vinyl wrap is very easy, and it can be easily matched up.

The wrap can also be easily removed. Car owners can simply peel off the wrap to restore the original state of their vehicle. As long as the correct technique is used, the surface beneath will not be damaged if the vinyl is installed or removed.

Self-Expression

Car owners can excellently show off their personality if they use a vinyl wrap on their vehicle for self-expression. Making a vehicle stand out is quite easy since a variety of designs and graphics are available. A unique, one-of-a-kind look can also be created by layering different colored sheets of carbon fiber one top of each other.

Choices

Since so many options are available, car owners can conveniently use carbon fiber car wrap to be unique. They can choose specialty colors like Matte Black and Pearl, plain colors or just about any kind of design they can think of, such as hood wrap and roof wrap. When it comes to the wrap, a perfectly suitable color or pattern can be found quite easily.

Advertisement

Advertisement is one of the oldest reasons carbon wrap was used. This has been done for years by big companies but using these wraps for advertisement can prove to be beneficial for anyone. Car owners can draw in a large number of customers by using carbon vinyl wrap on their vehicle to advertise their small business.

One of the biggest benefits of using carbon fiber for advertisement is that changes can be made whenever necessary. Corrections can be made without spending a large sum of money. Car owners can express themselves flexibly and show off their distinct personality if they use carbon wrap on their vehicle.

Thus, the advantages of using carbon fiber car wrap on a vehicle are endless, and car owners will definitely set their vehicle apart by using carbon fiber car wrap.

Source by Zeeshan Naveed Bari

Have you ever stopped to think about your vehicle’s locks? Most people haven’t unless they find they have locked the keys inside. There’s quite a history to today’s vehicle locking mechanisms and you may be surprised to know just how these locks came to be an integral part of a car’s safety features.

The First Vehicle Door Locks

It was until the 1920’s that locks were installed quite regularly in vehicles. Most vehicles prior to that were only owned by the rather well-to-do. These vehicles were maintained by the employees of the vehicle owner and seldom were a vehicle left alone without anyone looking after it. However, as production number increased, it became more apparent that vehicle locks were going to be a necessity.

Improving the Original Locks

In 1935, General Motors introduced its six cut sidebar lock. By 1959, Chrysler was using the same type of lock on the trunks. However, in 1966, pin tumbler locks replaced both the trunk and door locks. These locks proved to last longer and the vehicle owners had fewer problems with the internal mechanism of the locks.

The Newer Car Locks and Today’s Car Locksmith

There used to only be a need for a car locksmith to open a vehicle with a simple pin tumbler lock. However, the advancements in automobile locks have made the locksmith industry grow and change, as well. Now there are keyless entry systems, touch pad systems, and even bio-tech recognition systems. As these types of entry systems have become standard on many vehicles, locksmithing has had to take on a whole new meaning.

Many of today’s locks are very complicated and require a lot training to open and repair. Just a few years ago, a locksmith needed a ring of master keys, a couple of special tools, and maybe a wedge to make the task easier. However, today’s locksmiths must be highly trained and even specialise in certain types of locks.

How to Find the Right Car Locksmith for Your Vehicle

You certainly don’t want just any locksmith working on your vehicle. You want one that has experience with your type of vehicle. Not all locks are the same and some will require special tools that only a few locksmiths will have. When you begin calling around, make sure you ask if they are qualified to work on your vehicle. This is especially new with the newest model of vehicles.

Don’t settle for just anyone, or you could end up with damage that is very expensive to replace. Sometimes a car locksmith will have you sign a waiver stating that they are not responsible for any damage. This could be a sign that the company has had problems in the past. Avoid signing this waiver and you may want to contact a different company.

In Closing

Choosing a qualified car locksmith is important if you want to avoid costly repairs. Use only licensed and insured companies and get a quote for the unlock before you allow the work to begin.

Source by Kaleo Johnson

When it comes to who invented the Dodge Viper, the credit cannot go to one individual. There were many people who were behind the invention of this wonderful automobile. However, the initial idea to build a sports car came from Robert A. Lutz, the president of Chrysler in 1988. He talked about this idea to Tom Gale, the chief of design.

Francois Castaing, the head of Jeep and Truck Engineering Division of Chrysler, and Carroll Shelby, who was associated with Chrysler to manufacture limited edition of Dodges, were also involved in the development of the Dodge Viper.

All these people worked together to come up with the ultimate American sports car that packs a power with its V10 engine, 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. This car became so popular that the first generation Vipers were sold out in no time.

The delivery of 196 first generation Dodge Viper started in May 1992. These cars went around 2,800 dealer. The 1992 Dodge Viper had a retail price of $50,000 along with $700 for destination charges, $2,600 for gas guzzler tax and $2,330 for luxury tax. This made the final price of the Viper $55,630. However, the consumers wanted this car so badly that some dealers added a mark up of $100,000 on the final price. Even the mark up did not do anything to reduce the demand. Therefore, dealers were instructed to take orders 3000 Dodge Vipers that would be produced as 1993 models. By July 1992, 70 percent of the 3000 were already booked by consumers.

Source by Pauline Go

The automotive equipment industry deals with the production of every kind of tool and machinery that is needed for the manufacture, maintenance and repair of vehicles including cars and car parts. As such, the industry produces several different varieties of equipment starting from basic hand tools to more complex machinery.

Different Kinds of Automotive Equipment

Automotive workshops and garages will be unable to function without automotive equipment. Shop furniture, lifts, exhaust hoses, air compressors, lubrication equipment, electric and light reels, jacks, vehicle servicing equipment, fluid storage tanks and trans-air piping are some of the many different types of automotive equipment that are used by automotive manufacturing and automotive repair businesses.

Common Types Of Automotive Equipment

* Hand Tools: Automotive repair shops use several different types of hand tools for their repair and maintenance projects. Some of the commonest items include ratchet sets and wrench sets, crowbars (also known as pry bars), socket sets, screwdrivers, star and clutch-head drivers, hammers, pliers and wire cutters, electric drills, hacksaws and torque wrenches.

* Pneumatic Tools: Most automotive workshops now use pneumatic tools as an alternative to electricity powered motors because the latter is more prone to fire hazards. Such tools are powered by compressed air and are high powered versions of the more traditional hand tools. Common examples of pneumatic automotive equipment include air compressors that can be used to power a variety of tools including hammers, drills, ratchets and spraying tools.

* Availability of pneumatic equipment makes it easier for mechanics and technicians to undertake repair and maintenance work because they are powerful and easy to use. For example, a set of pneumatic shears can cut through sheet metal at a faster rate and leave behind a smoother edge when compared to traditional tin snips. Similarly, air hammers outfitted with chisel or punch bits have multiple uses. They can they be used for straightening dents. The chisel feature can be used to break rusted parts loose and the punch bits can be used to remove old rivets and bolts that are too difficult to take out by hand.

* Lifts: several different kinds of lifting equipment are used to lift and secure cars so that mechanics and repair persons can easily work under the vehicle. These lifting tools include both low-tech tools such as basic floor jacks, car ramps and jack stands as well as hydraulic lifts and floor jacks for better efficiency and performance.

* Vehicle Exhaust Removal Systems: vehicle exhaust removal systems are used to capture and remove harmful exhaust fumes to insure optimal air quality in automotive maintenance and repair facilities. These are mandatory equipment as per OSHA Standards in order to limit exposure to harmful vehicular emissions. Common vehicle exhaust removal systems include hose drops as well as reels.

* Lubrication Systems: Automotive lubrication systems include several different types of oil meters, ATF meters, gear lube meters, dispense valves and grease dispenses valves.

The Automotive equipment business is a very large and competitive business. Automotive repair businesses must buy equipment from reputable dealers for the best deals and performance levels.

Source by Aurelia Lucy Dudley

Convertibles are defined by having a retractable roof – they represent the wind-in-your-hair dream car designed for pleasure over practicality.

While previously convertibles were purely two-seater sports cars which were also broadly called roadsters, these days you can even find open-air sedan type models. Most convertibles fall within the luxury-range of vehicles, however there are also several affordable models now on the marketplace.

There are two main types of convertible cars, distinguished by their roof type – soft-tops and hard-tops. A soft-top convertible is also known as a cabriolet, cabrio, or spider, and hard-tops are variously described as coupé cabriolets, coupé convertibles or retractable hard-tops.

The following guide will give you some of the key facts about convertibles to keep in mind so you can decide which model is right for you.

Size

As mentioned above, convertible cars range in size from two-seat roadsters to roomier four-seaters. Even if the vehicle seats more than two however, while there are some models which have normal space for adults in the rear of the car, the majority have only enough room for children or pets.

When it comes to cargo space, convertible cars are limited by the roof top being folded down. With the top pulled up however, some models offer a decent amount of cargo space. The best way forward to gage whether you’ll have enough room for your needs is to make sure you have a look at the boot space with the roof in both an up and down position when shopping around.

Roof Type

Soft-top canvas convertibles used to be the original standard, but both canvas and vinyl covers are prone to damage if not looked after carefully. Currently car manufacturers are releasing an increasing range of hard-top convertibles which feature automatically powered retractable roofs that break into two or three pieces and then elegantly lower into the boot. While these are more durable, crime proof and easy to operate, their complexity can often reflect in the price, they add more weight to the vehicle and they also take up more boot space. Modern soft-tops have been improved with multiple layers that protect the car from the elements and reduce noise just as well as hard-tops.

Engine Capacity

Generally, most mid-sized convertibles use four- and six-cylinder engines, while pricier luxury models mainly use powerful V6 or V8 engines.

Fuel Consumption

Four- and six-cylinder convertibles are able to achieve a good combined mileage in the low-to-mid-20-mpg range, but most eight-cylinder models deliver less than 20 mpg.

Safety

Modern convertibles usually feature a fixed or pop-up roll bar to protect the passengers if a rollover accident occurs.

It must be said that most convertibles have small rear windows, which creates large blind spots. If you’re extra vigilant about safety, you’ll ideally want to go for models that offer blind-spot warning systems, parking sensors and rear view cameras.

Premium-brand convertibles will have side airbags that deploy from the seats as a standard, and it’s a good idea to choose this as an extra feature on a less expensive drop top. Look out for airbags that extend upward to protect the head, since convertibles don’t have the protective side curtains that solid-roof vehicles provide.

Top Extra Features

Extra features to consider that will make your driving experience even more luxurious include automatic climate control, heated seats, navigation systems, keyless start-up systems, Bluetooth and an iPod interface. Other additions that can make all the difference are built-in wind deflectors, heated and cooled seats and sun-reflective leather upholstery.

Another factor to think about is that in most convertibles the rear is very compact, so features which make access easier come in very handy. These include front seats that automatically return to their previous position and seatbelts that move out of the way for rear passengers but are still easily accessible for the driver.

Conclusion

Convertible cars are without a doubt one of the top choices you can make when it comes to pure enjoyment while driving. And with larger models increasingly being released, now you can combine a let-your-hair-down sporty feel with the space capacity of more practical vehicles.

Source by Anthony Blascara

It’s very easy to get confused about how the pay-off is handled in a car deal. Almost everyone who trades a car into a car dealer on a new purchase has a pay-off on their trade.

The pay-off is how much you owe the lender for your trade. It in no way reflects how much your trade-in is worth, and most often the pay-off is higher than your trade-in’s actual value.

When you buy a vehicle this is how the numbers break down:

Selling price of the new vehicle

+ Any Add-ons like extended warranty, protection package, etc.

+ Sales tax, title, documentation and registration fees

– Trade-in allowance

– Cash down and rebates

+ Pay-off on trade

_____________________

= Total Amount Due

Now adding the pay-off back on to the “Amount Due” tends to throw a lot of people for a loop! They have a hard time understanding why the pay-off has to be added back on once the dealer agrees to a trade-in figure.

You must remember, the loan on the trade-in is yours — not the car dealers — and it must be paid off so the dealer can get a clear title to the trade-in. In essence, the car dealer is buying the trade-in from you, and you can’t sell it to him if there is an outstanding balance owed on it. So the pay-off gets added on to your “Amount Due,” and then the dealer takes that money and pays off the loan. The lending institution in return sends the car dealer a clear title and everyone is happy.

Remember, the pay-off is your responsibility not the car dealer’s. The dealer is actually doing you a service by simplifying the way you pay off your vehicle. It also allows the dealer to control the process so they don’t get stuck with a trade-in that has a lien and an outstanding loan on it.

Now having said that, remember that most car dealers are honest and do business in a legitimate way, and they will pay off your outstanding loan promptly, or as soon as they get the funds on the car deal. It’s to their benefit to pay it off right away so they can then sell the car. If they don’t have a clear title for the vehicle they can’t legally sell it.

However, there have been occasions when a car dealer waits to make the pay-off, or in rare cases doesn’t pay it off at all. This is illegal and can get a dealer in a lot of trouble, but sometimes they are having cash flow problems or, in very rare cases you come up against a crook.

If the car dealer doesn’t pay-off you loan within a reasonable amount of time (one to three weeks) the lender is going to be looking for you to make a payment when it comes due. I have even seen cases where the customer didn’t know for several months that the pay-off hadn’t been made, and it was actually causing late payment entries on their credit report.

Remember . . . I said this was a rare occurrence, so don’t panic if you have a trade-in with a pay-off. There are steps you can take to protect yourself. If you trade a car with a pay-off get a written statement from the dealership signed by either the Sales Manager or the Finance Manager stating that they will in fact pay off your trade-in, and by what date. The statement should include the following information:

• The date of the document
• The amount of the pay-off
• By what date will the pay-off be made by
• How long the pay-off amount is good for (because the amount changes as interest accrues)
• The year, make, model, mileage and serial number of the car being paid off
• The name and mailing address of the lending institution
• The name of the person at the lending institution who verified the pay-off amount
• The signature of either the Sales Manager or the Finance Manager

Any reputable dealership should be happy to accommodate your request for this form. In fact, a professional dealership will have such a form as a routine part of their paperwork.

This way if anything goes awry you have something in writing to protect yourself, and to prove the car dealer agreed to make the pay-off. As I said before, most dealers are honest, but it’s always a good business practice to protect yourself.

If a dealer refuses to give you a written statement on the pay-off you should not complete the deal. To me this would be a big red flag! Go do business with another car dealer who will accommodate your request. There are too many honest car dealers out there for you to waste your time with a questionable one.

Source by Tony Iorio

Okay so, you run a mobile car washing business and you want to increase your revenue generation by adding some car dealership lot washing contracts. That makes sense because the car dealerships have lots of cars, and they must be cleaned to sell; no one wants to buy a dirty car right? Sure, so your next question is what price point can you charge and still make money. Not long ago, I was asked about this by an already successful car washing entrepreneur;

“I noticed on one of your posts [articles] you suggested $.85 for twice a week. Wow, can it be done for that without have the contract for detailing as well?”

He was referring of course to the synergy gained by detailing for auto dealerships and also maintaining the washing contracts as a bundled service, which is the favored strategy for mobile auto detailers and mobile car washing companies. But what if you only had the lot washing contract and not the detailing contract; does it still make any sense?

Well, yes, in fact, we had many accounts which were only wash accounts at between.65 and $.85 per car, where we did not have the detailing contract yet, for the auto dealership. For instance at the Sacramento Auto Mall, all the car lots are set on the street that looks like a giant circle, and we would have the crews going different directions on that street, and we would never quit. By the time we got done with one side of the street, it was time to start over, they just watched every day all day long.

Some of the other dealerships wanted us to be off of the lot by 10 AM so they could sell cars, which makes it tough in the winter because of the ice formation when you put water on the cars in many areas.

The detailing contracts for auto dealerships are very good when the economy is good, but you must understand that auto dealerships are very slow to pay and you don’t want to become a bank where you are doing services for them and they are paying you for three months. That just costs you a lot of cash flow and all that labor until you get your money.

Remember in a service business “cash flow” is king, everything else is just talk. You’re better off to go find something else to wash rather than letting some company string you out on payments and receivables. And remember that God made dirt on the first day, and that gets all over everything so you should be able to find something to wash other than just car lots.

It appears the mobile car washing entrepreneur agrees and is thinking here too. We used to consider car lots as busy work, keeping our crews busy and thus making money, but it was hardly our best profit center. Please consider all this.

Source by Lance Winslow

When detailing clays first came into the scene they were heralded as the answer to people’s detailing their cars as safely as possible, that is, without damaging their car’s paint work and removing the toughest stains that people used to have to seek the so called professional to deal with. Suddenly, it wasn’t such hard work anymore to remove nasty gunk that stuck to cars, just an application and a mere swipe no elbow grease, no possibility of having to scratch our car’s paint work and your car would have that show room brilliance again.

Clay bars have the combined effect of mild abrasives and powerful powdered detergent to effectively clean any car of almost anything. They have become the thing to have for people who are fussy about their cars. They can remove stains as stubborn as grease and tree sap; even tar that attaches itself onto the exterior. The great bonus is that they work just as well on other materials like glass and plastic removing the need to have different products for different parts of a car’s body. You can cut out most of all the other cleaning products you would need to keep the shine on your car, which means with detailing clays you get the effects that far outdo premium polishes and waxes for cars. The only other product you will need though is a lubricant, Clay bars tend to streak if too little lubricant is used and or stick to the surface. This sticking leaves a film of residue which looks chalky and unattractive on the a surface that should be shinny. If improperly used, clays pick up grease during the cleaning process and you don’t want that as you could easily transfer this grease to the entire car. No matter how good a particular brand of clay is said to be it will not remove oxidized paint nor will it fill in blemishes. The best thing to do for a car that has mild oxidization is to remove the oxidized paint by washing and polishing the car first. Most detailing clay kits have pre-wax cleaners that fill up minor scratches and can be used to pre-wash oxidized paint work

Auto clay bars remove mostly anything but not necessarily everything. There are some types of dusts that don’t come off as easily with clay bar. Moreover they should never be dropped on a dirty floor as that might just render them unusable that’s only because they are sensitive to dirt and because dust will still to your clay that is why most are sold with hardened plastic containers that you should really always use to store your clay bars if you mean to get the mileage you want to from them. There aren’t many cons at using clay bars, that’s why most car detailing shops always use them as the best method of cleaning the car exteriors, it’s a good thing that ordinary person can now buy their own clay an cut costs by detailing their own vehicles.

Source by Greg Chadwick