strong>Author: Ryan Harris

Jeep: funny name serious vehicle.

The origins and rise of the Jeep from its early days as a military vehicle to today’s use as a major brand of SUV follow a path through history making events in the twentieth century. Today, Jeeps have a wide fan base with people from a variety of backgrounds. What is the appeal of the Jeep? How did it become a car of choice for soccer moms in 2000 from its beginnings as an Army transport vehicle in World War II?

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irth of the Jeep: World War II

The United States Army needed a vehicle for transporting their personnel. Certain parameters in durability in a variety of climates and terrains had to be followed. In order to fill the contract for the lowest cost, the military sought bids from three major automotive companies: American Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company, and Willys-Overland.

The first design accepted by the Army was the “Old Number One” 1940 pilot model designed by the American Bantam Car Company. Sixty-nine more vehicles were built by American Bantam and were named the Mark II’s. The Mark II’s did not quite fit into the torque requirements for the engine, and the Army was loathe to offer the contract to such a small company as American Bantam. This decision to turn down the Mark II’s resulted in the two other competitors for the Army contract to have second tries.

The lowest bidding Willys-Overland won the contract, but like many vehicle makers at the time, it was a small company with a single plant. Fearing sabotage and plant shutdowns, the Army asked the much larger Ford Motor Company to build the Jeeps. These were designated by Ford as GPW: G for government, P in reference to the 80 inch wheelbase, and W for using the Willys-Overland car design.

After the War: Rise of the Civilian Jeeps

During World War II, both Ford and Willys continued to build the Jeeps each producing over 300,000 units for the Army, but toward the end of the war, Willys began to manufacture a civilian model, the CJ-2 also known as the Agrijeep. While there were just over two dozen Agrijeeps made, it marked the beginning of a new era for the vehicle. Following on the heels of Willys’ Agrijeep were the CJ-2A’s. A production number of more than 200,000 was turned out and released to the public in the late 1940s following the war. Willys-Overland’s CJ civilian series would remain in production through the 1980s. When a major competitor arose in the marketplace.

American Motor Company introduced the Jeep Wrangler YJ in 1986. Over its ten year production run, over 600,000 Jeep Wranglers were built. These vehicles changed the design of the CJs by being lower to the ground and having a wider frame. Initial reaction from Jeep fans was luke-warm at best, but soon, the Jeep Wrangler won over a large following which continues to this day.

In 1987, American Motor Company was bought out by Chrysler and with it took over the construction of the Jeep Wrangler. DaimerChrysler continued for twenty years to build the Jeeps until it sold its Jeep division in 2007 to a private owner which runs the Chrysler-Holdings LLC.

Jeeps in the Future

With its wide popularity, it is unlikely that the production of the all Jeeps and the most popular model, Jeep Wrangler, will completely disappear. Fans all over the world join with others in clubs to express their love for these unique and versatile vehicles, leading to the phrase, “It’s a Jeep thing; you wouldn’t understand.”

About the Author:
R. Harris has owned a Jeep since he was 16 and loves writing about his passion at Army Jeeps for Sale.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Army Jeep History

strong>Author: Levi Quinn

Changing the way the earth is affected by the consumption of oil is a top priority for many right now. It is a global concern that directly affects each and every person for many generations to come. Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels can be done in many ways. The alternatives to petroleum gasoline vary from green vehicles to different fuel sources altogether. Biogas is another way that vehicles and machinery can be powered as an alternative to burning fossil fuels. It is currently undergoing investigation and study in the hopes that it may one day be a leading energy source.

Biogas is created during the breaking down of organic waste inside a landfill. It is called anaerobic digestion. Organic matter such as plant life releases the gas after it has been buried without any oxygen for awhile. A landfill will actually generate biogas for many years after the organic waste has been buried. This gas has been proven to be effective in producing energy that can be used to power cars. There are now landfills designed just for the purpose of creating biogas.

Biogas is actually made up of several different types of gases. The two primary gases found in biogas are carbon dioxide and methane. Along with that can be various traces of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. The biogas does have to be put through a cleaning process before it can be used. Once it is ready though it could possibly power everything from cars to businesses. It can even be used for cooking.

Collecting biogas from the landfill is a pretty large task. It involves the use of gas wells which have to be drilled to properly obtain the biogas. The cost involved in this can be quite substantial which may be one of the downfalls to the use of this fuel source. Sweden is currently running a train solely on biogas between the cities Linkoeping and Vaestervik. The biogas used in the train is derived primarily from the waste of cattle and sewage. It certainly is interesting to see how waste can be made into something viable and useful.

Biogas certainly has other great attributes. It has far less carbon dioxide than diesel and gasoline. The emissions do not contain any of the same toxins and fossil fuels. If it could be obtained easier then perhaps it would be useful to the general public. However, even the best resources will have disadvantages. There are many pollutants that can be found in the burning of biogas which makes it an environmental risk. There is also a really high risk of bacteria because the management of it can be very sensitive. Production of biogas is not a simple process at all. The hard work involved does make biogas rather difficult to obtain.

Biogas simply is not common enough for public consumption at this point. Perhaps with more time and work it could become something that would be a great option that would also help the earth. Biogas remains a fantastic option that is still better than fossil fuels.

About the Author:

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free auto insurance quotes for the cheapest insurance rates from respected insurance companies.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Use Of Biogas

Author: Phil Adams-Wright

Modifying cars has been going for many years. In recent years people may have seen films and TV shows with radically different cars on screen compared to the model that rolls off the production line. A prime example is the supercharged exotic cars in the Fast and the Furious film series. The films centre on the subculture of racing drivers who modify their cars to look and perform way beyond expectations.

The popularity of these films and the culture they’ve highlighted means more people are looking to alter their cars to get a unique look or an extra boost in performance. What many drivers are unaware of is that some of these modifications can be dangerous or even illegal to add to their vehicle and could invalidate their insurance.

Performance modifications are often a key question when applying for car insurance and can add serious amounts to your premium. If you fail to declare any modifications you could invalidate your insurance agreement which would leave you seriously out of pocket should you have an accident or need to make a claim.

Visual modifications can be cheaper than expensive after-market performance parts such as body kits or interior decoration such as floor mats and gear knobs. A large portion of these will not affect your insurance as they do not affect the safety features of the car. It is worth checking prior to any modification you have planned and keeping your insurer notified though.

Another common modification is a new car radio or CD player; many modern car audio products have lots of features and so makes them pretty irresistible to car thieves. When choosing a car stereo make sure it has a removable face panel and take this with you whenever you are, not left in the car. This way the car thief will know that even if they stole the unit out of the car it would be useless.

Modifying cars can be a fun and expressive medium and as long as you take care not to compromise your car’s functionality and safety. This way you can achieve a unique looking car that is the envy of all your friends, but also be covered via valid insurance and protected from threat of theft at the same time.

About the Author:

Phil has been writing on various car finance related subject such as used cars and car loans to help find the right car for you

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The ins and outs of modifying your car

 Best Muscle Cars of the World The period starting from 1964 to 1972 is termed as the ‘muscle car’ era. This period marks an important age in the automotive history. This age has set trend for the new generation sports cars. The phrase ‘muscle car’ is defines a particular variety of high performance car sold during that time. The muscle cars were typical American cars that delivered thrilling driving performance with their superlative speed.</p> <p>The <a href=”http://www.carazoo.com/article/3005200901/Top-7-Muscle-Cars-of-the-World”>muscle cars</a> were fitted with big engines that gave out huge horsepower. These cars were recognized by their long hood, short rear boot, coupe like two doors and rear wheel drive. Let us the best muscle cars of the world.</p> <p><strong>Ford Mustang</strong></p> <p>The <a href=”http://www.carazoo.com/article/1308200901/10-Cars-That-Have-Changed-the-World”>Ford Mustang</a> is the corner stone of American car history. It is one of the best muscle cars and it is still in production. Ford Motor Company rolled out the Mustang on 17th April 1964. The car has a hulky look with its long hood and athletic body. The stance of the car not only grabbed the attention of the viewers but also captured the imagination of the people. The car came in two body styles, namely, coupe and roadster. During those early days the car was fitted with a 2.8-litre OHV straight six cylinder engine that could churn out 101 bhp. But later, it was powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine that could derive a power of 217 bhp. The galloping horse logo was specially crafted for the Mustang.</p> <p><strong>Pontiac GTO</strong></p> <p>The trendy Pontiac GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) came into being in the initial year of the muscle car era. It is considered as the first true muscle car. The GTO flaunts an arrogant look with rumbling dual exhausts, a racy front hood with two scoops and a big V8 engine. The stylish long hood of this muscle car can be attributed to the V8 engine that occupies a neat 389 cubic inches. Other features of the car comprise of a firmer suspension, fancy wheels and excessive use of chrome accents. The Pontiac GTO ran on special 14-inch wheels with 6-inch wide rims and red stripe performance tyres. The GTO was powered by a 6.5-litre V8 engine that generated 325 bhp and could sprint 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.</p> <p><strong>Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt</strong></p> <p>The Fairlane Thunderbolt was equipped with an innovative lightweight 3.6-litre V8 engine. The name of this muscle car is derived from Henry Ford’s estate Fair Lane, near Dearborn, Michigan and it is called Thunderbolt because of the exhilarating speed the car could deliver.</p> <p>Though the original Fairlane cars were introduce in 50s, it was redesigned in mid 60s to give a muscular look. Ford designed the Fairlane for drag racing and fitted the car with a 7-litre V8 engine with four barrel carburetors. To increase performance it was given an acrylic glass windows as well as hood, doors, fenders and front bumpers made of fiberglass. With the peppy engine, the car could tap 500 bhp.</p> <p>The Fairlane Thunderbolt could accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6 seconds and had a top speed of 200 km/h. It was the fastest drag racing car ever produced.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p><a href=”http://www.carazoo.com”><strong>Carazoo.com</strong> is the First Car Portal in India with Interactive Car Animations.</p><p>Article Source: <a href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/”>ArticlesBase.com</a> – <a href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/3-best-muscle-cars-of-the-world-1262659.html” title=”3 Best Muscle Cars of the World”>3 Best Muscle Cars of the World</a></p>

Get your car ready for the winter weather

Author: Phil Adams-Wright

As August ends and with it our British Summer time, we now look forward to the next big focus of the year: Christmas and the winter period. Winter time can be picturesque and serene but can also play havoc with your car, every year people have to get up early to prepare their car for work whether it’s for warming the engine up or just clearing the windows of snow and ice.

This extra effort is not without reason as a large percentage of road accidents will happen during winter due to the weather and especially their effect on the roads and our vehicles. There are a few extra car maintenance tips you should familiarise yourself with for the winter months as they can save you time, trouble and your safety when on the road this winter.

Get your washer fluid in order

During colder months there’s a good chance that your washer jets will freeze over if they only have water or regular screen wash solution. There is a way to stop this by filling the washer bottle with a solution containing anti-freeze and using it in the right measures. Some solutions need no water at all so these are less likely to freeze when you need them. You’ll need your washer jets during winter as the salt from the roads can fly up and whiten your windscreen quite easily.

Clear your windows early to avoid delays

It can be a pain having to wake up earlier than usual on a winter’s morning but by doing so you can save any delays in getting to work by clearing frost or ice from your car’s windows. An ice scraper is ideal but can be laborious on its own, teamed with a de-icer spray it can make the job a whole lot easier. Running your car’s heaters is advisable too; some cars even have heated front and rear windows which makes the task even simpler.

Warm your car up but remain with your car at all times

Some older cars may need their engines to tick over for a while before driving, this is a common practice and some people may even do it with newer cars just to let the heaters get up to temperature. There is a danger with this trick though as car thieves will be on the lookout for cars left unattended to warm up. Think about it: there is a car running, with the keys in the ignition and the owner is back in the house, eating their breakfast none the wiser. Winter is the time of year that car thieves love for this fact so if you are warming your car up stay with it and keep any garden gates or fences shut to keep intruders at bay.
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About the Author:

Phil Adams-Wright writes for a variety of used cars related subjects, other sucjects Phil writes on are Car finance and cheap car loans.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Get your car ready for the winter weather