Power, speed and performance – those are the three major traits of a muscle car. When first produced, muscle cars were just pretty darn amazing because they combined the efficiency of a lightweight, mid-sized body with the performance of a high- power V8 engine and special design features that further increased the cars? acceleration capabilities. Because muscle cars topped all other vehicles in terms of power, speed and performance, they were ideal for racing.

Muscle cars were produced from the mid-1960s into the early 1970s, but the production of such beasts fell drastically due to a number of factors. First was the controversy over whether it was wise and responsible to make such powerful vehicles available to the general public, primarily due to road racing. Because muscle cars were often used irresponsibly, liability relating to them was pretty high which forced insurance companies to increase rates for insuring muscle cars. Emission control requirements intended to curb pollution also played into the picture making it near impossible for automakers to produce muscle cars that met the standards they had to adhere to.

Needless to say, the muscle car industry changed quickly due to these influences. Demand decreased because many ?would-be? buyers of muscle cars couldn?t fathom paying the enormous insurance rates for a high-power vehicle and automakers had to meet the challenges presented by pollution control standards.

Since muscle cars were produced for a limited number of years, they are valuable items for collectors and are still highly desirable to those who enjoy racing or desire a quick, powerful, mid-sized car. Since the decline in the production of muscle cars, some automakers have attempted to bring the muscle car era back to life by producing powerful vehicles that resemble the legendary muscle cars, but in my opinion, they don?t hold a candle to classic muscle cars like the GTO, the Road Runner or the Chevelle SS.

It will be interesting to see how the history of muscle cars plays out. Will present day automakers renew production of true muscle cars that are fast and powerful? Will there be enough demand to make muscle car production worth it to them? Or, will muscle cars continue to be limited to those classic models that were produced in the 60s and 70s?

Classic muscle cars are pretty amazing pieces of machinery. One that is restored and in cherry condition is really worth a lot of money. As time goes on, there are fewer muscle cars available which makes them even more valuable to classic car collectors and muscle car enthusiasts.

Creating An Automotive Theme Garage Or Office
Anthony Palmieri
The final touches of an automotive theme garage or office does not end with the floor tiles, or paint selection, but with the wall hangings. Ninety percent of the garages and offices have standard photographs, large banners, race flags, and other themed items. What can make your garage of office different, and be the envy of your buddies is custom wall hangings that use your car as the main focus.

Many people that create a theme office or garage often do not plan it from start to end with every detail, as they would for other elements of their houses of cars. When planning the area, you need to think beyond the paint colors, floor tiles, and even that corvette telephone, and think of it as museum to show case your vehicle. Look in the garage of the Mustang owner, I can guarantee that most have a banner that says Ford or Mustang, the Harley owner has a Harley logo on the wall, and most likely a decal on their daily vehicle. All of that stuff is off the shelf, and is expected, and is typical. You have selected the diamond plate cabinets, the checkered floor tiles to make your area a bit different then your buddies, but do not stop there. Consider adding custom photography to your museum and show place.

Open your mind and think of what would be different. How about a wall poster, with your car, not some production poster? What about a portable display board that would tell everyone about your car, that you could take to car shows? Just open your mind and I am sure that the ideas will start to flow. Now imagine when others enter your area and see what you have. They will want their own personalized and custom and not off the shelve garage.

The question is, how can you create this custom art? The evolution of computer generated graphics and photography enhancement has made this affordable to the individual, as well as smaller companies to enter this area. There are some companies such as www.PalmieriConcepts.com that can help you accomplish this by transforming your everyday pictures into custom art. A few other examples include something as simple as a picture of your car overlaid on the engine compartment, or a key element such as the gas cap of that Mustang GT. By combining this level of graphics, a plain photograph is transformed from just a photograph to an expression of personality.

Plan every detail of your space and make it unique by using these ideas.

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