Simplicity, dependability, strength and singularity of purpose were their calling cards. No one could confuse the purpose of these beasts. It was plain for all, and it was straight-line performance for one quarter of a mile. Nothing else mattered.

Contrast that with today and the lore of days past becomes even more apparent. A new Corvette will defeat even the most powerful Corvette of old in every category. The current generation of performance cars thumps the muscle car in safety, comfort, reliability and, yes, performance. But, that does not tell the whole story and it doesn?t explain the current interest in and corresponding sky rocketing values of classic muscle cars. The clarity of purpose these super cars exuberated just feels good. It awakens the cave man in each of us! These automobiles have a particular hold on the generation that came of age in the late 1960?s. Many feel that this is their last chance to re-live their youth and they are willing to pay for the opportunity.

For example, a 1970 Dodge Hemi ?Cuda sold for $4,035 new and well- preserved models are routinely offered and $150,000 today. That represents and 10.6% annual return. Not a bad return considering the stock market has returned 7.4% annual over the same period. Similarly, and 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS convertible with a 454ci engine sold for $4,200 new and to will cost around $115,000 or a 9.7% annual return. Finally, a 1969 Boss Mustang with a 429ci Engine originally cost $4,150 and today trades for $115,000. That is a 9.6% return over the same period.

Granted these are examples of the rarest and most sought after muscle cars. However, even ?common? muscle cars have experienced notable gains. The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner with a 440ci engine sold for $3,500 and today trades at $55,000. A 1967 Pontiac GTO cost $3,750 and now goes for $45,000. That?s a 6.8% compounded rate of return.

The investor in muscle cars must consider a few very important points. First, all investments have risks. This market, like real estate or technology stocks, could fall as fast as it has risen. Second, unlike stocks and money market investments, muscle cars do not pay dividends or interest. Indeed, they cost money to maintain, store and restore. Third, rarity matters. As the numbers above show, the rarest muscle cars have preformed the best. Finally, get a second opinion when considering a classic muscle car. Mechanics are a good choice and a mechanic that has actually restored a few cars is the best choice. Nothing beats experience.

Obviously, one of the most important variables to consider when considering muscle cars as an investment is the condition. Only the most original and accurately restored examples fetch these prices. More common versions or cars in lower conditions will sell for significantly less. For the collector that actually wants to drive their cars regularly these more common versions may actually be a better value.

The choice of a rare collector muscle car or a common daily driver depends on the budget and the purpose of the collector. Both offer unique benefits to the owner and much enjoyment. The chance to re-live our youth is always a pleasant experience.

4 Steps To A New Lifestyle For A Slimmer, Healthier, Happier YOU!
William Siebler
16a5 So you want to lose weight to look better and feel better. You are not alone. You have the same desire and need as millions of others out there want to look better, feel better, live longer and in general have a better lifestyle once you take off the extra weight.

That said, if you are one of those who have lost weight, then put it back on, perhaps a more important question is how to you keep the weight off once you’ve lost it. You’ve tried all the different diets. You’ve read all the books about losing 10 pounds before the big graduation, wedding or other big event coming up this weekend. If you’ve been through that insanity before, isn’t it time for a change of your lifestyle rather than another stretch of suffering through another diet and feeling worse than you did when you started?

So, what are the keys to losing weight?

There are four main elements to losing weight and keeping it off.

1. Following an exercise program. 2. Increasing your metabolism 3. Changing your eating habits 4. Changing your lifestyle

1. Following an exercise program.

Starting a good exercise program is a great idea and one of the best ways to start changing your health and the way you look. You will gain three benefits from exercise.

1. You will burn calories during your work out. 2. You will increase your metabolism to burn more calories even when you are not working out. 3. You will build muscle that will make you look taller, leaner and healthier. 4. You will build muscles that will burn more calories than fat.

Your very first step should be to talk to your doctor about your health and your goals. It might save your life. Your next step should be to find a partner who will help you be more responsible to show up for a work out and to complete the work out. A work out partner should also make the work out more enjoyable. If you are not able to find a partner and do not feel you have the discipline to work out regularly, you may want to start your exercise program by paying a person personal coach for training and discipline. Most people need 21 days to make working out a habit, so hire them for at least the first 21 days. Check with your local YMCA or other gym for partners and coaches.

However, if you cannot afford to join a gym, don’t let that slow you down. You can still walk or run outside, or workout inside using video tapes or walk on a treadmill. If you don’t have money for work out tapes, you can rent them from the library. The bottom line is if you want to work out, you will find a way. Finally, once you have your workout schedule working for you, offer to help someone else become disciplined to work out.

Helping others always helps you feel better as well. Give it a try!

2. Increasing your metabolism.

Plain and simple, exercising will increase your metabolism and will help you lose weight at all hours of the day, even at night when you are sleeping! Your metabolism is the amount of calories you burn during the day. Conversely, your body also has a built in system for self-survival in case of famine. If you don’t eat enough food, you can also reduce your metabolism and make it harder to lose weight. We will talk more about that in just a moment.

3. Changing your eating habits.

You’re doing better now, but working out and increasing your metabolism is only a part of the solution. You still must change your eating habits. Have you found yourself doing this crazy? Are you eating a Granola bar for breakfast, a salad for lunch and then eating chocolate shakes and hamburgers from the drive through late at night on the way home from the gym? That won’t work! You are starving yourself and lowering your metabolism in the long run, and eating food late at night that will not get burned off and only makes you feel more miserable the next day when you look in the mirror or step on the scale.

Do you know that you are setting up yourself for failure? Your body is smart… so smart that it knows if you are not giving it enough food, that there may be a problem, and you start to burn fewer calories. That will not help you look or feel better in the long run, so don’t try it in the short run.

4. Changing your lifestyle and your mindset.

The final way to change your body and the way you look and feel is to become more active. Walk the stairs to your office instead of taking the elevator. Park your car way from the rest of the cars at the mall so you walk a few extra steps. Go for a walk when you get home from school or work instead of turning on the TV or the computer. Ask your friends to join you for a game of horse in basketball. If that is not an option, take your basketball to a local park, be brave and ask someone to play a game of one on one there. They might have been feeling just like you and will be thankful to have the opportunity to exercise and perhaps make a new friend.

It’s all about changing your attitude one-step and one day at a time. Just remember you did not gain the weight in one day and you cannot take it off in one day. It is a series of steps that will lead to success. Another analogy is that it would be nice to make one large jump over a mountain, but in reality it takes many steps to get over the mountain, and it is possible. Most importantly, you just have to take that first step, starting right now, by reading this article again and then deciding to “Just do it!”

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