Friday, November 30, 2012

Performance Racing Trade Show in Full Swing

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

With the 25th Annual PRI Trade Show here, it again takes me away from writing and back into the mode of discovery and learning. It also means sharing news, as I've been invited to attend as a member of the press to cover PRI's great event in Orlando, and I look forward to bringing you info in upcoming weeks.

Admission Badge for 2013 PRI Trade Show
As a trade show geared to racing professionals from around the world, PRI offers a number of special training events that we're excited about. There is a special section of the trade show which is devoted to motorsports engineering services for instance (something that Guy, as a mechanical engineer is very interested in), as well as a variety of business and educational seminars, and of course the huge vendor-packed exhibition area where all types of products are being displayed and demonstrated. A fantastic event.

For instance, already underway is the great AETC (Advanced Engineering Technology Conference) meeting already underway. This is where professional race engine builders arrive early for the special conference. It is the oldest and most respected conference on new race engine technology in racing, and is the only conference in the US designed specifically for professional race engine builders. Hundreds of professional race engine builders attend the AETC, where they learn new speed secrets from the pro's; spend personal time with individual speakers and meet with other race engine builders from around the country.

Guy Algar and I have always been advocates for continuing education. We've both been in professional positions where being up-to-date with current technologies and trends is extremely useful. It is something we've continued in our quest for providing the very best in performance upgrades and restoration work on classic cars, muscle cars, street rods, hot rods and vintage trucks we work on for our customers.

There are all types of training that one can receive, whether it is through books, manuals, magazines, collaboration with other experts, seminars and conferences. We believe it is essential to keep your knowledge fresh. I look forward to reporting some of the great things discovered during our events.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Wishing Our Readers The Best For The Holidays

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Guy Algar and I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of our customers, friends, family, readers and other supporters the very best during this holiday season. It's a very busy time here at Motorheads Performance, as we're wrapping up a number of projects all before the holidays.

I've been hit hard with a early season cold/flu over the last two weeks and submission of articles have had to be put on hold. Trying to rest up for the PRI Trade Show in a few days, and I should be able to resume full swing with more great articles and our series (on both license plates and on preventing car thefts) in early December. In the meantime, we hope everyone is enjoying the holidays with great food, great friends and family gatherings, and maybe even some time to work on the wish lists for our projects!

More soon...
Andrea & Guy

Monday, November 12, 2012

License Plate Fonts Do Make A Difference On Classic Cars, Vintage Trucks or Muscle Cars!

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

We've learned in past articles in this series that license plates have been in existence for over one hundred years. We know that license plates have been made out of wood, leather, porcelain and various metals, and that the paint itself has varied from oil-based paints to modern reflective formulas. But did you know that the typefaces, also referred to as fonts, themselves have a history?

Leeward Productions, a company that produces custom promotional license plates, has an extensive library of information on the history of American license plates, and in particular the fonts used on them! Yes, there is an abundance of information on this, and it's fascinating that someone has actually made such a detailed study of this! I've highlighted some of the more pertinent information below, but I certainly recommend you visit their site (listed below) for more detailed information:

Most of us are familiar with the term "fonts" due to how common computers have become in the last twenty years. Once referred to as a typeface, the expression "font" is often intermingled and freely exchanged. But did you know that there is actually a difference? Simply put, a typeface is the letters and symbols within a specific design such as Arial, Helvetica, Times, Verdana, Palatino, etc. A font is one single weight, width and style of a typeface, such as Arial, 10 pt, Bold. Technically, Arial, 14 pt, Bold, would be considered a separate "font".

So what in the world does all this have to do with license plates? To answer this, we need to look back to the early days when license plates were first made. In the beginning, most plates were hand-drawn. Some were very crude renderings drawn by owners or shopkeepers who had no training, and sometimes little education in learning the alphabet! As license plates were mandated and began being prepared by states, draftsmen, engineers or others with training in mechanical drawing were selected to create blueprints for printing, and later for use in tool-and-die machinery. It's easy to see why, in the early years, there was not a lot of consistency in the creation of letters, other than the fact that they tended to consist of straight lines, circular arcs and/or ovals which could be created by the common drafting tools of the day: ruler and compass.

In fact, the United States does not regulate the appearance of license plates on a Federal level, but instead each state is responsible for determining the type style within the standardized size of the plates which is 12" x 6". License plate fonts used in North America tend to be narrower and taller than European license plates which are 20.5" x 4.5".

There are basically four typeface styles that have evolved and now make up the majority of plates used in North America. These are described as Semicircular Curves, Squarish, Oval Curves, and Mixtures/Hybrids. Apparently, many of the letters and numbers use lines that are exclusively straight (A,E,F,H,I,K,L,M,N,T,V,W,X,Y,Z and 1, 4 and 7). Others that contain curves are the ones that can appear quite different (B,C,D,G,J,O,P,Q,R,S, and the numbers 0,2,3,5,6,8,9).


Semicircular Curves have letters/numbers that have straight sides or diagonal lines with semicircular corners at the top and bottom: (Photo Credits following photos: Leeward Productions)









Squarish have letters/numbers that have straight sides, tops and bottoms with slight 90-degree arcs joining them:









Oval Curves use oval or elliptical bowls and arcs in the shaped letters and numbers, while they maintain straight lines only on those letters without curves.
 








Mixtures or Hybrids are inconsistent and may combine any of the above styles. You usually see the difference between letters and numbers, although the variation of styles can exist within either the numbers or within the letters, as seen here:







 

If you are looking to have a license plate replicated by a company such as Leeward Productions or some of the other custom plate manufacturers in the U.S., it's important to research your particular state and year of vehicle so that you can get the correct lettering for your plate. Some degree of consistency has led to better license plate recognition and readability. Other factors, such as embossment and the paint itself have changed and evolved over the years and are an equally important factor to consider when restoring an old license plate or having a new custom plate made for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Holley Bought By Private Equity Fund

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

It's been announced that Holley (High Performance Industries, Inc), a leading manufacturer of high-performance products which include their world-famous Holley carburetors, has been acquired by a private equity firm called Monomoy Capital Partners II, LP. Details have not yet been disclosed regarding the financial terms of the deal. For over 100 years Holley products have been the undisputed leader in fuel systems so it's no wonder that the company is a very attractive investment.


As most classic car and muscle car enthusiasts know, Holley has long been known for not only carburetors, but electronic fuel injection kits, exhaust headers and fuel pumps. It distributes its products under a variety of well-known names including Holley, Hooker Headers, Flowtech, Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) and Weiand. Headquarters for Holley are in Bowling Green, Kentucky.


Top Quality Headers &
Exhaust Manifolds for
Classic Cars & Muscle Cars
Weiand Air Systems include
Intake Manifolds & Blower Drives
For Superchargers

Guy Algar and I have used Holley products on our own projects as well as our customer rides for years. Guy has been working on Holley carburetors for over 30 years, and is considered an expert in rebuilds and tuning. "Holley carburetors have never failed to perform for me," he states.

"I've also used other Holley brands," Guy explains. "I've never had a single problem with an installation of Hooker Headers. Get the correct set for your vehicle and they install without a hitch. It's attention to detail that they engineer into their products that, unfortunately other manufacturers sometimes fall short on. I've installed other brands that customers have specifically requested because a friend has them or they read something, and they just don't line up right or don't fit right when they're being installed. It can be very frustrating. I like the quality and performance of these products."

We do not anticipate major changes to any of the products which have brought Holley so much recognition and success within the auto aftermarket industry. We will be watching.
 
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Guy and I realize that selection of products on any build, restoration or performance upgrade project can vary according to the needs of the customer and the car itself. Motorheads Performance utilizes a wide range of high quality, well known performance parts which are custom ordered for each job. We do not stock parts that we need to move off our shelves. We prefer to obtain the parts that are desired for your specific project!  - Andrea L. Algar


REFERENCES / RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Classic Car News - Classic Car Repairs: Using The Right Tools and Equipment
Flowtech - Flowtech Exhaust Systems
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Protect Your Classic Car or Muscle Car From Theft With Specialty Insurance

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

In my series Keep Our Rides Safe, we're taking a systematic look at steps we can take as owners of classic cars, muscle cars, antique cars, street rods, hot rods and vintage trucks in order to keep our cars safe from theft.
Car Theft is just one reason
you need specialty insurance
We've looked at security when we're at home and on the road and even though more than one third of all car thefts occur from a home or residence, it is all too common for owners of classic cars or muscle cars to procrastinate about insurance that will not only provide needed protection, but a lot of peace of mind! Many fear high prices, poor coverage, or too many restrictions being placed on use of the vehicle.

Some enthusiasts think that these types of insurance are available only for vintage autos that only drive once a year in parades, and while this is available, there are in fact many other options. Purchasing a policy for a "less-than-perfect" car, or one needing a restoration is also often avoided, but you should know that they're not as expensive as you might imagine. Standard auto premiums can cost up to 500% more than specialty insurance policies! And, you can usually find a policy which is just right for your particular needs.

Specialty automotive insurance can help you recover from all types of loses including those from theft, fire, accidents and collision and other catastrophes that can happen when we least expect it, and certainly can occur when we're least prepared for them. We may insurance, but still have a policy that leaves us unprepared and poorly covered. How?

Some people rely on homeowner insurance to cover theft losses, especially when they have a project car needing restoration or a lot of repair before being put on the road. Most people have the notion that insurance is not needed unless they drive it, but this can result in costly losses. Not only can an insurance disallow a claim, but more than likely even if they do, a claim will result in far less than the vehicle's value. Homeowners insurance is not a good substitute for insurance designed especially for classic cars or trucks!

Many people select a policy from their traditional auto insurance carrier, not realizing that this can be robbing them of valuable coverage not offered by standard auto insurance, and perhaps even paying a premium for the privilege! Specialty insurance policies can be less expensive than those through your standard insurance carrier even taking into account multi-car discounts, alarm discounts, "clean driver" discounts and loyal customer discounts. Lumping your classic car coverage with your daily driver policy through Geico, Travelers, Progressive, Allstate or any of the other dozen automobile insurance carriers will usually end up costing you in the event of a claim. Why?

Standard auto insurance typically pays "Actual Cash Value" (ACV), also called "depreciated book" or "replacement cost minus depreciation." The older a car is under this type of policy, the less value it has - regardless of the premium you pay. It is usually not the best choice for classic cars, antique cars, muscle cars or vintage truck.

Some auto insurers offer a "Stated Value" policy. These are better than an ACV policy because they allow you to "state" a value greater than its depreciated "book" value. But, the Stated Value policy still depreciates vehicles. The best collector policy is called "Agreed Value" - meaning the full insured value of the vehicle is guaranteed - no depreciation and no hassling with an adjuster trying to prove your vehicle's value.

One example is a policy offered by Grundy Worldwide Insurance called Collector Car Insurance. This insurance is very affordable, and YOU have control over much of the cost because you actually work with Grundy to arrive at an "Agreed Value" when your policy is written. If an accident or theft occurs, you receive the agreed upon value - no questions asked! A car with $20,000 in restoration costs could be insured for about $120 per year. There are no restrictions on the number of miles you can drive, or how often you drive, as long as it is not your daily driver. (See other insurance options below for daily drivers.)

Another policy for collector cars offers coverage while your vehicle is in the process of being restored. What's unique about Restoration Coverage is that the policy value can increase as the restoration continues. So, as the value of your car (and the money you have invested into it) grows, so does the amount of coverage on your policy. We think this is a terrific "peace of mind" policy, and embraces the gift of classic car restoration - to get out on the road and enjoy your ride!

For more information on insurance for your classic car or street rod, try contacting the following insurance companies who specialize in these policies.

Grundy Worldwide Insurance
www.grundy.com 800-338-4005
* Grundy, a top pick for classic car insurance in Reviews.com's research

Hagerty Classic Insurance
www.hagerty.com 231-941-7477

J.C. Taylor Insurance
www.jctaylor.com 800-345-8290

Heacock Insurance Group
www.heacock.com 800-677-5171

Leland-West Insurance
www.lelandwest.com 800-237-4722

American Collectors Insurance
www.americancollectorsins.com 800-360-2277

Classic Auto Insurance
www.classicins.com 800-360-2277 or 800-397-0765

Rally Insurance
www.rallyinsurance.com 800-801-1823

Condon & Skelly
www.condonskelly.com/ 800-257-9496

Northeast Classic Auto Insurance
www.classiccarinsurance.com 800-866-6440

"Chrome" by American National
http://www.anpac.com/ 800-333-2860

American Hobbist
http://www.americanhobbist.com/ 800-395-4835

Collector Car Insurance Agency
http://www.collectorcarins.com/ 800-787-7637

Sneed Insurance
http://www.sneedinsurance.com/ 800-619-7827 

Motorsports Insurance Services
http://www.motorsports-insurance.com/ 310-301-0333

NCM Insurance Agency (specializing in collector insurance for Corvettes)
http://www.ncminsurance.com  877-678-7626

Other options exist as well, including policies for Daily Drivers which are usually far less than going through a traditional auto insurance company. Some companies do require that you own another vehicle for "daily use", but you do not need to have it insured through them. Some put restrictions on mileage while others do not (especially if you have another vehicle as your daily driver). And, just as some place mileage restrictions, some restrict what type of driving you do (i.e. parades or shows only), and age restrictions (most will not insurance drivers under 25 years of age...others 30!). Many companies offer all-in-one policies which insure all of your vehicles at significant savings.
A note to anyone who owns a street-strip car is to take the time to find an insurer who will issue a policy for that use. If you don't "come clean" up-front, and your car catches fire at the drag strip, many insurers will not pay out on a claim unless you had a rider for racing. It doesn't hurt to be honest about how you use your vehicle, and it's a lot better than having a zero payout when catastrophe strikes. You put yourself in a position of higher risk, so take the time to protect yourself. There are insurance plans for just about every type of enthusiast out there.

Appraisals are usually never necessary, although most require photos of your vehicle to help determine value. Some insurers may dig a little deeper into the mechanical and aesthetic modifications made to your car, its horsepower, suspension system, paint, etc, but this usually helps to give you a higher Agreed Value if desired. Guy Algar states, "Don't forget to contact your insurer once the restoration is complete so that new values can be determined and you can increase your coverages if needed, or if you started off with Restoration Coverage and want to change to a different type of policy. We advise you to keep all of your restoration records including the detailed lists of the work performed, photos, and receipts for all your parts and labor, as this will help greatly when establishing the new value of your vehicle."

I suggest comparison shopping. Check the agency's rating, their level of customer service, and details of the policies offered in addition to pricing. Research all programs before making a final decision. Guy Algar advises, "Insist that the information provided truly allows you to compare 'apples to apples', and that similar language is used to address deductibles, payout limits, covered events, how values are determined, and of course exclusions that will not be covered at all. It reminds me of a story a customer retold of a friend's experience when, following a total loss, the claim processor matter-of-factly asked why they didn't have a policy that covered all the work done to the classic car. Well, the person simply didn't know that there were other options, and it cost them thousands."

Guy Algar and I believe that for such a low cost, collectors insurance is a worthwhile investment. We recommend Restoration Coverage for anyone who is having partial or full restoration services performed on their classic car, muscle car, antique car, vintage truck, street rod or hot rod. It can help give you added protection if you're taking your car to a professional restoration shop, as well as if you are performing the restorations yourself! You don't want to be the victim of theft, fire, or other event that could jeopardize the time, money and energy you've put into finding your prized ride.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Continuing Education Provides Great Opportunities

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Guy Algar and I have always been advocates for continuing education. We've both been in professional positions where being up-to-date with current technologies and trends is extremely useful. It is something we've continued in our quest for providing the very best in performance upgrades and restoration work on classic cars, muscle cars, street rods, hot rods and vintage trucks we work on for our customers.

Design Engineers create CAD drawings
which detail exact measurements used
to accurately fabricate engine components
 and other automotive parts.


There are all types of training that one can receive, whether it is through books, manuals, magazines, collaboration with other experts, seminars and conferences. Even after initial training, it is essential to keep your knowledge fresh.

The past week I've been away from the shop at a training, and unfortunately, this has kept me from posting new articles. However, I look forward to sharing things I've learned in upcoming articles. With the PRI Trade Show coming up at the end of the month, it will once again take me away from writing and back into the mode of discovery and learning. It will also mean sharing the news, as I've been invited to attend as a member of the press to cover PRI's great event in Orlando.

As a trade show geared to racing professionals from around the world, PRI offers a number of special training events that both Guy and I are excited about. There is a special section of the trade show which is devoted to motorsports engineering services for instance (something that Guy, as a mechanical engineer is very interested in). There are a variety of business seminars, educational seminars, and of course the huge vendor-packed exhibition area where all types of products will be displayed and demonstrated. It should be a fantastic event.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.