By Benjamin Hunting / Originally Published April 20, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / Lowrider cars have been a source of fascination for gearheads since they first appeared on the California scene in the late 1950s. The product of Mexican-American creativity and Detroit’s golden age of full-size sedans and coupes, the first lowrider cars spawned a culture ...

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By Blair Lampe / Originally Published April 21, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / Whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or just getting into automotive DIY, replacing common car fluids is something most anyone can handle. Manufacturers make it pretty easy to top off most fluids, and for many systems, you can replace the fluid entirely without ...

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By Greg Ingold / Originally Published January 19, 2016 / Hagerty / From: Hemmings Motor News Date: March 1989 Price then: $6,500 ($12,400 adjusted for inflation, about the cost of a new 2016 Suzuki GSX-R600 Motorcycle today) Price now: $10,900 – $40,700 Approximate dollar difference: $28,200 (assuming No. 1 condition) Annual rate of return: 4.4% Olds: ...

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By Benjamin Hunting / Originally Published March 24, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / What is an alternator? Simply put, it’s a part of your car’s electrical system that you never really have to think about until it starts to cause you grief. Alongside your vehicle’s battery, the alternator is the backbone of the charging system in ...

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The automotive industry has lost numerous manufacturers over the years. Recently, well known marques like Mercury, Plymouth, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac joined the likes of defunct American manufacturers Packard, Studebaker, Willys, Hudson, Kaiser, DeSoto, and Erskine, as well as foreign brands including MG, Hillman, Austin Healey, and Triumph. These companies succumbed for various reasons: high production ...

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With over 15 miles of parts, accessories, automobilia, and classic cars, the Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show can be a little overwhelming, even if you know what you’re looking for. On the one hand, there’s a ton of selection, but on the other hand, where do you start looking? Well, if you’re looking ...

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Okay, if you own a Porsche, odds are you can afford the several hundred dollar oil change at your dealership or from a local mechanic. But maybe, just maybe, you got your Porsche by knowing when and where you can save money… and doing an oil change yourself is a perfect way to save a couple ...

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By Blair Lampe / Originally Published February 16, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / Brake fluid is an integral part of the braking system, but often overlooked unless there is a problem — in which case it could already be too late. Knowing when and how to check brake fluid can keep you safe. Manufacturers vary wildly ...

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By Sarah Shelton / Originally Published March 18, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / If you’re hauling items on a roof rack or large loads in your pickup truck, tie-downs are a must. These hold your cargo tightly in place so it doesn’t shift when you’re on the road. But anchoring your gear is about more than ...

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By Tara Hurlin / Originally Published Januay 6, 2016 / Hagerty / In this day and age, you may find yourself feeling way overdue for a good old fashioned car song; not the kind of song that just happens to mention a car while singing about something else, but a musical foot-tapping masterpiece that pays homage ...

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By Blair Lampe / Originally Published March 7, 2016 / National Automotive Parts Association / Car batteries provide a vehicle’s life force. We rely on them to get our cars started and keep them running, to power helpful onboard accessories and even to charge electronic devices. The average car battery life can be anywhere from three to ...

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By Tara Hurlin / Originally Published December 16, 2015 / Hagerty / When Katie Poletti was growing up in Long Island, N.Y., she immersed herself in the best of both worlds by playing with Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls; she loved to wear flowing dresses but was commonly seen in dirty overalls. Her father had a ...

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