1. General Motors (1960)
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2. Ford Mustang (1969)
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More after the jump....
10 toys that fuelled our love for motors
My passion for all things motor started from a very early age and I don't think it's a coincidence that my bedroom floor was littered with tiny replicas and stray bits of kid's mechanic sets. With Christmas fast approaching I found myself reminiscing about the kind of things Santa would leave me under the tree and, although I've graduated to requesting slightly more ambitious gifts from the big guy in red (if you're reading this, Santa, you can just leave the keys to my new Aventador wrapped up under the tree, I can't imagine pulling one of those down the chimney is very practical), I would be rather pleased if someone were to play the nostalgia card and leave me one of these for me this year. Which one was your favourite?
Is it just me who used to keep these in an old margarine tub secured tightly with an elastic band? I am sure I was convinced that I would one day become a stuntman with a penchant for breaking the laws of physics because these little cars would be run over just about every surface in the house and, once they were out of road, perform gravity defying leaps through the air (with appropriate sound effects provided of course) onto the treacherous sofa or the slippery glass coffee table.
More after the jump...
1. Matchbox Cars & Hot Wheels
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More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Chevrolet Impala (1958)
My pick this week is the Chevrolet Impala.
The Chevrolet Impala evolved from the Bel Air range and was the first hardtop convertible of the series. Styled for the time, the Impala pandered to the fashion for longer, lower and wider automobiles. Original models were in a similar style to the Bel Air models but took on so called 'Sculpuramic styling' which defined crisper lines and sculptured rear fenders. Dual headlamps were added as well as three - yes three - tail lights.
More after the jump...
The Chevrolet Impala evolved from the Bel Air range and was the first hardtop convertible of the series. Styled for the time, the Impala pandered to the fashion for longer, lower and wider automobiles. Original models were in a similar style to the Bel Air models but took on so called 'Sculpuramic styling' which defined crisper lines and sculptured rear fenders. Dual headlamps were added as well as three - yes three - tail lights.
More after the jump...
Product Feature: Nova Car Care Extending Car Wash Brushes
It's that time again folks as Granville welcome a new product to their exclusive Nova Car Care range. The Extending Car Wash Brush is designed to make washing high-sided vehicles a doddle with a reach extending up to 1.65m on the standard model and 1.70m on the deluxe model but, of course, it is suitable for use on any vehicle and produces the outstanding cleaning results you have come to expect from the Nova Car Care range.
The new look brushes can be connected securely to most hose pipes and the built-in adjustable flow control gives you complete control over your vehicle's wash routine. The brush heads are tough on dirt whilst being kind to your paintwork.
More after the jump...
The new look brushes can be connected securely to most hose pipes and the built-in adjustable flow control gives you complete control over your vehicle's wash routine. The brush heads are tough on dirt whilst being kind to your paintwork.
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Triumph Spitfire (1962)
My pick of the week is the Triumph Spitfire.
It's the entry level sports car that almost never was. When Triumph first penned the Spitfire the financial outlook did not look good and they were unable to begin production. It wasn't until the Leyland buyout that it became a viable project again, hitting the market in 1962.
More after the jump...
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It's the entry level sports car that almost never was. When Triumph first penned the Spitfire the financial outlook did not look good and they were unable to begin production. It wasn't until the Leyland buyout that it became a viable project again, hitting the market in 1962.
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Lincoln Zephyr (1936)
My pick of the week is the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr.
This little stunner first rolled off production lines in 1936 and when it did, design wise it was well ahead of its time featuring an aerodynamic shape made it one of the first successful streamlined automobiles available on the market. Taking inspiration from the 'monocoque' structure, the aptly named Zephyr was surprisingly light for its size which gave it that extra edge when it came to areodynamism.
More after the jump...
This little stunner first rolled off production lines in 1936 and when it did, design wise it was well ahead of its time featuring an aerodynamic shape made it one of the first successful streamlined automobiles available on the market. Taking inspiration from the 'monocoque' structure, the aptly named Zephyr was surprisingly light for its size which gave it that extra edge when it came to areodynamism.
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Plymouth Road Runner (1968)
My pick of the week is the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner.
'Beep, Beep!' as a well known speedster would say, and boy did Plymouth pay through the nose for the rights to imitate him, something to the tune of $50,000 dollars to use the name, image and his trademark 'Beep' which, naturally, was used as the horn sound. The Road Runner was first produced in 1968 as part of Plymouth's mid-size range, with the Road Runner taking up position as the performance model.
More after the jump...
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More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Pontiac Firebird (1967)
My pick of the week is the Pontiac Firebird.
The Pontiac Firebird represents one of GM's first forays into the emerging pony car market when the original intention to make a more commercially viable version of the Pontiac Banshee concept would have left them in direct competition with their own Chevrolet brand. That being said. when it first rolled off production lines in 1967, a lot of the Firebird was composed of parts which paid homage to the Camero but thankfully there was enough of the Pontiac about it to carry a unique feeling to the car, particularly under the hood.
More after the jump...
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More after the jump...
Trick or Treat? These cars look good enough to eat!
A silly little collection of treats. Which would you choose? Happy Halloween everyone!
1. Corn on the Carburetor
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2. Cupcake Compact
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More after the jump...
10 ways cold weather can affect your car and how to deal with them
The cold weather is harsh on
your vehicle and, unfortunately, sticking on a hat, scarf and coat isn’t an
option for it so it pays to be extra careful as the temperature drops because
climate related trouble can strike quicker than you’d expect. There are plenty
of ways that the cold weather can affect your vehicle so keep a sharp look out
for any of the following and don’t get left out in the cold.
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More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Nash Metropolitan (1953)
My pick of the week is the Nash Metropolitan.
The Nash Metropolitan stands out from its contemporaries for the simple reason that as they worked to build longer and wider models, Nash took the route of marketing a commuter's car. Something more compact and practical for the everyday 'about town' trips. In fact the Metropolitan was soon dubbed the 'World's Smallest Smaller Car'
More after the jump...
The Nash Metropolitan stands out from its contemporaries for the simple reason that as they worked to build longer and wider models, Nash took the route of marketing a commuter's car. Something more compact and practical for the everyday 'about town' trips. In fact the Metropolitan was soon dubbed the 'World's Smallest Smaller Car'
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: DeSoto Hardtop (1961)
My pick of the week is the 1961 DeSoto Hardtop.
The '61 Hardtop represented the end of an era for the DeSoto range. The range was shrunk down to the two options of a 2-door and a 4-door hardtop of a similar design to the 1960 Fireflite with the exception of the two tier grille design and slanted double headlights. The decision to discontinue production came at the end of November, followed by a scramble as dealers tried to sell off what remained of their stock.
More after the jump...
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More after the jump...
PRODUCT FEATURE: Hypalube PD 5W/40
The folks at Granville have been busy again and are pleased to announce the release of the latest addition to their growing Hypalube range. Hypalube PD 5W/40 is formulated to meet the requirements of VW 505.01 for use in Pumpe Duse engines.
More after the jump...
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Cadillac Eldorado (1959)
My pick of the week is the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado.
First rolling off production lines in 1953, the Cadillac Eldorado was intended as a limited production concept car and a sub-series of the Cadillac Series 62 coming to market at a whopping $7750.
More after the jump...
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More after the jump...
8 Autumn Car Care Fixes You Need To Know
October's marching on. Unbelievable isn't it? Suddenly the mornings are characterized by either a commute through thick fog or dazzling sun on wet roads, the leaves seem to have leapt off the trees and are single-mindedly set on blanketing the bonnets and roofs of our motors, and is it just me that's had to have the heating on first thing when starting the car in the morning?
As with all the changes in the seasons, they affect our cars in different ways and some steps need to be taken to prepare, protect and remedy against the new conditions you will be faced with as we plod on towards winter. So here's my top tips for making sure you and your motor are Autumn ready.
More after the Jump...
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As with all the changes in the seasons, they affect our cars in different ways and some steps need to be taken to prepare, protect and remedy against the new conditions you will be faced with as we plod on towards winter. So here's my top tips for making sure you and your motor are Autumn ready.
More after the Jump...
Classic Car of the Week: 1949 Buick Roadmaster
My classic car pick this week is the 1949 Buick Roadmaster.
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| Image from 1949 advert for Buick Roadmaster src: pinterest.com |
Initially the Roadmaster name was applied to all Buick vehicles in 1936 to highlight significant advances in engine and design. The 1949 edition saw the bodies get leaner and the length of the vehicle shorten with the iconic grille styling and bonnet shape taking on a more sleek appearance, but the most significant change the the 1949 model was the introduction of the porthole styling on the side of the front fenders. The Roadmaster shared this feature with the Super, both styled in chrome but the Roadmaster featured four of these portholes on both sides vs the Super's three.
More after the jump...
More after the jump...
Classic Car of the Week: Lincoln Premiere
I've got a bit of a thing for the wheels of the past. Something about the geometries of a boxy vintage motor, all glittering chrome and soft tops, which never fails to slap a smile on my face. Hence why I'm penning this new weekly feature: Classic Car of the Week and we are starting as we mean to go on this week by featuring the stunning 1957 Lincoln Premiere.
More after the jump...
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| 1957 Lincoln Premiere src: momentcar.com |
More after the jump...
10 best car ads from the noughties
It is my humble opinion that the noughties were some of the best years for creative car ads on our telly. Puppets, giant cakes, giant robots and very satisfying chain reactions are just some of the ways that motor markets tried to tempt us with their latest models, all appealing to our inner kid. Here's a list of some of my picks of the decade.
It's horrible to have to admit that a car has better moves than you do on the dance floor but let's face it, the C4bot had more than a little help from Marty Kudelka, none other than Justin Timberlake's own choreographer and a good handful of digital animation artists who combined motion capture techniques.
More after the jump
1. Citroen - "Transformer"
It's horrible to have to admit that a car has better moves than you do on the dance floor but let's face it, the C4bot had more than a little help from Marty Kudelka, none other than Justin Timberlake's own choreographer and a good handful of digital animation artists who combined motion capture techniques.
More after the jump
8 easy car wash tips everyone needs to know
Cleaning your car to perfection is a fine art, but you don't need to be a professional detailer to achieve that showroom shine. Here's some top tips which will help you improve your car wash routine with minimum effort and maximum results.
1. Start with a clean bucket
It may seem like common sense but if you store your car wash bucket in the garage or the garden shed chances are that it's going to have collected a layer of dust and dirt by the time you dig it out again. Give your bucket a good rinse before you get started and you won't have lost before you've started.
More after the jump.
More after the jump.
10 times dogs had more fun in cars than we did
1. Nothing will ever appreciate the wind flowing through their fur quite like man's best friend.
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2. And let's face it, we would could never look this cool sticking our heads out of the window anyway...
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more after the jump...
How to look after your genuine chamois leather
Chammy or Microfibre? It's a question which splits the room when it comes to drying off your vehicle. Many people reach for the microfibre cloth simply because Chamois Leathers seem like too much hassle and anyway they fall apart dead quickly right? Well, you might be surprised to know that if you look after your Chammy, you could get plenty of service out of it. In fact, plenty of people swear by the Chamois' durability and ability to absorb around six times its weight in water.
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| Think your Chamois is doomed to this? |
The best way to get the most out of your genuine chamois leather is to take good care of it. Treat it right and you will get the results! Here's my quick guide on how to look after your chamois leather so that you can get the best value from it.
More after the jump...
Rust Repair Tutorial
This week sees the launch of Granville's new Rust Repair Liquid. Now this stuff is the bee's knees, what can I say? It's easy to use, takes only 15mins to work its magic and also comes in a gel formulation for easy application on hard to reach and horizontal surfaces.
So let's take a look at how to use Granville Rust Repair Liquid and Gel...
More after the jump.
So let's take a look at how to use Granville Rust Repair Liquid and Gel...
More after the jump.
10 first models of car brands we love
Every great story has a beginning, here's where these famous brands took their first steps to automotive stardom:
The first car to bear the Ferrari name, the 125 S debuted in 1947 on the Piacenza Circuit.
The first car built by Maserati made its debut in the 1926 Targa Florio, finishing first in the Grand Prix class.
More after the jump...
1. Ferrari: 125 S (1947)
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The first car to bear the Ferrari name, the 125 S debuted in 1947 on the Piacenza Circuit.
2. Maserati: Tipo 26 (1926)
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The first car built by Maserati made its debut in the 1926 Targa Florio, finishing first in the Grand Prix class.
More after the jump...
10 vintage concept cars which were ahead of their time
Simcar Fulgar (1958)
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The brain child of designer Robert Opron, the idea of this car was to show what we would be driving in the 21st century. It was to feature atomic power, voice control, radar navigation and gyroscopic wheels. Switch the atomic power for electric and I guess he wasn't far off!
Cadillac Cyclone (1959)
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More after the jump.
Antifreeze and Coolant 101
Antifreeze and coolant. They cause quite a bit of confusion for motorists who aren't in the know. In fact it's one of the most frequently asked topics put to the Tech Team here at Granville HQ. And it's no wonder that it causes folk to scratch their heads over it because they are essentially the same product - just with different functions.
Call it coolant and you're referring to, you guessed it, the stuff that keeps your engine cool and operating at the correct temperature. When you think about it, your engine is basically powered by a series of controlled explosion so it's bound to get hot under that hood!
Now, technically speaking, coolant can be just plain water but this alone wouldn't protect against extremes of temperature or corrosion. Add Antifreeze to this water and you solve this issue, protecting against corrosion, aiding heat transfer, preventing scale build up, and raising the boiling point and lowering the freezing point of the liquid.
Generally speaking the ratio to make coolant is 50:50 Antifreeze to water but you must check your User Manual for the specific dilution for your vehicle.
More after the jump.
Call it coolant and you're referring to, you guessed it, the stuff that keeps your engine cool and operating at the correct temperature. When you think about it, your engine is basically powered by a series of controlled explosion so it's bound to get hot under that hood!
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| The job of Antifreeze is to keep things just right - src: funnyjunk.com |
Generally speaking the ratio to make coolant is 50:50 Antifreeze to water but you must check your User Manual for the specific dilution for your vehicle.
More after the jump.
Introducing the Hypalube C Collection
Introducing the new Hypalube C Range from Granville.
Specially formulated low and mid SAPS (sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur)
technology oils meeting the requirements of ACEA C1, C2, C3 & C4. Formulated
from premium quality base oils and the very latest in additive technology, these
lubricants meet a wide range of modern engines that have exhaust
after-treatment devices fitted.
What your oil is trying to tell you about the health of your engine
Frothy Oil
A good quality engine oil should not foam up because of the anti-foaming additives that are mixed with the product. There could be several reasons why your oil has foamed up. If your oil is bubbly or foamy but not discoloured then you may have overfilled the sump. The oil is essentially being churned and aerated by the crank and can cause a lot of damage very quickly.
If the foam is lighter in colour this could be down to water or coolant contamination. If this is the case, then there is a chance you may have a leaking gasket head or a crack in the engine block.
Solution: If you think you may have overfilled with engine oil make sure you drain it off and refill the tank. If you see evidence of light coloured foam, see a professional mechanic as soon as you can.
More after the jump...
A good quality engine oil should not foam up because of the anti-foaming additives that are mixed with the product. There could be several reasons why your oil has foamed up. If your oil is bubbly or foamy but not discoloured then you may have overfilled the sump. The oil is essentially being churned and aerated by the crank and can cause a lot of damage very quickly.
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| src: forums.swedespeed.com |
If the foam is lighter in colour this could be down to water or coolant contamination. If this is the case, then there is a chance you may have a leaking gasket head or a crack in the engine block.
Solution: If you think you may have overfilled with engine oil make sure you drain it off and refill the tank. If you see evidence of light coloured foam, see a professional mechanic as soon as you can.
More after the jump...
15 Weirdest Driving Laws From Around The World*
1. Hackney carriages should carry a bale of hay and a bag of oats at all times in London.
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| Hay... Do you like oats? Well this is your lucky day! - src: giphy.com |
Apparently, this law was repealed in the 1970's but it's one of those modern myths which have just stuck. Clearly it took a while for the penny to drop that Hackney Cabs have been horseless since the advent of the motor engine. Top marks for observation, Britain...
2. Caught Short on the Motorway? Men can pee on the right-hand rear tyre of their vehicle in the UK
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| Really gotta go? - src: tumblr.com |
Now technically this may not have been repealed, but we don't recommend it. Public indecency laws aside, do you really want to relieve yourself on your freshly polished alloys? Maybe try and hold it until the next services...
More after the jump...
What Your Car Looked Like Back In The Day
Ford Fiesta
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The Ford Fiesta: the UK's best selling car and the long-term staple of learners and fresh passed drivers everywhere. The boxy design of it's 1976 debut model was replaced by Ford's 'New Edge' styling in 1999, characterized by the soft arcs and rounded features which are more akin to the Fiesta of today.
Vauxhall Corsa
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Debuting in 1982, it started out life as the Opel Corsa before becoming the Vauxhall Nova in the UK and later the Corsa again, reviving the name in the early 90's. Major facelifts feature in the late 90's when the rounded bumper which was becoming vogue in the industry was adopted. Later changes include the 'Eagle eye' headlamps and new grill style which looks awfully happy from the right angle.
More after the jump...
More after the jump...
Jargon Buster: Translating your Oil Bottle
Grab your average bottle of motor oil off the shelf in your local retailer and you're confronted with a whole lot of jargon, acronyms and random numbers which will probably mean very little to you unless you're in the know. And let's face it, your owner's manual isn't much more help either. Sure it might give you a list of numbers and letters that translate into an oil spec that's suitable for your vehicle, but wouldn't you like to know what it all really means?
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Do you know your 0w/20 from your 5w/40? What's the real difference between mineral and synthetic oil? ACEA? API? Well here's my jargon busting guide to translating your oil bottle.
8 classic cartoon cars we all wanted to drive as kids
I grew up on a healthy diet of Saturday morning cartoons. I spent hours curled up on the sofa in my Spiderman pjs munching on sugary cereal staring at the screen as I kicked butt with anthropomorphic sea life; solved crime with men in lycra wearing their underpants on the outside; and foiled the nefarious schemes of Old Man Jenkins the janitor right from the comfort of my improvised pillow fort.
But for me the most memorable kids shows always had really cool set of wheels because really, the cars saved the day. They could do anything, be anything they needed to be with gadgets galore to get our heroes out of the worst scrapes the animators could throw at them. Forget Ferrari, I want a Hana-Barbera model! That's why I'm paying homage this week to 8 of the best classic cartoon cars...
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Grease is the word
Grease is the word in my technical feature this week!
Umm... No. Not the cheesy musical from the '70s but the stuff you use to lubricate all things 'automatic, systemati-' *ehem* I mean automotive, mechanical and industrial.
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| src: giphy.com |
Umm... No. Not the cheesy musical from the '70s but the stuff you use to lubricate all things 'automatic, systemati-' *ehem* I mean automotive, mechanical and industrial.
6 Motoring Problems to Watch Out for this Summer
The Great British Summer is upon us - and boy has it made an entrance! Inconsistent temperatures, a heat wave, spontaneous torrential downpours and, of course, puffy red eyes and stuffed up noses for the Hay Fever suffers.
Of course Summer heralds busier roads as hopeful motorists make a dash to the airport to fairer climes; scramble for the coasts at the first sign of sunshine; or opt for spending the weekend in a crowded festival campsite up to their knees in mud. Busier roads obviously mean the potential to be sat for hours on end in traffic jams, but that’s not the worst thing that summer can throw at motorists trying to make a clean get away for their hols. Here's my top 6 summer problems that cause us drivers grief and some handy tips on how to tackle them:
Of course Summer heralds busier roads as hopeful motorists make a dash to the airport to fairer climes; scramble for the coasts at the first sign of sunshine; or opt for spending the weekend in a crowded festival campsite up to their knees in mud. Busier roads obviously mean the potential to be sat for hours on end in traffic jams, but that’s not the worst thing that summer can throw at motorists trying to make a clean get away for their hols. Here's my top 6 summer problems that cause us drivers grief and some handy tips on how to tackle them:
Is this thing on?
Hi folks!
It's Mr Granville here, mascot and product model for Granville Oil and Chemicals. When I'm not posing for closes ups or writing tech tips, I can usually be found with my rather prominent snout stuck in my tablet browsing the latest news and hype on all things automotive. That's why the good folks at Granville have let me loose on their shiny new blog.
Here I will be sharing more news articles, regular tech hacks and lashings of motoring fun for your reading pleasure. Stay tuned!
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