If you are thinking of getting your hands on the wheel of a supercar, keep in mind that there will always be things that you don’t know about these powerful vehicles until you own or drive one. But let’s change that. Let’s take a look at some of the things they don’t tell you about owning a supercar:

Supercars are hard to drive

Unlike regular cars, supercars are rarely used to just get you from point A to B, like running errands, for instance. You might use them to stop somewhere and continue your schedule quickly, but most of the time, supercars are used as a toy you can play with. You take it for a drive from point A to Point A. Especially since you cannot transport more than one person in it.

Enjoying the ride is a challenge

Another sad fact is that you will never be able to drive a supercar as you wish to. Speed limits and bumpy roads are constant roadblocks that will never let you enjoy your supercar to the fullest.

There are some streets, in Germany, for example, where you can push the supercar to the maximum speed. However, it is prohibited to use these cars at their best capacities in most countries since you have to respect speed limits on highways. So before you commit to buying a beast, know that you will primarily use it to show it off and drive it carefully.

Car maintenance is expensive

This is not quite a secret. As you might already know owning a supercar comes with high maintenance costs. But what you may not know is that the maintenance is not just high, but extremely expensive.

So don’t be surprised if you leave a service department spending thousands of dollars in one go. It can get costly to upkeep the car because of the difficulty of replacing the parts, let alone fixing them.

Manufacturers try to keep this part “hidden” when you buy a supercar. However, as with all expensive things that you buy, maintaining them will also be expensive.

Limited space

While all supercars might look super comfortable and spacious in the photos, the reality is quite different.

The majority of supercars have limited headspace (or height space) and legs pace. We’re looking at you, Lamborghini.

Jokes aside, limited space does not mean tall people cannot drive supercars. However, if you are tall, you will feel the lack of space even more, and the driving experience will not be as relaxing.

If it makes you feel better, keep in mind that all supercar owners have this challenge — some more than others. But one problem is consistent: you cannot enter into a supercar as gracefully as you might wish.

Supercars draw a lot of attention

We bet you already know this. We also bet this fact is one of the main reasons why you are deciding to buy a supercar in the first place.

However, if you are the type of person who does not want to attract a lot of attention, driving a supercar will make that goal almost impossible. Moreover, with lots of attention comes higher risk.

As a supercar owner, you will have to pay extra attention to people trying to steal your car or steal any parts from it.

If you plan to buy a supercar, don’t let these facts or things stop you from fulfilling this dream. Every dream or goal has its own challenges. The important thing is to know about these challenges as soon as possible so that you are aware and make an informed decision.

These are just some of the things they do not tell you about owning a supercar. Do you know any other things or “hidden” facts about owning this type of car? Share with us know in the comments below. Let’s talk!

The post What are the things they don’t tell you about owning a supercar?  appeared first on Altered Steel.

What is the story behind this man who self-describes as “Doctor Frankenstein of Teslas”? Join us in this post, as we explore his work that, no doubt, serves as an inspiration for seasoned and novice mechanics alike. 

What is the story behind Rich Benoit’s passion for rebuilding cars?

Rich Benoit, a father of three, had been working in the IT sector until very recently. However, his transfer from IT to the automobile world is not coincidental. Ever since he was a child, he loved deconstructing and then rebuilding fake Rolexes that his father, an electrical engineer used to bring him. His curiosity and patience while putting all the pieces back together were remarkable.

He gained the confidence that he could truly fix things and was willing to ride along self-learning curves. He wouldn’t use manuals or consult with other experts, just intuition and trial and error approach instead. Little did he know that his passion would eventually bring him on the path of reverse-engineering.

Interestingly, he did not interfere much with his first car: a 2004 Dodge SRT-4. However, soon enough, he would come across damaged second-hand motorcycles and cars. This triggered his ambition to go bigger with his rebuilds. Thus, another more challenging phase would begin for him, as he would figure out a lot of mechanics knowledge on his own.

How did Rich Benoit come across Teslas?

Even though rebuilding gadgets or wrecked automobiles was a genuine passion, focusing on Teslas was more of a coincidence. In 2014, one of his friends calls him and tells him about his latest car: a Tesla Model S. Rich was eager to test it. But, the moment he sat behind that steering wheel and drove the car, he fell in love with it. Probably it was something related to the specific EV engine, or its quietness, which impressed him. He had to have that car!

Once Benoit found out the six-digit price of the car though, he was shocked. Therefore, he started brainstorming for cheaper ways to get his Tesla. He was able to find an old Tesla, which needed parts to be fixed. However, at that time, Tesla refused to sell him any parts, due to its strict repair policy.

However, Rich Benoit was determined to rebuild his Tesla, one way or another. Soon enough, he figured that he could use the parts of another Tesla to do that. Thus, after spending more than 500 hours in his garage, he reached his goal, deciding to call his first rebuilt Tesla, Dolores. He documented the entire process and began posting videos on a random forum, eventually moving to YouTube. This is how his journey as a vlogger began.

What are the dynamics between Tesla and ‘Rich Rebuilds’?

Rich Rebuilds is the name of Benoit’s YouTube channel, a medium that has triggered a lot of debate around him, but which has ultimately contributed to some of his videos going viral. No doubt he is an interesting, snarky, and humorous character, who is not afraid to come across as goofy. His videos are watched by car enthusiasts, as well as by amateurs.

The first controversy came to light when by accident his hand appeared in one of the uploads, and viewers realized that he was black. The racist comments flooded, but that did not stop him. In fact, he would pin the most racist comments and eventually realize that this strategy would actually decrease such comments by 80%.

The next range of polemics had to do with Tesla. For a long time now, Tesla has been very strict about not letting any information regarding its auto pieces or diagnostic tools become publicly available. The idea of having someone documenting this information publicly did not resonate well with the automaker. As a result, YouTube has removed a couple of his videos, and Tesla has canceled Rich’s referral account. It even refused to provide him with service manuals. As you can imagine, this has not stopped Benoit either. On the contrary, he kept expanding his audience and business operations.

What is next for Rich Benoit?

In late 2019, Rich Benoit partnered with Chris Salvo and Chad Hrencecin to open “The Electrified Garage” in Seabrook, New Hampshire. This garage would be solely dedicated to repairing electric vehicles. He then expanded to Florida in late 2020.

Considering the high demand, he plans to get bigger. In fact, he has even announced that he might go back to rebuilding gas cars, which again has raised a lot of controversy among his followers. Probably, someday, we will see him restoring classic cars too. As he says, “Remember: I’m a car enthusiast, not an EV enthusiast”

The right to repair is one of the main causes that stands behind his determination to grow his business. Benoit believes that it is not fair that car manufacturers make it difficult for customers to fix their own cars. Capable auto mechanics should be allowed to get into business and repair different brands too.

Despite changes in the MA legislation, this is an ongoing effort. The story of Rich Benoit though is definitely unique. It shows how someone who is self-taught can accomplish so much and attempt at demonopolizing areas of the auto industry.

The post Rich Benoit – A man with a knack for rebuilding Teslas appeared first on Altered Steel.

The very first auto ad

Just like the first advertisement for any invention that has ever happened, the first automobile ads were very product-focused. They simply sold the benefits of owning a car instead of a horse.

The very first auto ad appeared in 1898 in an Ohio newspaper. Not any newspaper but the Scientific American itself. The very same Scientific American would eventually detail the work of Einstein.

The title of the pilot auto ad was quite on spot in terms of marketing, too. It included the call to action “Dispense with a horse” and the copy of the ad talked about the benefits of the Winton Motor Carriage. Not as costly to maintain, no odor, and the speed of up to 20 mph. No horse would ever be so powerful. Simple.

The first automobile ad is also known for its effectiveness. The advertisement definitely worked because Robert Allison of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, bought a Winton after seeing the ad in Scientific American.

Later in the year, Winton Motor Carriage sold another 21 vehicles. One of those vehicles was sold to James Ward Packard. The one who later founded his own car company. The first Packard automobiles were produced in 1899, and the last true Packard in 1956, when the company built the Packard Predictor, its last concept car. We wish all ads today had such staggering effects on any industry.

The beginning of auto advertising

Similarly to the first microwaves, the first dishwasher, or the first pair of tights – the first car was a sensation of its own! Automakers didn’t need a unique creative approach for their ads because they had a unique product. Something that doesn’t happen so often today. This is why the first ads were quite straightforward. Black & white paper ads. Of course, with a hint of humor.

This simplicity, however, did not last long. With the beginning of the 20^th century and the increasing penetration of automobiles, manufacturers needed to stand out. This is why they turned to advertisement agencies. Car ads became brighter and more colorful. Even in the ’30s, when America was struggling with The Depression, car ads remained the bright spot in the dark papers. At that time cars were still a luxury, so it was logical that they would target those who were not greatly affected by hard financial times.

A trophy for the wealthy

The early 20^th century saw the glamour of auto advertising. At that time cars were still fighting for road space with other means of transport, as well as very few people could afford them. The automobiles were heavy machines that usually required at least one mechanic to operate and maintain the car. This is why most ads were targeted at the wealthiest of society.

One of the groups that ads appealed to were the partygoers. Those who would want a car to make a noticeable entrance to the next glamorous event. Or even to their chauffeurs – the ones who would have to deal with tires and lubrication, which is why they needed a reliable vehicle. Auto advertising was very strategically oriented even from its start.

Think Small

You can see that the car has always been a status symbol for Americans by simply looking at the evolution of its advertising. Big cars, golden colors, beautiful women and animal print – all attributes to the car owner of the early 20^th century.

The first ad that disrupted this all-American image was the Think Small ad by Volkswagen. The company advertised its Beetle model – a car that was the exact opposite of the big, heavy American vehicles.

The goal of the ad was to increase the sales of the small car which struggled to penetrate the American market.

The creative approach was the opposite of all car ads from that period. While other ads provided detailed information about the car and its characteristics, the Beetle ad was rather minimalistic. It brought viewers’ attention to the exact thing that was considered problematic – the Beetle’s form – and turned it into an advantage. Simple, yet so smart.

The Think Small campaign was created by the DDB Agency and became one of the most famous ads ever. It earned the title of the best advertising campaign of the twentieth century by Ad Age, in a survey of North American advertisements.

Brightness & Spotlights

Even though this was still the era of muscle cars, European vehicles had started to get more attention as well. Mostly thanks to the creative approach to advertising. The Think Small campaign created a new trend. It brought photography in, and artwork was left behind in the first half of the century. Clever lighting and trick exposures replaced the artist’s pen.

Towards the second half of the 20^th century, car advertising was already a professional area for photographers. The first studio photoshoots took place in the 1980s and showed a completely new side of cars. One full of elegance and style. These were the years in which automobile ads reached their peak in numbers. There were cases when one magazine would feature between twenty and twenty-five car ads in one issue.

The 90s car tech

In the 1990s, most car ads were promoting the technology that you could find in vehicles, describing certain innovations.

One of the most famous ads of this decade was done by Honda. It was then when the brand introduced its VTEC system. This is why they put together a 24 Hours of Le Mans-themed ad in which people could listen to that engine’s wail all day. Quite creative for those times.

It seems like the 90s were the time when marketers realized that each needed to occupy a unique territory with their brand. They started building it from the product – showing the unique in what had already become a commodity.

The 90s saw the introduction of stricter regulations in vehicle safety for the first time. This led many brands to include safety as a big part of their narrative, too.

The Range Rover 4WD, for example, issued an ad with a horrifying image of a stop sign. The ad focused on the vehicle’s anti-lock brake system that “enables you to maintain steering and control in anything from a downpour to a blizzard.” It proclaimed that there was only one car that could save drivers from danger and it was the Range Rover.

Car advertising today

Today, it’s quite hard for an automobile ad to grab people’s attention. It feels like we have seen it all. Or we simply don’t care. Even though we buy cars much more often than in the past, the purchase of an automobile is still a rather big decision. This is why advertising has to be both clever and truthful to have an effect on the buyer. Sometimes a crazier approach might be successful, too. Such is the case with Audi and BMW – one of the most remembered ad wars in the history of auto advertising.

It all started back in 2012 when BMW placed a billboard promoting its 35th MOA Rally (Chess Tournament) in California. The billboard said “A BMW Rally with two nearby service centers. What’s next, paramedics at a chess tournament?” Audi advertisers then decided they could not keep quiet and replied with a billboard nearby with the following caption: “Chess? No Thanks, I’d rather be driving.”

And it was right then when the war broke out. A series of exchanges between the two auto leaders followed. In no time this ad war grabbed the public attention all over the world. Brands like Subaru and Bentley also tried to join the conversation. Nowhere near as successfully. The war ended when BMW brought in a branded blimp featuring its Formula 1 car. We cannot say how many car sales this resulted in, but it surely increased brand visibility and brand image of both brands.

Issues in auto ads over the years

You won’t be surprised to see that the automobile ad world did not lack problems and discrepancies. This is a sensitive category because of safety and the idea of status. Yet, it seems like the most disturbing issues are related to the image of females. Women are at the center of the scandal once again. Of course, sarcastically speaking.

What do women get?

Automobile advertising has traditionally focused on male drivers. There were only a few occasions where car ads targeted women. The first of them was the time during World War II. Most manufacturers had to redirect their production to satisfy the needs of the army. With so many men gone to war, there weren’t many left to show ads to. During the post-World War era, there was an economic increase and more women entered the workforce. This is why they could now afford a car of their own.

Along with the cars came the feelings of freedom, mobility, and endless power. Some of the topics that would soon be used by advertisers to increase female buying. Such ads became the first occasion-based advertisements in the industry. Minivans, for example, became the vehicles for female housewives. The ads showed that they were spacious, safe, and ideal for shopping.

Sex Sells

This, however, soon became a problem. While some women were glad someone offered cars especially for them, others saw the dark side of car advertising. The advertising that uses the stereotypical image of females.

The automobile industry is one of the main product categories that rely on sex appeal in their ads. This trend began in the 20^th century when the competition started growing. This is why you could see ads that showed quite a disturbing image of women.

A number of advertisements repeating trends where:

• women are objects that male car buyers want to accumulate;
• women are accessories that make cars appear more attractive to male car shoppers;
• they are seen as helpless and entirely unaware of how the entire car-buying experience works;
• and women serve the primary role of minivan-driving mothers.

This approach to advertising is an easy route to follow because it’s close to human nature. Yet, it doesn’t always work. Especially today, when we talk more openly about discrimination, it becomes really hard for such ads to remain unnoticed and uncriticized.

Top auto advertisers in the USA

The USA is a global leader in the advertising industry. Over the years, automobile manufacturers have scored highly on the list of highest-spending advertisers in the U.S. Even though they are not the only players in the automobile industry, their ad spending is quite spectacular.

In the past years, automobile advertising has shifted from TV formats to digital formats. Digital platforms today are the most rapidly growing channel for auto ads. According to Statista, the automobile industry has the third-largest digital advertising revenue in the country within major industries. The digital ad revenue in the U.S. automotive sector is expected to grow to about 5.3 billion U.S. dollars by 2021.

Which are the brands willing to spend all that money? It turns out the largest ad spender on the U.S. market among automakers is Volkswagen. In 2015, Volkswagen Group invested over 6.6 million U.S. dollars in advertising in 2015. Surprised? Maybe you shouldn’t be. After all the Volkswagen Group controls a broad portfolio of automobile brands. It includes VW itself, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche. These are some of the most popular car brands in the world. And each one requires its own resources to maintain its brand image.

The ad spenders which occupy the next positions in the ranking are General Motors and Daimler. Each of the groups spent about 5 million dollars on advertising in 2015. Right behind them, we can see Ford – with 4.3 million – and Toyota Motor Corporation – with 4.1 million U.S. dollars in advertising activities in 2015.

If we sum these numbers up, we will see that the top five automakers spent about 25 million U.S. dollars on ads. In a single calendar year. Looking back to 1898 and the Winton Motor Carriage ad, it feels like the industry has gone quite a long way. A little over a century, hundreds of different auto brands and billions of dollars to make people buy them. If only we knew what one black-and-white paper ad would lead to…

The post History of car advertising appeared first on Altered Steel.

US car manufacturers do not exactly have the best reputation with their vehicles right now. Thankfully, as Americans, we can be proud to have plenty of iconic models throughout the years. So much so that we can have a heated discussion about which are the most remarkable out of the bunch. Well, shall we do just that?

At Altered Steel, we have a special place for all kinds of vintage cars. We have mentioned our favorite vintage SUVs, and we have explored the history of the American sedan. However, I think it is high time we talk about America’s most iconic classic cars… according to us! What do you say, are you up for a bit of time travel? Let’s go back a good few decades then!

More than fancy old cars

The problem with many such lists is that they take the most famous sports cars and slap them right at the top. It is not like vintage sports vehicles are not impressive or iconic though. I just like to think that the car world has more things going for it.

This is why today we’ll explore a bit of a different list. I would rather we don’t rank the vehicles, but instead, cherish each and every one of them. I will separate them into categories and pick the three most iconic models within those.

That being said, some seemingly obvious picks will actually not be on this list. You may be surprised to find that the Ford Model T or the classic Corvette that everyone wants haven’t made the cut. Don’t worry though – it is not because they are not iconic, but because they may be overly so. We should give a chance to some other models to shine, right? With this out of the way, we can dive straight into our first picks!

America’s most iconic muscle cars

Given my remark about sports cars, how come I open up the list with such a category? See, the point here is not to dwell on “sports”, but on “muscle”. All over the world, people know what muscles are. On top of that, they associate them with the States. This might as well be the only category that represents the quintessential American spirit. Due to all that I figured they make the best introduction to our list!

The undefeated stallion – Ford Mustang

Come on, which car marque and model better represents the US outside of our homeland? The original Mustang can take your breath away even now. It is one mean machine, which knows how to roar and announce itself. And not just here!

Have you ever had the pleasure to travel outside of the States and see how people react to Mustangs? For a few reasons, American muscle cars in Europe are still fairly rare. Still, people turn their heads when they see a Mustang. Though we actually have it better here, because you can still see the classic ones. They do not get to enjoy many of those on the Old Continent!

The special contender – Dodge Charger

Some cars simply do not get enough credit. In my opinion, Dodge Charger is one of those. Right from the start, it was a vehicle that broke the mold. Love it or hate it, but it was unique! With a bold design and aggressive build, it stormed the scene. To this day it makes for the perfect muscle example.

Unfortunately, it has never been as popular as the Mustang. The latter had tenfold the sales. Though perhaps that makes the Charger an even more precious classic. Being a gem like no other, it deserves a spot here!

The worthy rival – Chevrolet Camaro

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It has never been a secret that the Camaro was Chevrolet’s response to the Mustang. In fact, even though it may sound sacrilegious, I think the two models are kind of similar. This is why I enjoy the Charger so much – it walked its own path. Still, the Camaro is nothing if not iconic.

To illustrate my point, I want to draw your attention to the second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. This car cemented the idea of what a muscle should be. It deserves a lot of credit for the fact that we can even talk about iconic muscle cars today. However, we should move on to a category that does not get nearly enough attention!

The classic old workhorses

All this fancy car talk is nice, but we often forget about the cars that virtually carried the US on their shoulders. After all, should we not focus more on vehicles that the general public could afford and actually drove? In my mind, they are “iconic” exactly because of their utilitarian nature!

The forgotten kind – AMC Eagle

Estate wagons may not be the most popular picks in the States today, but once upon a time they were preferable. Before we had tons of minivans and SUVs, the AMC Eagle was the perfect choice for a family person. It offered plenty of space, a lot of utility and it actually did not look half-bad.

In fact, some people consider the AMC Eagle to be the de facto predecessor of modern crossovers. In other words – we may owe the rise of the crossover and SUV segments to this very car. It had everything necessary for that with its 4-wheel drive and fairly high frame. Honestly, I think it looks rather charming even by today’s standards. Sure, nothing like a slick European station wagon, but impressive in its own way.

The poster minivan – Dodge Caravan

We don’t see many minivans nowadays. The niche has shrunk tremendously in the past decade, largely due to SUVs. And yet, minivans were the poster examples of the American dream. They embodied your success – you had a big family, you owned a house, you bought a minivan.

In light of that, there is no better minivan example than the very Dodge Caravan. Though we could also mention Plymouth (or Chrysler) Voyager, which were essentially the same car. The first generation sold incredibly well with over a million vehicles bought. Funny enough, when Chrysler was researching public demand, people considered the sketches of Dodge Caravan to be super ugly. Seems like that did not matter much, as we now view it as one of the most iconic US cars ever.

The granddaddy of pickups – Ford F1

ford

Pickups are the muscle cars of America’s workhorse vehicles. They scream “proud to be American” like nothing else. That all started with the first generation of Ford F-series, and more precisely – Ford F1. It may have little to do with modern pickup designs, but it carries their spirit regardless.

Objectively, the F1 is rather small. Yet it paved the way for monsters like Dodge Ram and Ford Raptor. People cherish it even now, with its price being close to that of classic muscles. It does look quite cute, so if you are in the market for a non-sporty vintage car, consider Ford F1!

Riding in style – Iconic luxury classics

Whether you look at modern vehicles or at vintage cars, the luxury segment always has something special to show. Many aspects of it are timeless, and some classics would be considered luxury by our standards too. Let’s see the most iconic examples that America has to show here!

The one fit for presidents – Lincoln Continental

As a car company, Ford has pioneered and pushed forward many types of vehicles. On top of that, many of its Lincoln cars are worthwhile classics in general. And yet, the Continental is the best example of what high-class cars should look like.

This is not one of those vehicles that you look forward to driving – with it you would need a chauffeur. Just sitting in one of those will make you feel important. No wonder that many other luxury cars were trying to be more like Lincoln Continental. Making one feel like a president sounds like a good selling point.

When you fancy something slick – Cadillac Eldorado

If you were not meant to drive the last car, this one is a whole another story. It is a very personal vehicle, which made people feel like rock stars. In fact, this car made Cadillac famous throughout the world. In many places, the marque’s name is synonymous with luxury because of it. Obviously, “iconic” is a well-deserved description.

Old-school futurism – Oldsmobile Toronado

I bet that most people have not heard of the Toronado. However, as we have mentioned in our post on the end of Oldsmobile, this company had had many great achievements. The Toronado model perfectly embodies their very future-minded philosophy.

The problem with this car is that it may have been too unique for its own good. Later on, Oldsmobile changed the design to fit with its competition. In my opinion, they just watered down what had been a great aesthetic. Nonetheless, it is iconic, because it represents the very American ideal of innovation and grand dreams!

What other iconic classic cars should we remember?

People have different vintage models that they love. Maybe you wanted to see some Buicks on the list. Or perhaps you are worried that I have not mentioned Pontiac at all. Well, we can always come up with another post to showcase more of the great American models.

What should those be though? There are many old vehicles that I like, but I am eager to learn about some others too. If you have a model that is close to your heart, be sure to mention it. Perhaps I will cover it one day!

The post America’s most iconic classic cars appeared first on Altered Steel.

While some have surely been complete flops, others just came with a limited lifespan right from the get-go. Thus, even a somewhat successful vehicle could have been doomed to failure.

Such was the case with VW Brasilia. Currently, it is one of those classic cars you didn’t know existed. Back in the day, though? A whole different story! Buckle up as we take a ride through time to see what exactly happened to the people’s car of Brazil!

What is VW Brasilia?

Market demand for vehicle types varies greatly throughout the world. For instance, Europe doesn’t drool over large pickups as we do here in the States. Some places just have completely different needs in terms of price and function. To match that demand, car companies often develop specific models for those markets. VW Brasilia falls right into that category.

After the success of the original Beetle, Volkswagen wanted to remain dominant in as many markets as possible. However, not all countries had the same idea of “the people’s car”. So, in 1970, the Brazilian VW branch decided to take on the difficult task of creating a Brazilian successor to the classic Bug.

Sadly, things went badly at the beginning. Though the automaker produced upwards of 40 prototypes in three months, they all came at too high of a cost. This couldn’t fly as other companies offered cheaper options with pretty much similar specs (e.g. Chevrolet Chevette).

So they went back to the drawing board and after three years of prototyping, VW Brasilia finally saw the light of day. Yet the model’s challenges had just begun anew!

How successful was Volkswagen Brasilia?

Because of a peculiar tax situation in Brazil, VW initially marketed the model as a small commercial van. Many consider that approach to have ultimately failed, only hurting the figures.

Yet with time, the model’s sales began to rise and by the end of its production, it went above 1 million units. That said, it did not really become the people’s car of Brazil.

For starters, many of its units did not even sell that much in Brazil, they had to be exported. In fact, the model went all over South America in order to amass the numbers we mentioned. It even crossed continents to land in Nigeria. VW shipped its parts there ready for assembly and sold it under the Igala name.

Even so, at the end of the day, VW Brasilia failed to match the Beetle in terms of success. Brazilians continue to prefer the latter as an affordable, reliable car, which ended up just too good for VW’s corporate interests. But what did Brasilia actually offer?

VW Brasilia technical details

This little car came at a time when models like the Mustang already existed. Why does this matter? Because VW was not the only company to fight for the Brazilian market. Ford and Chevy had already entered it with their more innovative budget options. In light of all this, here are some details about VW Brasilia.

• Engine – The car came with a 1,600 cc 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, an already dying breed. It had only 60 hp and abysmal performance. The car took 23 seconds to reach 62 mph with a top speed of 80 mph.
• Weight – With 1,962 lbs of curb weight you would expect this car to perform slightly better. At the same time, its competitors, although heavier, outperformed it in almost every aspect.
• Efficiency – Small engines with little power usually provide a good fuel economy. Not in this case! While not bad per se, its 31.5 miles to the gallon fell behind Chevrolet’s 36.2. These results were devastating for the reputation of a supposedly budget car.

When you take all of that into account, you can see why VW Brasilia finally got cut. On the one hand, people disregarded it as the Beetle’s successor. On the other hand, the model became known as being a worse choice compared to its alternatives, due to its outdated tech. So, Volkswagen decided to bite the bullet and start on a clean slate with VW Gol (not to be confused with the Golf).

What do you think about VW Brasilia?

When we look at its historical context, VW Brasilia looks like a giant missed opportunity. Instead of innovating to bank on the Beetle’s reputation, Volkswagen tried to squeeze the most out of old technology. And it failed.

Should the model have come out just 5 years earlier, it could have been the success the automaker wanted. Alas, time waits for no one. So, instead of being among the most desired classic cars, it will remain a fairly obscure model in Volkswagen’s portfolio.

Do you have an idea of what else VW could have done differently? I’d be happy to hear it!

Photo credit: Leonardo Lameu – Unsplash

The post VW Brasilia: The people’s car of Brazil appeared first on Altered Steel.

They may occupy a smaller niche nowadays, but vans do have their own merits and loyal buyers. So much so, that MPVs exist in a variety of different types.

From those made for living the #vanlife to the custom-fitted mobility vans, these vehicles can provide a lot of utility for some of us. So, the time has finally come to drop the prejudice. Hop on, strap in, and let’s dive into the world of vans!

What is a van?

Since people use the word to mean different things all over the globe, we need to clarify it. The international term “MPV” refers to any vehicle that provides more internal space compared to cars of similar horizontal size. To put it simply, any boxy road vehicle (i.e. with regular clearance, not an SUV) can be considered a type of van.

With that in mind, we can classify MPVs by two criteria: size and purpose. As you will see, the van niche has much more to offer than you might have thought.

Van types by size

Contrary to popular belief, not all vans are big. For instance, Japan sees a lot of “microvans” – small, yet roomy city cars, mainly used for transporting goods. In our land of giant vehicles, we would barely even register those. With that out of the way, below are the categories we can actually see in the US:

• Mini MPV – Nissan Cube, Kia Soul, and even Chrysler PT Cruiser fall into this category. Though in the US we would not regard them as vans at all, they still meet the criteria.

• Compact MPV – Those are something like supersized hatchback vehicles (the only American example would be Ford C-Max). Europeans love their compact MPVs, even if we have barely heard of them.

• Minivan (True MPV) – Here we have the likes of Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Dodge Caravan. They still have a decent customer-base that remains fairly steady from year to year. In fact, recent analyses point to likely future growth in non-US markets.

• Van – Nowadays, the terms “van” and “minivan” have become synonymous. However, actual vans are more like transporter vehicles, largely for commercial purposes. That said, a lot of them have now been adopted for the vanlife movement.

The last category can further be divided into different capacity classes, but we don’t need to go that deep. In any case, people mainly go to smaller capacity vans for personal use. Speaking of which…

Van types by purpose

At first glance, vans may seem a bit boring, but they actually hide more utility than expected. For instance, being roomy, they make for the perfect DIY campers.

People have been converting vans for camping purposes long before the vanlife trend. Their commercial versions come with windowless sides, which are also pretty barebones on the inside. That allows enthusiasts to mount whatever they want. With a bit of creativity, you can turn it into quite a cozy place with a mattress, shelves, and even an entertainment center. Some MPVs can also get off-road modifications, making camping in the woods much easier.

Although rarely mentioned, MPVs also serve as perfect mobility vehicles. That can be considered a type of conversion as well because such vans have to be custom-fitted for the job. Even so, no other vehicle type does the job that well. Minivans have reasonably low clearance and enough space to fit a person in a wheelchair.

Of course, we cannot fail to note the commercial aspect of vans. Where bigger trucks would be hindered, vans can go quite easily. That makes them perfect for small-to-medium scale logistics, especially within cities. Some vans can also transport a dozen of people and can be used as small-scale bus alternatives.

Finally, vans can easily rival SUVs in the family car aspect. Sure, they do look a bit blander and have lower clearance, but they do not have many other drawbacks. The sliding doors plus the ease of access and sheer space make up for the clearance aspect.

Should you buy a van?

If you have small children, need a lot of space, or just want a DIY camper, you cannot go wrong with a van. In fact, building your own camper can be a fun side project to try. You can even draw inspiration from transportable tiny houses. Older commercial vans can go a long way in that regard, plus you can find many of them for dirt cheap.

At the same time, MPVs are not for everyone. They fill quite specific niches and we won’t see them get as popular as they were 20 years ago. However, it will also be some time until they go away completely, if ever!

The post Different van types explained appeared first on Altered Steel.

For instance, if money is not an issue. Would you go for a luxury car? Most likely, your answer would be yes. But what really motivates the positive answer? What are the deciding factors for your choice? How do you know they belong in the luxury vehicle segment and not other high-end cars?

Join me in this post, as I delve into the world of luxury cars and explore what makes luxury luxurious.

What makes a luxury car?

Exclusivity

If you are just looking for a vehicle to take you from point A to point B then maybe a luxury car is not exactly what you need. However, if you seek an exquisite ride that will turn a few heads as you drive by, then you might want to check that Roll-Royce Phantom or Jaguar. These luxury marques are all about sophisticated expensive looks and premium quality.

High-quality interior features

It is hard to imagine a luxury car without the superior interior comfort. The leather and supportive seats, futuristic infotainment systems, ample legroom, and preferential lights are just some features that create a superb luxury experience for a driver. Comfort and style, along with modern looks and the latest tech are intrinsic to your luxury car shopping checklist.

Brand differentiation

As more mass-market automakers are launching their premium models, it becomes essential for veteran luxury car marques to reinforce their position in the luxury marketplace. This is their niche, and in order to keep it that way, they leverage on their brand legacy and reputation. For example, Range Rover, Porsche, and Rolls Royce are relying on brand advertising to attract buyers. They offer their brand name and latest technological features as value propositions.

Price

As premium cars are also becoming quite expensive, the line between a premium and a luxury vehicle has become a little blurry when it comes to price. For example, Mercedes-Benz CLA is one of those entry-luxury cars, which is still pretty affordable. And then you have vehicles such as Audi S8 or Bentley, which are considered an ultra-flagship luxury. Their price tag that exceeds the $150k mark leaves you no doubt about their luxurious origin. Hence, when in doubt about whether the car you are looking at belongs in the luxury segment, besides price, you can rely on the previous criteria, to help you out.

Speed and safety

These are the other distinguishing features, especially when considering sports luxury cars. Their crash protection features and exterior are specifically designed in such a way that allows you to reach full speed in a matter of seconds, and yet, feel safe while on the road.

How did the concept of luxury cars evolve over the years?

The criteria above suggest that luxury car brands make it all about their drivers. It’s not all just about a car, it’s about the status. The unique ownership experience seems to be the common denominator throughout the evolution of the luxury car concept.

At the beginning of the 20th century, all cars were considered a luxury. Most of them were still hand made, and quite costly as compared to most people’s earnings. Hence, the car was a sign of prestige, which only a select few could afford.

In 1913, Henry Ford introduced an assembly line, which, in turn, reduced each vehicle’s production time and, consequently, lowered its price. Now, more people had access to cars. There was time, especially after the Great Depression, when one could see both regular and luxury cars sharing the roads. It was so easy to tell them apart.

Today, these lines have blurred. Thanks to progress in technology and machine learning, more and more features, which previously belonged only in the luxury segment, are also being added to other vehicles.

What is the future of luxury?

Futuristic technology and e-mobility seem to be the focus of future luxury cars. Artificial intelligence is turning cars into smart aware machines. Moreover, with Tesla being one of the main electric luxury brands on the market, it seems that soon, these will be two main criteria to tell luxury cars apart.

However, if you still own a classic luxury car, do not attempt at replacing it. Its value most likely will keep increasing. This is the beauty of luxury. It may get out of fashion in the short run, but it obtains incredible value in the long run.

What is your experience with luxury cars? Do you have any other criteria that you personally use to distinguish a luxury vehicle from other premium cars? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

The post What defines a luxury car these days? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Today’s vehicle of focus makes that abundantly clear. Although we have ranked Ford Mustang among America’s most iconic classic cars, many people despise what the model has become. They would say it no longer carries the old, gritty spirit with its pedal-to-the-metal vibe. Once a stallion you had to tame, now barely worthy of its name.

But is that true? Has the Mustang shed away its character with each new generation? Or maybe some of us just prefer being glued to the past? Hop on, we are going on a ride to find that out!

Is Mustang the first pony car?

Depending on who you ask, the iconic Ford model may have been a tad too late to the party. Technically, Plymouth Barracuda claims to be first, having come out two weeks before the Mustang. We can argue back and forth about how we count that, but it matters little.

Ultimately, the Barracuda failed, while the Mustang proved just how much potential pony cars have. After all, we do call them ponies, not “fish cars” for a reason.

The Ford model became a quick success, selling over a million vehicles in two short years. That being said, after six generations and more than 50 years on the market, the model sales have been steadily declining. Somehow the Mustang failed to carry the initial success through the decades. Did the changes really ruin the model?

How did the Mustang change through the years?

Even a few thousand words would not do this question justice, let alone a brief overview. Nevertheless, I will try to summarize the evolution. Wish me luck!

• First-gen Ford Mustang (1965 – 1973)

The original Mustang still holds the title for the most units sold. Its more basic versions are fairly cheap muscle cars that can make you feel rich. Though it really depends on what year make you get. It saw so many changes that some would have passed as entirely new generations by today’s standards. Ultimately, the first-gen finished with 375 bhp top V8 engine and 0-60 mph acceleration of 4.9s.

• Second-gen Ford Mustang (1974 – 1978)

On the one hand, this car built upon its predecessor’s success with over a million sales as well. On the other hand, enthusiasts do not regard it all that well. Ford had dumbed the exterior down, not to mention how boring the engine options were.

Some versions came with just around 90 hp. Even its top V8 engine only had 140 hp and took 10.5 s to get to 60mph. Seems like a bad joke compared to the original!

• Third- and fourth-gen Ford Mustang (1979 – 1993; 1994 – 2004)

Design-wise both versions are huge deviations from the initial muscle aesthetic. In terms of power, the third-gen managed to improve a bit on the second, but not by much. The fourth-gen started seeing some return to form though. The speediest versions had 390 hp and could go from 0-60 mph in 4.9s.

Many fans think that during those generations the model went from a pony car to one big confusing mess. It looked less like a muscle, more like a general everyday coupe. Surprisingly though, the third-gen sold almost as many units as the first one, and the fourth passed the million mark too.

• Fifth-gen Ford Mustang (2005 – 2014)

Thankfully, in 2005 the model veered away from complete disaster. Its design took inspiration from the original with engines and performance to match the looks. That proved enough to save the lineup, though sales continued to decline. For its 10 years on the market, it barely went over 1,000,000 cars.

The main reason for this has to do with Ford’s inability to produce a solid concept. The automaker wanted it to be simultaneously affordable, yet with a bunch of luxury features. Ultimately, Ford could not strike the balance between comfort and performance, sacrificing certain aspects of the latter for the former.

• Sixth-gen Mustang (2015 – Today)

After three abysmal generations and one that could not find its identity for a while, the Mustang lineup finally produced a worthy successor. This is the first version that somehow blends modern design without doing away with its heritage.

It drives like a sports car, looks like a beast, and does not feel hampered in any way. With its 5L V8 (460 hp) going from 0 to 60 takes you just 4.2s. At the same time, it gives you just enough comfort, without unnecessary luxury additions to drive the price up. In other words – it embodies the spirit of what the pony car was made to be: affordable, fast, and aesthetically aggressive.

• The oddball Mustang SUV (2021?)

I just had to mention this one. Oh, people never asked for a Mustang SUV? Guess Ford didn’t get the memo. Though the sixth-gen restored our faith in the model, Ford once again decides to muddy the waters by banking on Tesla eSUV’s success.

Making it an EV may have been the right decision, but slapping the Mustang logo on it is a step too far. They could have figured out another animal to start an entirely new lineup. Who knows, maybe it would have been iconic on its own. Now we see that Ford just doesn’t care about its lineup integrity. It makes me worry about the future of the stallion brand.

Which would you rather have – first or last-gen Ford Mustang?

Set aside the “classic” badge for a second. Instead consider this in terms of looks, performance, and overall experience. I know many people want to sound tough and say they prefer the good old ride. But have you actually driven one?

I would actually take the new-gen. The older I get the more I think of safety, which also includes the way a car drives. Handling, ease of use, responsiveness – these things matter more to me now. However, you may have an entirely different take. Tell me about it and maybe we can have a discussion!

By the way, if you want to scratch your muscle car itch even further, check out our article on the age-old argument: Camaro vs Firebird!

The post Mustang vs. Mustang: The evolution of Ford’s iconic pony car appeared first on Altered Steel.

Being such a long-lasting beast, its generations offer something for everyone. Do you consider yourself a supercar enthusiast? The latest 8^th gen will suit you perfectly. Want to dabble into vintage cars? Then you can try to go for the classic Corvette that everyone wants!

However, looking at the Vette through the lens of time may give you the wrong impression. For example, did you know the first generation came close to utter failure? Or that it started out as the cheaper US alternative to Jaguar and MG? Let us see how the idea of Corvette was born, what went wrong, and how it ultimately rose to the top!

The origins of the Chevrolet Corvette

In typical General Motors fashion, the Corvette had less to do with originality and more with improving the already successful ideas. It all goes to show that even reactionary vehicles can end up becoming iconic. Though prior to that, it came close to becoming just a historical footnote. More on that in a second!

It all started with the boom of exotic sports cars like the Jaguar XK120 (the great-granddaddy of E-type). In the late 1940s, Harley Earl, the head of GM’s styling at the time, realized the potential such a market had. Mainly because the US had barely any claim to it.

All such vehicles hailed over from Europe with quite the hefty price tag, making the opportunity for a cheaper alternative quite apparent. On top of that, US companies had the advantage of relying on good old patriotism to drive more sales.

Taking all those facts into account, Earl presented the concept and managed to get the affordable sports car idea off the ground. Thus, in 1953, Chevrolet Corvette C1 was born. At first, everyone adored the two-seater beast. Its looks screamed “speed”, plus it did come out a bit cheaper than the competition. Sadly, performance did not match aesthetics.

What went wrong with the first-gen Corvette?

In the beginning, GM had fairly reasonable expectations of building about 10,000 Corvette units per year. Although a considerable number, it still fell somewhat on the conservative side. Yet, they could not even reach the 4,000 mark in the first 2 years.

The main reason for that had to do with engine details. The Corvette was touted as a sports car, but could not live up to that. GM initially put in a 3.9L inline-six engine, that gave the car only 150 hp after modifications. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took 11.5 seconds. To put things in perspective, Jaguar XK120 could do it in just 8.5 secs even with its higher weight.

To make things worse the Corvette’s engine had already been used for more than a decade in other vehicles. In other words, they relied on old tech for a new car that had to compete with exotic foreign rides!

Perhaps people could have justified it if the price was tremendously lower. After all, that was the initial goal. Too bad it only came at about 15% cheaper than the alternatives. At this point, GM almost shut the whole project down, as it failed to meet their projections. However, largely because the company wanted to save face in the Ford vs Chevrolet rivalry, GM pushed forward for a while longer. The carmaker decided to improve whatever it could and possibly salvage the project. And it did succeed!

How Chevrolet Corvette C1 evolved through the years

Starting in 1955, GM introduced changes to the Corvette on an annual basis. The company took everything good about the car, added some more oomph to it, and made it fly. Below you can see a timetable of how it all progressed.

• 1953 – 300 Corvettes rolled out of the factory and received compliments on their aesthetics.
• 1954 – Only about 3,600 units were built, as the market reacted strongly against the lackluster performance. That almost spelled the end for the model.
• 1955 – GM put in a V8 engine and added a 3-speed manual transmission. Finally, the model got the performance to match its looks. It now had 195 hp and accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5s, rivaling the Jaguar XK120.
• 1956 – With further improvements to the body of the car, and ultimately dropping the old I6 engine, Corvette sales started going up again.
• 1957 – The model’s sales doubled and its V8 engine got some more power, now ranging from 210 up to 290 hp. The 4-speed manual transmission also became an option. The car finally felt like an expensive sports car. On top of that, its price went down, making it an incredible bang-for-the-buck alternative.
• 1958-1961 – Both the interior and exterior received noticeable changes. Models from ’58 and up could be considered facelift versions. Sales continued to rise steadily, even though the price got a serious bump, too (at about 30%).
• 1962 – The final production year introduced the most powerful 327ci V8 engine for the lineup so far. It had up to 360 hp, with both manual and automatic transmissions available.

Ultimately, the first-gen Corvette came out successful. By the end of its run, GM had produced a little over 69,000 units and was ready to take it a step further!

The legacy of the Chevrolet Corvette

In just a few generations, Corvette became the poster American sports car. By its third iteration, its numbers broke the half-million mark, making it one of Chevy’s mainstay models.

That being said, throughout the years, the Corvette became less of an affordable car and more of a top tier luxury beast. The model continues to receive praise, though many old school fans feel like it no longer carries the spirit of those first few generations.

So what do you think, should you buy a Corvette today, and if yes, which one? With the exception of C4 and C5, I love them all. The irony is that classic Corvettes often cost more than the new ones!

The post First-gen Corvette: America’s answer to the Jaguar appeared first on Altered Steel.

Naturally, due to competition, many models fade away. Take Pontiac Firebird, for example. It managed to hold its own for decades, but it ultimately came to an end by the early 2000s. Its sister model – Chevrolet Camaro – also got discontinued around the same time. The difference? Several years later the Chevy came back with a bang. No such luck for Pontiac!

So, after long decades of sibling rivalry, the verdict came – the Camaro turned out the better car. But is it? Let us explore the history of both models and see which comes on top!

Which came first – Firebird or Camaro?

Although this question has little to do with any car’s quality, it makes for a good history lesson. We can see how the two models came to be and where they diverged.

Technically, the Camaro carries the first-born mantle, being introduced in September 1966 to rival the Mustang. Several months later came the Firebird in response to Mercury Cougar. It was built upon Camaro’s platform and the original generations of both vehicles carry a lot of similarities.

For instance, they share engine designs. GM took some of Chevy’s engines, modded them slightly, and put them in the Firebird. To be fair, those modifications provided serious output advantages in some cases. Considering their close characteristics and design, we cannot help but wonder…

What is the difference between the two models?

Most people consider both vehicles to be largely one and the same. You just pick your preferred design and roll with it. However, that misses the details.

Historically, the Firebird serves as GM’s more luxurious version of the Camaro, much like Mercury was to Ford. So, they did not cover the same market segment. Today we see a lot of companies doing the same – using different marques for their high-end vehicles.

Because of this, the Firebird was more expensive, with a spruced-up interior. Minor tweaks here and there also made it seem more premium.

GM had an entirely different philosophy behind the Camaro. It was one of those cheap muscle cars that make you feel rich. That made it extremely successful, as it turned out many folks want to drive a sports car, they just don’t want to pay the premium. This is why the entire pony car segment became such a hit.

Now you may think that the Firebird automatically gets the “better car” title by virtue of being the step-up model. Not so fast!

Chevrolet Camaro vs Pontiac Firebird – Which is better?

Now, what does “better” even mean? In my opinion, it depends on the actual driver and their needs. So, let us break down the comparison by categories!

• Price – This is easy. All things considered, the Camaro gave you more bang for your buck back in the day. No wonder it sold about 200,000 more units than the Firebird.
• Comfort – Don’t write the Camaro off this category just yet. On a dollar-by-dollar basis, it may have come slightly ahead, since it also had higher trims. Still, people who wanted ultimate luxury picked up the Firebird.
• Power – Now the difficult part… Both models actually trade blows here. The Pontiac came with a better basic engine, and it did offer a lot of powerful options. However, Camaro simply had the richer catalog. Its SS versions came with up to 375 hp, compared to Firebird’s 345 hp on its top engine. When it comes to the rarest and most powerful versions, Chevy still wins with 550 hp vs 500 hp on the Pontiac.

With all that said, we have only been taking a historical look at the two. If you are considering buying one now, things get more complicated. For one, first-gen Camaros tend to hold higher prices, especially for the top models. You can now buy a top trim Firebird for less money than some Camaros.

Do you prefer Camaro or Firebird?

Chevrolet Camaro has made our list of America’s most iconic classic cars for a good reason. Affordable, yet sporty, it won the hearts of many. But that does not necessarily mean it trumps the Firebird. If I had to pick between the two right now, I would go for a Firebird.

Firstly, you can get it for less money. Secondly, it can be considered a fairly exotic vehicle. Fewer folks have heard about it, and you would not see it that often on the street. Finally, I just prefer its interior, it looks classier to me. And honestly, when buying a classic car, very few people are concerned about it being a racing machine.

But which do you prefer? Would you rather the more iconic Camaro or is the Firebird closer to your heart?

The post An age-old argument: Firebird vs Camaro appeared first on Altered Steel.