Leaping into production in 1958, the Donald Healey Sprite was a low cost sports car which used existing BMC parts to ensure over heads of the cars productions remained low. The Austin Healey Sprite would prove to be a big success.

The commonly named “Austin Frogeye”, the Mark I Sprite, was a massive success in its three years of production, with no other car competing on price or performance. As its widely used nick name suggests, the distinctive look of the Mark I Sprite owed itself to the round headlamps on the bonnet of the car, nicked named “frog-eye” headlamps. Cheap and easy to maintain, the wings and bonnet was a one piece unit which opened up to allow easy and large access to the engine. The Mark I used the 948cc Austin A-Series engine which was tuneable and capable of 43bhp, the A35 gearbox and axels, and the twin SU carburettors. Equipped with leaf spring suspension to the front, and wishbone suspension to the rear, the Mark I got it suspension from earlier models such as the A35 and Moris Minor.

The Mark II saw some cosmetic changes including the famous headlamps being moved on to the wings, a change of rear bumper, and the introduction of front disc brakes. The Mark II was also equipped with a new larger engine from the Morris Minor 1000 and Morris Minor 1100, increasing the engine size to 1098cc.

A less performance geared Mark III Sprite was more fined with lockable doors, wind up windows, and quarter lights. With the rebadging of the Sprite by BMC to the Midget, the Sprite Mark III was also sold as the MG Midget Mark II.

The Mark IV had two main difference, with an increased capacity to 1275cc and a convertible roof instead of the removable roofs from the earlier variations.

The production of this classic car ended in 1971. Today many of this classic cars are known as “Spridgets” with the classic car enthusiasts community due to the Austin Healey Sprite and the MG Midgets sharing the same design and parts. This makes finding parts relatively easy due to the parts being interchangeable.

Austin Healey Sprite Classic Car is a post from: Automotive

As we await the results of the biggest US Presidential Election we have ever seen, I have found an interesting article on how car choice reflects how Americans vote.

Kelley Blue Book Market Research surveyed almost 12,000 US car owners and how they planned to vote in the election. They found that owners of larger trucks and traditional luxury cars are more likely to vote for John McCain, while owners of hybrids and station wagons are more likely to vote for Barack Obama.

Backers of Arizona senator McCain typically own American brands – GMC (61%), Chevrolet (60%), Buick and Dodge (58%). McCain voters are also more likely to drive luxury brands like Lexus and BMW.

Barack Obama followers prefer imported vehicles, with the most popular being the Mini with 70%, Subaru (61%) and Saab (59%).

McCain supporters are most likely to drive full size trucks and SUVs, while Obama voters drive station wagons, hatchbacks and hybrids.

Rick Wainschel from Kelley Blue Book said “Car ownership says a lot about a person, and can even be an indicator who they are likely to vote for”. I do agree with this to an extent. While all this data may seem like a sweeping generalisation, some of it does make sense.

Sales of domestic and large trucks (McCain) are higher in traditionally Republican ‘red’ states whilst import and hybrid owners are predominantly located in Democratic ‘blue’ states.

Wired Blog claims all American brands like GMC and Chevrolet, as favoured by McCain followers, represent a blue collar ethic and fit with McCain’s image as a war hero with years of experience.

Throughout the campaign, Obama has stressed the importance of renewable energy, so it’s not surprising that eco-conscious hybrid car owners would vote for him.

So while some of it makes sense, I’m sure there are a lot of exceptions to the rule. I imagine a lot of American car choices reflect personal budgets and need for space rather than their voting preference.

Car Choice Reflects Presidential Vote is a post from: Automotive

However, since car insurance policies can be very complicated, you may not even be covered by your policy if something happens to your car. If your car’s wheels get destroyed and the wheels are not covered by your cheap auto insurance policy, then the car insurance company will have nothing to do with your repair or replacement expenses. This can be a waste, especially since you pay a hefty monthly fee to the insurance company to keep your insurance policy going.

To minimize the chances of you getting a bad deal for your money the next time you run into an automobil accident, be sure that you get the best car insurance rates and ins policy that you can possibly get. The best insurance may not mean the most expensive or most loaded policies, because not everybody can afford to pay such hefty fees. What you do need on the other hand is the best automobile insurance company and quote that your own money can buy and pay for every month.

More than getting the most affordable deal, you should also sign up with an auto insurance company or agent that is ready to help you whenever you find yourself in a tight spot. In this case, cheap doesn’t always mean good because just because insurance is offered to you at an extremely low price means that the company is sure to help and pay what is due their client when the time comes.

When people get into accidents, their insurance agents (if they’re that sort) make it very hard on them and try to wiggle out of paying by arguing that they are not covered by the car insurance policy or that the insurance company should only pay part of the expenses. Ask around with family, friends and people you trust on who they believe the best and most trustworthy companies are before signing.

Make Sure that Your Car Insurance Company Gets Honored is a post from: Automotive

The capital of Cyprus used to be in Paphos until the enlargement of other cities on the Island. Paphos has continued to have its share of the developments in Cyprus, and thus an International Airport was erected to turn the small region into a tourism hub.

Paphos has a population of less than 100,000; but its collection of Antiquities as well as historical places has caused it to become a bustling region in Cyprus.

Paphos is divided into two main regions, the residential district of Ktima and the Kato region which consist of the seaside and the medieval ports. The Kato Paphos region is where the hotels and most of the other tourist destinations are situated.

The best time to travel to Paphos is the summer time; as this ensures that you take the advantage of the weather and the beaches. The hottest month in Paphos is August when the temperature can be more than 35 degrees, and the humidity is very low along with the water relatively warm all throughout the day.

The winter months are usually rainy. December and January are the coldest winter months in Paphos. The summer time is the busiest season in Paphos, because of the relatively high inflow of tourists from all over the world. The spring and early fall seasons are also some of the best times to visit Paphos.

The Paphos international airport is the main route if you wish to get to the region. Cyprus airways and Air Holland are some of the few airlines that fly the route. Travelers coming from major European countries will have to have a stop over before boarding a flight to Paphos international Airport.

Travelling to Paphos by boat is not allowed, as there are no legal ports in the region to transport international travelers. Travelling by bus can only start after reaching the airport, while renting a car is the most viable option from the Airport. There are several hotels and accommodation options available in Paphos.

Booking a car rental Paphos service is very easy. You can make reservations with a trusted rental company, which would be on a stand-by at the airport for your arrival. Cars should be rented at no extra costs, and the rental company should contain fleet of cars that you can choose from to satisfy your needs.

Most of these are visible right from departure from the Paphos international airport. While driving through the seaside, one can also see a collection of different hotels of low/medium class as well as more classy ones.

One should know that car rental Paphos services are not standardized; hence prices may vary from a company to another. You will need to find out the average costs of the entire car rentals company available and with this you will know the actual amount of money that you will pay. Car rental Paphos services include your direct transportation from the airport to some tourist attraction sites.

The rental company can supply you with information on where exactly you are going to and how you can enjoy the best of your stay within such sites. You can feel free to ask questions about the city of Paphos from owners of the car rental company. They should be willing to give you rules and guidelines that tourists

Information on the History of Paphos and Car Hire in Paphos is a post from: Automotive

Pack enough snacks, sandwiches and water to last the entire trip. It is amazing how the time flies when children are eating.

Pack a roll of toilet paper or enough wipes just in case a side of the road stop is necessary.

Bring nappy bags just in case you find out if your child/ren get car sickness.

Pack a bag of your child’s favourite toys. Preferably not hard objects just in case they throw them (speaking from experience here).

Baby Car Organisesr are great so you don’t have to keep reaching behind you to get things. Like this one or this one.

Portable DVD player is essential (remembering spare batteries). Multiple units if there is more than one child or you can get the ones with multiple screens.

Portable game consoles for older children.

Selection of your child’s favourite music to sign along too. Either on the car’s audio system or an individual audio system with headphones.

Arrange the car trip around the child’s nap time.

Break up the car travel in a day. Don’t try to do a 10 hour stint with child/ren in the car.

Everyone’s favourite driving game – Eye Spy with my little eye, something beginning with…

Apply sun-cream to your children’s faces, arms & legs. Sunshades on the windows if you have them.

And most of all – start the day happy and open minded because you don’t know what that car trip will finish up like when you have kids in the car.

Travelling With Kids in the Car is a post from: Automotive

There are a number of ways in which you can protect your car from being targeted unnecessarily by joy riders and thieves. Here are 8 tips that we have compiled, they may seem obvious but it is often little mistakes than can lead to great expense and heartache.

Like the day you forget to lock the boot, or the time you left the car running while you nipped to the cash machine.

Take a look at our list of how to keep your car as safe as you can.

When you park your car in a car park that requires a ticket in order to exit, make sure you take the ticket with you.

Do not leave any possessions on display; when you leave valuables or possessions in your car make sure you put them in the boot and lock it. If you do not have room in the boot try to hide any valuables under the seats. Mobiles, cigarettes, CD’s and bags are all prime targets for thieves.

Always try and park in a well-lit and public place, or in a car park that has a security guard or cameras in order to deter thieves and joy riders.

Always double-check that you have shut all the windows including the sunroof, as it is easy for a thief to get in by using the sunroof. Finally, double check that you have locked all the doors, and the boot before leaving your vehicle.

Never leave your keys in the ignition, even for a moment while you pop into a shop or to the cash machine. It only takes 3 seconds for a thief to get in and drive off.

Have the registration number of your car etched into every window. This will discourage thieves, as it increases their workload.

Look into getting a good steering wheel lock and an alarm this acts as a deterrent as it will delay a potential thief. Also, many, insurance companies will give discounts on your premium if you have a quality security device fitted.

If you park your car in a driveway at night, it may be a good idea to invest in some good gates or a removable bollard.

Don’t use your mobile when driving.

Save Your Money – Protect Your Insured Car is a post from: Automotive

An Australian man has just won a settlement in a landmark age discrimination case against an Irish car rental company after being charged an extra fee for being over the age of 70.

Anthony White tried to hire a car in Ireland 2 years ago when he was in his early seventies and was charged a EUR25 fee. He was also told he would not be able to rent a car on his next visit as he would be over 75.

White took his case to Ireland’s Equality Tribunal who ruled in his favour that the policy amounted to age discrimination. Irish Car Rentals Ltd has since changed the rule and says the decision will now be made on a case-by-case basis involving assessments of age, health, driving record and insurance coverage.

A senior driver surcharge is pretty common with car rental companies – you may have read a previous blog here about it (Too Old to Drive A Rental Car?) Some suppliers charge extra if drivers are over a certain age, others have a maximum age limit for renters and some require additional documentation (like Irish Car Rentals are now doing). The surcharge is applied to cover higher insurance premiums as older drivers as seen as higher risk.

Does this case mean we may see an end to senior driver surcharges? Is it age discrimination to charge older drivers more as they are seen to be a higher risk?

In that case, surely it is also age discrimination to charge someone under 25 a young drivers fee since they too are seen as a higher insurance risk and more likely to have an accident?

In the case of Mr. White, he has been driving for 50 years and felt it was unfair to blanket all older drivers.

I do agree with this and think the company’s new policy is fair – it depends on each individual’s circumstances and not their age. Will other car rental companies follow suit? We’ll have to wait and see.

Final thought – one article I found about this was entitled “Old Man wins age discrimination suit against Irish rental car company” – “Old Man”? Surely that is age discrimination in itself?!

Aussie Pensioner Wins Ageism Case Against Irish Car Rental Company is a post from: Automotive

Car rental can sometimes be a little confusing with lots of phrases being thrown around. To help you out, we have put together a glossary which will hopefully help with your next car rental booking.

Additional Driver: Additional to the main driver, registered and listed on the Rental Agreement. May be an extra charge for an additional driver, depending on the supplier.

Additional Liability Insurance (ALI): Provides additional protection for bodily injury or death plus property damage.

Airport Fee: Charge applied by airport authorities for terminal and off terminal locations. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage to the rental vehicle other than by theft or attempted theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

Excess Reduction (ER): Optional charge offered by the car rental company to reduce or waive the insurance excess in the event of an insurance claim against damage or theft.

Gazetted Roads: A sealed or unsealed road regularly maintained by a local, state or government body or council.

Insurance Excess: The amount the client is responsible for in the event the rental vehicle is damaged (whether the driver is at fault or not) or stolen.

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage and theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

One Way Fee: This fee is imposed to cover the costs of returning the vehicle back to the originating location. In Australia & USA, charges may apply between cities within the same State and renting between States. Some countries charge for one way fees between airport and downtown locations within the same city.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers the driver and additional passengers of the rental vehicle for personal and physical injuries incurred in an accident.

Premium Location Surcharge/Location Service Charge: Charge applied by car rental companies at selected downtown and railway locations. This additional item also includes the Airport Fee. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Rental Period: Your car rental period starts when you pick up the rental car and ends when you drop it off.  Rental periods are based on 24 hours periods from the time of pick up – so, for example, from 9am on a Friday to 9am the following day is charged as a one day rental.

Sealed Road: A road sealed with a hard material such as tar, bitumen or concrete.

Security Deposit: Amount frozen on the client’s credit card at time of collection. The amount frozen is usually the full insurance excess amount. However, if an insurance excess is not applicable or the full excess is not frozen then an amount may still be frozen for incidentals such as fuel bond, optional charges, loss of keys etc.

Senior Driver Surcharge: Surcharge payable by senior drivers over &/or between a specific age.

Theft Protection (TP): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of theft, attempted theft or vandalism. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.

Third Party: Provides coverage against bodily injury to persons other than the driver of the rented car and property damage to anything other than the rental vehicle and contents of same.

Vehicle Licensing Fee/Vehicle Road Registration Fee: Government imposed levy for each rental car in the car provider’s fleet. Charge to partially recover the vehicle registration costs.

Young Driver Surcharge: Surcharge payable by young drivers under a specific age.

Car Rental Glossary is a post from: Automotive

Browsing through an automotive directory is very practical for anyone who is ardently looking for a vehicle to purchase. This kind of directory, also called as automotive guide, allows individuals to view different type of vehicles, SUVs, cars, trucks or vans. They can be new, old or used only to some extent. Furthermore, an auto directory is a comprehensive auto guide which offers everything an individual has to know about automotive, meaning the essential information about automotive parts and so much more.

The automotive directory is very important nowadays, especially for individuals who venture in buying and selling cars. If there is one thing that needs to be checked by persons who have interest in vehicles, it is the auto directory. This helpful auto guide has a lot to offer – from the look to the different function of the automotive parts as well related news and information about it. Aside from that, this guide also gives details regarding cleaning, maintenance, repair and even replacement of automotive supplies.

This directory is regarded as the inclusive encyclopedia of automotive. In it, vehicle owners and enthusiasts can acquire all the significant information about vehicles in an easier and more convenient way. Utilized both by home users and professionals, the auto directory supplies comprehensive information regarding automotive parts, automotive repair, selling options, buying information and a lot more. Nowadays, the automotive guide is greatly accessible through the internet which makes searching for important automotive information more convenient. Thus, finding and ordering auto parts and supplies as well as selling car, truck or vehicle parts and supplies has never been this easy with the automotive directory.

Whether it is a Mercedes Benz, Ford, Chevrolet, Volkswagen or any other vehicle make, the automotive directory is where vehicle enthusiasts and owners can locate the information that will serve their concern at the most. By means of the auto parts directory, even the amateur users are able to get hold of the most important understanding of auto repair, maintenance or replacement. The ultimate purpose of the automotive guide is to give the accurate information first hand. Being an automotive enthusiast or a vehicle owner, getting all the information that needs to be known regarding automotive parts comes easier. Whether it is electrical system, brake system, cooling system, engine system, A/C-heat system, exhaust system, steering and suspension system, body and exterior, drive train, and fuel system, the auto directory serves to the fullest.

For individuals who makes use of the internet more often or for those who go online on a regular basis, looking for the information about automotive parts and supplies becomes even more practical. More and more websites provide all-inclusive repair, maintenance and replacement guides for the interested ones out there. Browse anytime through various automotive articles or blogs which bring information. In this way, enthusiasts are able to know more and better techniques through which the most reliable service can be acquired. Getting information from the auto directory is the answer to your need for best automotive service.

Automotive Directory ? the Easiest Way to Buy and Sell Auto Parts and Supplies is a post from: Automotive

Once a person determines that they want insurance like this, it is vital to choose the correct coverage and also a reputable company to purchase it from. Choosing a bad company or policy might result in lacking coverage and a terrible overall experience. Two insurers to think about are (mnui.com) and www.hccmis.com. Lets take a more indepth look at each of these insurers below.

MNU (Multi-National Underwriters) or MNUI.com: This business sells a variety of insurance products, for example travel medical insurance which offers coverage for at least one year, short term travel medical insurance. Individuals can also purchase international student and short term U.S. medical coverage.

HCCMIS.com: This is an additional insurance seller which offers a a good selection of specialized coverage. Travelers are able to buy short term international insurance, international coverage for students, short term U.S. plans, and plans for those individuals that live and work overseas.

When picking an insurance company, there are a number of things individuals need to think about. They are the reputation of the insurer, what exactly is being offered and the costs of the policy plans.

a. Is The Insurer Reputable: The reputation of the insurer company is extremely important. It is crucial that it is reputable and comes through when called upon. It can be extremelydistressing, not to mention expensive working with an business that often refuses to pay claims that they shouldn’t or that they promise to cover prior to you purchasing the policy.

b. Optional: You will want to consider insurance which have plans you desire and require. If you and/or your loved one requires short term medical coverage, both HCCMIS.com and MNUI.com may be very good options. Individuals that are going on a trip, travel internationally a great deal or who plan to go to school overseas, will also find plans excellent for them at these sites as well.

c. Price: It will be necessary to find search for insurance policies which are inexpensive. A An insurance company might offer a particular insurance policy that is terrific but if you can’t afford to buy it, it does you no good. Cost will be something to consider unless you have an endless amount of money, because of that be sure to always get a health insurance quote. You’ll know immediately if a certain policy makes sense for you in terms of price.

Annual travel insurance is great for those that travel on constantly. It helps to guard against financial losses. When in the market for this type of insurance, think about HCCMIS.com and MNUI.com (MNU). These two insurers make available Travel Medical Insurance, International Travel Insurance, travel insurance online, and insurance plans for international studies.

Cheap Worldwide Travel Insurance

Identifying Top Notch Annual Travel Insurance Packages is a post from: Automotive