If you can’t buy it – Build it! Turning a 2 pedal A3 quattro into a 3 pedal A3 quattro

If you can't buy it - Build it! Turning a 2 pedal A3 quattro into a 3 pedal A3 quattro

There are many among us who are so set in our ways, that we will only buy a certain thing no matter what. When that thing ends up being discontinued for whatever reason, we are left with 2 options – adapt to the “new” way, or adapt the product to suit our needs and wants.

Such is the case with this video we present today. Our long time friend Carson is a 100% manual transmission guy, he just is not happy with anything having only 2 pedals. So, in line with that, and having a need to own an Audi A3 –  that originally came with the DSG transmission-  Carson did what only any good 3 pedal enthusiast would do – he converted the car to a manual transmission. Right on!

Now keep in mind, Carson is a VW and Audi trained technician – he knows his way around a tool box, AND a parts catalog. This swap may not be for the faint of heart, but Carson got it done, PERFECTLY.

We realize this is not the first piece we’ve presented regarding owners converting their cars to manual – Another friend Pierre converted his B8 A4 to a MT-6… A sad thing that happens when manufacturers stop making what we want…  More manuals please!

We applaud anyone who takes the bull by the horns so to speak, and creates their own perfect car, even if it means combining parts from something that didn’t really exist from the factory.

Tipsters: Are they reliable?

No matter what your intentions are at the moment of betting, whether you want to become a professional bettor, just have a good time or make it your hobby, every bet is made to win, either after a thoughtful reflection, or wishing that the goddess of fortune favors us. For many, especially those who wish to bet in a more professional way, the figure of the Tipsters appears as an extremely tempting image.

Tipsters are people who apparently live from the profits of their bets and have a great influence in the media, attracting followers who are interested in their forecasts and in learning from them. There are many different opinions about tipsters, from those who proclaim to have won large sums of money thanks to their forecasts, to those who accuse them of being swindlers, among so many different opinions it is normal to feel lost when resorting to one of them.

What to do when looking for tips

In this type of scenario it is difficult to figure out what to do, because while there are many reliable tipsters, there are also a lot of scammers. Seeking advice or guidance from more experienced tipsters is advisable but there are a number of steps to follow to reduce the chance of being scammed.

  1. Search in gambling communities: Every community has online spaces to share experiences and opinions, whether on blogs, websites or social networks such as reddit you can find reliable recommendations.
  2. Search for yourself: Many tipsters are paid by bookmakers. So, for example, if you want to choose a betting site it is better to look for yourself the best betting sites and compare between what they offer and the opinions. Online there are many blogs with serious comparisons and recommendations.
  3. Inform yourself about the field you are betting on: All predictions are based on odds, on statistics. Especially with betting on sporting events there is extensive data collection behind it. You don’t have to be an expert in a sport to bet on it, but familiarizing yourself with the sport and the statistics of the teams will help you to distinguish between a good and a bad prediction.
  4. Keep in mind the luck factor: A bet is always a bet and that is what is exciting about it. Depending on the game there are higher probabilities of having an accurate prediction or not, but in the end, none of them is completely sure, since there is an infinite amount of variables that we cannot control or foresee. Therefore, even if you are looking for the best and most reliable tipster, you should not take a bet for a win. Sometimes, it is even more advisable to trust your own instinct.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS!

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS!

Map your course for a Concours d’Elegance then head 180° in the opposite direction. That’s how you get to a car show like 35th Annual West Coast Kustoms’ Cruisin’ Nationals, blogs Jim Palam.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! It’s the multifariousness of Car Culture that makes it so appealing to so many people. And it’s the people as much as the cars that make the 2018 Cruisin Nationals such a fun three-day event. There’s the Santa Maria City Cruise on Friday night, the Show-n-Shine on Saturday and Sunday – plus a swap meet, vendors, live music, model car show and appearances by many “Legends of Kustomizing”.

With close to 800 pre-1961 American make cars on the Fairpark grounds it wasn’t easy picking a Car Guy Chronicles’ selection to showcase – but here are a choice few that grabbed my attention.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! John Saltsman’s radically customized ’49 Studebaker pickup, top & above, is not only a driver; it’s an emergency cargo hauler as well. John, an avid inline speed skater, drove his famous big-tailed ’49 up from his home in Joshua Tree, CA.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! When Hoodoo Paintworks’ owner George Tantardini isn’t polishing his metalflake GMC pickup, I’m guessing he’s refining the verticality of his Rockabilly haircut!

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS!TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! This sculpted ’58 Chevy was just one of the outstanding, low-slung Kustoms on display in the King Max show area. As if the exterior wasn’t kool enough, the organic gauge clusters are more outer space than interior space vehicle control components.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Has your Hybrid or ePower vehicle taken the fun out of driving? Maybe it’s time for some blasts to the Drive-in or down the quarter-mile in this thumpin’ ’28 Ford Hemi roadster?

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Pickups and SUVs continue to be sales leaders in today’s automotive/truck markets, but good luck trying to find a ’62 Ford Econoline pickup as sleek, sexy and creamy-good as this one at your local dealership!

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Art Serna of Linsay, CA sought to build a true-to-period, pre-war hot rod. He wanted to put a performance-modified Model B Four in a ’31 Ford roadster and he wanted everything about the build to be perfect. He succeeded.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Inside the show’s arena building actress Candy Clark from the movie American Graffiti was signing autographs. I was outside drooling over this fiery ’34 Ford three-window coupe. Catch you next time, Candy!

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Stan Fuller’s ’52 Willys wagon is a sleeper. I’m not talking about camping here. Nestled neatly into its reinforced frame is a high-performance Chevy 427 big-block. Don’t forget the extra gas cans, Stan!

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! One of the kool vendor cars was this custom-painted ’35 Ford five-window coupe. Now this is the way to drive to work – in a shiny, rollin’ work of art.

TALL TAILS, LOW RIDES & KOOL KATS! Just as I was beginning to fade, I encountered this “Lean Machine” – a ’60 Jeep Step Van in need of some serious TLC. “Hang in there, Old Guy” I thought as I snapped some pix and then headed to my truck.

Words & Photos: Jim Palam, http://www.jimpalam.com/

For more information, please visit https://www.westcoastkustoms.com/showinfo.html

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’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!

’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!

The ‘19 Corvette ZR1 set a production-car lap record on the 4.1-mile Grand Course West at Virginia International Raceway with a time of 2:37.25.

’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!Along with a harness bar and track seats with five-point harnesses, the record-setting stock ZR1 coupe was equipped with the available paddle-shift eight-speed automatic and ZTK Performance Package. The ZTK package includes an adjustable carbon-fiber High Wing, a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires, and specific chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning.

“The Corvette ZR1’s lap record at VIR, arguably America’s most challenging road course, is a testament to its supercar status,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “On the racetrack, the ZR1 can compete with any supercar – at any price.”

On sale this spring, the ZR1 coupe will carry a suggested retail price of $119,995 (price includes destination charge, but excludes tax, title and other dealer fees). The ZTK Performance Package will cost $2,995.

 The ZR1’s record lap at VIR was set during routine validation testing earlier this month; with vehicle dynamics engineer Jim Mero at the wheel. The car was set up per the owner’s manual’s recommended track alignment and aerodynamic settings. As part of the validation, the ZR1 was finalizing its total of 24 hours of at-limit track testing, with multiple GM Performance engineers logging laps.

’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!“The track had been empty since mid-December, so it was a bit slow when we started, but the conditions turned pretty quick at the end,” said Alex MacDonald, manager, Vehicle Performance. “On the heels of announcing our Z06 time of 2:39.77, the ZR1 lap time is the icing on the cake. It’s not too often you set a lap record during validation testing.”

’19 CORVETTE ZR1: KING OF THE ROAD & TRACK!

The ZR1’s exclusive LT5 6.2L supercharged engine is rated at an SAE-certified 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque. It features a new, more-efficient intercooled supercharger system, along with GM’s first dual fuel-injection system, which employs primary direct injection and supplemental port injection. Compared to the supercharger system on the Corvette Z06 LT4 engine, the LT5 employs a larger, 2.65-liter supercharger that generates more boost while spinning at a slightly slower speed. That reduces heat to help maintain a lower air intake temperature for optimal performance. Four new radiators also help manage cooling in the ZR1, which features 13 radiators in all, including circuits for engine oil, transmission and differential cooling.

Watch the 2019 Corvette ZR1 set lap record at VIR,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7j1gCM6-5M

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Just Where Are The Best Deals on Wheels?

When looking to buy a car there is certainly no shortage of choice. The UK has over 4,900 franchised dealers plus many more generalists. Car auctions, internet sites and private ads offer even more options but this still leaves many buyers wondering just where is the best place to get a really good deal.

For most people, a car is likely to be the second most expensive single item that they will ever buy and so it is important to get it right. There is certainly plenty of choice and if you are looking to buy a used car in the London area, it is possible to find almost every conceivable make and model within a radius of a few miles. The first decision is whether to buy new or second-hand. New car sales are booming, fuelled largely by some of the new methods of financing them such as personal contract plans and leasing as new recruits to the world of motoring consider car ownership very much along the same lines as mobile phone contracts with a continuous monthly charge and regular upgrades being the order of the day. The canny buyer, however, realises that such a throw-away mentality results in some great cars appearing on the second-hand market and it usually means that the first owner has paid dearly for the privilege of new car ownership or lease. A car’s value depends on several things but one of the most predictable is its age and the depreciation curve is invariably steeper in its early days.

By steering clear of the lure of new cars, a buyer may suddenly realise that his budget will now stretch to a much better specified car. Most car purchases involve the heart more than the head and even our London buyer may fancifully visualise cruising along deserted country roads with the roof down whereas, in reality, a nose-to-tail daily commute is probably much more likely with emission levels and congestion charges figuring highly in any car buying decision.

There are undoubtedly some great bargains to be found but the risks should not be underestimated. Perhaps the ideal car could be almost new or fairly young, low mileage, well maintained and with a known history. An ex-demonstrator from a franchised dealer or an ex-lease car could probably fit the bill and some of those previously used by disabled people under the Motability leasing scheme can often be exceptionally good but the range of vehicles on offer may be rather limited. Buying ex-fleet vehicles is another option to be considered but some of these may have covered high mileages and a used taxi or minibus is certainly not to be recommended.

Another interesting idea is to check what vehicles are available from car rental companies such as those offered under the Hertz Rent2Buy scheme. The idea that ex-rental cars have been roughly treated by uncaring drivers is simply not borne out by the facts and there are some real gems to be found. Hertz even allow for an extended test drive in the form of rental for a few days so there should be no unpleasant surprises here!