Retro Vehicles: Is Volkswagen Next?

Retro styled vehicles are all the rage today and Volkswagen’s New Beetle was one of the first of many of these types of cars to show up on the market. Given VW’s long running popularity, other long since retired models are certainly worthy of being copied, don’t you agree? The Karmann Ghia, the Thing, and the Scirocco are a few that come to mind, however they aren’t the ones slated for a comeback. Yes, VW’s famous “Bus” or Microbus is scheduled to return, to the delight of aging hippies everywhere. Okay, first a quick test. Can you name some of the recent retro vehicles to hit North American highways lately? Besides the Volkswagen’s New Beetle, here are a few:

Ford: Thunderbird, Mustang

Chrysler: PT Cruiser

Chevrolet: SSR and HHR To qualify as a true “retro” vehicle it cannot just borrow the name – like the Dodge Charger – instead, it must take its styling cues from a vehicle from another generation. Enter the Volkswagen Microbus. Yes, open up your cedar trunk and take out those wild looking tie dyed shirts, your cavernous bell bottom pants, and that pair of odd looking leather sandals. Let down your hair [if you have any left], grow a beard [gents only, please] and be prepared to step back in time to the days when the VW Bus was the people hauler of the day. Peace, love, and stop the war you say? If VW has its way then around 2008 a vehicle very similar in style to the Bus will once again be seen cruising the streets of Haight-Ashbury, Greenwich Village, and every freaky place you can think of, man! Just, groovy. Featured at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show, a concept Microbus evoked all sorts of “ooohs and aaaahs” from visitors; it was this same type of reaction that has convinced Volkswagen to go forward with production. As of this writing, there is a battle raging within Volkswagen-land as to how much the Microbus will incorporate the retro look. Seeing how the New Beetle succeeded in the US, but flopped in Europe will VW have the courage to stand tall and bring back the hippie hauler? Or, will VW cave in and produce just another run-of-the-mill vehicle that only hints at its past glory? Time will tell, but my advice to VW is this: get it built now before us hippie dippy types are too old to climb into it. Unless, of course, the Microbus can be outfitted with a wheelchair ramp.

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Install A Cold Air Intake For Better Performance

A simple way for any car buff to get more power out of his or her ride is to install a cold air intake system. A cold air intake is designed to reduce the temperature of air entering a vehicle to maximize the engine’s power. The net result is a vehicle that performs better, saves on fuel, and produces a nifty intake tone. Additionally, a cold air intake will improve the look of a vehicle's engine bay. Fortunately, installing a cold air intake system is not a difficult job: you can do it yourself. Let's take a look at the advantages of installing a cold air intake. More Power – Denser, colder air acts like “food” for your engine. The lower the temperature of the air entering your engine, the more efficient it runs. If an engine could speak it would say, “feed me cold air.” By installing a cold air intake you give your engine what it really wants. The result is more horsepower and torque as your engine taps into power that would have otherwise have gone to waste. Better Fuel Economy – There is a mistake that some make when they discuss performance parts: many power enhancements actually increase fuel mileage, they don’t reduce it. An efficiently operating engine eats up less gas and a cold air intake delivers better overall fuel economy because the engine does not have to work as hard. Greater efficiency equals better fuel mileage. Top Notch Sound/Great Looks – Open up your vehicle’s engine bay for all of the world to see and you will hear plenty of positive remarks about your colorful air intake system. Cold air intakes come in a variety of colors and some have paintable surfaces for special customization. Moreover, a cold air intake produces a throaty intake tone when traveling around town or while moving down the highway. There are many brands producing cold air intake systems, but you must determine the right part for your particular make and model. Top selling brands include K&N Intake, AEM Cold Air Intake, Volant Air Intake, and Injen as they are some of the most noteworthy intakes for the at-home mechanic. For the best selection and lowest prices, shop with a reputable online wholesaler. Enjoy your cold air intake system as you reap the many benefits of owning a well engineered and attractive device.

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