When asked, he said “This is the genuine article,” proud of his gleaming, thoroughly restored vehicle. It was easy to figure out the amount of obsession he has for the car. Only 600 were manufactured, out of only a little over hundred still exist in 2007. Displaying the certificate, Richard Murphy said, “It has been certified by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust as a factory-made Healey 100M and it also has the Le Mans Registry Certificate of membership,”

Further research lead to the conclusion that Qatar classic car owners may be as diverse as the vehicle models they love, or own. However, those owners all share a common factor, Attitude. There is three different types of attitudes noticed among the owners. The most common attitude is pride for their cars, as they will present their belongings, or wealth as some look at it in the region on their house driveway for those who pass by to stare or ogle at, but the most the owners are willing to do is allow the passing by to touch these cars. On the other hand, there is those that hide their loved vehicles even as they brag about them.

And the third type is those who treat the cars very casually. Joerg Grunwald, a resident of Dubai, the ownership, and the privilege of driving classic cars is a way of life. The word popping up most in his sentences is classic. “You should visit Munich,” he said of the native of the Bavarian city. He continued by saying “It’s a beautiful place with many old and well-preserved buildings: classic!” His love for classic cars leads him to use his driveway to display his shining red 1964 Mercedes Benz 230 SL and a 1965 Triumph TR4.

The research journey has not stopped, rather the more research I make, the more I am interested to learn about the differences in tastes and markets. I will dedicate an article for the amazing finding in the market differences.

Maintenance is the part that’s most often overlooked by classic car owners. Some may think that cleaning and detailing a car is as simple as washing it and waxing away. The truth is, improper practices might lead to a degradation of your car. In order to avoid that, just read and keep in mind this very simple guide to maintaining your classic.

1. Do keep a schedule for maintenance work. You don’t need to do it everyday, since it might take up a lot of time. Once a week will be fine for light maintenance like surface-cleaning the exterior, and twice or once a month for vacuuming, applying wax, polishing, and cleaning your engine.

2. Do wash your car first. If you apply polishers or wax on a dusted car, there’s a good chance that you’ll ruin the paint. Use great cleaning products that wash and catch dirt and dust, while still being pH-balanced.

3. Don’t air-dry the classic car. If you air-dry the car, you will find yourself in a bigger mess than what you possibly have started with. Water-spots will form. Use cotton detailing cloths and wipe off the excess water. These cloths are non-abrasive, and could soak up water real good.

4. Don’t use silicone-based protectants when cleaning the rubber and vinyl of the interior. Silicone-based protectants leave oily residues which serves as a magnet to dust. Use water-based protectants instead.

5. Do clean every inch of your interior, even the vents. Use a small brush specialized for cleaning the small parts of the car. Any other brush will just leave hairs behind, and could probably clog up a vent. And don’t forget the floor mats–shake them off and vacuum-clean them.

6. Don’t use polishers unless the paint won’t shine even with all the cleaning. Polishers work by ‘scraping’ off the surface paint, thus revealing a new layer. If you use it too often, the paint will thin down too much.

7. Do wax the car, especially after polishing. Wax protects your classic car’s paint. What would be better is if you apply a paint sealant first, and apply car wax after. This will protect your car for a good two months at the least, and if your sealant is a good one, maybe even up to six months. (But of course, you still need to clean your car.)

8. Do clean your engine. Degrease the engine first with a good engine degreaser, and wash it using a specialized engine brush and cleaning formulations. Dry your engine afterwards, and apply wax and protectants.

9. Do clean the glass last. This is to avoid re-contaminating it when cleaning the other parts of the classic car. Look for cleaners which are free from ammonia. Household glass cleaners are a big no-no. They contain ammonia, which dries out leather, plastic, and vinyl. Not too good for the other parts of your car, or the glass itself especially if it’s tinted.

10. Don’t clean your car while it’s still hot. Make sure that the engine is cool, and the paint has not been exposed in the sun for too long. Cleaning a hot car will only be more damaging.

11. And finally, do use a properly fitted car cover to protect it from weather effects and dust. An enclosed garage is not enough. Car covers will make your paint last longer, as well as keep dust and bugs away. It will save you much time, as you won’t need to clean your car as frequently.

Maintenance is a lot of hard work, but it really pays off. Follow these simple maintenance tips for your classic car, and you will surely have a dazzlin’ and shinin’ ride.

Weddings, like every other special occasion, entail a sense of reverie. And a Las Vegas wedding is a great opportunity to go all out and make that dream wedding a reality. For in Las Vegas, everything and anything is possible. A classic car rental can add that extra flair and glamor to your wedding. Being a dramatic departure from the ordinary, a classic ride can accentuate that fantasy feel that you and your guests will surely have a hard time forgetting. And what a comforting fact it is to know that Las Vegas has one of the biggest classic car rental industries in the country.

Now, imagine the sight of you, on your wedding day, descending from a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III. This is no everyday ride, mind you, for the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud was, for a time, the Hollywood emblem of the stars and the affluent lot. The name Rolls Royce itself, already conjures up images of class and elegance, which then may have seemed out of your league. But in Las Vegas, a classic car rental of the same model can be had from select rental companies in the city. Now, you get to ride with the stars and not to mention, make a perfect grand entrance.

But if you are one to lean more on the wilder side of life, and is looking for a way to loudly express your style, don’t worry. Las Vegas classic car rental companies have a wide array of vintage car models to suit many preferences. A re-engineered 1958 top-down Corvette perfectly compliments the energetic and modish side of you.

Why rent a limo and be just like everyone else? Las Vegas is a city for new experiences; and while you’re having your wedding here, why not try out an exotic car rental as you and your hubby’s official ride. Exotic cars may be too loud for a wedding, but if your tastes fall under fun and memorable, go at it with a Lamborghini Gallardo or on an all-American Corvette Convertible.

It is a pleasure to note that Las Vegas exotic car rental and classic car rental companies come with special occasion packages. They can take care of chauffeur service and leave you hassle free from having to recruit a designated driver. But do remember to book a reservation. Being the Marriage Capital of the World, Las Vegas car rentals may just have a busy schedule. Thus, it is smart to play it sure and safe and to let your exotic car rental provider know ahead of time.

It is every bride’s dream to have a wedding that is different and memorable to her and her husband to be. And why not? A wedding is a special occasion that is meant to be remembered for more than a lifetime. Luckily, Las Vegas is a city grasps that understanding of the importance of making one couple’s fantasy wedding a reality. And it is good to know that classic and exotic car rental companies are there to drive you to a dream come true.

Before explore classic car insurance in depth, let us understand what exactly constitutes a classic car and how it is different from a vintage car. A classic automobile is usually defined by its age with the minimum cap of 15 years. However, the accepted age for a classic car varies from twenty to forty years while vintage cars are those cars which are at least 60 years old at the time of insurance.

Maintaining a classic car is no piece of cake and often requires a lot of repairs and money before it can strut its stuff out on the roads. With so much put on the line, investing in a classic car insurance policy is a must. Regardless of the age of your classic vehicle, most car insurance companies require certain prerequisites to be fulfilled before you can avail a cheap classic car insurance quote.

One of the major requirements is that the vehicle should be in good or at least restored condition and should be kept in a fully enclosed facility. Furthermore, the driver should not be younger than 19 years old and the vehicle itself should be used primarily for exhibitions and club activities. Although an occasional drive here and there is permitted, most car insurance companies make sure that the car is not used primary means of transport.

Collector auto insurance is generally inexpensive owing to the fact that the car is to be used sparingly. However, the coverage offered is very car-specific and is highly dependent on the company and state policies. Some of the primary options available include garaging location, spare part replacement, comprehensive classic car insurance, and value coverage which reimburses the amount equivalent to the vehicle’s true market value.

One aspect that should be kept in mind when purchasing a classic car insurance policy is that most companies keep tabs on the total number of miles that you travel. This may vary from state to state but generally ranges from 1000 to about 5000 miles per year.

Keeping in mind the time and expense associated with having a collector car, a classic car insurance policy is probably just as important as any other aspect of owning such a vehicle. Since most classic car insurance coverage is relatively cheap and is highly specific, special care should be taken to obtain insurance quotes that fit your unique situation and classic car.

A couple of months ago I received an international call at three in the morning. Don’t be very deceived by the timing; the conversation could have waited a couple more hours, however due to miss calculations on the caller’s behalf. By all means, I do not regret waking up to take the call. The subject was of great importance and forced me not to go back to sleep, rather jump right to research. The first thing I heard when I picked up the phone is an old friend saying “how much have you dealt with classic cars?”, “there is a very high demand for classic cars in the region, and the supply is very low”. On the ending note of the call, I promised I will have a preliminary research completed within a week.

As always, I started by certifying the facts I was told in regards to supply and demand, and the overall economic situation of the country. I found many articles and press releases discussing the fact that car manufacturers are taking advantage of the increasing demand for personalized, classic and antique cars in the region. The underlying reasons for the change in demand of the past seven years was explained by Bufori (a modern brand of rare automobiles resembling 1930s coupes), the high demand is a reflection of the booming population, and economics of the region in general, and more specifically Dubai and Qatar. Hence, that Crude Oil was discovered in Qatar back in the 1940s; however the wealth of the nation gradually increased over the next sixty years, till Natural Gas was discovered. Its people now have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

The research journey has not stopped, rather the more research I make, the more I am interested to learn about the differences in tastes and markets. I will dedicate an article for the amazing finding in the market differences. To get up-to-date research results, visit the section I dedicated to Qatar classic cars

About.com polled classic car experts to come out with the ten most sought after classic vehicles.

Number one on the list is the Chevrolet Camaro. This “pony car” was first introduced by General Motors’ Chevrolet Motor Division in 1967. While production of the Camaro was not discontinued until the 2002 model year, the most sought after Camaro model are those released from 1967 until 1969 with the 1969 Camaro being the most notable car model. The Camaro was designed and produced to compete with the Ford Mustang and it shares its platform with the Pontiac Firebird.

The first generation of the Camaro was available as either a coupe or a convertible. Engine choice is between an inline six-cylinder and a V8 engine. Today, first generation Camaros are hard to find and experts advise interested individuals to instead go for the Firebird.

The direct competitor of the Camaro is number two on the list – the Ford Mustang with its first generation versions being the most sought after models. The Mustang was introduced in the market in 1964 and was originally based on the Ford Falcon compact car. The Mustang has the distinction of having one of the most successful product launches in the industry as it was unveiled at the New York World’s Fair which was broadcasted on three American television networks. Not only is the Mustang popular for its launching but also for its performance. Its popularity is evident in the fact that the Ford Motor Company sold more than one million Mustangs in its first eighteen months in the market.

Number three on the list of classic American vehicles is the first generation of the Chevrolet Impala. The Impalas produced from 1962 to 1964 are considered as the most sought after vehicles of the particular model. The Impala’s popularity among car owners is fueled by its on-off production. The first Impalas are distinguished by their unique six-lamp taillights. In fact, this oddity became a trademark for future Impalas.

In the late 50s and early 60s, the popularity of the car model is apparent when General Motors sold more than 13 million units of the said car model. While most sought after Impalas are those which are produced for the 1964 model year, it was in 1965 that Chevrolet set a record of 1 million Impalas sold every year. That record stands to this day. Currently, the hottest Impalas are the ones used for the Nextel Cup Series which combined have won ten out of the eleven races this season.

Number four on the list is the Chevrolet Chevelle which was introduced in the market in 1964. The most sought after Chevelles are those produced from 1967 to 1969. The popularity of the midsized automobile from General Motors’ Chevrolet Division is apparent in the fact that the Chevelle is considered as one of the most successful car from General Motors. Its powerful coupes and convertible versions are the most sought after variants of this classic American car. The vehicle is popular back in the 1960s as a car to modify for drag racing owing to its sleek design and powerful engine.

Another classic American car is the Chevrolet Bel Air. The classic car is popular for all its production years which spans from 1953 to 1975. Its design is one of the most notable reasons for the popularity of the Bel Air. Just like the Chevelle, the most popular variants of the Bel Air are the coupe and convertible body styles. This classic car is considered as one of the least expensive car model in the list since there has been an influx of these cars during the 2005 and the 2006 model years.

The sixth model on the list is the Pontiac GTO known as the first muscle car. Its powerful engine and GT styling are just some of the car’s attributes which makes it popular among car enthusiasts. This trendsetting vehicle continued the popularity of the V8 engine among car owners. The GTO was first introduced to the market in 1964 and was discontinued in 1974. The classic car was reintroduced for the 2004 model year but was once again discontinued in 2006. The most popular GTOs among car enthusiasts are those produced between 1964 and 1967. The GTO was then considered as one of the most powerful car. It became an icon for that era when car buyers are not concerned about gas prices reaching the three dollar mark and greenhouse effect and global warming are just known to few people.

The 1969 Dodge Charger is the seventh most popular American classic car among car enthusiasts. The Charger is commonly confused with the number one Camaro. This is due to the fact that both this car models have almost attributes. Both are designed to standout and both pack a powerful engine. The 1969 Dodge Charger though is harder to find than a Camaro due to the fact that there were fewer of these cars produced as compared to the Camaro. The Charger of 1969 is a rear-wheel drive hardtop coupe.

Number eight on the list is the Camaro’s cousin – the 1969 Pontiac Firebird. The Firebird is seen as an alternative to a Camaro but it can stand out on its own. While the Camaro and the Firebird uses the same components owing to the fact that they are both made by General Motors, the Firebird is considered by experts to have a better interior quality of the two although slightly only.

Number nine on the list are the Cadillac Convertibles produced in 1959 and 1960. Cadillac has always been known to be a producer of high quality driving machine. While the brand produces luxury cars, these vehicle are also known for their power as much as their luxury features. The Cadillac Convertible is also a favorite among car enthusiasts since it offers different modifications to be done to it easily. Thus a convertible can be turned from a luxury vehicle to a performance vehicle with tons of luxury features.

Rounding up the list are the Shelby GT-500 and GT-350 produced in 1967 and 1968. These vehicles are actually Ford Mustangs modified by former Formula One driver Carroll Hall Shelby. The racing legend and his company made these series of vehicles from 1955. The fact that these vehicles are specially modified means that these particular vehicles are some of the most expensive in the list.

Happily, even though the shops themselves have disappeared, many of the mechanics and other restoration experts who worked on those classic automobiles are still around and are more than willing to help you, if you can find them.

One of the best places to find an auto restoration specialist is at a classic auto show. Look for newspaper or television notices of classic auto conventions and events occurring near your town and make an effort to attend. As you look at the cars, take special note of the ones that have restoration quality work that impresses you. Then, simply ask questions to find out who did the restoration work on the vehicle. If you do this for all the classic cars the impress you, you will probably have quite a list by the time you leave the auto show.

Depending on where the automobiles hail from, quite a few of the restoration experts may be too far away from your home. This doesn’t mean that you should not contact them. In fact you should contact ALL of them. Simply tell them that you were recently at an auto show and saw some of their work which you admired. Explain that you are looking for someone they could recommend that does quality work similar to them but who is closer to your town. You will not get referrals from all the experts that you contact but you may be pleasantly surprised at how many names you do get. Many will also give you other restoration tips that you might not have thought of on your own. And it never hurts to build up your contact list.

The advantage of finding a restoration specialist in this manner as opposed to finding them through a phone book or a newspaper ad is that you have seen, first hand, the results of their labor.

Another excellent way to find classic car repair specialist is to join and become a member of one or more classic auto clubs. These clubs can be an invaluable resource for finding parts, services, and other information of interest to classic car hobbyists. The best thing about these clubs are that they are full of enthusiasts who are always willing to go above and beyond to help other members. And don’t think that these clubs have to be local. If you’re in New York and join a club based in Chicago, for example, in most cases you’ll still be able to actively take part in the club through their bulletin boards, newsletters, ezines, and so on. Classic automobile clubs can also help you to avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous shops, restoration specialists and so on.

In addition to pointing you to the best restoration resource, classic car clubs help their members by giving them information on what questions they should ask a classic car renovation specialist. The clubs will also give them tips on how to tell if they’re being gouged or overbilled, how long certain jobs should take, what to do if there’s a dispute between you and the car renovation specialist and more.

As more and more restoration shops leave the scene, the classic car owner will increasingly find himself looking for all of the help that he can. At least, for now, the help is still out there if you’re willing to take the time to research and find it.

Even though this definition of a classic car is acknowledged by the CCCA, it is not universally admitted. While it still insists that the true definition of ‘classic car’ is its, it commonly utilizes terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to keep away confusion. Legally, most states provide time-based rules for the definition of “classic” for occasions such as antique vehicle registration; for example, Pennsylvania defines that a Classic is a “A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, constructed at least 15 years before the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is to the extreme complying with manufacturer specifications and appearance.” Like the definitions already given other institutions have given self-compiled definitions for Classic cars.

A division of classic cars is known as the Modern Classics. The vehicles listed under this category are generally older, anywhere from 15-25 years, but are not admitted as classics by The Antique Automobile Club of America. Such cars are rather perceived as classics by auto enthusiasts, and are generally rare, and out of construction. There was a modification in styling trends worldwide just after the end of World War II. Many cars at that time modified the traditional discrete replaceable-fender treatment. After the war, automobiles of all kinds transformed to envelope bodies in basic plan.

The CCCA term, “Classic Car” has been limited to “the functionally traditional designs of the earlier period” (mostly pre-war). They usually had removable fenders, trunk, headlights, and a usual vertical grill treatment. In a large vehicle, coupled with traditional lines, might match the CCCA term. Thus it may be a car which belongs to a later time, but not belonging to the “Classic period of Design”, in the words of the traditionalist CCCA faction. In any case Classic cars are extremely popular around the world and whatever definition you give to them, they will continue to be loved and respected.