Genius, determination, and passion are just a few words that could be used to describe the man behind the name, Mickey Thompson Tires. Born in 1928 California, Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson found his calling on the streets and strips as early as the 1940s. A “hot-rodder” by nature, a determined man, and veritable genius, Mickey Thompson was making and breaking endurance and speed records by the 1950s. The 1950s saw Thompson drag racing, innovating the “slingshot” dragster, in which the driver s [...more]
Good quality off-road tires need to be strong enough to put up with the toughest of wear and tear. They should have solid traction, sturdy control and be long-lasting. With that said, it's difficult to find a tire maker who doesn't claim to incorporate these important tire qualities with all of their models. So, for those of us on the hunt for the perfect outdoor tire and don't know the exact specifications to look for, here are a few details you should be examining when purchasing a new set of [...more]
The best way to ensure that your chrome rims will last for a long time, and not incur any damages is by regular and proper maintenance of them. One of the problems with chrome wheels, can that be a costly issue to deal with, is that once a chip happens in the rim--a chip that goes through the chrome plate and down to the metal, the only way to repair it is to remove the wheel entirely, sand it down and get it re-dipped in chrome.
This can be a bit costly, but is necessary when one wants that p [...more]
Quality on-and-off road tires are the object of every driver’s affection. Unfortunately, a tire that's capable of taking on dual terrain is not easy to find. Ironman tires are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable all-terrain tire. They offer a variety of sizes and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit for your vehicle. Ironman tires are also known for their quality and durability. You can trust that they will last for many miles, without breaking the bank. Ironm [...more]
Looking at Nitto Tire’s tagline, it become clear what the company’s mission is and what kind of tires they produce. Indeed, a tire company “Fueled by Enthusiasts” says it all, and Nitto designs and produces some of the most exclusive tires for nearly every performance category. Whether you’re off-roading, rally-racing, running quarters, drifting, or luxury touring, Nitto Tire has a tire for your specific needs.
Nitto Grappler
tires were designed for trucks and SUVs, ranging from highway crui [...more]
Muscle cars didn’t change American culture as much as they became a part of it. Maybe muscle cars are such an integral part of American culture because they represent the truest of American ideals – freedom. Controlling the raw power and speed of a muscle car creates a sense of freedom like no other. Behind the wheel of a muscle car the entire world becomes one big race track; there are no checkered flags, or pace cars, but just open roads as far the eye can see. You can go anywhere you want and [...more]
Unless you ride in a desert, even when the forecast is dry, you can never really be sure it won’t rain. For many riders, riding in the rain is exactly the opposite of what riding is all about – it’s cold, wet, uncomfortable, stressful, and hard to see. Still, rain can happen almost any time, so it’s best to be prepared for it. When prepping your motorcycle for riding in the rain, your tactics and gear are just as important as your motorcycle tires.
Rubber and Road
Just a few square inches keep y [...more]
The Internet really is the ultimate one-stop shop. There you can find everything you need; from clothes to toys to books and even groceries. While many of the traditional brick and mortar stores have complained about online retailers driving prices down and them out of business, it has been a great asset for consumers. Even for some less traditional items, like tires. There are some local tire dealers that offer good discounts and packages; however, many can't compete with the low prices you can [...more]
Why is it that all of the great things about cars involve the letters GT ? There’s Grand Turismo, the Nissan GT-R, the Pontiac GTO, and General Tires. A general is one of the highest ranks obtainable in the military institution around the world, and coincidentally General Tires are some one of the highest quality of tires available today. But who makes General Tires? As the name might suggest, General Tires are made by the General Tire Company. The end. Alright, the real truth is that the [...more]
Dunlop Tires are well known throughout the world. The company is a partnership between two different companies, the Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industry owning twenty five percent, and the British company, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company owning seventy five percent. In the middle of the 1980's, the British Tyre and Rubber Company, Ltd. took over the Dunlop company, and now it is the Sumintomo location in Japan which makes and markets the brand of Dunlop tires. While Sumitomo did not [...more]
Car restoration can be a rewarding hobby, and sometimes even a lucrative job. Unfortunately, it can also be a massive headache and a financial loss for those that rush into it. Here are the first steps you should take when thinking about restoring a classic car.
The first step is fairly obvious: what car are you going to restore? If you already own the vehicle, great, problem solved. If not, you should probably find something you like, that way it is a hobby instead of just more work. Keep in m [...more]
Many longtime owners of low-grade alloy wheels notice on occasion that the chrome plating on their wheels has started to scratch and flake or simply look less than pristine. Luckily the chrome plating on alloy wheels can be removed fairly effortlessly. You should only try to remove the chrome plating on your alloy wheels if it is already peeling or flaking and you’re not concerned with permanently altering the look of your wheels.
To get started you'll need:
Alloy wheels, of course
A car j [...more]
If you have ever been to a demolition derby and spoke with any member of the crew or audience, you know there are all kinds of opinions about what makes the best derby cars. Usually the free-flowing beer at the county fair leads to some heated debates on this subject. So, to avoid stepping on any toes, here are our opinions on the best cars for demo derbies.
Rear-Wheel Drive
Most rear-wheel drive sedans were built in the classic era, and are favorites due to their body-on-frame constr [...more]
Buying new tires is all about finding the perfect fit for your car. But it's easy to get confused on which set is the best option to roll with. Although price and brand name are important cues for a tire's quality, it's best to look for a set based upon the specific needs of your vehicle. For example, a big brand name may be attractive, but a smaller, specialty line may be exactly what you need, especially for your weekend trips to the mountain. Meeting the specifications of your perfect set wil [...more]
For racing enthusiasts around the world the Formula- 1 season is the highlight of the year. Some are very passionate and plan years in advance what races they will attend. Fans get together in groups to watch the races often recording the race to watch as a group due to worldwide time differences. This page from the F1 Website gives details of the schedule or changes in schedule. To date 4 races have been cancelled after a McClaren team member tested positive for Covid. This video from fr [...more]
Drag racing is fun and has many passionate participants. This video from Free Life Films shows some real mishaps. What are your drag racing mishaps?
https://youtu.be/uVo8vYQeoo4
This video of a classic auto mall is a classic car lover's wild dream. The cars are just beautiful and the video is very well done.
https://youtu.be/hNzQWH601sw
Check out our Antique Tires Collection for your classic car.
This article from CNet is a sobering report on the effect of COVID-19 on the US auto industry. It is difficult to imagine what the US and the world will look like when we get through this but we will get through this. All that matters now is that we save a s many lives as possible. The good news is that GM, Ford and Tesla are going to produce respirators and much needed protection equipment for front-line medical staff.
COVID-19 Resources
CDC - for all the latest information and up [...more]
According to the latest JD Power dependability survey Genesis takes the top spot followed by Lexus and Buick. Great write up here from Autoblog.
Watch this report for CNBC
https://youtu.be/mL5IOKTlnfk
Every mile, the average car tire rotates about 1,000 times, depending on its overall diameter. Every rotation, car tires leave just a little bit of rubber behind, gradually wearing down the tire treads. Eventually, car tires that started with 12/32” of tread depth will slough off all that “extra” rubber and you’ll end up with “bald tires.”
Now, considering that NASCAR and drag races are run with slick tires, basically tires with no tread, it might seem logical that your plain-Jane commuter [...more]
The 1968 Ford Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt just sold a for a record $3.70 million. Whoa! the current owner's Dad bought it in 1974 $3500. That is some ROI!... The car now holds the record for the most expensive Mustang sold at auction replacing the 1967 Shelby GT500 that sold for $2.2 last year.
See the details here https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/cars/bullitt-mustang-auction-record-price/index.html
We’ve been in the SUV age for just about a decade – the last
time cars outsold trucks and SUVs was in 2009 – and there’s no surer indicator
than the sales numbers this year. This year, a whopping 70 percent of sales
have been SUVs and pickup trucks, and some automakers are responding by
expanding their SUV lineup. Of course, this also means fewer small and mid-size
sedans are being produced, making new cars harder to find than their taller,
fatter, and thirstier relatives.
American automaker [...more]
What makes a good gift? Almost everyone knows what a bad gift is, something that shows you didn’t put much thought into the relationship and needs of the people involved. Deciding on a good gift requires effort and a real understanding of what the receiver will appreciate and value from the giver. Are new tires a good gift idea? Possibly, but just like cold hard cash, gift cards, and ugly sweaters, new tires, as a gift, depend on the people involved.
When thinking about gift ideas, some fill a [...more]
After a record breaking year in 2018, this year 2019 has also seen some heady numbers for cars sold at auction. Some unusual cars like the 1931 Duesenberg Model J fetched a price of $11.5million. The usual Ferrari's and Bugatti's reached big numbers.
Check out this article for more on all 50 cars https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/the-50-most-expensive-cars-ever-sold-at-auction/ss-AAIWo0o?ocid=spartanntp#image=4
If you do not have millions to spend on the car check out our g [...more]
When most people think of Fall car care, especially in the North, they think of putting on Winter tires, checking the engine cooling system, and testing the battery and charging system. On the other hand, when squirrels think of preparing for Winter, they’re looking for somewhere to stash food and a warm place to build a nest. While prepping your car for Winter, be sure to take steps to keep squirrels from nesting in your car!
Squirrels and Rodents and Cars
Four-legged creatures generally [...more]