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The Chevy Astro is a rear wheel drive minivan which was introduced back in 1985 by Chevrolet. It was originally designed to be a direct competitor to the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Production continued until 2005, but these cars still remain popular for a number of reasons.

During the lifespan of this particular range of vehicles, things were somewhat different in many respects to how they are today. Firstly, minivans were considered to be crude utility vehicles with little emphasis on comfort and extra features that you would normally expect in a family vehicle.

Driving and handling the Chevy Astro was a surprisingly pleasant experience however, and in some respects, this particular model did start to mark the beginning of a new era of more comfortable minivans with more features than people would normally expect of the time.

During its lifespan, it easily fulfilled all the basic requirements that one would expect of a minivan. However, certain models also accommodated up to eight passengers, making it extremely useful for a number of reasons.

This line of vehicles underwent a major redesign back in 2005, the final model in a particular range. It’s also boasted a 4. 3 l V6 engine, which became completely standard on all Chevrolet Astro passenger minivans.

Today, you can pick up the earliest Chevrolet Astro for around $1000 second-hand, but the latest models cost roughly 10 times that although they are vastly improved for a number of reasons.

Other than a few minor aspects, the Chevrolet Astro changed very little over most of its lifespan. Nonetheless, there were various noteworthy developments such as improved breaks which came in 1990. These four wheel antilock brakes were welcome change, dramatically enhancing the safety of the vehicle. Especially from then on, this particular range of products had an exceptionally good safety record. Airbags were added to both of the front seats back in 1996, improving its safety record even more.

The safety record started to improve especially in 1996 when airbags were added to all the front seats. In 1995, the exterior of the van was rather largely redesigned and in the following year, this redesign extended to the interior as well, with a complete redesign of the dashboard adding new controls and ease of use. To this day, the Chevy Astro remains quite popular.

The longest lasting, dependable, most versatile trucks on the road, have for quite a few years, been credited to Chevrolet. Their full size pick ups have set the standard for the industry. The 2009 Chevy Silverado sets the standard even higher.

Chevrolet’s never ending desire is to build the most advanced, capable pick up you’ve ever driven. For 2009 they’ve achieved the most powerful engines in heavy and light duty applications. With technology that leaps ahead of the competition reliability and performance finally go hand in hand with fuel economy.

With the 6. 2 L vortec and its impressive 403 hp, and the 6. 6L turbo diesel with its awesome 660 ft lbs of torque, and the all impressive 6. 0L Hybrid. As if that weren’t enough, they are also claiming to have the best fuel efficiency of any full size eight cylinder pick up.

The Silverado 1500 has recently been awarded the Consumers Digest Best Buy Award. Top that off with its two traditional character traits of quality and dependability, and you have a truck that really raises the bar. Whether at work or at play, Chevy Silverado delivers dependability and style that you can depend on.

Chevrolet has stated that every v8 equipped model in 2009 will receive their coveted electronic stability control including proactive roll avoidance. The attention to safety that results in the highest ratings in front and side crash tests combined with being awarded highest in initial quality and dependability awards, testify to the ongoing search for excellence that is today’s Chevy trucks.

With outstanding payload capabilities and mountain moving tow capabilities, the addition of the Max tow package puts the 2009 Chevy Silverado in a class all its own. For the ultimate in towing capability check out the 6. 6L turbo Diesel hitched to the Allison 1000 series automatic six speed transmission.

For options you can choose engines ranging from the 4. 3L v6 to the 6. 0L LIVC V8 with hybrid propulsion system on the 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid. Transmissions come in a variety of styles from the four speed automatic to the six speed automatic with two overdrives. The 6. 6L Turbo Diesel with the Allison 1000 series six speed automatic transmission will deliver amazing torque and exceptional towability.

Choose from seventeen, eighteen or even twenty inch wheels, blue tooth connectivity, or the snow plow prep package. The close-coupled catalytic converter, returnless fuel rail, and quick sync 58X ignition, just begin to show the benefits of advanced technology.

The versatile and ubiquitous Chevy S 10 pickup and other variants of that worthy vehicle has been around since 1982. It managed a 22 year run as Chevrolet’s top small pickup, being replaced in 2005 by the Chevy Colorado and hundreds of thousands of them are still plying the nation’s roads, trails and other thoroughfares.

Officially classed as a compact pickup, the Chevy S 10 ran side-by-side with the GMC version known as the S 15 (and later, as the Syclone) for a time. The S 10 itself took over the small truck duties from the Chevy Luv, which was just an Isuzu KB with the Chevy bowtie emblem on the grill and a few minor cosmetic changes. Born as a result of the oil shocks of the 1970s, the S 10 was an effort by Chevy to improve fuel economy in its trucks.

Because of that effort, Chevy trotted out the truck in 1981 for the 1982 model year, introducing a 2-door SUV shortly thereafter in 1983. Chevy beat Ford to that segment of the market, though both finished behind Jeep, which had put a 2-door SUV up just before Chevy. No 4-door SUV version of the S 10 (the Chevy S 10 Blazer) was offered until 1990.

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet, has featured a number of compact pickups since 1982, with the SUV versions being around in 2 or 4-door skin for over 25 years. The S 10 itself is a favorite of do-it-yourself mechanics, particularly its early model years, which were relatively easy to work on.

Given the initial desire by Chevy to feature what passed for good fuel economy in those days, the debut S 10 featured a standard 4 cylinder powerplant, which was an Isuzu carryover engine from the old Chevy Luv. It kicked out 84 ponies which, by today’s standards of power and economy, would be considered anemic but which was actually fairly good in 1982. It also offered 101 pounds-feet of torque.

Optional mills in the little Chevy truck were mainly of the V6 type. From ‘82 to ‘85, it was a 2. 4 liter with a 2-barrel carb from Rochester. This combo put out 115 horses and 148 pounds-feet of torque that gave the truck so get-up-and-go from standing start. There was a diesel i the line from ‘83 to ‘85, but it died a well-deserved death.

Over the life of the S 10, Chevy continued to offer both 4 and 6 cylinder plants and also worked to add more horses and more torque as the truck matured. Originally offered with a normally-aspirated fuel-feeder setup, Chevy eventually tossed the carburetor for variants of a fuel injection system, including sequential port, multi-port and throttle body set-ups. The Chevy S 10 also featured 3 and 4-speed trannies in the first generation (up through ‘93) and even a Borg Warner manual in 5-speed dress.

Second generation S 10s (’94 to 2004) continued to improve, adding to the fun factor with even more 2 or 4-wheel drive versions. Larger, more powerful and more fuel-efficient engines also were offered, even including a hot SS type that came with a 4. 3 liter engine that kicked out from 180 to 195 horsepower. Improved graphics packages and a lowered profile on 16-inch rims complete the set-up. It was discontinued, however, in 1998.

The Chevy S 10 was an almost iconic small pickup in the General Motors lineup for a very long time. It’s still out there in many driveways, streets and roads. Known widely throughout North America, it filled a needed role back at a time when American automakers desperately needed a small truck that could get decent gas mileage and deliver steady sales to the maker.

In 1964, at the World’s Fair in New York, Walt Disney introduced “It’s a Small World.” At the end of the Fair, the attraction was moved to Disneyland where it has operated for over forty-five years other than some downtime for maintenance and refurbishment. Meanwhile, across the pavilion, on April 17, 1964, Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford Mustang, another American tradition that has continued for over forty-five years.

Ford did not expect the Mustang to be so popular. Overnight, over 2500 newspapers presented positive reviews of the vehicle. Sales took off like a rocket. Only Ford’s first Model “A” has ever exceeded initial sales. At Ford dealers across the nation people lined up to pay out $2368 in order to own a ford Mustang. In order to keep prices low, Ford had borrowed parts from other cars already in production, notably the Falcon and Fairlane. The Falcon parts were used the most. The framework as well as the 100 horsepower motor came from this car. Even the first Mustang horn ring had the Falcon symbol molded into its lower edge. Ford set VIN numbers to 1965, although collectors now refer to these first Mustangs as 1964 1/2. A 1964 1/2 Mustang currently has an appraised value of over thirty thousand dollars.

The body of the Mustang has changed throughout the years, yet it is still easy to spot a Mustang. The characteristic grill and side swoop make the vehicle easily recognizable.

The introduction of the Mustang lead to the introduction of “pony” cars by the other manufacturers. Chevrolet introduced the Camaro, Dodge re-introduced the Plymouth Barracuda, and even AMC got into the action with the Javelin. These vehicles all had a very long hood and a short trunk.

Research had shown Ford that cars had become too large for many women drivers by 1960. Remember that this was before power steering was common. Ford’s first answer was the Falcon, the first American compact car. Designers of the Mustang wanted to build a car that had appeal for both men and women. The design did so well that the Falcon production ended in 1970.

In the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, the models became progressively larger. In response to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II was severely underpowered.

Overall, the Mustang is now in its fifth generation. The 2010 Mustang offers plenty of power with a 4. 6 L, 316 horsepower engine. The suspension is now beefier than ever. The new Mustang is offers greater stability than ever before. The new Mustang is designed to burn regular unleaded for economy in operation or premium fuel for greater torque.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

In the forty-five year history of the Mustang, there have been many changes. Even so, the Ford Mustang remains one of the best sellers for Ford.

The year was 1964. The place was the World’s fair in New York City. Across the way, people were loading into small boats and floating through an attraction in the Pepsi Pavilion which was designed by Walt Disney. However our attention on this April day was on a new car being introduced by Ford Motor Company. Its name was the Ford Mustang. Now forty-five years latter, both attractions are alive and doing well. After the fair, Disney moved his attraction to his ten year old Disneyland. Ford got busy producing more Mustangs.

Ford did not expect the Mustang to be so popular. Overnight, over 2500 newspapers presented positive reviews of the vehicle. Sales took off like a rocket. Only Ford’s first Model “A” has ever exceeded initial sales. At Ford dealers across the nation people lined up to pay out $2368 in order to own a ford Mustang. In order to keep prices low, Ford had borrowed parts from other cars already in production, notably the Falcon and Fairlane. The Falcon parts were used the most. The framework as well as the 100 horsepower motor came from this car. Even the first Mustang horn ring had the Falcon symbol molded into its lower edge. Ford set VIN numbers to 1965, although collectors now refer to these first Mustangs as 1964 1/2. A 1964 1/2 Mustang currently has an appraised value of over thirty thousand dollars.

The body of the Stang has changed over the years but even a 2010 Mustang has features that tie it to that first Mustang. The grill and side door swoop make the car unmistakable as a Mustang.

The success of the Mustang lead other manufacturers to quickly introduce their own “pony cars.” These vehicles had large hoods and small trunk decks.

In 1960, Ford had introduced the Falcon as a compact car. Market research had shown that women of the day found many of the full size cars to have become too large. The Mustang was introduced to appeal to both men and women. The introduction of the Mustang in 1964 and its popularity is ultimately credited with the discontinuing of the Falcon in 1970.

In the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, the models became progressively larger. In response to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II was severely underpowered.

Fans of the original Mustang complained and in 1984, Ford listened and produced the Mustang II. The Mustang II was smaller than the Mustang introduced at the World’s Fair, but due to new federal regulations on air pollution actually weighed more than the original. Ford had included a smaller engine resulting in an underpowered car.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

The new Mustang, like it predecessors, is expected to be a great seller for Ford.