Monday, February 27, 2012

A Greasy Glory: Auto Hobbies

By Denise Jackson


For some of us, the car as merely a good form of transportation just isn't enough, and they turn to auto hobbies. These are folks who like nothing better than a peaceful day in the garage, creating something new. They want their automobiles to display their expertise for all the world.

One type of hobbyist is the classic car connoisseur. These are the deep lovers of auto history, the ones who not only appreciate the nobles of the road, but have decided to spend their money and their time so that we all get to witness them rise from the dead. Funny, no one resents the rich guy when he's behind the wheel of an 80 year-old classic.

Kit cars can include these classic cars, but like not all classics are it cars, not all kit cars are classics. They can be any make or model, though usual it'll be something sporty. They're assembled one piece at a time by an enthusiastic amateur with an instruction manual. The real artists among those amateurs know when to break ranks with the manual, and create something never seen before.

The 1920s and Prohibition brought us a new kind of auto hobby, one which turned into stock car racing. Bootleggers souped up the family car so that they could do two things besides take the wife and kids to church: pack large quantities of moonshine, and out run the police. The best of the bootleggers began racing each other, a tradition that continues today both as a growing spectator sport and as an illegal racing passion.

A popular way to soup up your car is through installing a supercharger. An engine so fixed will suck in more oxygen and become more powerful. The same goal can be achieved by installing a nitrous oxide system.

If you're not yet wealthy, start with the little things. Line your tinted windows with neon lights. Paint designs on the hood that match your tattoos. Anyone can start down the auto hobbies road.




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