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A few years ago, when Braam du Toit showed me the 1932 Studebaker Rockne “wreck” he had towed from his father’s farm some two hours away, I just shook my head at his plan to “take dad for a ride in this car again soon…”.

I just couldn’t imagine it at that point, but after a couple of weeks, a few things had started to take shape, and before long I realized that Braam meant business with his particular antique Rockne automobile…

The last time this Studebaker Rockne (manufactured by the Studebaker Brothers, Studebaker Motor Company) was driven, was when his father took it out to his farm in Caledon after having purchased it for the princely sum of £12 in 1960.

Twenty-seven years later Braam’s father stripped the antique car in preparation for restoration. There was never time, though, and the project had to wait till Braam fetched it from the farm in mid-2000.

According to Braam almost all the parts were still there, apart from a few items like the mascot and the twin horns. The car needed some serious work, though. When he fetched it he could still smell the rat-nests he found inside the door panels. The metal parts will be acid-dipped to get rid of the rust.

In fact, after barely 18 months, Braam was able to fulfil his promise, and the beautifully rebuilt 1932 Rockne cruised the neigborhood with Braam and his dad in the cabin. Guess this is one Studebaker car that won’t be for sale soon…

Recently I managed to catch Braam and his beloved antique car, the 1932 Studebaker Rockne for a quick photo session, as you can see on this page.

1932 Rockne Studebaker Automobile Images (Copyright: CA Theron)

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A Lambo door kit instantly transforms an ordinary set of wheels into a car with celebrity status. The scissor door, jackknife door or lambo door rotates upwards and forwards on a hinge situated at the front edge of the door. This door originated in a concept car, the Alpha Romeo Carabo and was passed on to the Lamborghini Countach. This is where the term came from. This style differs from the gullwing door in the way it is connected to the vehicle. In the gullwing door, the door is hinged at the roof, so that the door opens upwards and outwards.

Various companies now manufacture kits that even allow for a do it yourself installation of the door. You don’t just see Mustang Lambo Doors, but this style trend can now be used on virtually any car make or model.

The spectacular effect makes it a highly desirable conversion kit among the younger crowd. It may be wise to opt for professional help during the installation process. Due to the design of the hinges, no painting or body work is involved, making this a fairly inexpensive yet spectacular conversion. However, be wary if you are offered a really cheap Lambo Door kit, as the components may be sub-standard and are likely to lead to regrets after installation.

Have you experimented with Lambo door kits? What was the reaction to your installation?

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Taking A 1932 Rockne Studebaker Automobile From Wreck To Rocking

The Dodge Caliber combines both looks and luster to floor car enthusiasts. In fact this Dodge version is such a hit that it causes the much criticized Neon to fade into the distance. This hatchback is a vehicle for practical-minded folks. The cargo hold is extremely roomy and the split-folding rear seats simply flip forward without hassle. If you upgrade, you will even have the luxury of reclining rear seats. This is a fairly unique, but very useful feature.

Chill out with the Chill Zone Box if you choose air conditioning. This innovative part of the glovebox design will provide you with cold drinks on a long drive. A hit, especially with the younger crowd, is the MusicGate Power - two speakers located in the tailgate turns any picnic into an instant party.

While the Dodge Caliber provides an extremely stable ride, the torque is slightly disappointing. However, the 2.0 liter CVT handles slopes without the need to drop back to third gear. The inclusion of dual front and side-curtain airbags are a reassuring safety feature. Also standard equipment is a one touch power window on the driver’s side, heated folding power mirrors, and a tilt-adjustable steering wheel.

The Dodge Caliber comes with a spacious feel. Unfortunately the bulky A-pillars block vision substantially… Some says this Dodge is dashing, some says its ugly - what’s your take?

Auction car buying in South Africa is fast catching up with the happenings in the rest of the world. Repossessed car auctions are used as a savings vehicle by many an auto collector. These guys become buying experts and visit the regular monthly, quarterly or annual auction sales like clockwork. They compile their list of possible buys during the preview period that is usually a day or two before the event.

Where the best bargains can be had, is in situations where you can just outbid a dealer who wants to buy really low in order to show a good profit when reselling the vehicle.

You need to do your homework beforehand and arrange for a pre-approved used car loan, or have some other financing arrangement ready if you win the bid. If you don’t have expertise in this area, there are books that will guide you through the process, and teach you how to inspect a vehicle before you start bidding. Visit the auctions offered by Burchmores or McCarthy Call-A-Car to get a feel for these events, before you actually begin to participate.

Auction car buying can become an exciting pastime, once you have some experience under your belt. Please share your favorite tips with all the newbies out there.

About a decade ago car insurance rates became more competitive with the arrival of Dial Direct Car Insurance. Providing from cheap car insurance quotes to home rates, affordable motorbike insurance, and knowledgeable commercial vehicle insurance, Dial Direct is a convenient, one-stop consumer insurance quote company.

Dial Direct in Britain and now also in South Africa, promises to scour the market to come up with the most affordable auto insurance rate for your particular needs. The company promises top-class service, and extras such as a courtesy car for motor comprehensive insurance policy holders. They also offer roadside assistance and guarantee repairs for three years. Dial Direct has refined the online quote process to such an extent that it is fairly painless and quick.

By cutting out the middleman, these online companies claim to save you up to 20% on your premium. In addition, after 4 clean years, a company like Dial Direct offers a Bucks Back Bonus equal to either 25% of your premiums to date or your first year’s premiums.

Online car insurance is a highly competitive field. It pays big time to do homework, visit review sites, and make sure you find the best possible deal. Double check the fine print to minimize nasty surprises when you least expect them.

The internet has changed the face of this industry completely. You now need only to punch in a few basic details about your vehicle, driving history, and use of the vehicle and you will have a complete quote within seconds.

When investigating auto insurance rates, always make sure that you choose a reliable company with a solid reputation and history in the industry. Please drop us a line about your own experience with online companies. Do you think they keep their end of the bargain?

Rule number one for repossessed car auctions is to make a firm decision beforehand as to what you are willing to pay for a particular auto make and model. Do not be swayed to go higher during a heated bid exchange. If you become caught up in a I-must-have-this-car situation, a bidding war that will leave you totally out of pocket, is likely to develop.

A repo car auction needs to be at a reputable dealer or agency. Study the rules and regulations beforehand. A bit of homework can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. A fly-by-night auctioneer can leave you with a very expensive lemon.

Remember that you purchase the auto as is. With auction buying, you have to know your stuff. Make sure that there are no latent defects that will result in expensive repairs after the fact. Any vehicle has to be inspected carefully. If you feel that you may be out of your depth, try to engage the help of a friend or colleague who is more of an expert and who can give you sensible advice about the pitfalls.

Use common sense, keep your feet firmly on the ground, and a government or police car auction can offer a highly lucrative buying opportunity. If you are lucky, the deal can leave you with a terrific set of wheels at 50% to 90% below the price tag of a new auto bought at a dealership.

Drop us a line about your repossessed car auction experiences. Feel free to share all the tips you picked up along the way!

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