From Old To Modern: The Chevy Monte

by Gabriel

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo Lt models remind us of sedans, coupes and of course sports models. The Monte Carlo sports models went on win a lot of races at the NASCAR events. These models have evolved and changed according to customer tastes beginning in the 1970s all the way until 2007.

All models of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Lt are two-door luxury V8 coupes. It has traversed six generations after being introduced in 1970 following the style of the contemporary mid-sized sedans. The models included Super Sport editions as well.

Designers aimed to introduce the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Lt as a stylish package keeping in mind comfort and performance. It came across as a sporty rear-drive coupe. Initially, in 1969, when designers Elliot M. Estes and Dave Holls of Chevrolet designed the Monte Carlo Lt they based it on the Cadillac Eldorado. They made changes by adding new front-end sheet metal, rear fenders, etc.

In the 1980s the Monte Carlo Lts body was restyled with a smoother profile based on GMs mid-size formal coupes. Chevrolet also introduced a Super Sport model in 1984 and went on to win several races, thus becoming popular with the racing teams. It also caught the publics attention with increasing popularity.

In 1995, it was replaced by a Lumina coupe changing over to a V6 engine with a carryover front-wheel-drive platform, changing from the rear-drive sport coupe in 1988.

However, the current coupe made its debut in 2000 evolving ever since. These models are styled based on the Impala sedan adding more style to the vehicles. Styles have been changing as per customer demand bringing about modifications in exterior and interior styling that offer a contemporary appearance.

These models inspire designs from the old Monte Carlo models as well as GM Motorsports. They have stylized wheel flares and rear bumpers along with vertically oriented tail lamps. Since 2000 Monte Carlo designs carried a Knight badge with a full gage cluster. There are several pace car editions including trim level editions of LS, LT, and SS. The SS uses a 3.4 L OHV V6. The 2006 Monte Carlo (and Impala sedan) was introduced in 2005. Its base engine was a 3.5 L V6 producing 210 horsepower, with little change in the interior design.

However, the production of Monte Carlo Lt was ceased at the Oshawa Car Assembly Plant #1 in June 2007, with General Motors formal announcement. With regard to Monte Carlos future, there has been no further initiative to continue production elsewhere after production was ceased at the Oshawa plant. The revival of Monte Carlo is said to depend on the sales of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, GMs economic position in the current financial crisis of 2008, as we as the proposed changes to the CAF standard.

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What You Need to Know About Kentucky Automobile Insurance

by Steve Turner

You should receive a statement periodically from your insurance company explaining your coverages. This statement is a basic breakdown of the coverage you have, and how each part adds to the total premiums. This post will try to explain where or if you can save money on your insurance

As you look at this document, you will see that the major categories in your insurance policy include PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, your liability limits, and your comprehensive coverage. Each of these add to the total amount you pay, and if you are looking to save money, you may question which ones are the most important.

If you live in Kentucky, you must have liability limits of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000. This is the law and you cannot get less or forego this expense. Most people choose to get more coverage. Although it does cost money to get higher limits of protection, this isn’t an area where you would want to get stingy. If you get in an accident, you don’t want to be held liable for any expenses.

One of the most heavily debated areas is PIP. It is heavily debated between experts whether or not this is important and whether it should be legal. Regardless of what you think is right, it is required to have $10,000 in PIP by the state of Kentucky. This is expensive, but there is nothing you can do about this part.

One of the only places you can look to save money by cutting back your insurance is in your comprehensive coverage. This coverage covers the damages to your car in an accident or non-accident, regardless of fault. If you own your car, you can decide whether or not to have this coverage, but if you owe money on your car, your loan provider will require it.

If you do own your car, you can save money by dropping this coverage, but use discretion. If you drive an expensive car and you total it in an accident, this decision could come back to haunt you because you would have to replace it out of pocket. The only reason you would consider dropping it is if you have a car that isn’t worth much.

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Car Accident Prevention: Easy to Practice

by Amy Nutt

Cavalier driving habits like cell phone use, rubber necking or putting on make up has caused auto accident rates to increase as well as car insurance rates. In fact, distracted drivers account for 98 percent of most collisions. This is significant knowledge, as automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for people under the age of thirty five.

But we cant just blame cell phones or even a drinking and driving alone for the lack of attentiveness that is the catalyst of horrific accidents that claim thousands of lives annually.

Prevalent driving distractions

Almost all of us are guilty at some time or other of breaking basic driving rules. The reason for this is clear - most of us, as we grow more accustomed to driving, lose respect for the inherent hazards that come with driving hundred of miles per hour in a hurtling metallic object. Losing this appreciation is one the main ways that distraction, and car accidents, can occur.

The top driving distractions outside of cell phone use cited for causing accidents are:

- Changing out the CD or changing radio stations - we all love to listen to tunes as we drive, but an accident can happen in the time it takes to bat an eye - the same amount of time it takes to reach for your favorite CD.

- Driving well above the speed limit - this appears to be a growing phenomenon that will have, and has had, deadly consequences.

- Engaging in activities while driving - Reading, putting on cosmetics or using the laptop while driving; people have done these things and more. While these activities seem innocuous, enough people who do this while operating a motor vehicle dramatically increase their risk of causing an accident.

- Eating and drinking - one doesnt have to drink alcohol for drinking to be a hazard - the simple ritual of placing to the beverage to mouth can divert ones attention long enough to cause an accident. Eating can also be distracting and in fact, can double a motorists chances of getting in a wreck.

Ways to prevent an accident

There are bumper stickers everyone that screams ‘HANG UP AND DRIVE’ but the reality is, we have cell phones on us for a number of reasons so this simple admonition wont work.

What we can do is try to view a cell phone as an emergency tool that we do not associate with driving. Tell those who will call you during hours not to call unless it is important and keep your phone on vibrate. If you worry that the call could be an emergency, pull into a parking lot and take the call.

Below are a few other things you can do to decrease your likelihood of getting in an accident.

- Slow Down - everyone has somewhere to go, and on any given day, it may be imperative to get somewhere on time. However, if you wind up dead, time will be of little consequence. There is no place you have to be, except for extreme emergency situations, that is worth putting yourself and others in danger.

- Keep your hands on the wheel - changing the CD or eating can be detrimental in a situation where reaction time is key. It is best to keep both hands on the wheel at all times.

Changing attitudes

There seems to be a sense of entitlement that comes with certain driving behaviors. People hate being told they cant speed or talk on the phone as they drive. This attitude persists despite growing numbers that indicate that this is making our nations roads less safe.

Education is the key, so learn what you can and do what you are able to decrease your own chances of causing an accident and keeping your auto insurance rates low. If everyone did this, traffic fatalities may actually decrease and the nations highways could become a bit safer.

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