Wire Replacement in Your Classic Car

For the wiring of your Super Rod, you will need some assembly, but it should be no problem with the help of this detailed guide.

Step 1: To begin, you will need to prepare a basic kit with some wiring and a fuse block.

Step 2: The size of the Alternator will depend on the quantity of the equipped items on your Super Rod as well as their amount of amperage draws.

Step 3: A particular amount of current is required for each chosen component for fusing accordingly for protection. To maintain serviceability, you will need to place the items in an accessible but hidden location properly and away from sources of heat.

Step 4: Select the location of the fuse block first. In this case, the fuse panel will be located behind the side panels built, housed in the trunk for easy access but invisible. A fuse panel support bracket is fabricated on an angle to add to accessibility.

Step 5: The fuse block is attached with the aid of 10/24 stainless steel screws and the wires are ran behind the unit up over the internal wheel house. The wiring will be hidden by the trunk side panels.

Step 6:You can run the main harness through the rocker panel at the qtr panel window opening bottom, by cutting a clearance hole.

Step 7: Create a good entry location back up at the original front kick panel for the under dash wiring.

Step 8: Build a protective saddle below the bottom door hinge which also eliminates metal burrs which may rub the wiring when you going at the installation.

Step 9: Finish off with a trim panel covering the door hinge opening. For protection and to allow the wiring to pass through, on the upper section, incorporate an oval transition flange.

Step 10: For wiring protection while pulling through the panels, you can use a black corrugated conduit. Just fold back the edge and feed the corrugated conduit to the wire. You can use electrical tape to keep the end of the wires from hanging on an edge. It also doubles as an attachment location for rope or pull wire when pulling the wires through.

Step 11: Run the wires through the pre-drilled holes and use a pull string to feed the conduit through the rocker and into the vehicle interior with a pull string.

Step 12: To feed different components, install a main junction block beneath the dash. When it is done, you will see the feeds come off to their respective areas. All soldered connections should be shrink-wrapped.

Step 13: You may want to hide the starter solenoid in places such as behind the door jamb at the passenger front fender at the back.

Step 14: Run some preliminary wires up the dash and mark the sheet metal to aid in keeping track.

Step 15: Measure battery cables from large 1 gauge wire.

Step 16: Rough out the selected knob controls with extra wire so that the correct length can be achieved by trimming after the wiring.

Step 17: Hold the wiring together with clamps and wire ties to align and hide them right.

Step 18: Once the components have been wired and tested, wrap the dash knob harness using electrical tape, or just leave it in case you may want to service it or add a component in the future.

Step 19: For reference quickly and clearly, you can mark each wire to its component using a label maker.

Step 20: You may also need to change a new switch that matches the interior. Disassemble the new switch and fix it onto the original style knob. The bezel and original knob fits, and now you can install it with the new contact assembly.

Step 21: A holding bracket is made and the fuel injection unit's brain mounted in. It is accessible yet safe from heat sources.

Step 22: Some steering columns do not come with emergency flasher systems, if so, you can fabricate one with diodes. If you get stumped on some of these steps, contact your local street rod shop and ask technical questions to help yourself learn.

Finally, try out your completed project to see whether it works when you are ready. Do not wait till the car is done, as it may be too late, and the alterations make more work. If all is well, you are ready to hit the road.

Ensuring your ride is road worthy is what we do in our street rod shop at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Getting you on the road and enjoying your time asap is our goal.

Truck Drivers Benefit

Truck Drivers Benefit From Mobile Phone Application



In these days of advanced technology, so many applications have been and continue to be invented not only for computers but even for mobile phones. Fortunately, a lot of people belonging to the different segments of society, whether private individuals and professionals, are also benefiting from these technologies including the truck drivers.

For sure, many of you are very familiar with mobile phone applications. With these so-called apps, a mobile phone user can do more than just send text messages and make phone calls using the gadget.

For professional truck drivers, there's a specific application now that allows them to locate a variety of resources they need on a daily basis. Known as the resource page, this is part of an iPhone application called Trucker. This app was designed to meet the needs of drivers managing huge vehicles by way of providing vital information. These data are on the lowest fuel prices, truck repair services, weather updates, trucking industry news, legal forms, traffic alerts, truck wash locator, health insurance program, official government trucking links, mileage calculator, truck stop locator, weigh scale and freight locator, job finder, trucking forums and emergency links among others.

Apart from the important information, however, the Trucker application also provides resources for entertainment as well. There are trucking videos, trucking songs and even a blog talk radio. This will allow drivers to relax and be entertained for awhile as they're waiting for their next load delivery or pick-up.

This iPhone app is indeed very helpful to truck drivers. For instance, those experiencing problems with their truck in the middle of a road can easily find help by using the repair services locator. Those who follow the news won't be left behind as well as they can be updated while cruising on highways.

A truck driver who wants to get traffic information in the area of his destination could also utilize the traffic alerts feature. In addition, those who want to learn more about government regulations can get the official links to sites such as the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as the FMCSA, its rules and regulations page, hours of service regulations, FMCSA general notices.

Apple's iPhone Trucker application is being updated every day so professional drivers can be sure to get fresh content on a daily basis. The best part is that the drivers themselves can give suggestions and ideas as to what other information they would like to see. The manufacturing company will then screen these ideas and if they approve of your suggestion, the information will be added to the existing list.

With this app, you don't even have to bring a laptop because you can get all the information you need by just using your mobile phone. Another positive side to this application is it allows truck drivers to interact with their fellow drivers through discussion boards. The interaction is not limited to words because photos can also be submitted for sharing with other users.

Apple has made great leaps for years now with its innovations and today, it has made truck driving a less lonely job with its Trucker app.

The World of Classic Cars

An Introduction to the World of Classic Cars


The world of classic cars is one of the most under-rated, yet magically exciting sectors of what is essentially a leisure pursuit. Certainly there are many professional firms and companies trading in the area of classic cars, but for the most part the industry is driven by enthusiastic followers of their own particular classic car passion.

Some parameters and definitions are required and this leads to the first problem: what exactly is a classic car? And how do you begin to identify one? The answer is probably the old favourite that applies to all things of beauty and it is simply that it's all in the eye of the beholder.

One person's classic is another's heap of junk, but there's no doubt that we all know a true classic when we see one.

The earliest mechanically propelled vehicles are now, in the main, museum pieces that only rarely see the light of day. They are delicate relics of many a bygone age and evoke tremendous feelings of affection and attachment in those who love them.

Next are the classics that still represent a part of history long gone and comprise vehicles that can be nursed and nurtured by those who own, maintain and love them. Because of the dedication of these enthusiasts, the rest of us can enjoy the reward of exploring history, in much the same way as we would explore any part of the development of mankind through the ages.

Coming more up to date are the vehicles that represent the boom years of motor car design and ingenuity, before computer aided design took over and resulted in what exists now, i.e. all cars looking pretty much the same. Modern needs and demands for fuel efficiency, together with environmental considerations dictate how cars are now configured.

From modern techniques of design and manufacture we get cars that are incredibly efficient, but perhaps a little boring and unlikely to mature into what might be called classic cars in the future. Time alone will tell.

Mechanical transportation has been around since the latter part of the nineteenth century so we have a wealth of history to draw upon. Generally speaking the most satisfactory way to classify and categorise classic cars is by reference to the year in which they were manufactured. We have to start somewhere!

Further classification must introduce a geographic component. The US probably represents the largest sector here, but the UK and other European countries contribute hugely to the rich tapestry that now constitutes the classic car world.

Vintage cars are probably still best defined as those built before 1930. So that's a big part of the territory. Then come those built between 1930 and the end of World War 2 so, again a substantial sector. This era has been defined as the age of the "Post Vintage Thoroughbred". Not a bad label by any means.

Once we get beyond World War 2 things become a little more subjective. In the UK there is the zero rate of road tax which applies to any car built before 1973. Somewhat confused because it defines a "build" date rather than a "registered" date, but that aside this sector is fairly easy to classify. So if it's not vintage, and it's not a Post Vintage Thoroughbred, but it was built before 1973, then it almost certainly is a "Road Tax Free, Classic".

Coming further up to date there is definite confusion. There are classics being produced today, by small specialist manufacturers and even home build kit car fans. There are also the eccentric and bizarre that only their owners would ever define as classic.

When all said and done, no-one should be denied the entitlement to describe their own classic as such, and there's plenty of room in the world for us all.

Long may that be the case and long may all of us with an interest in this really fascinating world of historic motor cars, find enough to feed our passion and excitement for all time.

The Many Faces of a Bucket Truck

For most people, Altec bucket trucks are recognized as the embodiment of electric company utility vehicles. It is such a common sight to see them parked beside utility poles with linemen working on electric lines or poles. The truth of the matter is that this aerial-lifting device is more than just an electric company utility vehicle. Any creative individual with one of these vehicles can make a living from it. With the right business strategy, these versatile vehicles can be quite a money-generating asset.

The money-making capability of a bucket truck is unquestionable. For their owners, it typically involves booking clients, getting to the proper location, operating the lift, and then receiving a fee for the services that were performed. The minimal charge for this type of usage is typically $250 dollars for just an hour of work.

There are numerous aerial jobs such as climbing ladders or using a rope and pulley that are very risky and require a great deal of physical effort. A bucket truck is much more convenient and far safer for workers to use to perform aerial jobs. These vehicles also allow for the faster completion of any task as compared to more traditional methods.

Many aerial jobs can be done more handily with this aerial device. Because of this, many bucket truck owners take advantage of such aerial jobs, especially those that are needed only on an occasional basis. Work like that is not conducive to purchasing a vehicle for such infrequent usage. Instead, the wiser choice is to rent a bucket whenever aerial work needs to be handled.

Jobs Requiring a Bucket Truck

So what jobs either require or can be simplified by using a bucket truck? These vehicles are used for so many different applications. Following is a list of just a few potential uses:

Tree Trimming- 

Trees require regular trimming particularly when they grow near power lines or buildings. Overgrown limbs can rub against buildings or power lines and cause problems from that action. On older trees, dead branches also need to be removed so they won't fall and damage anything or anyone below them

Street and Traffic Light Maintenance-

Work on street lights and traffic lights also require an aerial lift. Changing the light bulbs on an entire street could take forever even with a stand-alone aerial lift as relocation to every light would require a vehicle to move it. A bucket truck can provide a safe platform from which workers can perform their tasks without worrying about traffic on the street as they would be above all that activity.

Painting and Window Cleaning-

Painting the exterior of a building can be easily and safely accomplished with a bucket truck. Cleaning the exterior of windows by this means is actually a preferred way of completing such a task; it is safer and the job can be completed so much faster than other means of attempting this chore.
These are just a few of the many possible bucket truck applications. These vehicles have a long service life and are in constant demand for all these numerous aerial tasks. For anyone considering the purchase of one of these vehicles, it is a decision that will undoubtedly be a source of income for many years. All of this because of the many faces of a bucket truck - amazing!

The History of the Buick Electra 225

The Buick Electra has been in the market for almost a half century. It lasted from 1959 to 1990 providing the needs of its clientele in a full-size premium luxury vehicle which General Motors was able to find the niche for.

It consists of several models in the Electra line such as the Riviera and Electra 225. This car was designed during the times when there was a decline in the automotive sales industry. While some automobile companies would gear towards producing a more compact and energy saving car, the President of General Motors then, Harlow Curtice thought of creating and manufacturing a premium luxury car and decided to produce the street rod called the Electra. Eventually it was replaced in the year 1991 by the new Park Avenue model.

During this time, the street rod Buick Electra's were manufactured as a full-sized premium automobile which was built by the Buick division of General Motors. They abandoned a more traditional design which Buick was known for and started to introduce a sleeker more modern vehicle.

The Electra line shares the same similarities with the Cadillac, it came in a four door sedan, a two door coupe and a two door convertible. Prior to 1959, the top of the line Buick lines were Roadmaster and Limited but when the year 1959 came along, they were renamed the Electra and Electra 225. The 225 resonates the overall length of this street rod which is 225 inches or 5,715 mm thus the term "deuce and a quarter".

The interior of the Electra 225 was something to crave for during those times. As the premium luxury line, they make it a point to be sleeker and up to date with a leather interior which was something a lot of people wanted in their cars. It also had power windows and a power operated top which was ultra modern at the time it came out.

It also had super deluxe wheel covers as well as an outside rear view mirror which added to the modern and sleek new look of convertibles. It had the standard requirement for Buicks such as a padded dashboard, a good power steering system and power brakes among other options.

In the year 1965, all the Buick lines alongside of the Electra featured new styles such as a more slanted headlight look with a chrome square grille and back fins with round tail lights.

The introduction of these new additions and revision in their cars was geared to increase their sales during those times and be more competitive since their competition was gearing towards a more compact concept car. They began to introduce a "contoured style" which provided a more sleek and modern look to their line. During this time, the Buick added new additions to the Electra series to make it more appreciable to its clientele as well as allowing them to competitively catch up with their competition. As the year progressed the sale on the Buick Electra began to sink due to the oil embargo in the 70's. More compact and energy saving street rods started being introduced to the market. As a result they began to downsize the lines in 1985 which is also when they introduced the Park Avenue design, a trimmer version of the Electra series which combined both the sporty yet luxurious feel to it of which the Buick was known for.

New 2011 Camaro Convertible

Hire the New 2011 Camaro Convertible to Convert Your Dull Day Into an Exciting One

A typical muscle car is the one that pounds the ground, melts the tire and provides a heat racing excitement. The new 2011 Camaro Convertible is one of such cars. It is a treat to drive such an exciting car. If you are passing a dull day and want to cheer up, go drive the new 2011 Camaro Convertible. Your boring day to day grind will get transformed into sheer exhilaration. However, I have to admit that price of a Camaro Convertible is quite high. An average wage earner will find it difficult to afford this car as GM has put a price tag of $28,500. But this should not stop you from driving it. I would say, the easiest way to fulfill such dream is to hire the car for a day or two and experience the thrill it has to offer.

Undeniably, the new Camaro Convertible is a beauty with a sturdy and well-tailored top. It also provides a good handling. So if you are looking for some fun for a sunny weekend or a warm summer evening, you might just consider renting out the new Camaro Convertible 2011. The handling of the new Camaro Convertible is truly first-class due to its excellent front and rare weight distribution. GM has incorporated additional bracings on the body and extra stiffness on the suspension to make the vehicle sportier.

This new 2011 model comes with two available engines - a 3.6 liter V6 or a honking 6.2 liter V8. If you are one of those lucky ones, your rental agency might just have both of them in their closet. You can then pick the one you want and hit the road! The 3.6 liter V6 comes with a 312 horsepower engine and six speeds manual or auto transmission, while the 6.2 liter V8 comes with a 426 horsepower engine and manual transmission or a 400 horsepower auto transmission. I prefer a V8 with manual transmission as it gives me the freedom to accelerate in quick time. Just a reminder that the V8 accelerates like a bat out of hell! For you information, the V8 powered Camaro accelerates 0 -60 in 4.9 seconds while the V6 accelerates in a little over 6 seconds.

One of the major factors to consider before hiring the V6 or V8 is their fuel consumptions. The V6 powered Camaro convertible is less expensive as well as more fuel efficient than the V8. The V6 with automatic transmission has a rating of 18 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city which for the V8 is 16, while on the highway the ratings are 29 and 25 mpg respectively. The manual V6 and V8 in the city rates 17 and 16 while on the highway it rates 29 and 24 respectively. I advice you to take careful notes of these statistics before renting out a Camaro.

The interior of the new model is just marvelous. It has four rectangular gauges on the center console showing the oil pressure and battery voltage. Some of the rectangular gauges come with orange and black upholstery that glows in the dark. The front seats have plenty of space. However, the rear seats are cramped and hold only two passengers. Moreover, as the car comes with only two doors, it is difficult for adults to get in and out of the back seat. But apart than this, the car is great in every other aspect.

For safety reasons, the new 2011 Camaro Convertible includes sheltering equipments like antilock disk brakes, stability and traction control, front and side air bags, head protector and cabin length side curtain bags.

In one word, the new 2011 Camaro Convertible is a startling vehicle and rightfully many of us dream of driving this beauty. As I said before, if you can not afford it, rent it from the nearer car rental company to convert your dull day into an exciting one!

Chevrolet Vega History With Production Numbers

Chevrolet cars have been one of the most well-recognized and well-admired cars for some time now. One of the most well-known lines for Chevrolet is the Chevrolet Vega, a subcompact car which could carry at least four passengers. This was produced by Chevrolet division of General Motors which became their flagship model from 1971 through 1977.

This car was introduced as a Vega 2300 in September of 1970 which resonated the star named Vega with a cubic centimeter engine size. It has been said that the Chevrolet, especially the Vega line, is considered to be one of the top selling cars in its earlier years. This is because it has a very sleek and modern design that had a hatchback wagon notch back as well as panel delivery design in its two-door styles.

During the time of the oil embargo, most of the car manufactures geared into manufacturing a more compact concept street rod which served the need to save and minimize the use of fuel / gas. At this time, the General Motors President James Roche announced that they too are producing a new mini or compact car in which case the then Chief engineer Ed Cole alongside with his team conceptualized and developed a compact all-aluminum die cast engine block technology which they called Chevy Vega.

The introduction of the Chevy Vega created a sleeker and technologically driven system to their lines with its notch back style sedan. As the year progressed, there were changes made in the Vega design for more and more additions and upgrades which were being introduced in order to provide for the needs of their clientele as well as to provide a better and smoother driving experience.

However, because of the rush for this street rod introduction and despite the many changes and improvements made, the result was not accepted as warmly as they expected.

Throughout the 70's, the Chevy Vega had undergone quite a few changes and upgrades in order to come up with the very best compact car in the market. These street rods had undergone not only interior changes, engine and power upgrading but at the same time refining the noise and vibration levels which most of the cars during those times were having troubles with.

In the year 1973, the car underwent at least 300 minor and major changes which included changes in the exterior and interior colors and trims to the bumper, power steering, vinyl interiors or door panels among others. As such every year new changes had been made to make the Chevy Vega adopt to the changes and evolution of how people were living. In the year 1977, the notch back was renamed into a coupe and the changes in the engine which provided for a pulse air system was installed to meet the requirement of the federal government in the standards sets for emission control.

The difference in the Chevy Vega among other street rods out there is that its hatchback coupe had a lower roof line as well as a fold-down rear seat which most of its clientele were excited and happy about. However on the other hand, their sedan line had an enclosed trunk and more rear seat room than the former. While its wagon had a swing-up lift gate with a lower lift cargo height the panel delivery was a one-passenger wagon with an enclosed storage area so that their buyers could have a lot of choices when they decide to drive a Chevrolet.

Cadillac - Making a Mark

The Cadillac has always sat at the top of the tree of American car brands. In American popular culture it is synonymous with status, prestige and luxury and it is the car that aspiring Americans want to own. Yet in Britain and the rest of Europe, Cadillac scores very low on the scale of brand awareness among prestige car buyers. Cadillac's concept of a prestige motor car has never exactly corresponded to what Europeans expect.

For this reason, Cadillac does not score high on level of interest among European classic car enthusiasts either. Few Europeans have personal recollections of a Cadillac to be nostalgic about. In fact, their only associations are likely to be with movies like the Coupe de Ville in The Deer Hunter or the various limousines in The Godfather. So, it is easy for many classic car buffs outside America to overlook the important role that Cadillac has had in the development of the motor car as we know it today.

The company was founded in 1902 by William H Murphy out of the remains of a failed attempt to start a car manufacturing company involving Henry Ford. Murphy chose not to use his own name for the company but instead wisely chose the more romantic sounding name of one of his ancestors, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who was also the founder of the city of Detroit. The first Caddys used engines made by Leland and Faulconer and it wasn't long before the two companies merged and Henry Leland who was a great engineer took the helm.

From the outset, Cadillac was all about quality craftsmanship applied to a luxury product. Leland's motto was "craftsmanship a creed, accuracy a law". This was a completely different approach to that of its rival Ford who famously fired their craftsmen in favour of cheaper, unskilled employees. This did not mean that Cadillac did not aim to be a large-scale manufacturer, though. Cadillac never was a hand-made car manufacturer like Rolls-Royce or the other top European prestige marques and the company prided itself on the sheer volume of luxury cars it could produce. Cadillac's production figures were comparable to the largest European manufacturers of any kind of car right up until the 1960s.

Also from the outset, Cadillac was an innovative motor manufacturer. In 1908 Cadillac demonstrated its reliability and commitment to accurately manufactured parts by winning the RAC's Dewar Trophy. Three new Cadillacs were picked at random from eight at the London dealership. These cars were stripped down into their component parts and the pieces jumbled up. A few new spare parts were then thrown in and three new cars were assembled from the pile. These cars were then driven for 500 miles round Brooklands race track with no problems at all. This test showed that all the parts had been accurately made and in an age where parts were often altered and fitted by hand it showed that Cadillac was made to the highest standards.

In 1909 Cadillac became a division of General Motors. This group of car and parts manufacturers was conceived as a strategic alliance where resources could be shared and the divisions be mutually supporting. For example, Cadillac was the premium brand of the group and could be sold as a natural progression from the cheaper brands like Chevrolet for the customer who was rising in his career.

In the early years all motor cars had to be started by turning a crank handle which could be a risky business. In 1912 a young executive was hit in the face by a starting handle and he died from his injuries. This incident led Cadillac to develop an electric starter motor and an integrated electrical system which also included ignition and lighting. The Delco system was adopted by other GM divisions and became the standard followed by all other manufacturers.

The Cadillac Type 53 of 1916 is widely accepted to be the first car that had a modern layout of the controls with a steering wheel, dashboard and pedals for the throttle, clutch and brakes in the order which we are now accustomed to. This layout was far superior to the controls of the Ford Model-T which was notoriously difficult to drive and those of other manufacturers. It became adopted by the mainstream during the 1920s led by the British mass automaker Austin.

In 1929 Cadillac was the first to have Synchro-Mesh gearboxes. Before that changing gear was a tricky business requiring some expertise if the driver was not to 'grind the gears' and it was easy to do serious damage to the gearbox. This feature was rapidly copied by other American manufacturers but European manufacturers were slower to adopt it.

Cadillac benefited greatly from the alliance between the sister divisions of General Motors. One of the ways in which it benefited was from the design team. Harley Earl was recruited in 1927 to head the Art and Colour section which was responsible for the overall look of each GM product. Before this time, the design of mass-produced cars was considered to be relatively unimportant compared to their performance and reliability consequently cars were 'engineer designed' without aesthetic consideration. Earl was the first to use modelling clay to design the car's bodywork and he is often credited with being the first professional car designer. GM quickly saw that this new facility to make pleasing car designs could be used as a powerful marketing tool and the notion of a 'model year' was invented. The underlying mechanical design was used for many years but details of the bodywork and interior were changed each year making the age of the car obvious to anyone and thus putting pressure on customers to buy the latest model.

The inspiration for car design from its inception until well into the 1930s was the horse-drawn carriage. However, beginning in the 1920s and with growing influence in the 1930s industrial design took over with its Art Deco influences. Up to the 1920s you could remove the engine compartment of a car and it would look like something that could be pulled by a horse but in the 1930s all steel enclosed bodies became the norm which sheltered the car's occupants from the weather and they were increasingly streamlined as the speed cars travelled at increased. Cadillac produced many elegant cars in this period such as the Sixty Special of 1939.

In the early 1940s while the rest of the world was at war American car design continued to evolve with the front wings being gradually incorporated into the bodywork. The 1941 Sixty Special was elegant and modern and a world away from the boxy appearance of the 1920s. The 1940s also saw the introduction of Cadillac's signature 'egg-crate' radiator grille.

Car design of the late 1940s and 1950s was hugely influenced by the great leaps forward in aircraft design brought about by the Second World War. Under Harley Earl's supervision Cadillac designs began to show explicit aircraft influences beginning with small tail fins for the Cadillac model year 1948 which were inspired by the Lockheed P-38 Lightening aircraft. Through the 1950s the fins got bigger every year and the influences began to include space rockets as well as aircraft. The tail fin reached its apotheosis in the 1959 Cadillacs not just for Cadillac but for the whole industry. The 1959 Cadillac is the most outrageously befinned design ever produced yet it has its own elegance and it has become one of the top automobile icons of all time. This was the last model of Earl's career. After 1959 the fins gradually became smaller again until they disappeared altogether in the squarer and more classical lines of the 1960s.

The 1970s was a barren period for design for the whole of the American car industry. In 1965 Ralph Nader published his book "Unsafe at any Speed" which revealed the truth about car safety which the industry, its customers and government had been in denial about. Legislation was introduced requiring cars to be built with much greater regard to the safety of their occupants. The American motor industry reacted badly in the belief that their had to be a trade-off between safety and style. Some of the ugliest cars ever made come from this period with huge bumpers and chunky lines. Cadillac were able to respond to the challenge better than many other manufacturers because it was easier to incorporate safety features into larger cars.

From the mid-1970s onwards American luxury car manufacturers increasingly found themselves challenged by European imports, chiefly BMW and Mercedes-Benz. A core belief of American manufacturers was that the most important component of the luxury of a car was its size. Europeans had a more sophisticated view and saw quality engineering as more significant and many customers found the European cars more satisfying to drive. Cadillac responded to this challenge with the introduction of the Seville in 1975. The Seville marked a different approach being the smallest yet the most expensive in the Cadillac range. Although the Seville sold well in the US it was perceived as still too large and cumbersome in other parts of the world. Its lack of market penetration in Europe shows that Cadillac had not been able to change its long cherished ways of thinking entirely.

At the beginning of the 21st century the car industry found itself under pressure from an increasing concern among consumers about environmental issues. The motor industry was seen as one of the chief culprits responsible for environmental damage. Many manufacturers sought to curry favour with their customers by appealing to nostalgia with retro designs for example with the Ford Thunderbird. Cadillac adopted the reverse strategy with a design philosophy they called 'Art and Science' which emphasises the cutting-edge nature of their products. This approach began with the CTS, the replacement for the Seville, and spread through the range.

Highly accurate scale models of Cadillac cars of all periods are available. All the top quality model manufacturers have produced models of Cadillacs. The British model maker, Brooklin, for example specialises in 1/43 scale white metal models of classic American cars. Sun Star make a wonderful range of models of American cars to the larger 1/18 scale which have a fantastic level of detail down to the correct pattern of tread on the tyres and the correct pattern on the mat in the boot. A model manufacturer which has come on the scene recently is Neo and they have produced some wonderful models of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s American cars, including Cadillacs, to the 1/43 scale.